2 - Trouble at the door

Liu Zhen Zhu / Snow's Pov

Every time I reopen my eyes, I look through my surrounding as if wanting reassurance that I'm actually back. And for extra measure, I checked my pulse, breathing and body temperature to ensure I was still alive.

'So everything was real? I'm alive? I'm back?' I questioned myself but more than ever to be back.

Suddenly a screen appeared in front of my eyes, looking closer, it seems that Flame has tried to contact me through the system in the format of a chatting app like WeChat or messenger from the 21st century but I was the only person who could see it.

Checking the message, it seems it was sent a few minutes ago so I tried to quickly reply after I read the content of it:

'I won't be able to see you now, I am currently collecting information for your status and ways of your revenge, despite that I want to see how you are doing, but for now, your disposition isn't great, there seems to be large amount of poison within your body but seeing how you were my genius sister, I know you would have your way of treating yourself so before we meet, keep safe.' From Flame

Well, when I was checking my pulse I did realise there was a slow acting poison within my body but luckily it wasn't life threatening despite it being rare and scentless meaning it's hard to be detected and recalling my past, there were instances where my body would feel feeble and weak especially when cultivating and with my knowledge from the 21st century, this small matter is nothing and can easily be fixed with my home made herbal medicine. However, first thing first, I need to go and buy an alchemist pot and some herbs before I could cure my poison. Although it would take a while for the poison to disappear completely, it is fine to use this as an excuse for the evil doers so they don't suspect anything.

Seeing how it was already morning, and after replying to Flame, I got up and changed whilst Xiao Xian came in with a pot of warm water to wash my face, 'second young miss, you should let me dress you.' she said whilst getting my clothes.

I just smiled, 'I'm fine, I can handle this by myself.' Maybe it was because of my fragile being in my past life, Xiao Xian was always there to help me dress as it was hard for me to get out of bed or be out for too long but now I am a different person, I would not let them suffer. I must get stronger!

~Whilst at the Cloud Garden where Liu Qiu Xia resides in~

Liu Qiu Xia's PoV

'What do you mean she's still alive?' as my anger started rising, flames started fuming my surrounding. And as one of the flame wolf of the Liu family, I am able to control the flames with my emotions. I am one of the few named geniuses of the century, with my cultivation at the fourth layer second stage. However even with my skills, there is a second miss who just won't disappear from this world no matter what I do.

'She should've been dead by now, the poison should've already killed her, it's already been 5 freaking MONTHS.' I shouted at the end to my maid who is now shivering on the ground.

I sighed and sat back down in my seat with the flames cooling down and taking a sip of my tea, 'well, shall we make our way to see how she is doing.' I said smiling hatefully.

~Back to the Cold forsaken yard of the Yin Garden where Liu Zhen Zhu resides in~

After finishing breakfast, a sudden burst of chilling aura came from the front yard, and not soon later the familiar voice of the vile girl was heard, 'Liu Zhen where are you?' one of my so called step-sister's servant said.

I smiled menacingly, I guess the show is now on. Walking out into the yard, I saw 2 maids along with 3 men behind Liu Qiu Xia but I pretended to be ignorant and act confused, 'Who are you?' I asked innocently at my speechless and angry step-sister.

'Have you lost your head, how could you forget the bug miss of the Liu family?' One of her miss blurted out.

Well I got to admit, that maid is getting on my nerves.

'Oh, I'm sorry, my memories has been a bit blurry since I've woken up, I can't remember much' as I held onto my head as if I'm getting more fragile whilst coughing to look more weak.

I then looked up whilst removing my handkerchief from my mouth when I was fake coughing and added a bit of red chemical on it to make it seem like blood and purposely let them see before quickly hiding it behind me.

I then smiled, 'so this must be my genius older sister and the heir to the Liu family.' I said whilst approaching her and tucking her arm.

'I'm so happy to see you come and visit me even when I'm in this state. You are a great sister.' I said which made Qiu Xia more narcissistic but also she easily weakened her defences knowing that I'm about to die which was faked of course.

'You insolent...how could you do this to our young miss.' the maid shouted whilst dragging me away from Qiu Xia which I purposely pulled her along with me and in the process pulled some of her dark wavy hair out.

'ouch, what are you doing?' she asked with anger and annoyance present in her voice.

Time to act I thought to myself, I then started to cry with tears in my eyes, 'sister, your beautiful hair... how could your maid do this to you.' I cried innocently whilst moving the blame to her maid, 'No...no my lady.... it wasn't my intention.' the maid started to panic with clear horror in her eyes as she quickly knelt down on both knees.

'Sister, she purposely pulled me away when knowing I was having a close gesture to show my sincerity in seeing you.... she's trying to ruin our sibling relationship.' I carried on speaking, 'she's ruining our your reputation... was she planning to make you look bad in front of everyone.' I said manipulating the air to my advantage to take down the maid.

And just like planned, the 11 year old sister of mine was easily swayed with simple words, 'men, drag her out and give her 50 floggings with the stick before throwing her out. I don't want to see her.'

'No... wait... young miss, I'm innocent.' the maid pleaded as she was dragged out the garden.

I internally smiled, that is what you get for getting in my bad side.

I stood up looking at my so called sister, slowly wiping my tears away smiling, 'sister, it is wonderful to see you here but I'm afraid it may be better if you go back today, my health is bad and I'm afraid you may be affected.' I faked politely said whilst I pretended to cough.

She quickly covered her mouth, 'Yes, sister, I would go back for now and when you feel better I would come back to visit you.' she said as she quickly rushed out the Yin garden.

As I was certain she was out and no one was near, I smiled and turned around whilst being presented with 2 worried faces, 'are you alright, you... you were.... coughing blood.' Xiao Xian said between her cries whilst my brother looked at me with a concerned face, 'sister.... wah...plea....wah...please don't...hiccup...leave me.' he said between his cries as well whilst I tried holding in my laughter.

I then pretended to be frail and feeling wobbly when walking, Xiao Xian held onto my left hand and led me back into the room, seating me on the chair and handing me a cup of green tea.

'miss...please...please don't leave us.' as tears flooded her eyes and by now I laughed out loud.

'Miss, why are you laughing.' she asked whilst my brother's tears flooded his features even more, 'have you finally got...got crazy.' he asked.

'Come on you two, you are like cry babies.' I said hysterically whilst breathing heavily due to not enough oxygen is going into my system, that I may laugh to death.

'But...' both of them spoke but before they could finish I cut them off after I regained my composure.

'I'm fine.' as I took out the handkerchief, 'this is fake blood.' I said whilst both of them gave a relieved breath whilst Xiao Xian gave me a tight hug, 'never scare me like that.' she said.

I comforted her, 'but I got to say, you were good at acting and I've never seen you standing up for yourself like that despite the manner you presented yourself in a while back to our older sister was a bit over the top.' my brother said.

I guess he is quite clever to figure all that out, from an ordinary point of view it may seem like I was acting childish but for those who have a clear insight as high like my brother's they could easily tell the inner meaning of such acts.

I smiled, knowing this isn't the end but the beginning, 'the show has just started.'