章 111: A Fall
Zhao Xing arrived at the Lu Manor soon along with Xiao Qi. Outside the manor were many carriages, and noble ladies from all over got down one after the other.
Being invited by the Young Fifth Miss of the Lu family was something many considered prestigious, and so everyone wanted to look their best. Zhao Xing's attire that day wasn't too flashy or too simple. Just in the middle. She had been guided by Jiang Mama and Xiao Qi.
The words used to address Lu Man, the fifth young Miss, were full of flattery.
The Lu Mansion was big and luxurious. Everything even up to the grass was special. One could only imagine their wealth.
All the ladies were ushered to Lu Man's garden in which she was very proud, they were many rare beautiful plants and flowers many of the women had only seen in books.
It made their respect for her go a little higher. They talked among themselves as they praised the beauty of the garden. Although the glory of this place was a far cry from that of the Palace, it was still one of a kind.
Zhao Xing, who stood at the very back, hoping to go unnoticed, compared them to tourist visiting a museum or another country. Then eyes wandered all around, and a small smile formed on her lips. Though she was here because someone wanted to harm her, in short she was a hostage, she still liked the place a lot. Being rich was really enjoyable.
"Thanks to all of you for accepting my invitation to appreciate flowers with me…" Lu Man talked for a while, as everyone else was all smiles as they listened attentively.
After the speech, many among the women began socializing. Some met up with old acquaintances.
Like Zhao Xing. She could recognize a few faces from the banquet in which she was conferred a title.
One of those acquaintances were Xiang Meilian and her group of 'friends'.
They saw her but didn't approach. Zhao Xing also didn't mind them, after all she had her own troubles to handle. She had to save enough energy, physical and mental for what was to come
to handle. She had to save enough energy, physical and mental for what was to come.
Zhao Xing looked for Tang Rongyi's shadow everywhere but couldn't find her.
Right then someone tapped on her shoulder, she turned and it was Tang Rongyi, she had an awkward smile on her face as she looked at her.
"Xing Xing…"
Zhao Xing could tell something wasn't right. What happened this time?
"What is it?" She asked.
"I came with my mother, she wants me to stay with her and not move around, she's afraid I'll use this opportunity to flee…"
Lu Man even invited Tang Rongyi's mother? Zhao Xing could only gawk. The enemy was going all out!
She thought Tang Rongyi's mother wasn't someone one could easily invite. How did she do it?
She looked around for the figure of a powerful looking woman. Before long she spotted two elderly ladies that stood talking to each other. Their aura was so powerful, Zhao Xing was impressed.
"Tang Tang, which one of them is your mother?"
Tang Rongyi answered immediately, "The on the left." The one she mentioned wore dark blue clothes and looked respectable.
Whereas the one standing on the other side was even more so. She had to be Second Madam Lu, Lu Man's mother, since Lu Man stood looking so obedient by her side, with a bright smile on her face.
"…the other one's Second Madam Lu." Tang Rongyi said, affirming her guess.
Zhao Xing guessed Lu Man used her mother as bait. She must have been aware that Tang Rongyi could easily protect her with her status, so she used this trick to hold her back.
The more she thought about it the more chilly she felt.
Tang Rongyi soon left her side, leaving her alone with her maid.
There was a lot to keep the guests invited entertained. Lu Man had arranged games and activities for the banquet.
Most of which had to do with art, literature and so one. Zhao Xing kept her distance. Surprisingly no one bothered her. Maybe because they knew this banquet was especially organized for her doom, or they had all seen Tang Rongyi, no one wanted to offend her, no one also wanted to offend Lu Man by taking sides and so in the end she was left alone. The later was most likely to be the case.
"Madam Yang, long time no see." Lu Man greeted Madam Yang of General Yang's manor, she had arrived a bit later than everyone.
Madam Yang smiled. "It has indeed been a while Fifth Young Miss."
Zhao Xing sat at a pavilion near a lake with Xiao Qi guarding her, compared to where she stood that was relatively calm, the other side was full of laughter from the other ladies, they seemed to be having a lot of fun.
"Aiya. Invite a whole noble princess like myself and completely ignore me the whole time!" it wasn't a lie. Since she had been welcomed into the manor, Lu Man didn't give her another look. It was as if she was invisible.
"Watch your mouth." Xiao Qi warned.
"What could possibly happen? If I act spoiled, isn't it what they want to see? Everyone thinks I'm a country pumpkin, that only knows to cause trouble for myself."
Xiao Qi shook her head helplessly. If not for her mission of protecting her assigned by her master, she would have long gotten rid of this girl.
"Noble Princess knows that's not true." A sweet voice said from behind.
"Madam Yang?" Upon turning around she discovered who it was. Madam Yang and her attendant.
Gu Anxi smiled as she walked up to her. "I thought I said Noble Princess should call me by my name?"
Zhao Xing smiled back, "Isn't it because Madam Yang still calls me by my title."
Gu Anxi laughed and sat beside her.
"Sister Anxi, won't you go and join the others?" Zhao Xing knew she was being isolated, she wondered why Madam Yang came to meet her and not stay with other noble ladies.
Madam Yang shook her head. "Today I woke up with a bad headache, but I still had to come. The noise they make, I can't take it." She said bluntly.
Zhao Xing smiled at her. This Madam Yang was truly one of a kind.
"Then I should thank Sister Anxi for coming to accompany me."
"Sister Xing needn't be courteous."
Lu Man sat in the distance chatting with some of the ladies. She had a subtle smile on her lips, as she spoke.
It was time.
Zhao Xing and Madam Yang went on talking, without any particular topic at all.
Just then they heard a growling sound.
Xiao Qi's eyes narrowed.
Zhao Xing and Madam Yang were suddenly alert.
Soon tow enraged dogs came running out of nowhere towards their direction.
Zhao Xing was so scared she went pale. Madam Yang wasn't any better.
But as the two beasts rapidly approached them, Zhao Xing instinctively made way, she was so startled, but she held onto Madam Yang's hand as she dragged her with her. At that moment, she felt someone push her.
And she fell holding onto Madam Yang's hand.
This was the plan. It would be too easy to just invite Zhao Xing alone to her place or visit her just to teach her a lesson, it was best that everyone saw her being in such an embarrassing state, this way she'll feel very humiliated. As a girl that lived in a remote village in the mountains, it must have been overwhelming to suddenly come to the capital and meet so many powerful people. She must lack a lot of self-confidence because of this. Lu Man was going to use this weakness to crush her this way she wouldn't dare to step out of her shell of a mansion ever again.
She knew she couldn't directly harm the Crown Prince, but she could use this to teach him a lesson. So he never dares play with her friend's feelings.
For Zhao Xing, she couldn't believe she had fallen for the simplest and easiest trick yet. How many times had she read something similar before?
But we couldn't really blame her, who would imagine that they'd have to go through something like this themselves in a lifetime?
'Lu Man this isn't creative!' She thought, and soon a loud 'SLASH!' was heard. Everyone turned in this direction. When they realized what happened they all panicked.
Lu Man's face changed when she saw who else had fallen into the water.
"Madam…Madam Yang!" one of the ladies shouted from within the crowd.
'Sh**t!'
"Someone quickly help Madam Yang!" She hastily called out to the servants. She and Madam Yang had no issues, she wouldn't be at peace with herself if anything happened to her, furthermore, General had once saved her husband! How could she repay such life saving grace with such conduct?
The servants began rushing around, many rushed into the lake to save the two. But since they were aware of their Mistress' plan, they chose to save Madam Yang first.
Xiao Qi was being occupied by the beasts as well as Madam Yang's attendant, she almost fainted from the fright. Because they stood at the other side of the pavilion they couldn't easily fall into the water.
Zhao Xing couldn't swim, she kept beating at the water, trying her best to stay at the surface and not sink. Lu Man knew what she did when she chose this lake, it wasn't at all shallow!
For people like herself who had no idea how to swim this was a nightmare.
She was too scared to scream.
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