Chapter 8: Beaten to Death with a Club

In just half a day, the events that occurred at Menghuan Pavilion had completely shocked the capital of Dongjin. Everyone knew that the Miss of the Meng family, once considered coarse and without dignity, had actually defeated Li Yingxue this time.

While the crowds outside were discussing the matter fervently, the instigator of this whole affair, Meng Juese, was wandering aimlessly around the Prime Minister's manor out of sheer boredom.

Juese had intended to familiarize herself with the manor, but to her surprise, the corridors were winding and twisting; no matter how much she walked, there seemed to be no end in sight. Chun'er was chattering away beside her, but Juese had no heart to listen.

Not far away, a burst of laughter drifted over. Juese looked toward the sound and saw several maidservants chasing and playing with one another. She had no intention of joining in, but just as she turned to leave, a maidservant crashed directly into her.

"Are you blind? How dare you bump into the Second Miss!" Before Juese could even speak, Chun'er, standing beside her, had already barked out an indignant curse.

The maid who had collided with her finally saw the person in white before her. Upon realizing it was Meng Juese, she fell to her knees in terror. "Miss, this servant knows her mistake! I didn't do it on purpose, please forgive me!" The maid was clearly terrified, incessantly kowtowing and begging for mercy, her forehead already marked with bloody scrapes from the impact.

Juese felt a flicker of annoyance. "Enough, get up first—"

Hearing this, the maid finally stopped kowtowing and stood up timidly, her face filled with dread.

"Miss, you cannot let her off easily! To bump into you like that shows she has no respect for you at all. If something were to happen to you, Miss, what would we do?" Chun'er said through gritted teeth. "Last time, a maid accidentally broke your favorite vase, and you had her flogged thirty times and driven out of the manor. This time, what do you plan to do, Miss?"

Listening to Chun'er's endless nagging, the coldness in Juese's eyes deepened. In just one day, she had already completely figured out Chun'er's temperament. This maid, who didn't respect her in the slightest! Turning to look at her, a trace of playfulness flashed in Juese's eyes. "Then, Chun'er, what do you think I should do?"

"If you ask me, bumping into the Miss is far more serious than breaking a vase!"

"Is that so?" Juese let out a light laugh, though a chill had already surfaced in her eyes.

Chun'er had long since forgotten what happened at Menghuan Pavilion. In her view, no matter how much the Second Miss changed, she still possessed that same foolish temperament; it was simply that Chun'er hadn't expected her to be able to paint! Unaware of Juese's abnormality, Chun'er continued, "Indeed, Miss, you are of noble birth, while she is a lowly servant. If you were to catch the bad luck of such a servant, what would we do? In Chun'er's opinion, it would be better to beat her to death with a club. Think about it, Miss, if this menace stays in the manor and bumps into you again, what then?"

What a ruthless maid! What a servant with no regard for her master! Meng Juese let out a cold sneer; she hadn't realized a mere maid could be so arrogant. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she spoke calmly, "Then, let us proceed as you suggested. Bumping into one's master, showing no respect to one's master, beating to death with a club..."

Hearing these words, the maid Yunshang collapsed to the ground in terror.

Beside them, Chun'er looked at Meng Juese with a hint of mockery, secretly despising her stupidity. Unexpectedly, in the next moment, she met a pair of icy eyes. "Since you have suggested this method, then Chun'er, go and receive your punishment."

"Wh... what? Receive punishment?" Chun'er cried out in shock.

"Yes, receive punishment." Juese looked at her with a hint of impatience. "You said it yourself—bumping into one's master is a crime punishable by death. How could I go against your own wishes? Looking at your arrogance just now, those who don't know better might think you are the master of this manor! Tell me, do you deserve to die?" Juese chuckled, as if saying these words quite nonchalantly.

Chun'er was stunned into a daze, unable to believe her Miss would say such things. "Miss, how could this servant have such thoughts? Miss, you..."

"Is it not so? I recall that throughout this entire day, it seems you haven't held me in any regard. Those who don't know might think you are the master!" A harsh reprimand fell upon her like a deluge, leaving Chun'er's face deathly pale.

"Miss, this servant is utterly loyal to you! How could I not respect you? I merely spoke carelessly just now. I beg Miss to forgive me, I... I won't dare do it again."

Seeing this, Juese narrowed her eyes slightly, stepped forward, and used her finger to lift Chun'er's chin. "You truly won't dare? Have you realized who the real master is?"

Chun'er froze for a moment, then her lips trembled slightly. "Yes... this servant knows her mistake..."

Only then did Juese laugh. "Very well. Remember, if you cannot distinguish who the real master is again, you won't be so lucky next time." She had given Chun'er a chance, not for any other reason than to uncover the person pulling the strings behind her.

She considered herself no saint; she hadn't been in the past, and she certainly wouldn't be in the future! In her previous life, she had fought through gods and buddhas alike to eventually climb to the position of Best Actress. In this life, if anyone dared to provoke her, she wouldn't mind using all those old methods once more! Looking at Chun'er's pale, terrified face, she merely curled her red lips into a slight smile. One couldn't blame her for being ruthless; one could only blame the maid for running straight into the line of fire.

Just as Meng Juese was about to leave, another voice rang out from behind her.

Meng Juese couldn't help but frown. She realized she truly couldn't find a single moment of peace.

"Sister, your health has truly improved."

Following the voice, Meng Juese turned her head and saw a woman with a concerned expression. The woman was dressed in a charming pink outfit with exquisite makeup; she was certainly a beauty, but Meng Juese felt not a shred of goodwill toward her.

She remembered that it was this very woman who had caused her to lose her chastity that night. Her eyes flickered, and Meng Juese let out a silent snort; she would reclaim that debt one day.

Meng Juemei knew about the competition between Meng Juese and Li Yingxue today, but being confined to the inner chambers, she had received no news regarding Menghuan Pavilion. When she heard the servants report that Meng Juese had returned, she had specifically rushed over, wanting to see Meng Juese make a fool of herself. However, when she saw Meng Juese's attire from a distance, Meng Juemei realized that Meng Juese seemed somewhat different today.

Indeed, today's Meng Juese was truly different from her usual self. Having shed those coarse clothes, if one ignored the scar on half her face, she actually possessed a certain ethereal grace. But even if she had changed, so what? She was still an ugly woman; how could she compare to Meng Juemei's peerless beauty?

Thinking this, Meng Juemei's eyes flickered. "Sister, your health is better; I am truly happy for you."

Meng Juese never knew that women in ancient times were such great actresses; Li Yingxue was one thing, but this Meng Juemei was even more so.

Unmoved, Juese raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled. "I am grateful for your concern, sister."

"Oh? Sister, I heard from the servants that you competed with Miss Li at Menghuan Pavilion. I wonder if it is true?"

Meng Juese nodded slightly.

Carefully observing her expression and finding no sign of abnormality, Meng Juemei's gaze dimmed slightly. "However, Sister, you are the future Crown Princess. How could she, Li Yingxue, possibly compare to you?"

A faint smile played on the corners of Meng Juese's mouth. "You are mistaken. From this day forward, I am no longer the Crown Princess."

"Wh... what?" Meng Juemei feigned surprise, then, as if understanding something, added, "Sister, could it be that you lost? But even so, do not worry. You are the legitimate daughter of the Meng family; Father will ensure justice for you."

That hypocritical manner made Meng Juese feel nauseous. She waved her hand dismissively. "Enough, I won't talk with you any longer. My head is aching terribly right now; perhaps it's because I caught a bit of wind just now."

"Ah... then Sister, hurry back and rest." Her tone actually carried a hint of joy. Meng Juemei assumed Meng Juese was simply too heartbroken to talk to her, and with that thought, her heart felt even more gratified.

However, how could such petty schemes escape Meng Juese's eyes? A trace of playfulness flashed in Juese's eyes; she was very much looking forward to seeing Meng Juemei's reaction when the truth finally came to light!

Just as Meng Juese expected, when the news from Menghuan Pavilion reached Meng Juemei's ears, she was consumed by rage.

The night was cool, and everything was silent.

In the side courtyard of the Meng manor, a sudden, sharp sound broke the stillness of the night.

*Crash!* A table full of cups and bowls was smashed onto the floor. Beside it, Meng Juemei sat trembling with rage, her face pale.

"Mother—did you hear? They say that bitch won, and she even took the initiative to dissolve the engagement! This time, she's really acting arrogant!" Her once beautiful face was now twisted with fury, her eyes flashing with deep resentment.

Hearing this, the beautiful woman beside her sighed softly and stepped forward to take her hand. "Juemei, don't be angry. She is herself, and it has nothing to do with you. Why seek out trouble for yourself?"

"But Mother, I am not reconciled! How can that bitch compare to me? In terms of beauty, in terms of talent, how can she compete with me? Why must I look up to her?"

Lady Yao sighed, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. "It is Mother's fault. It is all because of Mother's status..."

"No, it's not Mother's fault! If anyone is to blame, it's Father, and that little bitch Meng Juese!" A sinister light rose in her eyes. After thinking of something, she let out a low, eerie laugh. "But I don't think she can stay arrogant for long! Mother, rest assured. Before long, we will be the true masters of this Meng manor, and that Meng Juese will fall into an abyss of ruin!" Calculating it, it was about time for the truth to come to light.

Meng Juese, let's see how you handle what comes next!

While that side was in turmoil, on the other side, Meng Juese lay lightly on her bed. After fully digesting her past memories and the events of the day, she slowly drifted toward sleep.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, a very faint sound came from the darkness. In her light slumber, Meng Juese's eyes snapped open. Just as she was about to look closely to see what was happening, in the next moment, her entire body became unable to move...