Chapter 56: White Lotus Second Madam Ruolan
From afar, the two could be seen conversing endlessly. There was a piercing gaze in Hongyue's eyes as she spoke while the elder listened, his eyes widening steadily. After two hours passed, Hongyue suddenly leaned in and muttered something to elder Bingwen. The elder's fingers quivered in excitement, but he looked a bit hesitant. However, he still nodded his head. Hongyue stood up to leave. She placed the level 10 herb down on the table. Elder Bingwen graciously led her to the door and handed her a pendant so that if she ever needed him, he would be there.
Hongyue smiled, the two hardly reached a relationship of mere business partners, yet he was already exercising careful steps to keep her. She narrowed her eyes; this elder must be in a tight spot.
Outside, Hongyue walked to a deserted area before breathing in deeply. The air around her surged wildly as her body began quickly fading into mist. In a flash, she was gone. A single petal from a flower drifted to the spot she once stood.
Emerging back at her room, Hongyue took a long breath to calm herself as she steadied herself against the wall. The distance between the general's manor and the pharmacy store was too far, but how else will she be in time to ruin her father's banquet?
Walking to her dresser, she checked her appearance once more. After fixing the black poisonous hair stick in the right position, Hongyue reapplied red tint to her lips before she left.
Hongyue's eyes were already shadowing her next victim.
Second Madam~
This miss is going to pay you a visit. You don't even have to thank me~
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"I say, every time I come to see you, you're always becoming more beautiful."
"Isn't that right? The general certainly dotes on you a lot."
"Yes, out of us all; you are the most treasured."
A crowd of women was gathered in the manor's garden with the second concubine in the center of the group. All of these noblewomen were here with their husbands to attend the banquet. However, seeing that it was such a gorgeous day, the ladies were strolling in the garden to enjoy the view from the beautiful flowers. Each was eager to please the second concubine who was acting like a white lotus. Only a slight sigh from concubine was able to gather a mouthful of reassuring comments from the others around her. They were better than mindless puppets.
The second concubine beamed at their remarks, but her heart was feeling uneasy. While it was true, she was currently the most favored since the first, third, and fourth concubines were out of the picture. The general suddenly didn't trust her anymore.
It shouldn't have been like this! She was supposed to be the only one he could depend on. Why?!
Something significantly changed, so she felt awfully anxious. Still, she managed to laugh along with the other wives. In a way, she felt prideful. There was no one else here in this manor that could rival her. After all, one was dead, another poisoned, while another went crazy. As for the other concubines...they wouldn't dare step out of line. After all, most of the concubines had the same hatred toward Hongyue. Therefore they wouldn't dare hinder her schemes.
Now that all the primary opponents were gone. Who was better than she?
As she giggled, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Hongyue who stopped to smell a flower. Her laughter stopped as her heart dropped. Why was this wretch here?! She really is still alive and even bouncing about lively. Just like her mother, her luck was REALLY good. The second concubine gashed her teeth in irritation.
"Sister Concubine Ruolan, what's wrong?" The second madam's sister tugged at her sleeve. Seeing the second madam so quiet, everyone turned their head to see Hongyue.
"Oh? Isn't this the good-for-nothing? Why is she out and wandering about?"
"She's probably trying to find her mother."
"Oh, child, you won't find her."
Everyone giggled gleefully, hearing the comments. They eyed Hongyue with great contempt. Listening to them laugh, Hongyue paused and lifted her head. As she tilted her head, the sunlight showed off the hair stick that was tucked within her bun. It was extremely eye-catching as the black stone reflected the sun. One of the madams stopped laughing, breath was caught short.
She opened and closed her mouth in shock. At last, she managed to choke her thoughts out, "T-the Dragon's Glory! I thought...I thought it was buried with her..."
What?!
Concubine Ruolan froze.
Dragon's Glory was the official name of an onyx hair stick the first madam used to own. It was a symbol of absolute power. It was the only one made in the world, and it was said that whoever owned it, possessed the key to all the forces in the world.
Although this speculation wasn't confirmed, it still gave great prestige to the name of whoever had it.
When the first madam was poisoned, Concubine Roulan had put on the pretense of a tender concubine sister to try to find the hair stick. She had tried treating the first madam sweetly and kindly. Even then, the first madam never took it out. Concubine Roulan clearly remembered searching for that hair stick after the first madam's death. Yet she found nothing, so she thought it was long gone.
How did this brat have it? How is it...in her hands?!!
It didn't matter. The jealousy that was once buried in her heart along with the first madam's death was once again unearthed. She marched over to Hongyue with her face twisted in an ugly scowl. Hongyue pretended not to notice her as she smiled at the madam who had called out, "This auntie is wrong. It's in my hair, is it not?"
"Y-yes," The madam answered meekly. Her face blushing red.
Concubine Ruolan stopped in front of Hongyue. Her voice was stern and harsh as she demanded, "Where did you get this?"
"What does second madam mean? Mother gave it to me," Hongyue seemed confused. However, she was trying hard to suppress her laughter at the second madam's greed. Are you mad already? That wasn't long at all. Her eyes narrowed.
Let's see how you're going to steal it!
Hearing Hongyue's response ticked the second madam off. Nonsense! If she couldn't find it that year, no one could. How would the first madam give it to Hongyue? However, seeing that this brat had it, it was good as hers. She snorted. Who told you to deliver it right into my hands after your mother tried so hard hiding it?
Concubine Ruolan sneered, "You liar! She gave it to me before she died. How could it be in your hands?"
All the madams at the scene stopped.
When the first madam was diagnosed with a rare disease that raged inside her body, the second madam was the first one to be there for her. It would be very reasonable for the first madam to give it to the second madam. As for Hongyue.... she was just a worthless 'normal.' Why would anyone give her anything of that importance?
Hongyue pouted, and stubbornly stomped her feet, "No! Mother gave it to me. You're the liar!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
in_awe
in_awe Ooooh I'm going to have so much fun writing the next chapter. WARNING: because the next few chapters are so scheme based. I might take an extra day to make it understandable and word everything so you guys won't get confused.
Anyway enjoy~
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