The courtyard slowly quieted down after the servants left. Before long, only the gentle breeze and the crackling fire beneath the stove were left. The rich aroma of steamed spicy fish still lingered in the air, refusing to fade, making Xue Yao's stomach grumble in protest.
She stood by the empty stone table for a long moment, staring at the place where her breakfast had been only moments ago. Then she slowly raised a hand and rubbed the bruises around her neck, wincing the moment her fingers touched the swollen skin.
"…First they almost killed me," she muttered under her breath. "…Then they took my breakfast."
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She hadn't stolen anything nor had she poisoned anyone. She had only caught a few fish, cooked them with her own hands, and before she had even finished eating, someone had tried to strangle her to death.
