Chapter 25 - Downfall

At Lao Manor things are not looking well for Lao Min Na, she got hurt quite badly even her cultivation regressed a little bit but that's only a mere problem for Alchemist like her, the bigger problem is somehow she can't buy anything from one hundred Herbs Apothecary, she tried to another Apothecary but they also refused her request they even forbid her to come to their shop ever again, her personal maid San Yu always home with empty-handed she not understand why everyone suddenly shunned her she did not remember she had offended anyone recently the only one he can remember is Sixth Prince but she doesn't feel she would make him angry this much so why he do this to her?

The rumor circling around the Lao Manor is someone barged into Lao Manor and hurt the second Mistress, Prime Minister had investigated this matter he felt anxious this is the second time people barged to his Manor but if there any silver lining in this situation is the Prime minter stopped doubt Lao Min Na for the lost of Red Dew Flower Pill but that doesn't change his opinion about her when he heard she was hurt he randomly called physician to treat her daughter the Physician only gives her low-grade ointment for her bruised but not gave her medicine to fixed her internal injury.

Lao Min Na not hopping too much with this whacked Physician she knew her Father won't do anything good for her. Meanwhile, Lao Fei Yan and Yang Wei Lain are gloating about Lao Min Na's downfall. Fortunately, Lao Min Na still has leftover pill she once makes, but she still needs few medicinal Herbs to help her restore her cultivated but because Zhao Li Xin interferes she doesn't know how to acquire all the ingredients she needs.

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At Ning jing Manor Lory awake from her long comfortable sleep after a very long year including in her past world and this world, she awake in an unfamiliar room then she remembered she is in Zhao Li Xin bedroom no wonder is so quiet in here.

"Are you awake?" she heard a familiar baritone voice.

"In a minute…." Lory yawned while scratching her hair carelessly. Zhao Li Xin waits behind the moon partition curtains, he relief Lory seems had a good rest since she wakes up late.

"You don't need to hurry, I'll be outside"

"Okay…."Lory voice still hoarse. Zhao Li Xin's mouth curved slightly he left the room with good mood his cold and domineering aura dissipated a little make his subordinated anxious they used to cold, distance and gloomy Lord but they not used to this seemingly more subtle Lord they don't know how to act in front him.

"Mi Lord looks happy…." one of the shadow guard Mong Liu talked to his Brother

"I know...I don't like it" Mong Jiu also replied with troubling looks.

"Yes, it's unsettling…." Mong Liu nodded his head.

While people not used with Zhao Li Xin sudden mood changed, Lory is taking a bath in the big bathroom with the wooden tub is big enough for two older male, never she would have thought she could have a nice bath in this world even though she is not the kind of girl who likes taking bath in the bathtub she is more to used shower because it's faster but lately she missed soaking in warmed bathtub who knew she only follow Zhao Li Xin one day and one of her wish come true, next the older maid pour flower petal In Lory tub make her take a long exhales she unconsciously closed her eyes but then she remembered her 'Boss' still waiting for her, she got out from the tub immediately.

She back to Zhao Li Xin's room again with the old maid well she's not that old maybe only in her forties but then again she not see any young maid in Zhao Li Xin Manor or maybe she's not seeing them yet.

"Is that my dress?" Lory's eyebrows furrow slightly.

"Yes it is, If miss Lao doesn't like it we can find something else" Said the older Maid, Mong Ki already warned everyone to treated Luo Ri Yi with respect just because she is commoner and worked here as a maid but her position is very special for their Lord so if anyone there slight her even a little they must be prepared for their Lord wrath.

"No no no, not like that…..is it too luxurious for a Maid" Lory stare at the old Maid grey color uniform even though the fabric looks better than the one in Lao Manor but the dress in Lory's hand is too lavish compare to the other maid.

The quick-witted old maid smiled kindly "That because Miss Lao is Lord personal maid, how could we let you wear a normal uniform I'm afraid people would mock our Lord for being cheap master"

"Oh…so that's why, okay... but you need to help me, I don't know how to wear this especially this belt" Lory smiled shyly. She believes other people said completely because of her lack of understanding of the culture in this world even after almost five years she lived in this world.

"Of Course Miss Luo" the old maid helped Lory wear her peach color Hanfu, with white peach blossom embroidery on her sleeve the fabric is soft and gentle on the skin although is not the best but this is the fabric low official daughter would wear. The old maid could comprehend how much Lory worth for her Lord but fortunately the woman is kind and not haughty and she's a bit oblivious with their Lord's attention.

"My name is Luo Ri Yi, you can just call me Ri Yi….we both maid so is weird if you called me Miss"

The old maid smiled helplessly "I just called you sister Luo, how about it?" she cannot disrespect Luo Ri Yi what if her Lord knew about it, her Lord is scary enough in normal looks she can't imagine how his look when he's angry.

"That's fine too, what's your name elder sister"

"This one called Meng Zuo"

"Then I called you Elder sister Zuo then….~" Lory smiled at her brightly, the first thing she must do as a new worker is to show good impression to the senior.

Meng Zuo is styling Lory hair when they were talked, she laments to her heart is this girl too oblivious with the Lord attention or because the Lord is too vague why this girl really thought she would become Maid, she wondering if Luo Ri Yi still oblivious after she sees the room that their Lord prepared for her.

Meng Zuo also find this girl is quite weird, she knew this girl supposed to be low-level maid in Lao manor but her demeanor is to calmed and relaxed as a normal maid, she's been watching this girl from morning while she was taking bath what confused Meng Zuo is her calmed reaction when she saw the bathroom she just surprised for a moment then she calmed down and take bath leisurely without feeling awkward she so relaxed she almost sleep on the tub and when she help her wear her dress and styling her hair the woman still look calmed she even able make small conversation with her as if everything is normal for her and she not feel nervous at all. Her behavior is not what lowly maid should behave Meng Zuo can't help suspicious with her real background is.

"It's finished sister Luo…." Meng Zuo finally has done with her hair

"Thank you Elder Sister Meng" Lory touched her neat half-bun styling hair. This is something she could never do she amazed how skillful Sister Meng is.

Meng Zuo then lead her to the garden, they walk pass through moon gate and across a quite long bridged for a garden below the bridged there's big clear pond with koi fish, Zhao Li Xin is in the pavilion on the end of the bridge, he sits on Arhat chair drink his wine with half doze eyes, he wears dark blue robe and let his hair down on his shoulder even though his gaze is blank but it's not decreased his beauty at all and that's not fair, she also used to be royalty but why everyone always reprimand her when she made blank face they said she looks 'stupid' as subordinated Fred and the others are too rude sometimes.

Zhao Li Xin smiled faintly when he sees her with her new dress he prepared for her it's suited her very well and the bruised on her face from last night already healed completely he feels really satisfied.

"Greeting Mi Lord" Meng Zuo and Lory bow respectfully.

"You may go, Ri Yi stay here!" he signs Meng Zuo to left, Meng Zuo bow again and then she left.

Zhao Li Xin beckoned Lory to sit across the small table on Arhat chair, Lory obediently follow. Zhao Li Xin pours warm tea for her because her body is too weak to drink his wine. Lory inhaled the sweet fragrant of Green tea, people in this world don't drink tea with milk, sugar or honey they just drink it plainly that's why Lory always make tea for herself in a single mug she had but know her 'Boss' served her tea personally how could she reject.

Lory squinted after she swallowed the warm tea, the smelled is good, but the taste is slightly bitter than normal tea she used to have in her world. Zhao Li Xin chuckle "Is it too bitter for you?"

Lory shakes her head "I'm fine…." But her moist eyes betrayed her.

Zhao Li Xin covers his smiled with his fist looks like his little savior is not used to drink anything bitter. Lory did not see his teasing smiled she still overwhelm with the bitter taste on her tongue, is not her fault she hates bitter food and drinks, her favorite is macaroons and her favorite drink is sweet honey lemon tea she hates bitter the most.

"You don't need to force yourself to drink it…." Zhao Li Xin teased her.

"Thank you, next time I just pour sugar on it" Lory put down her cup on the table gently with deep exhales.

Zhao Li Xin frowned, sugar on tea? Isn't that ruined the tea flavor completely? Oh well, as long she liked it he contemplated.

"Oh I forgot, I just left like that from Lao Manor….is there anyone looking for me and what about Miss Lao?"

"Mu Han was dealing with everything, he said you were hurt badly after the incident someone wrecking that Lao woman courtyard and because you can't work anymore you were sent to your closed family to recuperated, your slave contract is with me and I already destroy that contract so you are free woman now" Zhao Li Xin explain it with lazy face.

"And Lao Min Na, I think she really hated me right now…" Lory smiled helplessly.

"You don't need to worry about her anymore….." he smirked.