Chapter 05

Prime Minister Zhao didn't show up for the day of his second daughter's arrival at all. Neither did his concubine and first daughter, who never appeared to welcome Zhao Xing. Even after a few days, they still acted as though nothing happened at the manor. The only one who visits Zhao Xing was her mother, and the princess made sure to see her daughter every day.

Zhao Xing, naturally, didn't pay any attention to Prime Minister Zhao's cold treatment. She just used this opportunity to adapt to her new environment and strengthen the bond with her mother.

However, on the sixth day, Zhao Xing's peaceful days finally came to an end. The girl was summoned to the main hall to have a morning tea with her father and the whole family.

Since this would be the first time, the transmigrator planned to wear a pale, mauve colored dress embroidered with dark purple peonies and butterflies. The upper-half of her hair was combed in a simple yet elegant style, while the rest of her long, silky hair flowed on her back like a river of ink. She didn't put any makeup on and only wore a couple of hairpins that dangled below her ears, but it only accentuated her loveliness.

In the capital, Zhao Qing was known as the number one beauty. Her white lotus appearance could make any man's heart melt into a puddle. This gossip, Zhao Xing had learned it from Xiao Yi. But only now did she finally witness it with her own eyes. Sipping her tea calmly, Zhao Xing tried to steal a glance at her famous half-sister, sitting across from her.

Zhao Qing was indeed beautiful, but with Zhao Xing around her, her charm was immediately dimmed. The girl was wearing an all-white dress while soft makeup was placed on her face. Her hair was combed into an intricate pattern, and had been adorned with a silver crown. From her clothing materials to the accessories she currently wore, Zhao Xing could see how much Prime Minister Zhao loved this half-sister of her. She was wearing top quality goods ah!

She wondered... if she somehow manages to snatch them away, could she make a profit out of them? Zhao Xing's yes slightly lit up.

"It's been a while since I last saw Second Young Miss, now Second Young Miss is getting more beautiful. It's like seeing a blooming flower during the season of spring!" Concubine Yun opened the conversation. She was smiling so widely and appeared so happy as she flattered Zhao Xing.

What a snake! Zhao Xing snorted inside her heart. But a smile crept upon her lips as she inwardly mocked this woman. Moron.

"This daughter thanks Concubine Yun. If this daughter is compared to a blooming flower on a spring day then Sister Zhao Qing is like a tree branch in the winter, stark naked and withered without any leaves or petals—yet strong enough to survive the harsh winters before blooming again in the spring!" She snickered. Almost everyone had their attention on Zhao Xing, already shocked at what she said.

Zhao Qing's eyes narrowed and sent a dark glare to that half-sister of hers. How dare she? She just entered the manor yet she wants to cause trouble already?

Concubine Yun immediately gaped, "W-What is Second Young Miss saying? How rude—"

"Oh? Is it considered rude?" Quickly, Zhao Xing's eyes became blurry as she timidly lifted her sleeve up to hide her mouth. She dejectedly looked down at the ground. "This daughter considered Sister Zhao Qing as a strong tree branch in the dead of winter which can bloom vividly again in the spring! I have always admired those types of trees! This daughter has heard of Sister's beauty from across the capital and figured it was a good way of saying how beautiful she was... but I suppose since this daughter was away for so long I've forgotten how to interact with other people. It seems I lack the necessary manners! Oh, if only I haven't been away for so long... Concubine Yun, please punish this lowly daughter for saying how beautiful Sister is!"

What is this? Concubine Yun and her daughter became baffled at the sight of Zhao Xing trembling, waiting for a punishment. But since everyone has heard her reasoning, how can they do that? Wasn't what she said true? She's been away for so long so how could Zhao Xing know any better? And since Zhao Xing kept referring to the fact that she was sent away because of Concubine Yun, who had been the one to create that idea, it seemed like it was her fault in the first place for sending the girl away!

Concubine Yun weakly nodded. "Second Young Miss, don't worry! This concubine understand your intentions completely!"

In the outside, the transmigrator let out a shy smile as she lowered her pair of peach-blossom eyes. With her sweet voice, Zhao Xing replied to Concubine Yun, "But still... Concubine Yun is jesting. I still cannot be compared with Elder Sister! However, I need to thank Concubine Yun for her wisdom. If back then, Concubine Yun didn't mention Fenglong Mountain Villa to Father, I might not be able to see its beauty and enjoy nature's blessing."

"What did Second Miss trying to say?" Concubine Yun smile stiffened once more.

Putting down her tea cup, Zhao Xing looked up at Concubine Yun's eyes as she tried to explain, "Concubine Yun might be clueless, but Fenglong Mountain hid many natural wonders. The water in Fenglong Mountain Villa is so exceptional. It can heal many sickness and make our skin appear ageless!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Concubine Yun kneaded her skirt to vent her anger, her knuckles had even turned white.

Concubine Yun had to admit that sending Zhao Xing to Fenglong Mountain was her biggest mistake. Not only did she live well, she even became more stunning and looked healthie. The girl also looked like she changed a lot. Back then, she was so easy to bully She was so timid and weak. To her surprise, the current Zhao Xing could speak calmly withour a hint of fear and even refute her words!

Truth be told, Concubine Yun was extremely shocked when receiving the news that Zhao Xing was still alive. The girl had survived from her poison and even got better day by day. So she slowly began to build a plan and decided to send a couple of assassins to Fenglong Mountain Villa several years later. Who would have known her assassins would be killed before they could reach Zhao Xing's chamber? She sent assassins many times, but none of them succeeded!

"I'm so happy to see Second Sister again. In the future, we can play and stroll around the capital together!" The number one beauty of the capital finally spoke up. She was smiling and showed off her pearly white teeth.

"Sure, Elder Sister!"

"Second Miss, I heard from the servants that you brought back someone from Fenglong Mountain with you?" Concubine Yun merely glimpsed at Zhao Xing before gazing down at her plate of food. Since she was already becoming a bit of a headache, she might as well take one of Zhao Xing's people to use as leverage.

Zhao Xing was busy munching a mung bean cake when Concubine Yun asked her the question. She didn't rush to answer it, but took her time to swallow her snacks and have a cup of tea. This action of hers naturally made Concubine Yun almost throw up blood.

"Concubine Yun is right ah! I indeed brought an extra person from Fenglong Mountain. He stayed with me for more than three years! This daughter considered him a close friend."

The concubine chuckled lightly, "Since that is the case, then I have nothing to say. Having a personal guard is good for Second Miss. However, since he's going to stay at our manor, he has to follow the rules of our family."

"Naturally!" Zhao Xing confidently answered.

"Second Miss might not understand, but every servant in our manor has to be registered under the family record. It's best if Second Miss can hand over his servant contract to me."

Zhao Xing almost laughed at this concubine's shamelessness. With a gentle tone and cutting words, the transmigrator retorted, "No need, Concubine Yun. I saved him and raised him with my own money! He's one of my people and this daughter can take care of him and the rest of my people from Feng Yang Pavilion. This daughter will be fine, this one thanks Concubine Yun for the help!"

"Second Miss must be joking, as long as Second Miss still depends on our family's monthly allowance, Second Miss is still using our family wealth! Doesn't that mean that guard is also eating from our family's fortune?" Concubine Yun was still smiling, but her eyes was filled with provocation. She was sure Zhao Xing couldn't refute anymore.

Inwardly, the girl had a dull expression. Did that woman not hear what she said? Was she that old already that she's become deaf? Zhao Zing clearly stated she bought Ruyi with her own money, should she just leave this place or something?

"It was Concubine Yun who is joking," Zhao Xing giggled softly. Lifting her willow-like eyebrows, Zhao Xing spoke calmly, "I can't remember the last time I get a monthly allowance. All my money was from my hardwork selling medicinal herbs and my mother's dowry. How can it be that I used our family fortune? Moreover, even if this daughter hands over over his servant contract, I will give it to Mother. She's the matron of our family. Why should I hand it to Concubine Yun?"

"I-I-"

"But this daughter supposes if Concubine Yun really thinks I should give his contract to you, then this one naturally will! It's just that... he was the first servant I bought with my own money! Ah... how pitiful, I spent many weeks collecting that money since there was no one around to help me!" Zhao Xing wipes tears away from her eyes as if she was busy remembering the past.

I should consider to be an actress once I travel back to the modern era!

Everyone suddenly felt uncomfortable and shot a bit of a dark glare to Concubine Yun. How can she still be so shameless as to want that servant? Did Zhao Xing clearly say that she bought him with her own money without any help from this family? How come that concubine wanted to snatch him up?

Concubine Yun's gentle act was almost torn apart. Her beautiful face was turned green before growing red in anger. However, just before she could defend herself, someone was immediately interrupted.

"What did you say? You didn't get your monthly allowance?"

The one who spoke was Prime Minister Zhao. He currently sat at the patron's seat at the center front of the hall. His eyes was narrowed in suspicion as he looked at his second daughter.

Prime Minister Zhao was still in his prime, he's only thirty three years old. He had a lean figure and a handsome face. It was no wonder Zhao Xing would be this exceptional. She had superior genes from her father and mother.

Zhao Xing shifted her head at the prime minister and lowered her eyes before answering, "Yes. I haven't receive my monthly allowance for five years already! Mother and the people of Feng Yang Pavilion can be a witness."

The blue veins on Prime Minister Zhao's temples almost popped out as he tried to hold his anger. Even though he was cold to Zhao Xing, he still couldn't deny that she was his flesh and blood. He still had a little bit of care for her. Therefore, he would always make sure Zhao Xing got no less from his beloved Zhao Qing. Moreover, his main wife was from a royal family of Great Chen. If something happens to his daughter, how should he explain it to them?

Turning his head to his concubine, Prime Minister Zhao asked with a slightly high-pitched voice, "Rong'er, what did you do in these five years? I only asked you to help Chao Yang in the household matters, but you messed it up?"

Since Princess Chao Yang's health became worse several years ago, Prime Minister Zhao gave half of her responsibility to manage the household affairs to Concubine Yun. However, the evil concubine slowly managed to dominate the right to control the household.

"M-master, Yun Rong can explain it!" Concubine Yun began to panic She quickly knelt on her seat. "T-that time, our finances weren't so good and the expenses of Second Miss' medication was so high! T-thus Yun Rong decided to use Second Miss' monthly allowance to ease our expenditure!"

Zhao Xing gasped, "Father... this daughter of yours didn't realize we couldn't afford such medicine! If this daughter had known earlier then I should've perished a long time ago to help stable your finances! I'm sure Mother and Imperial Uncle would understand... after all, Concubine Yun cared so much for you that she had to cut off my medicine and not return my allowance in the past five years. Please forgive this useless daughter of yours! I only wanted to live for Father's sake, just so this daughter could see Mother and Father again!"

"Nonsense!" Prime Minister Zhao furiously slapped the table, it even made Zhao Qing cower a little.

"Y-yun Rong knows her mistake! Master, please have mercy on this concubine!" Concubine Yun Rong kowtowed as tears began to run on her lovely face. Her face was so pale as she began to regret her words. How come Zhao Xing managed to twist it around in her favor? Not only did Zhao Xing made it sound as if she wanted to cut her medics and money off, she made it sound as if the prime minister couldn't spare some money to help Zhao Xing! If word gets out to her Mother and the Emperor of Great Chen then everyone would be doomed!

As her daughter, Zhao Qing naturally couldn't stand the scene of her mother begging his father. She quickly followed her mother to knelt, "Father, please have mercy on Mother!"

"Husband, please ease your anger and be mindful of your health," Princess Chao Yang, who was sitting beside Prime Minister Zhao, finally decided to step in. She gently reminded her husband not to be indignant... even though her heart was breaking for her pitiful daughter. Oh, how she wanted to rush down and apologize a thousand times!

How could the princess and her imperial uncle understand? If anything happened to Zhao Xing then her mother wouldn't dare to live any longer!

Zhao Xing, that brat, was looking at the family drama with great interest. At first, she was extremely nervous since the beginning of the family meeting. Her hands were even covered with cold sweat although she tried acting brave. But now, when things already escalated to this point, she was quite proud with herself. It turned out she wasn't that useless ah!

All she had to do was act like a true white lotus and she could get away with it! Hah... she should definitely tell Ruyi about this!

While she enjoyed the mess of a family dinner, Prime Minister Zhao was truly angry. Even though he loved Yun Rong, he wasn't that blind! If Zhao Xing's maternal family heard about this case, he would be dead for real! And that time, he might not have the power to save Yun Rong and Zhao Qing.

"Go to your courtyard and reflect on your mistakes!" Prime Minister Zhao continued, "Since Chao Yang has been getting better recently, let her manage the household affairs again!"

Zhao Xing's eyes widened in shock. Did she hear wrong? Did her ears betray her ah? If what she heard was real, her action today would be called 'killing two birds with one stone' ah! Good, good!

On the other hand, Concubine Yun almost threw up blood. She already clenched her fists till her nails hashly cut the skin.

"Xing'er, you should go back as well. Your cousin will come in several days. Rest well and prepare for the celebration." Prime Minister Zhao waved it off.

Zhao Xing blinked in confusion.

Ah? Who?