Zhao Lifei inhaled deeply to clear her mind. She knew it was pointless arguing against these people. She decided to focus on Pei Qing who was still sitting on the floor, refusing to get up. "I was trying to fix this situation with the hopes of coming to a solution. But it seems that wasn"t your end goal. You wanted to create a scene and now you have one." Her eyes swept over the judging looks of the servants. Did they not have anything better to do than stand here and gossip?
"I don"t have time to engage in your damsel-in-distress act. And for the record, you"re not getting an Oscar for your horrible performance. It"s either you come with me in private so that we can discuss a solution, or you can sit on the floor and cry like a baby. I"m fine with either decision, but don"t jump to conclusions and try to slander my name."
She heard the gasp of the servants but brushed it aside.
"You"re a grown woman with perfectly working legs. Stand up and stop crying on the floor. It"s pathetic." She glowered at Pei Qing, her eyes on fire. If looks could kill, Pei Qing would"ve long been buried.
"You know what? You are right. I"m just another rich woman who thinks money can buy her way out of her problems."
Pei Qing was secretly gloating. She was happy that Zhao Lifei had finally been provoked by her plan. While it hurt her ego to be condescendingly talked to, she knew it would only be a matter of time before this reaches the ears of Yang Feng.
Zhao Lifei walked closer to Pei Qing and with each step, her heels echoed on the floor. It sounded like tiny clicks of fireworks that would eventually lead to an explosion. The frightening and bone-chilling aura that had emerged from her presence was hard to miss.
Zhao Lifei leaned down to whisper to Pei Qing so that no one else could hear their conversation."If you think this little act of yours will evoke pity from Yang Feng, then try again. You think you"re the only one who can play the role of a white lotus?" She chuckled, her mocking laughter paralyzing Pei Qing to the spot.
The dangerous aura that can only be honed by years of training to become a powerful family"s matriarch pa.s.sed by everyone the moment Zhao Lifei softly laughed. Traces of fear flashed through Pei Qing but she ignored it, believing that she still had the upper hand.
"Oh, little girl. You don"t know who you"re messing with." She whispered, twirling the white strings on Pei Qing"s uniform. Zhao Lifei instantly picked up that it had clearly been altered. While it still looked similar to uniforms worn by other higher-ranking maids in the estate, Pei Qing"s uniform can be undone by one rough tug. Pei Qing wanted it to be feeble and fragile so that at any moment, she can give easy access to Yang Feng.
"Before I lose my patience with you, I suggest you stand up and act like a civilized human."
Pei Qing felt her anger flare at Zhao Lifei"s confident words. "You vicious woman, I will cry to Yang Feng and-"
She was interrupted by Zhao Lifei"s mocking tone. "Yang Feng? I was not aware servants like you can sound so familiar with your employers. And whose side do you think your master will take? The woman he hovers over like a stubborn fly or an insignificant maid?"
"Accept my hand when I offer it and stand up. If you come to your senses now, I"ll be generous and play the "horrible rich woman" stereotype you had in mind. I"ll give you a few million for your dress and bracelet."
Pei Qing"s desire to ensure Zhao Lifei"s downfall was even stronger. The fire growing in her heart was being fanned by Zhao Lifei"s threatening insults. A few million? Hah! If I marry Yang Feng, a few million will mean nothing to me! It can be used as toilet paper for all I care.
As promised, Zhao Lifei offered a hand to Pei Qing.
The servants that had gathered here to gossip were new and had only recently begun working here. Because they were so inexperienced and young, they were instantly drawn over by the loud commotion.
The ones who had worked for Yang Feng for a very long time knew how to survive in this house. As long as they minded their own business and did their jobs well, Yang Feng compensated them generously. Picking a fight with someone who is clearly on the road of becoming their future madam is obviously unwise.
It was Madam Yang"s idea to hire more servants to work in his house. Yang Feng didn"t want to because he disliked inexperienced people. But with her eldest son living away from the Yang Main Mansion, she couldn"t help but often worry if he"s well taken care of.
After a lot of convincing and a promise that all of these new workers had gone through an intensive background check, he finally yielded to his mother.
Pei Qing made it look like she was accepting Zhao Lifei"s helping hand. When she was about to stand, she purposefully winced and cried out in pain. "Ah! My ankles!" She hissed and pulled Zhao Lifei onto the floor.
Before Zhao Lifei could let go of her to prevent herself from falling, Pei Qing had forcefully tugged her to the floor. But unlike Pei Qing, she fell forward, her knees slamming hard against the floor.
"So this is how she wants to play, well then I"ll play her to death." Zhao Lifei thought to herself. When she saw his distinctive figure approaching, she purposely let out a cry. It wasn"t hard for her to make that noise since her knees were truly throbbing with pain.
The figure was walking closer now and she knew it was time to begin her plan.