Chapter 1: Groundless Accusation

Chapter 1: Groundless Accusation

Inside the Prime Minister's manor of the Fengli Kingdom.

A piercing scream echoed through the Prime Minister's manor, followed by a flurry of chaotic footsteps. Casting aside his usual wisdom and calm demeanor, the Prime Minister, looking utterly incensed, charged straight into a small, dilapidated courtyard.

This courtyard was overgrown with weeds and situated in a relatively remote part of the manor. It was now autumn, and the air was damp and cold with heavy dew. Because it had just rained, the ground was pockmarked with puddles of stagnant water and mud. If not for the faint, lingering fragrance of medicinal herbs in the air, one would almost have thought this was an abandoned courtyard that had not been inhabited for a long time.

However, at this very moment, this tiny courtyard was crowded with people, and every single one of them had a terrible expression on their face.

"Miss, Miss, the Master is here, Miss... Miss, please wake up!"

"Xiaoyu, didn't I tell you not to disturb me no matter what happens while I'm sleeping? Go, go, go, let me sleep for a few more hours... it's still early before dinner!" Hua Ruomo mumbled a few times, not even lifting her eyelids. She rolled over, hugged her quilt, and continued to sink deep into her dreams.

The little maidservant called Xiaoyu by Hua Ruomo had long since turned pale with fright, not knowing what to do. She belonged to the Miss, but now the Master seemed very displeased with the Miss. Gritting her teeth, Xiaoyu prepared to risk triggering her Miss's morning rage to try once more to wake her. However, before she could even speak, her body was flung away by a heavy force.

"Get lost! Useless trash! Someone, take this lowly slave away and serve her with the family rules!"

Hua Kunqing rarely lost his temper so violently within the manor. Once these words were spoken, everyone in the manor understood that the life of this one little maidservant by Hua Ruomo's side would likely not be spared.

Hua Ruomo frowned. She had finally managed to take a nap, yet she couldn't even find peace. She could vaguely hear something about "serving with family rules" and the wailing, cursing cries of a woman. Truly...

"So noisy!"

Instantly, everyone else in the room was frozen in place by Hua Ruomo's angry roar. Even the servant pressing down on Xiaoyu stopped his shoving and stood there blankly.

Immediately after, Prime Minister Hua Kunqing reacted, his beard trembling uncontrollably with rage.

"Oh, Master! Master, look at her! After she poisoned our Yan'er, she even wants to curse our Yan'er to death! Master, you must seek justice for Yan'er! The Mid-Autumn Banquet is only a few days away; if Yan'er's face cannot be restored..." A woman dressed in bright, elegant clothing wailed as she threw herself into Hua Kunqing's arms. The latter slowly stroked the woman's back, but his expression had already turned grim.

If Hua Ruyan's face could not be restored by the time of the Mid-Autumn Banquet, it would be a disaster for the entire Prime Minister's manor.

"Second Mother, did you go to the kitchen today? Why is there so much flour on your face?" Hua Ruomo rubbed her eyes. Before she could clearly see the situation in front of her, the first thing she saw was the overly made-up face of the Prime Minister's favorite concubine, Chai Ruorong.

Chai Ruorong seemed stumped by Hua Ruomo's question. She had always sat regally in the main hall; how could she have gone to a smoky, messy place like the kitchen? She subconsciously touched her face, and only after seeing the fine powder on her hand did she realize that Hua Ruomo was actually mocking her. She was instantly choked with rage, but since the Master was present, Chai Ruorong changed her tactic. She buried herself even deeper into Hua Kunqing's arms, her expression a mix of anger and grievance that made her look pitiable.

Hua Kunqing was furious and slammed the table beside him violently. The teacups and saucers clattered loudly. This sound finally allowed Hua Ruomo to break completely from her drowsiness. Suddenly, the woman on the bed was stunned.

In her memory, although Hua Kunqing had never treated her as a very good daughter, he had never glared at her with such fury as he did today. She lived in such a remote corner and did not often socialize with the people in the manor. To be precise, the people in the manor avoided her. Whenever she appeared somewhere, it was like a plague, causing the people around her to flee in an instant. Only the little girl Xiaoyu dared to stay by her side, serving her with all her heart.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Hua Ruomo frowned. Just now, Chai Ruorong said she had poisoned her concubine half-sister... This matter actually did seem to have something to do with her.