2022-03-10 20:59:04The birds flew by the Zhi courtyard, on the entrance of the courtyard was Zhi Ruo eating breakfast and having tea. Ravel beside her refilling the cup from time to time. Both perked up when they heard footsteps comming to the courtyard.
"Leave," Zhi Ruo waved her hands.
"Yes master," and obediently, Ravel took all of the containers and left.
Only the tea cup was left, the faint herbal smell emitted from the cup. Zhi Ruo took her mask and put it on. The figure of the maid bringing a tray of food was seen. Her body was trembling, but she didn't dare drop the food.
"This lowly nubi greets the first Xiaojie..." Loud as a whisper, the maid greeted.
"Stand up," without being told twice the maid stood up and sat down on the ground when Zhi Ruo pointed down. "Eat," it was like routine by the third time. With no will power left, the maid obediently ate the food that she brought.
Zhi Ruo sipped the tea as looked at the maid's appearance. There was eyebags under her eyes, her lips were pale, and she could see that the maid tried to hide it with red lipstick or tint. "what's with the commotion last night?" Zhi Ruo tentatively asked. The maid paused to answer.
"The warehouse was set ablaze last night," the maid slowly began. She stared at the food that was beautifully decorated with poison. " I did not hear anything, other than the fact that something important was at that warehouse. I- I think there would be shortage of food in these coming weeks due to that fire."
"Hmm."
"Ah co-concubine Liu Su Yang was livid when she heard that the warehouse was set ablaze. The concubine, and second concubine Liu Bai Pan is on bad terms for some unknown reasons, this nubi doesn't know much!" The maid suddenly paled. "First Xiaojie, the second concubine also sent me to tell a message." Trembling to her bones, the maid informed Zhi Ruo.
"She would like to visit first Xiaojie formally, and...she also wants to talk about something."
"Oh? What businesses does she want with me?" Hearing what the maid had said, she has a vague guess to what that concubine wants.
"I-i Don't know, nubi was only sent to tell the first Xiaojie this..." Helplessly the maid answered.
"Then. Go back and tell her to formally write a letter to me stating what she wants, also tell her to not waste my time." The tea had turned cold. "The letter should be personally handed by her, tut tut, the second concubine doesn't even have proper etiquette. Truly a very...." Zhi Ruo gazed upon the wide eyes of the maid. "Unique person!" She smiled, and ended sarcastically.
"This nubi will relay the message." The maid bowed and knowtowed once, before Zhi Ruo dismissed her.
____________________________________________
"-Is what the first Xiaojie said." The maid sat infront of a voluptuous woman who was dressed in bright green brocade.
The lady has intricately chiao mei (painted brows), and skin that was painted white. Her downward eyes was glinting with viciousness as she listened to what the maid had said.
"What do we do second concubine?" The maid timidly asked. She found that the second concubine, is less scarier than she was used to. Compared to Zhi Ruo, it was like comparing a tiger to a domestic kitten.
"I have showed kindness to her, and yet this is how she repays me? I may be new but it doesn't mean I don't see her situation." Liu Bai Pan gritted her teeth. "Now that Liu Su Yang is on the move, my position is gonna–" Liu Bai Pan doesn't even dare continue.
"Fine! So be it, Ningning go write me a formal letter. I'll deliver it personally," she shouted at the maid. Who nodded and scurried off.
"If only that warehouse didn't burn down, now Liu Su Yang is suspecting me for arson." Liu Bai Pan bit her nails in annoyance. "Master has also been bedridden and hasn't visited me once since I got carried in the Liu Fu. Oh what do I do.."
She stood up, the dress clung on her as she looked out the window anxiously. "That Zhi Ruo better make use of herself. Those meals that I sent better not been eaten in vain."
After two insence has passed, and the maid returned back. Behind her was a mama, and a steward of the Liu Fu. "Second concubine, I wrote the formal letter. And this mama and steward is here to hand out some books about etiquette." The maid announced to the figure eating biscuits while laying.
"Leave the books there, you read them to me later." Liu Bai Pan waved her hands dismissively to the mama and the steward. Who both shot her looks of contempt when they saw how she received guests. Nonetheless they left after leaving the books.
Liu Bai Pan watched as the servants leave, she sneered. "Pretentious bastards!" She grabbed the books and threw it on the table near her. "They know I can't read and yet they still send me these! It would be better to get me a tutor and yet-!" Her face morphed in embarrassment when she noticed the her maid was still in the room with her.
"Second concubine the letter..."quietly the maid handed the letter she wrote.
Harrumphing she took the letter in contempt. "Let's go," she maid her out of the room.
"Second concubine! Aren't you gonna read what's the content of the letter?" Panicked the maid called after. "Also please dress appropriately!"
"I will but waste my time prepping myself up just for a abandoned Xiaojie, no need to trouble myself! That girl ia not worth it." The second concubine sneered as she walked.
The maid paled, but decided to follow the second concubine anyways. The maid who was chosen to wait on the second concubine naturally has some knowledge as to what was appropriate and was not. And the actions of the second concubine is very rude, not only was the first formal letter not written by the concubine, the concubine was not dressed appropriately for the situation.
If others know the second concubine's action, they would criticize the concubine and spit on the Liu' name. Her actions were that of a country bumpkin.
'give a bumpkin some nice clothes to look good, but the bumpkin is still a bumpkin.' the maid could not help but lament in her heart.
They soon approached the Zhi courtyard, the courtyard was barren but it was peaceful. With the letter in hand the second concubine did not wait for anyone and directly knocked on the pillar.
"Zhi Ruo! I came with the letter!" The concubine shouted outside. Her crude actions made the maid cringe.
"Second concubine please watch yourself!" The maid could not help but berate the concubine.
She shrunk her head when Liu Bai Pan glared at her.
"Lower your voice Wu Bai Pan, we are not on a brothel." A cool voice bellowed behind the paper doors.
The concubine, upon hearing her maiden name blushed with embarrassment. It was apparent that Zhi Ruo did not consider her to be part of the Liu Fu. "I came to hand you the letter, would you know talk to me?" She gritted her teeth, and asked.
The second concubine Liu Bai Pan looked around, she did not want to remain any longer in the Zhi courtyard. It reminded her too much of her dirty past.
"Hand the letter over to the maid, I want to read what you have personally written as our first formal exchange." Zhi Ruo instructed.
While the maid panicked, because it was not a letter personally written by the concubine. Liu Bai Pan was seething at Zhi Ruo's attitude. She cursed Zhi Ruo in her heart, before deciding to follow her words.
The maid opened the door and directly handed the letter to Zhi Ruo whow as sitting and drinking tea.
Zhi Ruo knew that Liu Bai Pan was illiterate, she knew full well that it was not a letter written by her but by the maid that handed her the letter. Glancing at the contents inside the letter, she unhurriedly threw it in the table.
"Then come, and sit " Zhi Ruo finally invited them to step inside her house.
Liu Bai Pan smiled smugly, and unceremoniously sat down beside Zhi Ruo. The maid had to pull her sleeves and drag her in front of Zhi Ruo.
Zhi Ruo did not have to say anything, but her stare made Liu Bai Pan blush in humiliation.
"Daughter, tell mother, was it you that burned the warehouse down?" Without waiting anything, Liu Bai Pan quickly got to ask Zhi Ruo. Hoping that Zhi Ruo would say something that she can use against her.
"First Xiaojie." Zhi Ruo sipped her tea as she corrected Liu Bai Pan.
"What?"
"Do not call me daughter, you are not my mother. Do not call me child, you are not a parent. Call me First Xiaojie, because you are just a mere concubine. Disregard your etiquette again in front of me, and this conversation will end." For every word that Zhi Ruo uttered, Liu Bai Pan's face morphed in anger.
"You!-" Liu Bai Pan gaped in anger when she heard Zhi Ruo.
"Also warehouse? Are you aware of what you are saying?" Cutting Liu Bai Pan off, Zhi Ruo narrowed her eyes at her. "What are you trying to say? Stop trying to waste time and hurry up to the point." Zhi Ruo was amused, but she didn't show it.
Liu Bai Pan gulped, she did not know that the useless trash of the Liu Fu was this arrogant. Even when she worked at the brothel, she knew about Liu Zhi Ruo. The girl was infamously useless, and yet....
"You stupid girl ah! Is this how you treat the person giving you meals?! Have I sent all those food in vain?! Where is your respect!" Liu Bai Pan shouted, beside her the maid trembled in fear.
"Respect? Show me a dignified person and I'll show my respect." Zhi Ruo sneered, but they can't see it due to her mask. "Meals? Really? That's your leverage? Let's count shall we. You sent three meals, lunch, dinner and breakfast. All of which I did not ask for, nor did I need any of it."
Seeing Liu Bai Pan being quiet Zhi Ruo continue. "Three meals, and then you came to talk. Judging by the way you walked in, it is apparent that you want something from me. I'm not born yesterday, even a child would know." Tapping the table Zhi Ruo sets aside the cold tea.
"I'll repeat this again, tell me what you are hear for and don't waste my time." Zhi Ruo growls.
"Eep-" the maid bit her tongue, and Liu Bai Pan's face turned red from anger.
"Tell me, you were that set the warehouse on fire right? It was you right?" Liu Bai Pan, had an anxious look on her face. And she was clearly trying to get an affirmation from Zhi Ruo.
Although it was Ravel who set the warehouse on fire, it was true that they commited the arson. But now way would Zhi Ruo affirm with anything.
"Are you trying to make me say that I did it? The trash of the Liu family! Hah! Who would've known that she set a large fire on the warehouse and not get caught! Do you even know how stupid you are sounding right now?" Zhi Ruo was smiling under her mask clearly amused, but her tone was dreadfully cold.
Upon hearing what she sounds like, Liu Bai Pan decided to change tactics. "No no, you are mistaken. You see your second niang is in danger right now, your first naing is accusing me of setting the warehouse on fire you see. This niang is hoping that you will take the blame for me." Liu Bai Pan's face bloomed as she tried to appease Zhi Ruo.
"I will promise you, after you get out of the punishment this niang will ask master Liu to get you a new courtyard and new attendants! Look at you not even a maid is attending to you. After you do what this niang says, I promise you that I'll give you whatever you want." Liu Bai Pan mocked Zhi Ruo, but she did not forget to sugiar coat her words.
Zhi Ruo stayed silent, and Liu Bai Pan seeing the girl being silent thought that she succeeded. Her mouth ran as she tried to convince Zhi Ruo who stayed silent watching in amusement as the concubine spouted sugar coated nonsense.
___________________________________________
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Reborn in another world Chapter 18
The second concubine did not stop spouting nonsense, even after she felt like her throat is burning. "I sure you would agree with your second niang right? Our first Xiaojie is very bright! She would know what's the best." Liu Bai Pan hid the sinister grin threatening to take over her face.Zhi Ruo could somewhat understand what was going on, Liu Su Yang was desperate; desperately looking for someone to blame on. General Liu might've been furious by now, and it would be no surprise if he would impulsively put the blame on Su Yang's head. It was very likely that she would be the only one who would have known the location, and access of the warehouse.Zhi Ruo tapped on the rotting table, her eyes crinkled with a smile. But under her mask, she was baring her teeth in silent laughter. "Indeed, I do know what's the best course if actions.""Yes
Reborn in another world Chapter 19
Zhi Ruo did not take it into consideration that grandfather Ye truly did everything instantaneously. She had watch with rapt amazement, as his servants went to settle the arrangement with the general.Her grandfather did not even show his face to the general as he only sent someone to inform this dastardly father of hers that he was taking her away from the rundown courtyard that his granddaughter had affectionately called her home.The general did nothing as he moaned in pain, not that he could not anything else, and he did not even have the chance to agree, as patriarch Ye had already told Zhi Ruo to pack her things and get ready to travel.Of course Zhi Ruo had called Ravel to pack all the things inside her room except for the old clothes which she would carry with an old bundle. Within a minute everything was cleaned inside her room a
Reborn in another world Chapter 20
The tea leaf floated lazily on the boiling hot water on Zhi Ruo's hand. Oddly enough, despite the hot liquid on her cup, the heat did not touch her palm. Instead, the cup felt heavy and cool to touch. Her eyes hidden by the veil over her face roamed the room that she was currently sitting at. The voices of her grandfather was outside the sliding door near her.She could faintly hear him talking to someone.It has been quite some time that they have arrived at the valley, the people serving under her grandfather— and now her. Took her belongings and went to put them somewhere. Inbetween admiring and speculating the weird architecture, and design of the Valley. She was pushed by her grandfather in this well furnished room.She was then given a cup of tea she had not taken a sip with, and snacks which she did not even took a bite at. A
Reborn in another world Chapter 21
"The Patriarch already must have informed you that our Ye clan works like a sect." Qing Qing saved Kohaku from his mistake as she swooped in to continue the conversation. "There are the direct descendant of the Patriarch, then the inner desciples, the outer deciples and then the normal people who work under the Ye clan." She pointed out."There is also the deciples that Patriarch Ye has taken as his students. But Patriarch Ye doesn't have anyone he teaches right now. Meaning he doesn't have any students currently." Qing explained. "People under the Ye clan that has the surname Ye, is either an elder from the inner desciples, an inner deciple or the direct descendant of the Ye clan."Zhi Ruo pointed at herself. " I don't have the Ye surname though." She said."But you are the heir and the direct descendant of the Patriarch." Kohaku s
Reborn in another world Chapter 22
Within the comfort of her new pavilion, Zhi Ruo took her time in admiring the numerous new valuable furniture that littered in her room. She can clearly tell that the Ye clan did not lack in the money area. She surveyed around the room before she stepped beside the table that was right before her bed.Their was snacks placed delicately on the center of luxuriously decorated piece of woo— table.On the corner of her eye Zhi Ruo paid attention to her stats. And most importantly, her cultivation rank. Bringing back Yu Zhúlín's impetuous question back into her mind.[Name: Liu Zhi RuoRace: HumanSkills:Sand throw (stun) 10/50 : rank 0Lev
Reborn in another world Chapter 23
Zhi Ruo hummed non-committedly, and she moved her cup lightly. "If Liu Bai Pan did not create such unnecessary ruckus she would've been the one managing the entire Liu Fu. But now she has to suffer confinement and punishment." She tapped on the table out of habit."By now the entire Liu Fu should be in a disarray, it would be foreseeable that the servants would be very unpleased by how the management affair is under the head Steward and Mama. That would create a chasms between such factions inside the Fu." She cupped her cheeks as she said to Ravel. "You see, Liu Su Yang was such a vicious woman that she did not trust even the stewards, mama and servants in the Fu. So she made a competition between them making the head Steward and Mama watch each other's back while trying to one up each other."Zhi Ruo chuckled, "This created a hostile environment that benefited only the general, Concub
Reborn in another world Chapter 24
Zhi Ruo plopped a dumpling on her mouth as she stared at Qing Qing and Kohaku's awkward appearance. They were not facing her as she ate her breakfast, as if afraid of looking at her directly. Instead they were looking at the table, intently trying not to peek at her face while she was eating."Why are you guys doing that?" Zhi Ruo chewed as she asked, she pointed her chopsticks at the serious duo in front of her. "You can look you know, I don't mind you guys looking at my face once in a while." Zhi Ruo said.Zhi Ruo finally got rid of her boney cheeks and wrists as she broke through Gathering; Concentration rank 4 after she cultivated all night long. Raising her stats in the process and all the while enjoying the fact that she finally have some meat to pinch when she holds her own face.But right now, the duo in front of her was ruining h
Reborn in another world Chapter 25
Thump! Thump! Thump!The soft sound of hammer hitting wood echoed into the whole courtyard, though it doesn't seem to look like a courtyard. More like a workplace by all the resources gathered neatly outside the hall, and the dozen or so people coming in and out like on a busy day at the firm.Zhi Ruo marveled at the buff macho man that looked like gym rats that greeted them as they walked in. Immediately as they stepped into the building, the stench of saw dust, and some oddly weird ointment waft into their noses greeting them with utmost manlyness."This is?" Zhi Ruo ventured aloud."The workplace for the craftmaster." Kohaku nodded his head to a direction. "Please follow me, I will be leading you to who is in charge of this place." He walked as he talked to Zhi Ruo whow as avidly p
Latest Chapter
[Surveillance]
Zhi Ruo's focus was on the host the moment the auction started, she placed her chin on the palm of her hand as she leaned on her knees looking ahead. Yuan Chuanli on the other hand, crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair, over looking the whole event with a 'ah, finally' written all over his face.Though his haughtiness was apparent on his face— well written on his facial expressions— the fact that his eyes kept in flickering on the other private rooms (much like the one that they were inside now) couldn't be kept hidden. At least, not from Zhi Ruo who was keenly aware of everything that was happening 10 meters around her."No matter how much you turn your head towards those rooms, you would never see what is inside them." Zhi Ruo spoke out, her eyes didn't leave the host who was explaining the rules of the auction per instructions. "Just keep your eyes peeled, the auction is just getting started." Her voice lightly adviced.
[Telltale]
[Qiao Liwei Auction house]Zhi Ruo gracefully accepted the outstretched hand offered by Ravel, who was dressed in his servant clothes. The only difference was, he had taken upon himself to don a white mask with no holes for the eyes nose and mouth. Stepping down from the carriage they had taken from the opulent mansion after their— quote on quote "satisfying lunch", she found Yuan Chuanli awaiting their arrival. As he had went out before her.His imposing figure stood tall, the clan's emblem prominently displayed on his back, drawing curious gazes from onlookers nearby. Both the participants of the auction and the bystanders that had nothing else to do but waut outside the auction house to try and take a good look of the rarely seem rich people.Zhi Ruo stepped beside Yuan Chuanli with a similar robe on her shoulders, adorning the Ye clan symbol of a similar fashion. She didn't mind the stares that was aimed at her, because in the first place, she didn't want to hide, nor cared to hid
[The Mansion]
With a brisk and determined pace, one that Yuan Chuanli grew to familiarize, Zhi Ruo arrived at the mansion she knew so well. Well, as much you can know from the daily reports of your butler that is. As she stepped inside, she couldn't help but notice the striking metamorphosis that had taken place. The familiar building and grounds remained, yet the ambiance and energy of the house had undergone a remarkable transformation. As Zhi Ruo led the way, Yuan Chuanli quietly followed, his initial grumbling fading away. Their path unveiled a street of lavish grandeur, unmistakably tailored for the privileged few who could afford such opulence. Yuan Chuanli couldn't help but entertain the thought that Zhi Ruo had led them astray. However, any words that formed on his lips died as his tongue was suddenly glued to the top of his mouth, he observed Zhi Ruo confidently and nonchalantly enter one of the most expansive estates.
[The Maid's Incompetence]
Yuan Chuanli stretched his hands upwards his shoulders popping in the motion, his face sported a refreshed look of satisfaction as he went out of the building with light steps. Obviously in a good mood. In the far distance, he could see Zhi Ruo's figure as she talked with her butler. He could not see Zhi Ruo's expression, but he certainly can see Ravel's.Without wasting anytime, he made his way towards the two with a look of inquiry. "The auction will start around one in the afternoon, it's still daytime and we haven't even gotten our lunch yet. What does the young miss intend to do?" Yuan Chuanli folded his hands underneath his clothes as he walked towards the duo.Upon hearing Yuan Chuanli, Ravel nodded his head. "Deciple Yuan Chuanli is right young miss, it would be advisable to eat before we attend the auction." Like a responsible servant, Ravel suggested to follow Yuan Chuanli's words. The two looked at Zhi Ruo's mask,
[Tassle]
The servant with the tassle smiled upon hearing Zhi Ruo's words, it was a tight lipped smile, as if she was saying that she knew something Zhi Ruo didn't. "It was the head that gave the order to give this to the young miss. I am to inform you that the resources that you chose and won from the tournament, along with the deed of the training ground, the plaque of the noble title, and the merit points, are inside the plaque in your hands."The servant's hands motioned for the rest of the servants in the room to line up at the sides, earning Yuan Chuanli's silent gaze. Zhi Ruo raised her brows upon hearing the servant's words, she then tied the plaque in the insides of her robe after shooting a nod towards the servant with a tassle."The head has had the heiress plaque be customize so that it can store storage now. The patriarch advices the young miss to not lose the plaque because it has now become more valuable than a mansion in the capital." The
[She's the heir]
Yuan Chuanli raised his hands and clenched on thin air as if he was clawing the clear sky above him, his face was red with unconcealed rage, and he looked close to launching himself towards Zhi Ruo. Who, even without showing the expression on her face because of her mask, still manage to annoy him to no end.Yuan Chuanli quickly realized that pretenses were useless in front of the person who is like Zhi Ruo. Because regardless of how you act in front of her her, in the end, if she is in the mood, you would be left coughing up blood in rage. Yuan Chuanli wasn't called 'boy genius ' for nothing, as he learned fast. And Yuan Chuanli learned to stop trying to control his emotions in front of Zhi Ruo, because Zhi Ruo wouldn't care if he broke his 'boy genius' façade anyways. The boy genius cannot help but feel rather offended of this somehow.But before he could do anything drastic, a woman greeted Yuan Chuanli
[Curious]
"Interesting people you say..." The owner echoed Alberu's words. The side of her lips pulled up in a quirk. A flash of uncertainty crossed her eyes looking at the representative of the Liu clan being led by her staff. 'Those guys are pretty bold to come inside without any disguises, are they not afraid of others spreading rumours? It's already bad enough that General Liu is already rumoured to have taken a bad turn in terms of his health. Now his people are coming in so brazenly. How careless, to think they even displayed their logo so proudly on their chests.' Yang Meixiang closed her fan, and tapped it gently on her palm, her thoughts were full of dissatisfaction towards the representatives of the Liu clan. Full of judgement she may have, but she could not voice these thoughts aloud.'Its also very unusual for his two concubine borne daughters to not appear in the socialite circles. In most cases, in big auctions like these, they are usually the first in line to book a private roo
[Information]
As if he doesn't know what was running through Yang Meixiang's head, Alberu turned his head and was heading straight towards the seat that was meant for the owner of the room. Which mind you, wasn't him.The owner could not help but break her expression upon seeing Alberu's audacity. It was clear to her that the masked man never put her in his eyes. But she could only open and close her mouth, knowing that she cannot afford to step on the toes of this young man. The fan on her hand fluttered quickly for a split second before Yang Meixiang chose to quietly regain her bearings. "Indeed I am busy these days..." The masked man crossed his legs as he made himself comfortable in Yang Meixiang's seat. "I hear you sell information?" He promptly changed the topic, his head tilting towards Yang Meixiang's direction. Even without seeing his eyes, Yang Meixiang knew that the young master wasn't in the mood for joking or beating around
[The Auction House]
Zhi Ruo rolled her eyes. "Quit yapping you brat, and just follow me." The young miss went inside first, before Yuan Chuanli sighed behind her and followed her lead. Behind the boy genius, Ravel followed calmly carrying Zhi Ruo's luggage. Inside, Zhi Ruo adjusted the container of Zhōngguó, and faced Yuan Chuanli unflappable façade. Before scoffing after seeing that the boy genius wasn't as unflappable as he wanted to be seen in Zhi Ruo's eyes. The vehicle started moving as soon as everyone was seated, Ravel who had already been instructed as to what to do, took over as the driver of the vehicle. And slowly, they departed from the Sighted Valley safely. The journey would take about 6 hours under Zhi Ruo's estimation given the speed that they were going, it was enough to catch up with the auction, so Zhi Ruo let Ravel do his thing and instead focused on Yuan Chuanli.
