After First Young Master Yuan Zhaoxian dismissed the servants.
The steward's office, responsible for all those who could be called 'subordinates', was thrown into chaos.
Arguments about responsibility, the issue of who to newly assign, and decisions about punishing the servants dismissed by the First Young Master.
Heated debates continued.
Finally, the Head Steward, whom the First Young Master had directly mentioned, stepped forward.
Only after he disbanded the stagnating meeting could peace return to the conference room.
"Haaah..."
At the long conference table.
Though everyone else had left, the middle-aged Head Steward at the highest seat held his gray-haired head in his hands.
"I knew something like this would happen eventually, but..."
At Wang Pavilion, the First Young Master's residence, there had been no one to manage the subordinates.
Moreover, under a First Young Master of gentle disposition.
How could he, the Head Steward of the Luoyang Sword Clan, not have known that the subordinates would eventually cross the line?
"I suppose we should be thankful that the First Young Master didn't report the servants for insubordination or spying..."
If he had, it wouldn't have ended as just a steward's office issue - he could clearly see how the entire sword clan would have been thrown into chaos.
"...Ugh."
He habitually reached for his drawer, chewing dried medicinal herbs said to be good for an upset stomach.
The Luoyang Sword Clan's main house was a place where dozens of influential figures came and went daily.
Managing subordinates in such a place was always bound to upset one's stomach, but lately it had been excessive.
All of this was due to the sword clan's 'succession issue'.
Even after chewing more than the recommended amount of medicinal herbs, the pain wouldn't subside.
"...In the end, the time for just watching has passed."
The Head Steward's complexion became much calmer, and his eyes shone brightly.
After composing himself, he called over a maid and whispered in her ear.
Turning his eyes from the sight of the maid bowing deeply and withdrawing, he sank back into deep thought.
***
Shortly after, the Head Steward welcomed a maid to his office with a warm smile.
"Head Steward, Maiden Jingya pays her respects."
"You've come."
Though Jingya was merely a maid, her beauty was extraordinary.
When she entered the room, it seemed to brighten instantly with her beauty.
Her long ebony-black hair was neatly tied back, and her flawless white skin seemed to glow.
Her thick eyelashes accentuated her large, clear eyes, her nose was small yet high-bridged, and her lips, slightly touched with rouge, were full and plump.
Yet those full lips formed a composed smile rather than appearing seductive.
"Have you been well?"
Above all, what drew attention were her eyes.
Her irises were so light they appeared golden rather than brown.
Those eyes, combined with her beauty, created an exotic and mysterious charm.
Yet her gaze was deep, preventing anyone from treating her as a frivolous woman.
"How could someone in my position hope to be without troubles? Still, I maintain my health somehow."
"Anyone would say health is most important. Seeing you healthy puts my mind at ease, sir."
The woman called Jingya bowed deeply to the Head Steward, displaying perfect etiquette as a subordinate.
But even such formality couldn't hide her elegant dignity.
Even in a maid's uniform, her beauty didn't dim in the slightest.
A smile of approval formed on the Head Steward's lips.
Jingya was a child he had personally taken in from the streets in the past.
And now, to him who had no children, she was as precious as his own flesh and blood.
"...Jingya."
"Yes, sir."
Jingya found it strange that the Head Steward couldn't easily get to the point after calling her.
If someone in his high position within the Luoyang Sword Clan couldn't speak easily, it certainly wasn't a trivial matter.
She quietly sat in her place, eyes downcast, waiting silently for him to state his business.
"...Hah."
The Head Steward sighed deeply at her behavior.
Would the decision he was about to make be right?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't know the immediate outcome.
"...How old are you this year?"
"I am twenty-one this year."
Indeed, she was in the flower of her youth.
"Do you know why I've kept you preciously in the reception hall without finding you a master, even though I value you so?"
"This humble one is too dull to understand your deep intentions."
In truth, she couldn't have been unaware of the Head Steward's deeper thoughts.
But having been taught to keep her eyes, ears, and mouth closed regarding internal matters of the Luoyang Sword Clan, she avoided answering.
The Head Steward read her thoughts and was satisfied.
"I've thought of you as a daughter, so I wanted to be careful, extremely careful in choosing your master."
"This humble one is always grateful for your deep consideration."
Jingya bowed deeply, conveying her gratitude.
But instead of accepting her thanks, the Head Steward called her to sit closer.
And rather than speaking, he picked up a brush and began writing his thoughts.
Though he had already ordered that no one approach his office, he was experienced from his long years as steward.
In the heart of the Luoyang Sword Clan, filled with master practitioners, even quiet voices weren't truly private.
'The Second Young Master is suited to be a faction leader, but his nature is too cold, being overly clear about gains and skilled at calculation.'
The steward paused his brush and checked his surroundings once more.
'The Third Young Master has outstanding martial arts and many martial artists following him, but his nature is violent and greedy, making him dangerous. The Fourth Young Master is the most well-rounded, but he's too young and has few followers. He's far from being suitable for the position of junior clan head.'
Jingya was startled by the content the Head Steward wrote with swift strokes.
He had served the Luoyang Sword Clan loyally for many years.
But at such a sensitive time, if words evaluating the young masters leaked out, it would naturally cause an uproar.
Despite Jingya's startled appearance, the Head Steward didn't stop his brush.
'The young ladies of the main house all have good personalities. But their maids are under the inner court supervisor's jurisdiction. She personally selects them from among the children she raised herself. Even if I wanted to recommend someone, there's nothing I can do.'
It was natural that the surroundings of noble daughters were thoroughly vetted, as if bleached clean.
The Head Steward moistened his dry lips with cold tea.
'Of course, I hadn't even considered the First Young Master. He's in seclusion now.'
The brush that had been writing freely until then stopped.
After hesitating for a while, the Head Steward bit his lip, and his brush began moving again.
'Do you know why the First Young Master is called the Swordless One?'
Jingya carefully picked up another brush.
'First, because the First Young Master doesn't wield a sword and has no talent for martial arts...'
Second, because he hadn't shown himself suitable as the next clan head.
Moreover, hadn't he been in seclusion for nearly ten years now?
There were other rumors too, but none she found credible.
As she put down her brush, the Head Steward picked his up.
'In response to that, I'll now tell you a hidden story.'
His fingertips trembled, and his writing became faster.
'This happened over a dozen years ago.'
This was clearly a story that should not leak out even more than the previous ones.
Jingya focused even more intently on following his brush tip.
'Most in the main house believe the First Young Master has no talent for martial arts and has never held a sword, but that's not true.'
"...!"
Jingya's mouth opened slightly without her realizing.
'I was there the day the First Young Master first held a sword.'
He continued the hidden story of that day.
'I still can't forget it. The sight of him first grasping a sword and taking the initial stance.'
He moistened his drying lips with cold tea.
Jingya anxiously waited for his brush to move again.
'That appearance, it was already that of a master swordsman who had reached enlightenment. I couldn't even breathe from the energy emanating from him.'
"...!"
Sword Master, a master of the sword.
It was a term for one who had established their own school of swordsmanship.
This wasn't about the levels of inner power that enthusiasts easily discussed.
It referred to a realm where one had transcended form and intent with the sword, establishing their own world.
Yet to describe a child holding a sword for the first time as a sword master...
'I was ordered by the clan head at the time, that is, the current Grand Clan Head, to keep that matter silent. For some reason, after that, the First Young Master himself never held a sword again.'
"...?!"
That was beyond Jingya's imagination.
'And secondly.'
This was a rebuttal to the evaluation that he hadn't shown himself suitable as the next clan head.
'Until the First Young Master went into seclusion, what the clan head's closest advisors feared most was the First Young Master himself.'
It was like thunder and lightning struck in Jingya's mind.
'Since the First Young Master didn't conduct many affairs under his own name at the time, only a very few remember this now.'
His brush moved without pause.
'There are still those in the imperial palace who remember his name.'
What could the First Young Master, who was just a child then, have done for his name to reach even the imperial palace?
Jingya controlled her confused emotions and picked up her brush.
'Why are you telling me these things?'
These were stories that shouldn't leak out in the clan's current situation.
The Head Steward heaved a great sigh.
'The Second and Third Young Masters are now seriously demanding to have you. It seems competition has sparked between them.'
"...Ah."
Jingya had always been considered one of the finest reception maids, drawing attention from all visitors.
There had even been an amusing incident where a direct descendant of a noble family fell for her and proposed marriage.
Even that had been a big issue at the time.
But it was an entirely different matter for the two people most prominent as candidates for the next junior clan head to compete over her.
After being momentarily dazed, Jingya bit her lip and picked up her brush.
'Do you wish for me to go to the First Young Master?'
Regardless of what the First Young Master was like in the past, would the current First Young Master protect her after she came under his roof?
Would he, known for his gentle nature, protect her from his two brothers full of ambition for power?
Instead of answering, the Head Steward detailed the events that had occurred at Wang Pavilion, the First Young Master's residence, today.
'Has the First Young Master's nature changed?'
The Head Steward started to nod at her question, then shook his head instead.
'I'm not sure if "changed" is the right word. I dare say this incident rather suits his original nature.'
'Then...?'
'Perhaps. Perhaps he has resolved something in his mind.'
This was judgment befitting the Head Steward of the Luoyang Sword Clan, called the greatest clan in the Central Plains.
'And if he is the First Young Master I remember...'
His eyes flashed.
'...The clan's succession landscape will surely change dramatically.'
The Head Steward looked at Jingya's face for a moment and bit his lip.
Though her face bloomed with mature beauty, in his eyes she was still the adorably cute girl from before.
'The decision is yours. However.'
The Head Steward stopped his brush and looked at Jingya.
Jingya too raised her head to meet his gaze.
Her beautiful eyes that anyone would find faultless.
Deep in those eyes that resembled golden ones lay a secret about herself that only the Head Steward and Jingya knew.
'With [those eyes] of yours, you'll be able to judge faster than anyone whether the First Young Master has truly changed his mind.'
The brush was placed on the inkstone.
Silence filled the office.
He gathered all the paper they had used for their written conversation and slowly, carefully threw them one by one into the brazier.
***
Shortly after, a maid who left the Head Steward's office hurriedly headed somewhere.
Toward her new residence.