Chapter 18: At Your Own Risk

The maids and servants looked intimidating, and Liu Yiyi desperately shielded Ji Hua in front of them.

However—

Ji Hua swiftly dodged the old woman’s grip and kicked her to the ground with a raised leg.

Liu Yiyi also moved quickly to pry away the unruly maid.

The other maids and servants in the courtyard simultaneously stepped in to stop the commotion.

“Second Miss, you must stand up for your servant!” the old woman groaned in pain from the ground.

Several others screamed in agony as well.

Ji Shulan was furious to the point of dizziness. “Go on, smash it all! Are you idiots? You’re stopped after just two or three moves!”

“Aren’t you trying to make a big scene?” Ji Hua grabbed the collar of Ji Shulan’s personal maid and threw her to the ground.

Her face, usually cold and composed, was now ice-cold with cruelty. “Then let’s see who ends up without face. If you’re upset, you can have your mother stand up for you.”

Ji Shulan felt as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat. “You…”

“I will go all the way with whatever trouble you want to cause, but remember, you bear the consequences!”

Ji Hua’s fierce gaze made Ji Shulan’s heart tremble.

She was going mad!

How had Ji Hua become so ruthless?!

Ji Shulan trembled all over, thinking of what would happen if their parents were alerted and word got out…

The Xiang family’s relationship with the two princes was already precarious. If news spread that the Prince of Xuan and the Xiang family’s eldest daughter were involved, the consequences—

No one could bear them.

Ji Shulan’s legs went weak. This was an enormous mess.

But she couldn’t swallow her anger, nor was she willing to give up.

Still, she wasn’t foolish enough to hand a knife to Ji Hua and harm herself!

She gritted her teeth. “Ji Hua, just you wait!”

Covering her swollen face, tears glistening in her eyes, Ji Shulan glared fiercely at Ji Hua, hatred flashing in her eyes.

“I won’t let this go!”

Leaving behind this threat, Ji Shulan fled with her people in disgrace.

Before leaving, Ji Hua tossed over a bill.

“All damages to my courtyard today must be fully compensated by you. If you’re unwilling, you may ask your father to settle it.”

Although Ji Wenbin treated both daughters equally,

he was strict and rigid in many matters.

Besides, today’s incident was baseless; to be honest, it was Ji Shulan’s fault!

Biting her lip and swallowing her full resentment, Ji Shulan left with a sour expression.

Only then did Liu Yiyi breathe a sigh of relief and quickly step forward to hold Ji Hua’s hand. “Miss, are you hurt?”

“No,” Ji Hua reassured her.

She glanced at the scattered wreckage and felt sorry for the two magnolia trees she had nurtured for over half a year, now flourishing with lush branches and leaves.

Calmly, Ji Hua ordered, “Have everything tidied up and cleaned.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Turning her gaze to the crowd in Canglan Courtyard, Ji Hua said, “Today you all protected your mistress well. Later, I will have Liu’er distribute two taels of reward to each of you.”

Two taels!

For the servants, that was a considerable sum.

Everyone knelt and saluted in unison. “Thank you, Miss!”

From now on, they would obey their mistress unquestioningly!

Their young mistress was so kind to them…

Ji Hua said no more and returned to her room with Liu Yiyi.

Taking a pouch of gold leaves from the dressing box, she lowered her eyes to the beautiful face before her.

“Yiyi, if your subordinates give their all for you today, you must reward them properly. Only then will they be more loyal.”

Ji Hua patiently instructed, “Do you understand?”

Liu Yiyi was quick-witted and soon grasped her meaning. “Your servant understands.”

“That’s good. Since you will be my right hand and left arm in the future, you will manage more than just these few. If you grow quickly, you can help ease my burdens.”

Liu Yiyi’s eyes glistened warmly. “I swear to follow Miss to the death. I will learn as quickly as possible! Please teach me, Miss!”

Ji Hua smiled gently. “Good.”

She continued, “I’ve already instructed the tailoring shop to make you new seasonal clothes. You can go pick them up later. They will match your new hairpin. Take five taels from the silver I gave you.”

“Thank you, Miss…”

Liu Yiyi felt deeply grateful. The young mistress valued her so much.

She would never betray her mistress’s trust!

...

Several days passed peacefully after Ji Shulan’s outburst.

It seemed she was angry but still somewhat reasonable.

Ji Hua rarely had a quiet moment. After preparing the begonia wine, she noticed it was time to treat Rong Yuyan’s illness again.

Gathering the herbs she had dried earlier in a small basket, she donned her disguise and led Liu Yiyi out.

Unexpectedly, at the side gate, the gatekeeper servant bowed respectfully.

“Miss, Madam said that since you are not yet married, it’s inappropriate for you to go out and show yourself too often.”

They stood firmly blocking the side gate.

A flicker of coldness passed through Ji Hua’s eyes. After Ji Shulan’s complaint, Liu Qingmei resorted to this tactic.

“Blind fools! When the young mistress goes out to prepare for her wedding, does she need to ask for your permission?”

Liu Yiyi, having managed the maids and servants well in recent days, spoke with a commanding tone and a cold rebuke.

The servants were miserable but replied, “This is Madam’s order…”

“Her order is an order, but mine doesn’t count?” Ji Hua smiled faintly.

Her exquisite face instantly chilled, a sharp edge passing over her brows and eyes.

“Step aside!”

Her fierce command made the two servants tremble.

They had never seen the young mistress so imposing—her aura even more formidable than the mistress of the house.

Exchanging a reluctant glance, they dared not defy her and silently moved aside.

“Miss, please.”

Liu Yiyi immediately supported Ji Hua as they left.

Boarding the carriage, a few followers from the Xiang residence trailed behind.

Obviously, they were sent by Liu Qingmei.

Ji Hua mercilessly shook them off and drove swiftly to Yuehan Mountain.

They climbed step by step along the way. Ji Hua wore a veil and a curtain, sweat beading on her forehead.

She wiped it away simply and finally arrived at the mountain gate.

The green-clad servant she had met before was waiting. “The leader has been expecting you for some time.”

Ji Hua handed over a prescription she had prepared beforehand.

“For today’s medicinal bath, have someone prepare these herbs first. I don’t have enough myself.”

Medicinal bath?

Jiu Qing nearly twisted his tongue. No, their leader was so pure and immaculate—was she really going to endure this woman’s torment?!

He was utterly stunned, clutching the prescription motionless.

Ji Hua noticed his hesitation. “Is there a problem?”

“N-no.”

Jiu Qing sent a blue-robed disciple to guide them, then quickly left with Liu Yiyi.

Yuehan Mountain was still as icy and snowy as ever, except for a secluded warm spring at the summit. The pool was like spring sunshine, shimmering with warmth.

A waterfall cascaded down. Rong Yuyan faced away from the visitors, his fingers lightly trembling on the strings of his zither.

Yet the moment Ji Hua saw him, a chill suddenly rose in her eyes.

That mole on the back of his neck…

Could it be that he was…!