Chapter 13: Heart of Dark Hatred

Lan Xi returned to her own courtyard. Xiao Tong stood to the side with her head bowed, the master and servant remaining in silence.

"Didn't you say Eldest Sister wouldn't know it was you who pushed her?" Lan Xi played with the bracelet in her hand, her expressionless face shedding the gentleness she maintained before outsiders, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness. A flash of frost appeared in her eyes.

This was the true face of the Second Miss of the Mu Estate.

"At the time, this servant was standing behind Eldest Miss; there was no reason to be discovered." Xiao Tong pursed her lips, her brow furrowed just as tightly. "Eldest Miss was very strange today. This servant suspects that it must have been Wan Qing who taught her those words; otherwise, Eldest Miss would never have spoken so logically."

Lan Xi let out a cold snort. "Exactly, it must have been Wan Qing teaching her. With that useless idiot, could she really drive me into such a corner?"

However, what made Xiao Tong uneasy at this moment was Lan Xi's ambiguous attitude. Having followed the Second Miss for so long, she naturally understood her temperament well; Lan Xi was never a person who showed mercy.

"You are worried that I will sacrifice you." Lan Xi curled her lips into a smile, gazing indifferently at Xiao Tong. "You think that at a time like this, I will surely choose to protect myself, and therefore will definitely push you out to face my Eldest Sister, right?"

Xiao Tong pursed her lips and remained silent. The master and servant had grown up together since childhood, so they understood each other's temperaments and thoughts far more deeply than anyone else. Although Xiao Tong was a maid, her status by Lan Xi's side was much higher than that of an ordinary servant, and Lan Xi valued her greatly.

"The Second Miss is forced by the circumstances; this servant understands," Xiao Tong replied in a low voice.

"Hmph, if that Mu Liuyun wants to touch my people, she has to ask if I agree first." Lan Xi suddenly flung her hand out, sweeping the teacup on the table onto the floor. She then said to Xiao Tong, "Go down and rest for now. I will handle this matter."

"Yes." Xiao Tong performed a slight bow, gave Lan Xi one last look, and then turned to leave.

Once Xiao Tong had departed, another woman, also a servant, walked over. She knelt down to pick up the shards on the floor, and only when she looked up could one see a countenance no less beautiful than Lan Xi's.

"Ning Xiang, weren't you out with my mother to handle affairs?" Lan Xi looked at the woman on the floor in surprise. She was the most capable maid by Lady Lin's side, only a few years older than Lan Xi, yet her cunning and depth of thought were praised even by Lady Lin herself.

"The Second Madam was worried, so she had this servant return to the estate first to check in." Ning Xiang revealed a smile, a smile as bright as spring that made one feel refreshed.

Lan Xi had never actually understood how her mother, who was habitually extremely jealous, could tolerate such a young and beautiful maid staying by her side to serve. Was she not worried that one day Ning Xiang would climb into her father's bed?

"She caught me completely off guard this time; I didn't even have room to fight back." Lan Xi said resentfully. "I really didn't expect her to actually listen to Wan Qing this time. I truly wonder if her brain has been fried."

Ning Xiang maintained her faint smile as she handed the shards to another maid who had come to help clean up. Wiping her dust-stained hands, she said calmly, "The Second Miss need not worry; this matter has not yet reached an irrecoverable stage. However, this servant would still like to ask what the Second Miss is thinking. If the Second Miss intends to push Xiao Tong out, then this servant will not bother showing off her meager skills."

"Even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. She is pushing her luck too far; how could I possibly sacrifice Xiao Tong to fulfill her prestige?" Lan Xi looked toward the calm Ning Xiang. "Do you have a way?"

"It is not a particularly good way, but it can certainly leave Eldest Miss covered in filth." A shallow smile hung on her lips, and her eyes were as clear as a stream beneath ice, possessing a transcendent beauty untouched by the mortal world.

Lan Xi suddenly looked up at Ning Xiang. She had always known of this woman's wisdom, but what she was actually more curious about was why such a woman would stay by her mother's side; it was truly too strange.

"Go and handle this matter." Lan Xi did not ask for Ning Xiang's method. It wasn't that she trusted Ning Xiang excessively, but rather she knew deeply that in many situations, the more one knows, the more dangerous it becomes. Just as it was now—if she knew nothing, then even if Ning Xiang's plan went wrong, she could simply shrug her shoulders and claim she knew nothing.

"Yes." A flash of profound meaning crossed Ning Xiang's eyes. She bowed slightly and withdrew.

Another maid walked over, holding a piece of light-colored brocade. "Second Miss, in a few days it will be the Old Madam's birthday. The Old Madam specifically ordered someone to make new clothes for the Second Miss. The Second Miss will surely be dazzling in this brocade."

Lan Xi's gaze fell upon the emerald-green misty gauze, and a meaningful look appeared on her lips. "Send this garment to Eldest Miss."

"But, this garment was specifically rushed by the tailoring workshop on the Old Madam's orders. The Second Miss wants to send it to Eldest Miss?" Xiao Tong raised an eyebrow in surprise. She did not believe the Second Miss would be so kind as to give an opportunity to shine to Eldest Miss; furthermore, how could she not know that Eldest Miss always loved wearing red and held a great disdain for light-colored clothing?

"Grandmother lives at Xiangyun Temple and usually does not know much about Eldest Sister. As a younger sister, I must naturally take the opportunity to let Grandmother get to know Eldest Sister better." Lan Xi smiled faintly. Seeing the doubt still lingering on Xiao Tong's face, she immediately explained, "If Sister rejects the new clothes that Grandmother specifically had sent, can you guess if Grandmother will be angry?"

Xiao Tong nodded. The Old Madam usually stayed at Xiangyun Temple to eat vegetarian meals and chant Buddhist sutras. Master Mu had specifically built a courtyard in the backyard of Xiangyun Temple for her to reside in. Due to this factor, she rarely returned to Linyang City and did not know much about Liuyun's arrogance and bullying.

"My father follows Auntie Xia, but Grandmother will not." Lan Xi let out a cold snort. Although the Mu Estate was presided over by her father, he still respected Grandmother immensely. While he did not obey her in every single matter, he never defied her in many things. This was also why Lan Xi had always deliberately sought to please Old Madam Mu.

"Yes." While speaking, the maid had already refolded the garment, intending to send it to Eldest Miss in a moment.

"Is there something else you wish to say?" Seeing the maid's hesitant manner, Lan Xi raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes, the Second Miss commanded this servant to keep an eye on the situation in the front hall. Today, the Shen Estate sent some gifts, and the Master had them sent to Eldest Miss." The maid answered respectfully.

"Do you know what they are?" Lan Xi clenched her fists, a flash of hatred in her eyes.

"I am not quite sure, but from the appearance of it, they should be something like jewelry and ornaments."

"Understood. You may leave."

"Yes."

No one knew that the Second Miss of the Mu Estate had fallen in love at first sight with the young master of the Shen Estate. However, she knew very well that if the Shen and Mu families were to unite in marriage, her father's first choice would undoubtedly be the legitimate daughter of the Mu family. This was why she had harbored the intent to harm Liuyun; she just hadn't expected Liuyun to be so lucky as to survive.

At this thought, her sharp fingernails dug into her palms. If she were the legitimate daughter... if she were the legitimate daughter... the one marrying Shen Yi would be her, and not Mu Liuyun.

Mu Liuyun was not worthy of Shen Yi at all.