Chapter 7 - Locked up

The woman smiles mischievously as she covers her mouth while speaking, " I had always said that Mr. Lihwa was too capable for a man like you. His abilities are just rusting away here where as my husband could really use his..." She pauses for a second as if thinking, "His prowess in his field of work. I'm sure you let him do all the accounting and running of this place hence I can walk in here-". The lady standing next to him who was fancily dressed, steps forward with an angry expression on her face, "I don't think it's very noble too walk into someone's house and insult them in everyway possible. It's simply dishonorable-!" The first lady who spoke turns to look at the madam of the house, "Oh is that how it sounded? I was merely advising your husband. When one is sloppy, pointing it out can help them straighten up." "You-!" The man raises his arm to stop his wife then smiles brightly at the woman, "Thank you for your guidance, it's greatly appreciated and will practice it future operations and activities." He speaks while showing her to her seat, woman walks to the spot specially prepared for her status, which is the head of the mansion's seat but suddenly stops in front of it

Turning to face him she speaks with a dramatic tone to convey how burdensome the situation was for her, "I couldn't possibly sit where the head of the house is to be seated. I'm quickly benevolent and gracious, you seat at your spot and I'll seat here." She looks at the man's wife with a cunning eye. She goes to seat where the madam is usually seated. The man can only stutter before agreeing with her and going to seat at his usual spot. The whole time the madam couldn't help but grit her teeth in fury as her husband acted like a lapdog for this woman. A woman just like her! Nothing was different about them, except the other had more power than her. That's the only reason why her husband was tolerating her arrogance and she in turn had to assist for the sake of their family. However the target knew how valuable she was, but after hearing that the boy involved was unwilling to marry and even found a replace!? This feel insulting, this could make her a laughing stalk in the public eye of high society

Her mother is the daughter of the late emperor after all. Since empress dowager, her aunty, was still alive, who dotes on her. She was going to milk them till the last drop then marry her daughter off to her half brother's son, the future emperor! Ha, that will show them but until then she came to their 'small' and 'decent' looking manor to remind them what they were missing. As if waving a peace of meat in front of a greedy animal. These people were too greedy for their own good so she told herself what she was doing was their karmic retribution, though she's no better than them - exactly the same. When looking up she caught sight of a familiar figure and face. She waved her hand, indicating that the child should come to her. The child looks around then points at herself and the woman nods her head. Looking around timidly as if asking for permission before scurrying to the lady. Once standing in front of her, the little girl bows respectfully though it's not perfect. The fact that she was able to do such a cute bow made most people's hearts in the room to swoon

The woman bent down to the child's level and began to speak in her mother's tongue, shocking everyone. However the child was the quickest to recover from the shock and replied back honestly. "*What are you doing here dear? Did you follow me here?*" The child shakes his head then replies, "I don't know what your talking about aunty." The child tilts their head looking confused, the lady only smiles at the title, "aunty". She's sure if the others heard what this child said, they would have dropped to their knees begging for forgiveness. Having a bad premonition, the Lord intersects, "Please forgive her if she says anything wrong. She's only a child." Upon hearing this, it somehow angered the lady as she stood to her full height than turned to glare at the Lord and his wife

"Only a child you say? Than why haven't you taken the time to teach this child, why is the child dressed in such shabby clothing?! Are you breaking the law by allowing child labour!?" Her voice rose with each sentence and anger was heard with each sentence. The man coughs then speaks, "That law only holds in your father's domain in the outskirts of the empire. There's only a selected few that believe in such a ridiculous idea, surely your one of the smarter ones. Not following these people preaching such unrealistic dreams of what they call rights for people. People's rights change all the time, so long as you have the money and connection it can work to your advantage you know." With this the man could finally throw this woman off course, he was getting tired of her nonsense and kissing up to her. He only tolerated her because she is the easiest to approach and sway to do as he pleased, unlike the rest of her family who were much smarter and wiser. Thankfully her husband listens to her every request

"You-!" The can only point her finger in anger but retracts it as the man's wife dares her to act up again after having been insulted to such a degree. And digging into the wound of her father's downfall due to such thoughts, it even caused him to be a laughing stock among his peers. Thus retreated to the outskirts to hide away from the shame. Infuriated the woman looks at the child, grabs her hand forcefully and speaks, "Since you have dared to mock a royal such as myself I shall take this child as compensation-!" Before she could finish talking, the Lord refuses and they get into an argument just when it seems like she is about to win it. A voice comes forward, "You highness, if you can consider sparing the girl, I'm willing to marry your daughter." He bows but the woman only scoffs and let's go of the child's hand. She gives the child a side glance before speaking in a moCking tone

"What do you take me for? My daughter and I are not desperate enough to marry into such a lowly family! I only used you to get your treasures. Ha! To think you're that gullible! I don't want to entertain your stupidity anymore. I'm off the proposal is off and this child will be leaving your house sooner or later. It's out of your ability to decide anyway." She smirks then grabs her fan from her maid then opens it. Covering her scheming face, walking away in victory. The feeling of trampling one's pride was her specialty. How else did she make it this far? Her fading visage had the Lord trembling with a at the words that vixen spat at him. Soon the sound of skin meeting skin is heard and it's the sound of the first young master being smacked across the face. Everyone remained silent, even the boy didn't make a move. The man's eyes then landed in the girl, she stood as fear seemed to have gripped her by the legs and throat

Sitting in a storage room full of hay with a a small rat running across the room at the far corner, is me. The girl who time travelled back in time to a different country in a different era. It's been three days since I was locked up in here and three days since I last ate. I'm starving, at that cue my stomach gurgles. I can only rub it for the nth time as I have nothing to eat, to be honest I've throat about eating the rat but it's too fast. I've barely any energy left to catch it. My body is too small and frail to undergo such starvation, kids are too weak to endure such tyranny. Soon I saw a ray of light on the floor coming from the direction of the door. My head shoots up to see the old man with a sad smile on his face, "*How are you child?*" I can only shake my head as tears well up but I hold them back, he enters closing the door behind him. He comes to me then kneels with difficulty, he opens his arms and engulfs me in a warm embrace. It may not be like any I've ever had but it was like something I have always wanted and needed. He gave that to me, I can't describe the feeling, only actions and emotions can capture such an extraordinary feeling. Soon after I start crying. It was too much for someone like me to handle on my own, both mentally and physically. After I had calmed down he gave me a bowl of soup with some bread, honestly I was grateful. He told me that I could start having a meal once a day

It's been seven days since he came, I had my meals three times a day but they were always cold. It was as if it was done on purpose to spite me... How the people in this place go with the tide and not what's right. Then an unexpected visitor came to visit me in my prison cell. the master decides your fate