Chapter 84: Let’s See How You Handle My Schemes

Since the Empress Dowager was here, a formidable, living weapon at my disposal and none in the imperial capital could command more awe than she did, it would be foolish not to make use of her. Today, I would borrow her power to rid the manor of the overbearing Steward Li Chao.

Liu Ling’er could tolerate arrogance from others, but when someone’s insolence was directed at her—again and again, with no sense of restraint—she would make certain Li Chao understood that there was no profit in crossing her. She would see to it that he paid the price.

She led the Empress Dowager toward the accounting office. Fortunately, Liu Ling’er had trodden this path many times and remembered it clearly, so she would not lose her way.

As they walked, Chu Meier asked in confusion, “Ling’er, weren’t we leaving the manor? Why are we coming here? This is still the prince’s residence, isn’t it?”

Liu Ling’er had just been considering how to broach the topic, but the Empress Dowager, ever so cooperative, asked directly, “Mother, I suppose you’ve never left the palace to stroll the streets before. When one goes out, one must bring some silver, mustn’t one? If you see something you like, you’ll need to pay for it.”

Indeed, Chu Meier had grown up within the walls of the Wanhua Palace, had become a consort of the Eastern Chu kingdom, and after the Empress’s early death and the late emperor’s passing, she had become Empress Dowager. In truth, she was even more cloistered than the most sheltered of noblewomen, never stepping beyond her doors.

As expected, Chu Meier’s cheeks flushed, but she quickly regained her composure. “But Ling’er, there are so many servants in the manor—surely they’re not just eating for nothing. Why not send them to fetch the money?”

Liu Ling’er purposely put on a disgruntled expression. “Mother, it’s not that I don’t want to, but the steward in this manor—alas! Let me put it this way: if you send a servant to fetch silver, they’ll return empty-handed. Even for us, the masters of the house, we need the prince’s written order to draw any money!”

As she spoke, Liu Ling’er produced the token the Wise Prince had given her. Sure enough, Chu Meier fell silent at once, her face darkening.

Along the way, Liu Ling’er called a few maids walking by, instructing them to fetch her personal attendant, Xiao Tao, and another maid, Xiao Cui, and to invite the Wise Prince as well.

She summoned Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui to guide them during their outing; the imperial capital was vast, and as someone hopeless with directions, Liu Ling’er dared not trust herself to get Chu Meier out and then back to the prince’s residence.

As for asking the Wise Prince to come, that was entirely to deal with Steward Li Chao. Although the Empress Dowager was a powerful trump card, adding the Wise Prince would make it a double safeguard. Today, whether Li Chao liked it or not, he was destined to fall in the prince’s residence. Liu Ling’er thought darkly, “Just you wait—you’ll see how I make you suffer.”

When they reached the entrance of the accounting office, Liu Ling’er suddenly frowned and quietly took Chu Meier’s hand. “Mother, I urgently need the privy—may I go quickly? I’ll be right back!”

Nature’s calls cannot be denied. Chu Meier, of course, wouldn’t prevent Liu Ling’er from going. She pointed at a stone table outside. “Go on, don’t rush. I’ll wait for you here.”

Inside the accounting office, Li Chao was idly passing the time. Hearing footsteps outside, he quickly sat at the table and opened the account books, feigning diligence—who knew if the Wise Prince himself might show up? Though the emperor had appointed him, in the manor he still had to show respect to the prince.

But he waited for some time and no one entered. All his effort had been wasted. Was some servant playing tricks on him?

The thought made Li Chao’s temper flare. He decided to find the new maid he’d been flirting with to vent his frustration. As he opened the door, he was stunned—when had such a beauty appeared outside? He blinked his beady eyes to be sure he wasn’t mistaken, and as soon as he was sure, his mind turned to wicked thoughts.

Though nearly forty, Chu Meier’s careful maintenance made her look no older than twenty, with a grace and allure beyond that of any young girl, an irresistible temptation for a lecher like Li Chao.

From the first glance, Chu Meier felt a strong aversion toward Li Chao. There was no other reason; the lewdness etched on his face made her believe everything Liu Ling’er had said about him.

Strutting over with the gait of a waddling duck, Li Chao fancied himself the picture of charm—unaware that his piggish features were enough to sicken anyone, as they did Chu Meier.

“Pretty lady, you must be new here! I’d like to invite you to a meal—what do you think?” Li Chao’s eyes glinted with lust as he leered at her, practically drooling.

Naturally, Chu Meier ignored him, turning her head away to avoid the sight. Li Chao was incensed by her refusal to acknowledge him, but seeing her slender waist only made his desire burn hotter.

“Oh, playing coy, are we? If you want to get by in this residence, you should find out who I am. Even if you won’t eat, a cup of tea will do. As long as you amuse me, I guarantee you’ll have the best of everything,” he threatened, utterly convinced she would not refuse.

Chu Meier wrinkled her brow in disgust, barely restraining the urge to strike him, and stood up to leave. If his chosen prey slipped away, wouldn’t that be a shame?

Glancing around to make sure no one was near, Li Chao stepped forward. “Hey! Don’t go!” With that, he reached out his grubby hand to grab her, his lascivious intent plain as day—a textbook example of a scoundrel harassing a virtuous woman.

He didn’t even manage to touch Chu Meier; instead, his hand caught a sleeve, and with a sudden tug, there was a tearing sound as the fabric ripped.

Liu Ling’er, seizing the moment, stumbled to the ground with a loud, piercing scream—a sound so sharp that even Bai Li Xian, approaching from afar, heard it clearly.