Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 28 : Bamboo horse plum

The courtyard gate of Castle Peak Hill (Aoyama) was suddenly kicked open with a loud bang. Zhuge's men stormed in like tigers, startling the maidservants who were gathered under the gallery near an antique vase. Upon hearing the commotion, they jumped up in shock.

At that time, Zhuge Yue had been summoned by Zhuge Huai and was at the Red Hills Courtyard with his guards, Zhu Cheng and several others. The usually quiet Castle Peak was deserted, with few people remaining in the courtyard and only a handful of maidservants wandering about. Huan'er, one of the older maids, was visibly pale with fear but stepped forward, trembling. "Who are you?" she demanded. "How dare you barge in with such boldness! Do you even know where you are? This is the Fourth Master's Green Hills Courtyard."

One of the intruders responded politely, "We are pursuing a runaway slave who escaped in this direction. If we've caused any offense, we apologize, miss."

"A runaway slave? How is that possible?" Huan'er, hearing their polite tone, gathered her courage and continued, "What yard are you from? Are you aware of the strict rules governing these courtyards?"

"We serve the old master of the Zhuge family from the outskirts of the household. If there's any trouble later, we'll inform the Fourth Master that the slave fled this way. We did not intend to breach the Green Hills Courtyard."

Huan'er, still shaking, replied, "I'm familiar with the old master. This is Castle Peak, and you're bold to make such claims. We have seen no slaves pass through here, so do not cause trouble."

One of the intruders pointed to a nearby house, "She escaped into that room. I saw her from the window."

Huan'er gasped, "That room is off-limits unless the young master gives permission. You cannot enter."

"We can't leave without the slave," one of the men said coldly, "Seize her."

"No, you can't! Heads will roll if you go in there!" Huan'er tried to stop them, but one of the men grabbed her roughly. The other maidservants watched helplessly as the men, ignoring their protests, charged into the room like a pack of wild animals. Huan'er screamed, tears welling up in her eyes.

"There she is! That's the one!" shouted one of the servants as they spotted a girl.

Huan'er cried out, "You're mistaken! That's one of our maids, not the runaway slave! Find the real one, not her!"

Zhu Guanjia, the head of the intruders, sneered, "You're covering for her. If you don't hand her over, you'll be in trouble. You know the rules." Without another word, the girl—Chu Qiao—was bound by the men and taken away.

Huan'er, watching helplessly as the men left with Chu Qiao, ran toward the Red Hills Courtyard, determined to report this to her master.

Meanwhile, in the study hall, Zhuge Yue was deep in conversation with Zhuge Huai when Zhu Cheng whispered, "Pardon the interruption, Fourth Young Master, but Huan'er, the head maidservant, has urgent news for you."

Zhuge Yue frowned, "What is it that can't wait? Send her back. There are rules to follow, and I won't tolerate interruptions."

But outside, the tension continued to build. Moments later, Zhu Cheng knocked again, his voice trembling, "Fourth Young Master, it's about the Star Child. She's been taken by the old master's servants, led by Zhu Guanjia."

Suddenly, the door swung open. Zhuge Yue's expression darkened as he coldly asked, "Say that again."

Zhu Cheng, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, repeated, "Zhu Guanjia and the old master's men caught a runaway slave, and they took the Star Child, mistaking her for the fugitive."

Zhuge Yue's eyes turned sharp, his face becoming more menacing. His voice was as cold as ice, "How long ago did they take her?"

"About half an hour," Zhu Cheng responded.

Without another word, Zhuge Yue stormed out, his steps quick and forceful. He didn't even acknowledge Zhuge Huai's presence as he rushed toward the Aoyama Courtyard, intent on retrieving the Star Child.

Zhuge Huai, slightly surprised by his younger brother's outburst, turned to his attendant, Zhu Yong, and asked, "What do you make of this?"

Zhu Yong, a man in his thirties who had served the Zhuge household for many years, replied calmly, "The Fourth Young Master is usually calm and composed, but something about this situation has made him act irrationally. It's not like him at all."

Zhuge Huai smirked, "It seems my younger brother has a soft spot for this Star Child. Puppy love, perhaps?" He chuckled softly, amused by Zhuge Yue's behavior.

Then, his expression turned serious. "Zhu Yong, I want you to investigate this Star Child. Find out everything there is to know about her. This might be useful."

Zhu Yong nodded and left to carry out his orders, while Zhuge Huai pondered the situation. He couldn't understand why his younger brother, usually so cold and aloof, would be so affected by the fate of a mere slave girl.

As the cold north wind blew, Zhuge Huai sat deep in thought, a faint smile playing on his lips as he whispered, "Star Child..."