Trickery

Xiao Qi held her head as she felt a headache coming. She paced to and fro, looking troubled, as if she was trying to solve a very hard math question. Zhao Xing had changed to a new set of clothes provided by Lu family's people, and was currently drying her hair. Only she and Xiao Qi were left in the room at that moment.

Zhao Xing was in a bad mood, if not for Madam Tang and Second Madam Lu's arrival she would have given that Lu Man a piece of her mind.

"That Lu Man really thinks she's invincible, she really thinks herself to be the female lead in a novel, look how slim she is! I'm sure a little breeze would blow her away, yet she had the guts to plot against me!" She scolded in a low tone.

Xiao Qi paused her pacing and stared at her. "Zhao Xing, you still have energy to talk? Do you realize what you just did?"

Zhao Xing stared back at her with a questioning look. "What did I do?"

"Did you not hear yourself just then? Don't tell me you were possessed just now by some evil spirit"

"Hah, I didn't even hit her and you're complaining."

"How would you explain this to the Master?" She would give her master too much trouble to cover up her act today. She wondered if the days Zhao Xing spent learning etiquette were in vain.

"Explain what? Besides, I almost died just now…sigh, forget it." If she was in her world she would have beaten that person to a pulp, better yet, call the police. Things weren't so hard! How could she, Zhao Xing give in to such injustice easily!

She thought if she went up the ranks she'd at least have some protection, right? But things were far from what she'd imagined.

Xiao Qi didn't go on arguing with her, she had learnt from experience, there was no use trying reason with her.

"Never mind, I'll have scolded that woman myself if I could." Xiao Qi sat next to Zhao Xing on the bed.

Zhao Xing put her two hands forth, with an expression that said 'you see?'

Xiao Qi rolled her eyes. She just hoped the Crown Prince would come as he had promised. He would be here with General Yang to pick both Zhao Xing and Madam Yang along.

Soon Lu Man came to see Zhao Xing, to their surprise.

Xiao Qi quickly got off the bed and stood at the side. Lu Man's eyes swept across the two of them with a glint.

Xiao Qi could only silently pray she hadn't heard their conversation just now.

"Miss Zhao, right?" She had on a disturbing smile.

Zhao Xing wasn't amused, "If Fifth Miss Lu is here to apologize, I advise you leave, Fifth Miss Lu is so high and mighty, this one doesn't dare accept it."

Lu Man's smile dropped. "You little thing do you think I won't lay my hands on you?"

Zhao Xing smiled, "I only said I don't dare accept your apology and you're already so agitated? With Fifth Miss Lu's reputation, if word goes out that you put aside your noble status and apologize to a lowly person like myself, it wouldn't look good would it?"

Lu Man was so furious she lost her words. She had just visited Madam Yang just now. She was shivering and looked weak, she didn't speak much. Wasn't it the both of them that fell into the water? How come one was weak while the other energetic enough to throw insults at her!

"Is it because you think you have the Crown Prince behind you that you became so bold? Let me tell you, the Crown Prince doesn't care about you, with the way he is, he didn't even look at Second Miss Chu of the Duke mansion, how would he put you in his eyes? If you know what's best for you, better leave the Crown Prince alone."

"Leave the Crown Prince? I didn't even go visit him since I relocated to the Noble Princess manor!"

Zhao Xing came to a sudden realization. Before she thought Lu Man only wanted revenge for her friend, she did what she did to teach her a lesson. But just now she kept emphasizing on her leaving the Crown Prince and whatnot. Maybe her target wasn't herself but the Crown Prince? She couldn't directly harm the Prince and so turned to her instead? In her eyes, the Crown Prince had found the love of his life, the person who happened to have saved him when he was at his lowest moment. She must have imagined the most beautiful love story. Zhao Xing wondered what she would do if she knew the truth.

Zhao Xing decided to test the waters, see if it was just as she had thought. With that in mind she suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Lu Man asked fiercely.

"Aiya, am I not laughing at your foolishness?"

"You…Miss Zhao, don't think I would have you go score free for the way you've insulted me all the time!" Zhao Xing could notice the redness on her face as she spoke angrily.

"I originally thought Fifth Miss Lu was just as scary as the rumors. Who would have thought I'd meet such childish person." It's said she even punished officials if they offended her. Now she can only imagine how stupid those official could have been to have fallen into her trap. She guessed it was mostly done by her family members. Since the Lu family was so influential, it wouldn't be hard to cause trouble for a few people who didn't know their place. In that case if they really wanted to deal with her, it wouldn't just be herself against the fifth miss of the Lu family. It'd probably be her against the whole Lu Family. They were so protective of their people, they were sure to get her revenge.

'No wonder Xiao Qi was so worried just now.' She suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.

Lu Man looked at her questioningly.

Zhao Xing stood up, "Actually, I understand Miss Lu wants to avenge a good friend. But am I not also a victim to the Crown Prince, I'm only a pawn in his hands. Once he's done with me he would just toss me away as he wishes."

Lu Man's eyes narrowed. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Hearing this even Xiao Qi was alarmed. 'What is she planning this time?'

Zhao Xing didn't answer immediately. Some people you would have to spend years to understand them, other just a little time, while another portion, one just needed to have a few words with them or just look at them.

Lu Man was very straight forward with her feelings and had her principle, she wasn't like that villain in stories whose aim in life was to dominate the world and turn it into hell. Madam Yang had fallen along with her. When she was rescued she had seen how Lu Man had guiltily apologized to her. Madam Yang's status wasn't that high, if one were to look at the ranks alone. Lu Man didn't plan to hurt anyone but her, Zhao Xing. Well that didn't mean she was a good person. She had almost killed two people because of her stupid plan. But she could just go ahead and play her by her game. Use her weakness to subdue her.

Zhao Xing signaled to her and looked at the two attendants that came with Lu Man.

Lu Man was curious about what Zhao Xing was about to say, she got the signal and sent the two maidservants away.

"Leave us."

"Yes" they responded and left.

Zhao Xing turned to Xiao Qi, and signaled for her to leave as well. Xiao Qi's brows creased but she complied in the end.

Seeing Zhao Xing even asked her own maidservant out, she put more importance to the information she was about to hear.

The door closed behind them.

Lu Man put on a straight face. "They're gone, speak."