Chapter 7: Ugly Behavior Exposed

Hua Rumo seemed unable to feel the intense pain radiating from her waist. She slowly stood up and began walking toward the door, but just as she turned around, Chai Ruorong's voice rang out from behind her.

"Hua Rumo, don't you forget, Xiaoyu is still being held captive in the West Courtyard. If the poison in Ruoyan's body isn't neutralized for even a moment, your little personal maid will face an extra moment of danger. You know exactly what kind of place the West Courtyard is; you've experienced it yourself." Chai Ruorong's words were incredibly malicious, yet every single one struck Hua Rumo's weakness.

It was true. No matter how much resentment and anger she currently held toward Hua Ruoyan, she could not abandon Xiaoyu. This little girl had suffered so much by her side. In a world where status determined one's worth, the kind of master one followed determined the kind of treatment one received, but with an unfavored master like her... Xiaoyu's clear eyes surfaced in Hua Rumo's mind. For a moment, she didn't know whether she should continue walking out of here or reveal the only way to treat Hua Ruoyan.

Supporting Hua Ruoyan halfway, Chai Ruorong's lips curled into a triumphant smile. Now that she held the other woman's weakness, she wasn't afraid she wouldn't submit. Watching the trembling figure, Chai Ruorong's gaze gradually turned cold. After this incident, she had made up her mind never to tolerate Hua Rumo staying in the Hua Estate again. This woman was nothing but a menace; besides, the Master had never liked her anyway. She would just find a way to completely erase Hua Rumo. However, for now, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet in three days' time was the priority, so she would let that little wench live for a few more days.

Hua Rumo clenched her fists tightly, only to release them weakly after a long while. Just a month ago, Xiaoyu had received twenty lashes because of her, and the wounds on her body had only just begun to heal. Over the years, old and new scars had almost entirely covered her small, frail body. She owed her too much. If anything happened to her this time, she would never be able to forgive herself.

"...Follow me."

Before Hua Ruoyan could even react, Chai Ruorong had already taken a step forward, shielding Hua Ruoyan behind her. She watched the slender back before her with vigilance. For some reason, a very bad premonition suddenly arose in Chai Ruorong's heart, as if the presence of this woman for any longer would lead to even greater upheaval. However, her disdain for Hua Rumo remained constant, and the bad premonition merely swirled in her mind before being swept away by the sight of Hua Ruoyan's terrifyingly disfigured face behind her.

"Second Mistress, I advise you not to follow. Be careful... you might not be able to handle it. If something happens to you, don't go blaming it on me, Hua Rumo," Hua Rumo threw out these cold words and walked out of the dilapidated little room without looking back.

Hua Ruoyan gritted her teeth, her dark eyes filled with endless fury, yet she had no choice but to keep pace with Hua Rumo.

It was unclear whether Hua Rumo was doing it intentionally or not, but usually, she would take the small paths through the estate where servants rarely passed to get from her courtyard to the Medicine Pavilion. Today, however, Hua Rumo acted out of character and took the main thoroughfare of the estate. Hua Ruoyan was already fuming because of her ruined face; she had intended to obtain the antidote and recuperate in her private chambers so that not many people would see her unsightly state. But now, the passing servants—who appeared to be bowing their heads in a trembling, respectful manner—were likely mocking her behind their backs.

"What are you looking at! If you keep staring, this Young Lady will gouge your eyes out!" Hua Ruoyan covered her face with one hand, not forgetting to vent her rage on the servants along the way who couldn't dodge in time.

Hua Rumo acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, her lips pressed tightly together. Beneath her wide sleeves, her fingernails were digging deep into her flesh; only this physical pain could force her to suppress the urge to flay the ignorant woman behind her alive. Tonight was not just the day she would bring the antidote to that person, but also the day she prepared to bring herself to him. From this day forward, she would leave this place completely and live her own life!

The antidote was already destroyed; she had to find another way...

"The Prime Minister has truly raised a 'well-mannered' daughter. To casually threaten to gouge out people's eyes is quite an eye-opener for this Prince. It seems even my eyes might not be safe."

"However, how come this Prince didn't know there was another young lady in the Prime Minister's estate who was so... outstanding in appearance?"