Looking at the inside of Rong Manor at the gate, Hong Yu couldn"t help feeling annoyed that these n.o.ble ladies were at the mercy of a little maid. Although it was already bright, it was still cold and humid in the early morning. Ladies were invited to attend the banquet. But now they were asked to wait in the wind!
Thinking so, Hong Yu turned to An Rushuang and said, “Miss An, it’s very cold waiting in the wind and it’s humid in the morning. It’s better for you to wait in the coach in case you catch a cold.”
When An Rushuang was about to reply, she heard Bai Zhi was also advising something to Zhu Xianxian in a low voice at the side.
“Even servants can deceive masters in Rong Manor. I don"t see any point waiting in cold wind for them. Miss Zhu, why bother asking for trouble? I suppose the flower banquet in Anhe Garden is at the onset. Why not heading to the Palace and attend Princess Mingxi’s…”
Hearing Bai Zhi’s words, Xianxian smiled at her as warm as the spring breeze. She didn"t interrupt her until she finished advising. Thereafter, Xianxian looked straight at her and said slowly, “Kneel down!”
She said the two words in such a determined manner that defied any refusal.
To her astonishment, Bai Zhi suddenly looked up at Xianxian, with her eyes filled with disbelief. “Miss Zhu… I wonder… if I did something wrong…” said Bai Zhi.
Zhu Xianxian chuckled and rolled her eyes before she said cunningly as if she turned into a cunning fox from a mild rabbit, “Right! It is just because of your unawareness of your wrongdoings that I ask you to reflect yourself.”
Hearing this, An Rushuang almost laughed out, thinking Xianxian was indeed a genius!
“Humph! I’m afraid you are not unaware of your wrongdoings, but unaware of your impaired hearing!” said Mingyue, with her eyebrows frowned.
After that day, Mingyue indeed found Bai Zhi annoying. Previously she was just ignoring her and tried not to start a quarrel for the sake of Xianxian.
But seeing her once again being disobedient, Mingyue immediately took her whip from Hong Zong and whipped at the ground beside Bai Zhi.
Hearing the horrific sound of the whip, Bai Zhi turned pale and instantly knelt down in front of Zhu Xianxian. She cried, “Miss Zhu, please… please forgive me. I know what I’ve done wrong. I shouldn’t have tried to advice you and I will not do it in the future… please forgive me… and I am your personal maid. If I kneel here, I’m afraid I would embarra.s.s you…”
Hearing this, An Rushuang couldn"t help laughing at her. Bai Zhi was always fancy herself smart.
If she did not say the latter part, perhaps Xianxian would feel sympathetic and let her up. However, she said the last sentence which seemed to be caring Xianxian, but actually was a kind of threat. Xianxian would by no means let her up.
True enough, Xianxian raised her eyebrows and smiled at her, “But if you kneel there as a low-rank maid, you will not embarra.s.s me…”
Seeing Bai Zhi being confused, Xianxian said slowly, “Kneel beside the coach. Do not get in the way to the Rong Manor! Besides, you are not my personal maid any longer and you will be demoted to third-rank servant from today, in case you embarra.s.s me.”
“Miss Zhu, it’s all my fault. Please… please forgive me this time…” cried Bai Zhi full of tears as if it was the doomsday.
Third-rank servant? So she could not enter Miss Zhu’s room anymore; she could only tidy up the yard outside. If so, Lady Zhu would never value her, which meant that she lost two anchors all of a sudden.
No…
However, Zhu Xianxian looked at her indifferently, with a cold face that Bai Zhi had ever seen.
Seeing this, Hong Yu couldn"t help feeling sympathetic for her, but it only lasted for a second. For them, a loyal servant would never serve two masters as is the case that a good woman would never have two husbands.
Suddenly she thought of Cui Liu. Several days pa.s.sed. The Second Prince did not even get any closer to the brothel. Presumably it was because of a concern over his fame…
After taking a sigh, Hong Yu turned back and looked inside into the Manor. Seeing no one coming, she stepped forward and gave some money to Chang Sheng, “It seems that Luoxia would not come here again. Could you do us a favour to inform Princess Anyang of our presence?”
Seeing this, Chang Sheng immediately refused and said embarra.s.singly, “Miss, I’m afraid I couldn"t…”
Saying so, he saw a little servant girl with two buns carrying a lunch box walking by. Chang Sheng smiled and wove his hand to the girl, “Ling Dang!”
Hearing his call, the girl replied and came to his side, “Yes?” Seeing An Rushuang and others wearing delicately, she paid a respect to them.
“These ladies come here to attend the flower banquet. I have to stay here. Could you go report this to Princess Anyang?”
Biting her lips, Ling Dang behaved so constrained and looked at An Rushuang fearfully. Seeing An Rushuang smiling, she couldn"t help feeling shameful and said in a low voice, “I… I do not dare… if Luoxia knew, she will blame me…”
Ling Dang was just a kitchen maid. How dare she enter Changchun Garden?
An Rushuang smiled gently, “No worries, you can just go. If you manage to get things done, you’ll have other rewards. But bear in mind that you have to bring this to Princess Anyang.”
Saying so, An Rushuang gave the invitation to the girl and gave her some money.
Jingle was so surprised that she excitedly looked at her and said, “Thank you so much. I’ll go and see Princess Anyang.”
Soon after Ling Dang left, a woman in red got closer. It was Luoxia coming back. She slowly bowed to the ladies and said, “Ladies, I’m so sorry that Princess Anyang is not comfortable to meet anyone today. So I’m afraid you have to go.”
Seeing them looking at her without saying anything, Luoxia felt a little confused and continued to say, “Princess Anyang also felt sorry and she said she would invite you to another flower banquet later.”
Saying so, Luoxia couldn"t help feeling smug, thinking Princess Anyang, you are just a poor woman!
Even though she couldn"t stay here, she had already found a better place! There was no need for her to waste time here and no point serving Princess Anyang anymore!
But when Luoxia finished her words, she heard a cold sneer behind her as if it was the frozen ice in the dark night, which made Luoxia suddenly stunned like a stone.