How Should You Address Me

Her grip tightening on the cane, Madam Xiong swung it towards Ding Yiu aiming directly at her face. Madam Xiong was a woman of strength, so she never expected Ding Yiu to easily render her powerless. Ding Yiu had reached for Madam Xiong's wrist holding the cane. Then it happened. A sharp, electric-like pain shot up through Madam Xiong's wrist causing her to let go of the cane. She had to bite her lips to hold in a cry. Naturally, Ding Yiu caught the cane before releasing Madam Xiong's wrists.

[What was that pain?] Madam Xiong wondered, [what did she do to me?] She took a quick look at her wrist. "You…"

"Madam Xiong, how should you address me?" Ding Yiu repeated with the same warning tone in her voice. [As if I'd allow you to treat me the same way you treat Xiao Yiu].

"Who do you think you are?" Madam Xiong raged, "you're just a mere consort who Prince Ping banished to the cold palace. You have no..... AH!" Madam Xiong jumped to the side feeling the sudden strike of the cane on her leg. [She hit me...] Madam Xiong couldn't believe what just happened. [She actually hit me].

"Wrong answer," Ding Yiu said, giving Madam Xiong an unimpressed look. "Try again."

"You actually dared to hit me. Do you know I have more authority in this- AH! OUCH! AH!" Madam Xiong kept jumping further away from Ding Yiu with each hit. When Ding YIu stopped, Madam Xiong could only blink with a dumbfounded face. [She hit me three more times! W-who is this?] Madam Xiong mentally questioned. [This surely isn't the same Consort Liu...]

"Who cares I'm banished to the cold palace. You're forgetting, I still retain my title as Second Princess Consort," Ding Yiu raised her voice, "which means in Ping Tian Palace, besides Prince Ping himself, I am the one with the highest authority."

[Oh, so that's your basis for standing up to me], Madam Xiong snorted. "Even if you have the title of Second Princess Consort, as long as Prince Ping doesn't say anything about the way we treat you, what can you do?" Madam Xiong now took bold steps towards Ding Yiu, feeling reassured that this was Consort Liu's only reasoning to defend herself. "Now, give back my cane and scurry off to your little hut. You should be grateful there is any space here for you to live."

"You are right," Ding Yiu admitted, "as long as Prince Ping doesn't say anything about the way I treat you..."

Madam Xiong instantly stopped, gulping. She sensed things were about to turn very bad for her. She couldn't see what expression Consort Liu had but guessed it was a wicked smile. "Consort Liu, I-if you dare... I... there are many witnesses... You will definitely suffer... AH! STOP... OUCH!.... AH!.... HELP!"

"I'm already suffering, having to teach you your manners in place of your mother," Ding Yiu said, mercilessly chasing after and whacking Madam Xiong, just like a mother would to a naughty child. "Xiao Xiong, stand still."

"Don't call me Xiao Xiong, I'm older than you. I'm not staying still either," a frantic Madam Xiong kept jumping around the room, trying to avoid Ding Yiu's hits.

Watching this commotion, Wan Xin had to firmly clasp a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing. All the other servants were too shell-shocked seeing Madam Xiong being treated this way. Even the most favoured Consort Zhou would speak politely to Madam Xiong, so who could ever imagine there was a day when someone would dare hit her. Adding to the shock factor, it was the usually bullied Consort Liu who was managing to scare and discipline the arrogant Madam Xiong. Just what was going on?

The only other person appreciating this hilarious scene was Sima Heng, who had closely observed the whole ordeal. He was literally holding onto his stomach from over-laughing. [Brilliant, just brilliant], Heng took deep breaths to calm down, [I can't believe Consort Liu is such an interesting person. Such a daring and fearless personality]. Heng continued to observe.

Madam Xiong now struggled to hide under a very small table. Seeing her pitiful state, Ding Yiu decided this was enough. "Remember your manners next time Xiao Xiong," Ding Yiu warned, dropping the cane to the floor, "let's go Wan Xin. We've more important things to attend to."

"Yes Xiaojie," Wan Xin happily responded, skipping out the servant's house behind Ding Yiu.

Hearing Ding Yiu had left for good, a fully embarrassed but equally infuriated Madam Xiong now crawled out from under the table and started shouting phrases to belittle Consort Liu. She certainly tried hard to dismiss her embarrassing predicament.

[It's about time someone showed Madam Xiong her place], Heng mused. [I can't believe that beauty turned out to be Consort Liu. Such a fascinating girl. Damn Qian Ping for never mentioning her. But... those rumours...] Heng now folded his arms across his chest, deep in thought, [this doesn't make any sense. Has anyone ever seen Consort Liu's proper face? Does she always wear a veil? Is that why there are rumours of her being ugly? Then there's the other rumour that she used a 'cursed doll' to curse Zhou Yourong. But would someone with such a fearless nature use something as feeble as 'curses' to achieve something?] Heng felt himself hit a dead end, [I ought to question Qian Ping about Consort Liu]. Heng smiled, [thinking of the devil].

Arriving at the servant's house was Prince Ping and Sixi. The servants immediately knelt down to address the Prince. Sixi motioned for the servants to leave and return to work whilst Prince Ping made big, urgent strides towards Madam Xiong.

Excited, Sima Heng came out of hiding, rushing towards his best friend, "Qian Ping. How did you know to come here? I was about to..." Heng stared as Qian Ping walked straight past him. [He ignored me], Heng thought, slightly stunned. He grabbed hold of Sixi, "did something happen? Why does Qian Ping look so serious?"

"Prince Ping has found the girl from a year ago," Sixi informed, "she's entered Ping Tian Palace as a maid. He rushed over here to question Madam Xiong as soon as he woke up."

Heng caught his breath from excitement. This was big news. And as Qian Ping's closest friend, Heng had to know everything. He quickly pulled Sixi to the side, asking for all the juicy gossip.

Meanwhile, Madam Xiong was delighted to see Prince Ping arrive. This was her golden opportunity to get back at Consort Liu. She immediately knelt on the floor and began wailing, pretending she was in pain and forced some tears out her eyes. [I'll pretend Consort Liu had beaten me up more vigorously than she actually did. The Prince will then sympathize with me and punish that insolent girl]. "Oh, Prince Ping, please help me, I was brutally beaten up by Consort-"

"Madam Xiong, pull yourself together," Prince Ping ordered straightaway. He didn't want to delay another second in finding out about Ding Ding. He sat down comfortably on the chair. "I have important things to ask you. Make sure you think carefully before answering."

A pretending Madam Xiong immediately went quiet. She didn't even dare breathe, noticing how worked up Prince Ping was right now. She nodded.

"Bring me the maid called Ding Ding," Prince Ping demanded. "Also, tell me her background. Where she's from? When did she enter the palace? Where have you stationed her?"

Madam Xiong blinked, a blank look on her face. "Prince Ping, I'm not aware that we have a maid called Ding Ding. Is there some sort of mistake?"

"There isn't?" Prince Ping queried. "She's a young girl. Her face is a nice oval shape with sharp and unforgettable features. How should I describe it?" Prince Ping easily imaged Ding Ding's face as he spoke, "For example, her nose is just the right size and is quite high. It actually enhances those pair of annoying, but alluring eyes she has. Anyway, her name is Ding Ding. Have you seen her?"

Madam Xiong shook her head, "apologies your highness. I've not heard or met a girl with the name Ding Ding. There also isn't a maid I can think of that matches your description." [I mean, the girl sounds to be rather attractive if not a true beauty like Consort Zhou. I would've noticed her], Madam Xiong thought carefully.

[Ding Ding, you...] Prince Ping bit his lips in frustration. [What was I hoping for? Of course she wouldn't really be a maid in my palace], he stood up, ready to leave. [Where should I start looking for her now? Will she come to see me again? Did she want something from me last night?] The more Qian Ping pondered on these question, the more frustrated he became. [Had I known I should've sent Yourong back first. Or I should've tied Ding Ding up and locked her in the study room].

Seeing Prince Ping leave, Madam Xiong desperately shouted to get his attention. She lifted her sleeves to show him the red cane marks left by Consort Liu. "Prince Ping, please help me. I was mercilessly tortured by Consort Liu this morning. I didn't do anything wrong. Please judge her wicked actions for me."

It took Qian Ping a good few seconds to register what Madam Xiong was telling him. His thoughts had been so focussed on Ding Ding, he wasn't aware of anything else. "Madam Xiong, what did you say?"

Madam Xiong started acting pitiful again. She told Prince Ping how a mad Consort Liu had beaten her up, just because she was doing her duty to punish a maid who abandoned her duties. "Please help me," Madam Xiong requested again.

[That girl. How wicked is she?] Qian Ping clenched his fists in fury, hearing Madam Xiong's version of the incident. [First she tried to curse Yourong, now she's beaten up Madam Xiong like this. She needs to be punished]. "Sixi," Qian Ping called.

Sixi instantly stepped forward away from Sima Heng who was still asking questions. "Yes, Prince Ping."

"Arrange for a physician to see Madam Xiong," Qian Ping ordered, "then capture Consort Liu and bring her to me. She is to be judged for her sinful actions."

"Yes Prince Ping," Sixi said, already leaving to carry out the orders.

"Thank you your highness," Madam Xiong thanked, a smile on her face.

Prince Ping swiftly left the servants house as well. He was joined by an extremely worried Sima Heng.

"Qian Ping, what are you going to do to Consort Liu?" Heng directly asked. "I actually witnessed the whole incident. I can tell you for certain that-"

"Enough," Qian Ping shouted, "I don't ever want to speak of or hear about Consort Liu."

[He really does hate Consort Liu], Heng sighed, [there must be some sort of misunderstanding. I'll stay around and see if I can help her out later]. "Qian Ping, I recall I was promised a chess match today," Heng changed the subject, "also, you have yet to tell me about your meeting with that girl."

"That's right Heng," Qian Ping said, his mood clearly improved at the mention of Ding Ding. "You know a lot of people so maybe you can help gather information on her. She called herself Ding Ding." Qian Ping began to tell Heng of his encounter with Ding Ding the previous night, as the two made their way towards a pavilion near Prince Ping's Zheng palace.

Hours had passed. This was now their third game of chess, with Prince Ping having won both games. Heng was becoming increasingly impatient. It wasn't the game of chess that worried him, but rather why Sixi had still not returned with Consort Liu. [It's strange], Heng knew, [I don't know Consort Liu at all. But there's something about her that makes me want to help her. Maybe I'm just curious and want to know if the rumours about her are true or not]. Heng looked at Qian Ping opposite him. He was as calm as still water.

"Your concentration is lacking today," Qian Ping commented, placing his chess piece. "These few games were won too easily for my satisfaction."

"I suppose I am distracted," Heng admitted. [But I can't say it's to do with your most hated Consort Liu].

Qian Ping raised an eyebrow, "I should be the one who's distracted. So tell me Heng-"

"Prince Ping," an anxious Sixi finally arrived. He was slightly out of breath, his expression full of panic. "I've got something urgent to report."

"Go ahead," Qian Ping permitted.

Sixi took in a deep breath, "we've searched all of Ping Tian Palace but couldn't find Consort Liu anywhere."

"Say that again," Heng immediately requested, not believing what Sixi just said. "Did you search properly?"

Sixi bowed his head, "I'm sorry your highness. I've got the guards and some servants to search the whole palace at least 3 times. We can't find Consort Liu or the new maid anywhere. I fear they may have-"

"Leave it be then," Qian Ping said very calmly. "Don't waste any more time or effort searching."

"But your highness," Sixi began.

"Her actions are her own choice," Qian Ping spoke over Sixi, "whether she lives or dies is her own fate. Why should I waste time on an insignificant person?"

Heng stared at Qian Ping, not knowing how to feel. He had never seen Qian Ping so unforgiving towards anyone before. To be more exact, Qian Ping didn't care one bit about Consort Liu. He would rather spend his efforts searching for a girl who offended him than give his own wife a chance. Did he despise her that much? Could he not try to get along with Consort Liu? Nothing can change the fact that they are at least married in name. Heng held in a sigh. [I feel sorry for Consort Liu. It's a good thing she managed to escape]. He made a move, putting down his chess piece, [I know she'll survive. Such a fearless and reckless person can survive anything, anywhere].

"Understood," Sixi responded, "there's also news from Jing Ke. He should be arriving back in the capital city, the night after tomorrow."

"This is good news Qian Ping," Heng proclaimed, "Jing Ke must've found a lead to those weapons."

Jing Ke was Qian Ping's royal guard, as well as his other childhood friend. Unlike Sima Heng, who literally grew up almost from a baby along with Qian Ping, they only met at the age of 10. However, that didn't stop the trio from forming a deep friendship and a strong sense of loyalty towards one another.

"It is indeed good news," Qian Ping agreed, his lips curling into a smile. That smile didn't last. Noticing Sixi's stiffened expression Qian Ping quickly questioned, "has something happened to Jing Ke?"

"The phrasing in his note back to us this time looks odd," Sixi commented. "I'm worried it may not be Jing Ke who wrote it."

"Do you think this is a trap?" Heng considered. "What should we do Qian Ping?"

"Sixi, make preparations," Qian Ping ordered, "I'll be leaving the Palace to meet up with Jing Ke."

"Yes Prince Ping," Sixi said.

"Qian Ping, did you think this through?" Heng protested. "This could be a trap. We shouldn't make rash moves. I'm also worried about Jing Ke. We should get people to try and find him first before deciding to leave the palace."

"We won't ever find out anything if we stay waiting in the palace," Qian Ping rightfully stated. "If this is a trap, I have little choice but to walk in it."

Heng said no more. Once Qian Ping had made a decision, he rarely went back on it. He could only hope Jing Ke was safe and nothing would happen to Qian Ping.

Currently, walking leisurely down the streets of the capital city was Ding Yiu and Wan Xin. They had headed straight for one of the palace's side walls, climbed up and jumped down onto the other side to escape Ping Tian Palace. At first Wan Xin was sceptical of Ding Yiu's idea to escape by climbing those high walls, but they somehow managed. [It was one painful experience], Wan Xin remembered, rubbing her shoulders. Ding Yiu had stepped on her shoulders to jump and reach the wall. Then Wan Xin had to jump herself, relying on Ding Yiu to catch her hand and pull her up. Afterwards, they both shut their eyes and took a leap of faith. It was kind of a miracle neither of them got hurt.

"Xiaojie, is it alright for us to leave Ping Tian Palace?" Wan Xin asked, "I remember you saying before this wasn't the best thing to do." [Although, I am glad we left that place], Wan Xin kept that thought to herself.

"Don't worry Wan Xin. I'll deal with the consequences later," Ding Yiu acknowledged. [I might have been too reckless leaving Ping Tian Palace like this. There's bound to be trouble later on], Ding Yiu reflected.

Ding Yiu now took a side turn to the right, off from the main street area. It didn't take long for Wan Xin to recognize the path they were taking. They were headed towards the 'Pleasure' district, where brothels, drug rooms and gambling houses operated. Having lived with Meng Su for a year, Wan Xin had gotten used to walking around this place. Any sense of embarrassment had long vanished. The two eventually stopped in front of the most famous brothel in the capital, 'Red Mansion'.

The place no doubt lived up to its eerie name - 'Red Mansion'. The infrastructure itself being built from the finest auburn coloured wood, with carefully placed red posies surrounding it. Everything was red. Upon entering its dwelling, one would feel like they have stepped inside a cauldron of fire. Overly lavish decorations of the strict colours red, white and gold blinded the eyes. Draping from the ceilings were fine translucent silk ribbons, which swayed to the winds that seeped through open windows, much like flames.

Ding Yiu and Wan Xin made their way inside Red Mansion, as though it was their own home. They only stopped when a very feminine voice called out.

"We're not open for business during the day," a female voice warned, her footsteps coming down the stairs echoing louder.

"How absurd? I do business whenever I desire to," Ding Yiu replied.

The woman casually walking down the stairs now quickened her pace. There were clear twinkles in her eyes, her lips curling into the most joyful smile ever. Wrapping her arms around Ding Yiu, Meng Su called out emotionally, "Ding Ding. You're finally here."