Zhao Xing expected that her life in the prime minister’s manor would never be the same as her peaceful days in Fenglong Mountain. Her life would never be peaceful anymore. Today was the example.

At the moment, Xiao Yi was running from outside as if she were being chased by a ghost. She was covered in cold sweat as she stammered before her young miss, “M-miss! Not good!”

“Ah?” Zhao Xing placed down the book in her hands and scanned the breathless maid from head to toe. “What happened to you ah, Xiao Yi?”

The transmigrator was previously enjoying an ancient dynasty’s romance novel and her sweet snacks; lotus flower pastries with water chestnut cake before Xiao Yi suddenly barged in her inner chambers.

“G-guard Wu!” Xiao Yi kept patting her chest in frustration as she tried to catch her breath. “Something bad has happened to Guard Wu, Miss!”

This time, Zhao Xing immediately stood up from the couch made from huali[1] wood. “Did that person get tired of life to the point where they provoke a sleeping dragon? Let’s go save that person Xiao Yi. I’m afraid Ruyi will chop them to pieces soon!”

Xiao Yi: “...”

At the moment, Ruyi was being held by a couple of the prime minister’s guards, and was being forced to kneel before Zhao Qing at her Yan Qing Pavilion. Wu Ruyi had already went through a few arguments, which made the guards tough him up a bit. His night sky robe was messily worn as he held onto his favorite double edged sword. The upper half of Ruyi’s hair was held with a simple, yet elegant black jade hairpin, but even now his hair was tousled around. A few of his bangs covered his seething eyes while he tried to hold his anger back. If he didn’t remember that Zhao Xing was quite unfavored in this place, he would’ve definitely torn those guards’ hands and dig out that Zhao Qing’s eyes!

He was afraid something bad might happen to Zhao Xing if he went against them. He didn’t want to implicate her at all...

That scene fell into Zhao Xing’s sight as soon as she arrived at Yan Qing Pavilion. It was the first time for Zhao Xing to step her feet inside her half-sister’s living quarter, and she didn’t expect the reason would be because of Ruyi.

“Zhao Xing greets Elder Sister!” Zhao Xing slightly bent her knees and allowed a smile to bloom on her face. Even though she was curious to death, she was able to force herself to remain calm.

Wu Ruyi quickly lifted his head upon hearing Zhao Xing’s familiar, sweet voice. Worry clearly flashed through his eyes as he scanned the girl from top to bottom. The handsome man immediately furrowed his eyebrows when he realized the girl only wore a thin robe and didn’t bring any hand warmers with her. Her hair also looked a little bit messy... was she that worried?

Even though it couldn’t be possible, but the very thought of her rushing to this wretched place for him made his chest feel a bit stuffy.

“Xing’er doesn’t need to be polite, we’re family after all!” Seeing the lovable younger sister, the jealousy in Zhao Qing’s heart almost couldn’t be surpressed anymore. The smile on her face stiffened upon seeing Zhao Xing’s charming appearance. At the moment, she wasn’t wearing any make up, but she was still so dazzling!

The transmigrator secretly rolled her eyes upon hearing that kind of response. Because of her lazy nature, Zhao Xing was impatient with ancient people’s chit-chat or courtesy. Thus, she quickly asked to the point.

“Elder Sister, I heard from Xiao Yi that Ruyi created trouble at your pavilion? May I know what he did?” Zhao Xing stood beside the kneeling Wu Ruyi, as though she was assuring him that she will stand by his side.

Her half-sister inwardly sneered. Seeing a man such as Wu Ruyi, he was better looking than most men and women she’s ever seen before! And Zhao Xing had him as her servant... how could she not feel jealous? Zhao Qing chuckled lightly while covering her mouth with her handkerchief. Her movement was so elegant and noble, showing that Prime Minister Zhao and Madam Yun indeed trained her well to be a respected young lady of capital.

“Actually, it’s not a big deal. He just stole a jinbu[2] from my warehouse. However, if he steals something again in the future, whether the object be big or precious from Xing’er, it will be very bad. So, I thought we needed to teach him a lesson. What do you think, Xing’er?”

Zhao Qing’s words initially sounded magnanimous as if she was afraid that Ruyi would cause harm to her half-sister. But deep inside, her words were harsh as she indirectly stated that Zhao Xing couldn’t teach her servant well.

“How can Elder Sister be sure he’s stealing from Elder Sister’s warehouse?” Zhao Xing lifted her eyebrows. To the other party, this small movement of Zhao Xing only provoked her anger.

“We caught him outside the warehouse. And when the guards searched his body, we found my jinbu inside his sleeve. Isn’t that enough to tell he’s a thief?”

“Has Elder Sister checked inside the warehouse? What if this jinbu isn’t Elder Sister’s?” The girl continued on, “I spent almost four years with Ruyi, I already regard him as my Elder Brother, and I know his personality very well. I know he will never do those sort of things. If Elder Sister doesn’t mind, let Xiao Yi and your maid check your warehouse and see whether your jinbu is still in place or not.”

A trace of panic flashed through Zhao Qing’s face. Since her pride was as vast as the sky, she definitely would grant Zhao Xing’s wish. If she didn’t allow her to check her warehouse,  her scheme would be exposed!

Zhao Xing saw her stiffen for a moment and honestly wanted to smack the girl. How come she’s this stupid? Was she so spoilt to the point where she became dumb? If Zhao Qing wanted to ruin her, then she should’ve at least done a better job!

“Of course!” Zhao Qing lifted her chin proudly. She was sure this lowly servant really stole from her warehouse. “Ruo Lan, take Xiao Yi to the warehouse!”

The maid standing behind Zhao Qing bowed her head before motioning to Xiao Yi to follow her.

When Xiao Yi’s figure was gone, Zhao Xing looked at the kneeling Ruyi. If her guess was right, Ruyi entered Zhao Qing’s courtyard at the wrong time. Yan Qing Pavilion was the closest to the road outside the manor. Ruyi was probably using his qinggong[3] and landed in this place. Then unfortunately, Zhao Qing caught him.

Feeling someone’s gaze on him, Ruyi lifted his head and caught Zhao Xing’s pair of mesmerizing eyes. At that time, Zhao Xing saw a small wound on the tip of Ruyi’s lips. He was probably getting slapped from that witch. In that exact moment, Zhao Xing felt as though this man was so silly. He could easily break apart those bodyguards and could probably avoid Zhao Qing’s slap in a blink of an eye. But why he didn’t do that ah?

So silly!

Several moments later, Xiao Yi and Ruo Lan finally appeared. Zhao Xing’s trusted maid was putting a happy face, while the other one was covered in fear and panic.

“Miss, this servant didn’t see anything wrong in the warehouse. No trace of the place had been barged in, and nothing is missing. I even saw a similar jinbu inside the jewelry box!” Xiao Yi reported to Zhao Xing with an intentional loud voice. Her eyes darted to a beautiful jinbu being held by Zhao Qing.

Zhao Xing smile proudly at her maid. Xiao Yi was indeed smart ah!

Shifting her gaze at Zhao Qing, the transmigrator calmly said, “It seems like Elder Sister was misunderstood Ruyi. That jinbu wasn’t Elder Sister’s and Ruyi didn’t take anything from Yan Qing Pavilion. So, can Elder Sister let him go now?”

It seems that this half-sister of hers was not a beauty with a brain ah. She’s quite... stupid.

Zhao Qing’s beatiful face was turning green to red. She obviously couldn’t hold back her anger. However, she couldn’t lose her white-lotus image. Thus, she forced a smile as she clutch the jinbu in her hands tightly.

“Xing’er, Elder Sister afraid that we still have to punish him.” The first miss’ smile was now appeared vicious. “The sun has set, but he was barging into my living courtyard. My guards almost beat him to death because they thought he was one of my crazy pursuers!”

“It’s Xing’er fault! Xing’er can’t teach him well, Elder Sister please have mercy!” Zhao Xing cupped her hands and slightly bowed her head. She wasn’t such a person who held a grudge, nor did she find it hard to apologize. Thus, when Zhao Qing pushed her and humiliated her to the point she had to utter an apology, Zhao Xing could easily satisfy that. As long as she could save her person. And wasn’t it just an apology?

Besides, there’ll be a time when Zhao Xing can throw this trashy person under her feet for messing with Wu Ruyi. If anyone dares to mess with her people then she’ll pay them back tenfold!

Zhao Xing might be generous enough to say sorry, but not with Wu Ruyi. At the moment, his eyes were already filled with killing intent. If looks could kill, the first miss of this manor would undoubtedly die thousands of deaths.

“Elder Sister doesn’t dare to accept Xing’er apologies!” Zhao Qing swung her handkerchief and covered her lips, as though she was hiding her victorious smirk.

The transmigrator almost throw up in disgust upon hearing that sentence. Still, she instantly rose and gasped, covering her lips. “But Elder Sister! Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to apologize to this sister of yours?”

“What?”

Zhao Xing looked away in distress before murmuring with blurry eyes. “This lowly sister of yours knows that my sudden visit back to the manor might cause problems since we never did get along back then... and I only hoped to spend more time with Elder Sister to make up for the moments we have lost! But it seems Elder Sister is still angry with me to the point of lying, demanding that my own servant had stolen your things! Elder Sister, don’t worry, this lowly sister of yours will march right up to Mother and Father to send me back to the mountains! I cannot believe how distressed I made you feel!”

“W-wait!” Zhao Qing gaped. “That isn’t what I meant-”

“Elder Sister, please have mercy on my servant. I’ve clearly stated that we don’t really know any better since we were away for so long! How could Wu Ruyi not know this was your own pavilion? He must’ve confused your place with mine!”

Zhao Qing backed up with incredulous eyes. “Sister!”

Zhao Xing began to sob a little, almost surprising Wu Ruyi. “This sister of yours shall also tell Imperial Uncle of what has happened, he’ll definitely take me far away! Worry not, Elder Sister, if you do not wish for me to come back then I won’t ever appear again! I only want you to live happily, I truly cherished our last moments together!”

When she finally ended her speech, almost everyone form Zhao Qing’s side was going crazy. How come this girl alaways managed to turn the tides with just a slip of her tongue? She not only managed to bring the prime minister in the conversation, but she directly told them how she’ll report this incident to her Imperial Uncle! Zhao Qing clenched her fists and forcefully reminded herself that Father didn’t dare to let this half-sister of hers go through any trouble. If something happens then surely all the blame will be placed on her, even if Wu Ruyi was the first one to jump in this place without permission.

“Forget it! I won’t punish him severely!” Zhao Qing finally muttered.

The transmigrator softly smiled and bowed her head. “This sister thanks Elder Sister for her mercy.”

“But we still have to teach him a lesson!” The first miss swung her handkerchief elegantly and motioned her servant to come over. “Punish him with fifty beatings with rod!”

“No!” Zhao Xing quickly stepped in front of Wu Ruyi before looking up at Zhao Qing.  “Elder Sister cannot punish him. Ruyi is not someone from Prime Minister’s manor, he is a person under my wing. Even though he still needs to be disciplined, it’s only me who has the right to do that!”

Punishing Ruyi with fifty beatings of rod, didn’t that mean she was beating him to death?

“Xing’er, he has violated the manor’s rules. He has to be punished. Only then can we give an example to the other servants!”

Zhao Xing knew that this dimwit of a half-sister wouldn’t let this matter slide away. If she couldn’t end this problem soon, their father might hear about this and everything might become worse.

Closing her eyes tightly, the girl whispered under her breath, “Zhao Xing, remember Grandpa’s teaching... Succumbing doesn’t mean losing! Even Uncle Sun Tzu said, sometimes we need to lost the small battle inorder to win the war!”

Right at that moment, a brilliant idea suddenly flashed across her mind, made her silently let out a playful smirk.

The transmigrator suddenly knelt beside Ruyi and stated, “Elder Sister, Ruyi is my loyal guard, and I bear responsibility for his action. I will punish him later, and for the exchange, I will kneel at the ancestral hall for a night and pray for Elder Sister’s health and safety!”

“Zhao Xing!”

“Miss!”

Both Wu Ruyi and Xiao Yi roared at the same time. Zhao Xing’s health was still unstable and she needed to recuperate. If the girl was going to kneel in the ancestral hall for a night, she might collapse at any time!

Wu Ruyi was felt like his heart was being torn apart in pieces. The moment he saw the girl succumbing and kneeling, he wanted to turn Yan Qing Pavilion upside down! The guards who was held him even trembled in fear. When they locked gazes with the man, Ruyi’s seductive eyes abruptly narrowed into slits and his face turned ugly. That caused shivers to unpleasantly go up their spines. Wu Ruyi sneered, he’ll definitely kill these bastards one day.

But as he contemplated whether or not to strangle those guards, Zhao Xing cackled in her heart.

Kneeling at the ancestral hall? Hmph! In your dreams!

 

 

Author’s Note:

[1] Chinese pear, Huanghuali ('yellow flowering pear'), or huali is from the rosewood family. The colours range from a reddish brown to golden yellow and has a sweet fragrance.

[2] Yaopei/腰佩 (lit. “waist wear”) is the general term for traditional Chinese waist ornaments, of which there are several types. Yaopei are typically decorated with jade (Yupei/玉佩), as the Chinese have revered jade since ancient times, and would (and still do) adorn themselves with it in various forms, including jewelry, hair ornaments, and waist ornaments. 

Those beautiful long pendants of jade and tassels hanging from the waist that you see in Chinese dramas are a type of Yaopei called Jinbu/禁步. An accessory worn since ancient times, Jinbu was initially used to hold down the skirt.

[3] Translates to lightness skill, and refers to skills meant for agility improvement. In Wuxia movies and television dramas, such skills are often exaggerated to endow users with superhuman leaps and temporary flight.