Chapter Thirty-Four: I Will Remember You

Liu Ling'er, worried about the sick Xiao Tao, hurried along at a brisk pace, forcing the little maid to chase after her, grimacing and running all the way. In ancient times, women bound their feet, but Liu Ling'er’s mother had died early, and Liu Ruo Feng, busy with warfare, paid little attention to such matters, so his requirements in this regard were not strict.

Ling'er felt that, in some ways, her bargain of a father was actually quite likable. There had once been an old matron in the household who suggested to Liu Ruo Feng that Ling'er’s feet should be bound. Liu Ruo Feng had stared at her and retorted, “What’s the point of binding feet? If she needs to march into battle, she won’t even be able to walk.”

That settled it—the old matron, having been rebuffed, never mentioned it again. After all, it was his daughter who might not marry, not hers, so she left it alone.

Little did anyone know that these unbound feet had helped Ling'er escape countless disasters and avoid much trouble. But those are tales for another time.

Just as she was about to round a corridor, a group of people appeared suddenly from the bend. At their head was a woman dressed extravagantly: a pink silk dress tightly cinched at the waist, her hourglass figure on full display. Her almond-shaped eyes were alluring, and her oval face was adorned with exquisitely applied makeup. One could not deny that, despite the layers of powder, she was rather pleasing to the eye—like someone attending a grand pageant.

Ru Yan was deeply reluctant to meet the princess, but the newly arrived princess's status could not be ignored. Rank trumped everything; whether favored or not, she was obliged to pay her respects. Though Ru Yan was the fourth mistress, she had entered the household most recently, and had never once shared a chamber with Bai Li Xian. The thought left her frustrated.

Already in a foul mood from the slight she’d received from the other mistresses, Ru Yan approached the princess’s residence, only to see a woman walking towards her with none of the grace expected of a lady. Ru Yan wondered when the maids in the prince’s household had become so uncouth, and, regarding Ling'er as just a maid, didn’t think much else as Ling'er drew near.

Ling'er, without slowing, passed Ru Yan in the narrow corridor, turning her body slightly so that her ample chest brushed against Ru Yan’s arm, causing Ru Yan to stumble.

Ru Yan was furious. Her mood had already been soured by the other mistresses, and Ling'er’s abrupt behavior nearly made her explode.

She was about to seize Ling'er and give her a piece of her mind, but before she could, Ling'er had already vanished around the corner, leaving Ru Yan with nothing but a glimpse of her dark hair.

Steadying herself, Ru Yan fumed. Ling'er was gone, and she had nowhere to vent her anger. Just then, the little maid ran up. Not as scatterbrained as Ling'er, the maid recognized Ru Yan, the mistress known for her cunning, and quickly shrank back, bowing respectfully.

Ru Yan was about to pick holes in the little maid’s behavior and unleash her temper when footsteps sounded behind her. Miraculously, Ling'er reappeared, grabbing the maid’s hand. “Oh! I forgot to ask you—where is Xiao Tao’s room?”

The little maid was utterly dumbfounded. How could Ling'er have rushed off so quickly without knowing where Xiao Tao lived? Nobody else could manage such a thing; she was truly impressed.

Seeing Ling'er return, Ru Yan pointed at her and snapped, “You little wretch, how dare you come back! I'll skin you alive.”

Ling'er frowned. Any shred of goodwill she had for this woman vanished instantly. Who was this, anyway? Her reply was sharp: “Who are you calling a little wretch?”

Unexpectedly, Ru Yan replied like a fool, “I’m talking about you, little wretch!” She didn’t realize Ling'er had set a trap for her.

Ling'er burst out laughing. “So you admit you’re a little wretch yourself! I won’t bother arguing with you.” With that, she pulled the maid along, intent on visiting Xiao Tao.

Her indifference didn’t mean Ru Yan was ready to let it go. Still unaware that Ling'er was the princess, Ru Yan assumed she was a mere maid. “I’ve seen plenty of arrogant mistresses, but never such a brazen maid. Well, well! Chunhua, Qiuyue, slap her.”

The two maids behind Ru Yan moved forward at her command, clearly experienced in such matters. It seemed Ru Yan had struck maids before, and not just once.

Ling'er crossed her arms, unafraid. Though martial arts flourished in Eastern Chu, and even ordinary people could handle themselves, Ling'er was not to be underestimated. She had no inner strength, but if these maids dared lay a hand on her, she’d make sure they regretted it.

The little maid, trembling, stepped in front of Ling'er, clearly terrified but stubbornly blocking the two attackers. “Sisters, you mustn’t! This is the princess, the new princess of the Prince Xian’s household.”

Ru Yan stood frozen, stunned, while Ling'er looked at her with utter disdain. “So, you’re the fourth mistress! I’ll remember you, but I have no time for you now. I’ll entertain you properly another day.”

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Ru Yan’s head. Her heart sank. She hadn’t checked the lunar calendar before leaving her rooms—she’d managed to offend the princess on her very first encounter. The days ahead would be miserable.

She was about to offer an explanation, but Ling'er had already taken the maid by the hand and headed around the corner. This loyal maid struck Ling'er as likable, and upon asking, she learned her name was Yu’er. Ling'er made a mental note—perhaps she could ask Bai Li Xian to transfer Yu’er to her service in the future.

Arriving at Xiao Tao’s room, she found it rather spacious—clearly, the Prince Xian’s household treated the princess’s accompanying maids well. Entering, Ling'er couldn’t help but laugh: on the bed, two figures were curled up like balls, their heads poking out as they sneezed at each other—a scene that was utterly comical.