"What!"
The fourth madam slumped in her chair in shock. She couldn't believe her ears; her breathing became giddy. Never in her wildest dream did she thought the pest she couldn't kill for years wasn't weak at all. It made so much sense, no wonder that brat was still alive after trying out her poison.
She eyed the servant kneeling in front of her with uncertainty. This servant had nothing to lie to her, yet she couldn't help doubt. She had both servants' families captured in case something went wrong or if they dared to betray her, this was her only insurance. Seeing that the servant was just a stupid pawn, she could guess the girl was telling the truth. Her mind began to spin; she gazed at her worn-out ring on her finger.
Hongyue still wasn't dead; instead, she was alive and living well.
Hongyue also had hidden abilities, she killed a maid with her bare hand. She must possess some sort of magic, there was no way for an ill girl like her to have so much strength.
This news was unexpectedly a good thing for her. The general was distrustful of people, if she was able to show that Hongyue had hidden secrets, then..then...she suddenly stopped.
"Why were you able to come back alive?" She questioned doubtfully.
"T-this servant doesn't know-"
"It's pointless to ask you," The fourth madam interrupted her. Yes, why was she so doubtful? That idiot was already poisoned by her Chunhua, so of course, she couldn't kill the maid in front of her. She laughed delightfully.
"Go! Go get the general!" She ordered eagerly.
"Y-yes, this servant will go right now." The servant scrambled away like her bottom was on fire.
Both of them didn't notice a dark silver mist clinging on to the servant's clothing had dispersed once she stepped into the room. This mist had come from Hongyue. The more hoarded evil intention someone held, the more this thread of cloud would affect their state of mind — one of Hongyue's utmost specialties.
--------------------------
Hongyue anticipated patiently with the door closed as she twirled a ball of blood in the air. She was lying lazily on her bed with her feet kicking off on the sides as she amused herself with the ball of red. Her eyes flicked to the maid sitting alongside her.
One.
Two.
Two and a half.
Three.
A sound of thundering footsteps rushed toward her courtyard.
Hongyue smirked.
So quickly.
She waited till they got closer before she let out a bloodcurdling shriek. She waved her hands despairingly as the ball of blood splashed on top of her. The general broke through the doors just as Hongyue collapsed to the ground; her right shoulder was bloody as she laid trembling in fear. She lifted her head and tried to hug the general's legs as if she needed his support.
"F-father! Please save me!" She choked out pitifully.
The general glanced behind her and saw a maid trying to stab Hongyue with a sharp hair stick. The girl's eyes were distorted and red. Seeing that the general was in front of her, she changed her target to him. She waved the sharp hair ornament wildly and thrust it into the general's arm. The general's eyes widened in fear as he felt the pain spread.
How did a mere servant attack so fast? He hadn't even seen her move. His eyes narrowed in suspicion as the maid attacked again.
Hongyue suddenly jumped up and blocked the attack. The hair stick sank deep into her flesh.
"Father!" She cried out loud.
Amid the confusion, the general felt affected by her action. He lashed out a dark elemental attack, quickly aiming for the head of the attacking female before catching Hongyue, who fell limply. The body of the maid sank to the ground with a thud. He turned to the crowd and motioned the fourth madam to step out.
"What's going on?!" He roared, his chest heaving up and down.
The fourth madam was confused as well. Didn't that servant say that Hongyue killed the other girl? Wasn't the other girl supposed to be dead? Why was she still alive and lively, even daring to attack the general?
"This concubine isn't sure herself."
"This concubine isn't sure?" The general returned her words mockingly.
He pointed at the fallen body of the maid, "Then what is this? You don't know? What don't you know? Did you know that she nearly killed me? Her skill level wasn't low at all!"
He breathed heavily in anger before he began to feel paranoid.
"Was this your purpose?! You were aiming to kill me, aren't you? You used Hongyue as a bait for my death! You lied to me, so I would come here to get attacked."
The fourth madam dropped on the ground in fear. No, this wasn't supposed to happen. The one, the general, was supposed to suspect was Hongyue, not her. Now, how was she supposed to protect her head? Why was this happening? Yes, it's because Hongyue had hidden powers.
She thought quickly, attempting to throw out anything to save her, "My lord husband, please trust me. You can test Hongyue if you don't believe me."
Hongyue looked up, pitifully at the general, "Father?"
The general thought for a minute. General Wei was curious himself, he held out a clear crystal wand with a silver handle. He placed it in front of her.
"Hongyue, my dear, put your hands on this," He urged.
"What is that?" Hongyue tilted her head.
"It's to test to see if you have any powers. Wouldn't it be good if you have an elemental connection?" He implored.
Hongyue wanted to snicker at his words.
Good?
If she had any, she bet she would be killed right on the spot.
She put on a light smile before nodding.
"Okay."
I always feel the smartest one doesn't have to put in much effort. Just pin one schemer to the other and stay back and watch.