Chapter 2
The Maid, the Household Guards, and the Young Lady
The Li Manor
An elderly man with snow-white hair, a gaunt face, and dressed in a simple dark blue robe sat upright, eyes fixed on the documents before him. A stack of urgent paperwork sat beside him, awaiting his attention. This was a typical scene for Lord Li — Li Wenguang — a man known for his seriousness and meticulous nature.
At sixty years old, he was the Grand Chancellor of the Yan Kingdom, infamous in court as a cunning old fox. Few dared cross him. With immense power in his hands, there was hardly anything he couldn't do.
And yet, for all his brilliance and influence, there was one matter he had never been able to resolve one that continued to trouble him deeply: his youngest daughter, Li Wan'er. She was the only daughter born to his late wife, Madame Li, who had given birth to her at an old age. Li Wan'er was significantly younger than her siblings.
Throughout his life, Li Wenguang had married only one woman. After her passing, his three children were all that remained to comfort him — especially the youngest daughter, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother. He loved and cherished her deeply.
From birth, Li Wan'er had a frail constitution. She had to be nurtured with utmost care just to survive this far. It had not been easy. Many physicians had urged him to prepare for the worst — that the girl might not live past sixteen. He refused to accept such a fate and had, over the years, tried everything to extend her life.
Miraculously, after receiving a "treatment" from a wandering Daoist priest, her health began to improve. The gloom that had long haunted the Li Manor lifted, and Li Wenguang's face brightened with hope once more.
Majordomo Liu, upon seeing his master's relieved expression, smiled and stepped forward to report, "Master, Daoist Su has arrived."
The moment he heard the guest had arrived, Li Wenguang dropped his work and rushed to the reception hall without hesitation.
"Daoist Su, I hope you haven't been waiting long," he greeted the elderly priest as he entered.
"Not at all," the old Daoist priest replied cheerfully, waving his hand. "I barely had time to sit before you arrived."
"The moment Master heard you were here, he dropped everything and came right away," Majordomo Liu added with a smile.
"Liu De, you're making me sound too eager," Li Wenguang joked, and the three of them shared a lighthearted laugh. Their interaction was casual and warm — nothing like the rigid demeanor expected from a high official.
Just two days ago, Li Wenguang would not have been this courteous.
"I must thank you again, Daoist Su," Li Wenguang said sincerely.
"No need for formality, my lord... your daughter still needs careful treatment," the old priest responded, avoiding eye contact as he glanced instead at the teacup before him.
"I'm already overjoyed she's still alive," said the cunning old fox of the court, tears now welling in his eyes — a sight few would believe.
If any of his rivals from court had seen this, they would have rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"Has she behaved strangely since then?" the Daoist priest asked.
Li Wenguang wiped his tears with his sleeve and pondered for a moment.
"Perhaps. She seems to be avoiding me," he replied with a smile, studying the Daoist's expression.
"Do you think that's strange?"
The sharp gaze from the court fox sent a chill down Su Baicheng's spine, but he kept his composure and pretended to consider the question. His hands moved subtly as if calculating something.
"What I did went against the natural order... you know that, don't you?" he said, pausing. When the other man nodded, Su Baicheng continued, "I fear she might not be the same. She may have lost some memories — that could lead to confusion..."
"Everything comes with a price. I understand that well," Li Wenguang sighed, seemingly resigned. For a father, just knowing his daughter still lived was enough.
"After changing her maid, Wan'er's condition improved significantly. Is there anything else we should do?"
Su Baicheng considered for a while before speaking gravely, "Find a woman with dark skin born on the eighth day of the eighth month. Keep her close. She will attract good fortune and ward off evil. Her fate will also support the girl's health."
Li Wenguang nodded, called Majordomo Liu, and whispered his orders. The Majordomo quickly left to carry them out.
The Daoist stroked his beard, his clouded eyes briefly showing a glimmer of satisfaction before returning to a blank expression.
---
Li Wan'er walked into Ronghua Pavilion under the protection of several burly guards. The Tavern boy ran out to greet them with a practiced merchant's smile, casting a wary glance at the stern-faced men.
Lin Luo nudged the Tavern boy, who was still eyeing the household guards.
"Stop staring and quickly prepare a room facing the street."
The Tavern boy smiled awkwardly and replied politely, "I'm terribly sorry, but all the rooms upstairs are full today."
The Master of the Pavilion a banquet for the owner that evening, so the third floor was closed off. Meanwhile, the second floor was filled with aristocratic young masters who were regular patrons.
The maid furrowed her brows, staring coldly. "What nonsense. This place is enormous..."
Before she could finish, Li Wan'er gently tapped her maid's shoulder with her pale, slender finger, signaling her to stop with a soft smile.
"I truly apologize. Next time, I'll reserve a room for you first."
"Never mind. Next time, then," Lin Luo said as she turned to support her mistress and prepare to leave.
Just then, a young man in a fitted dark brown outfit stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
The Li family's guards reached for their swords, but Li Wan'er halted them with a mere glance.
She had no desire to cause a commotion and draw attention. This was the capital, under the watchful eyes of the Son of Heaven himself. Making a scene over something so trivial would only bring trouble—attention was the last thing she needed.
Seeing the guards sheathe their swords, the young man stepped forward, clasped his hands in respect, and said,
"My lady, my master is the reason there are no rooms available. He feels deeply sorry and wishes to invite you to share his table, if you wouldn't mind."
As he spoke, Li Wan'er caught sight of the insignia on his sword. His voice was calm and composed. She could guess roughly who his master might be...
Her first instinct was to refuse outright. She wanted nothing to do with whoever it was.
But however she felt inside, she couldn't say it out loud. Outwardly, she forced a polite smile and declined with grace.
"Please convey my thanks to your master, but I must be leaving now," she said, smiling while tugging Lin Luo's arm to walk away without waiting for a reply.
She wanted to flee—flee far away from royal blood. The mere thought gave her a headache.
Luckily, she'd caught a glimpse of the flaming bird insignia on the man's sword hilt—a symbol reserved for the imperial guard of the Yan royal family. She wasn't mistaken. If she had to guess, the man's master was likely one of the princes—those annoying half-brothers who flirted with every woman they saw.
Run away. Immediately!
Li Wan'er quickened her pace, surprising her guards with the sudden urgency. Her departure was completely at odds with her composed arrival.
People moved aside as she passed, her eyes blank and unfocused, lost in thought.
"Miss, be careful!" Lin Luo shouted, snapping Li Wan'er back to reality just in time to feel the ground tilt beneath her.
In a moment of confusion, she realized she had stepped on something slippery. She was falling backward. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of yellow—a banana peel!
Who in the world ate a banana and left the peel here?!
She closed her eyes, bracing for impact. But no pain came. Her back never hit the ground. Instead, she felt herself cradled in someone's arms.
Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up—and found herself indeed being held.
She met the gaze of a person wearing unusual round spectacles—something rarely seen. She had only ever seen the Emperor wear such glasses while working.
"You're heavy, miss..." the stranger murmured.
Stunned, Li Wan'er felt more embarrassed than angry. She forced a smile and said,
"Thank you, young master..."
After a closer look, she realized the person in front of her, despite the masculine attire, ponytail, and confident demeanor, was actually a woman.
"This is totally the moment when the heroine meets the hero," the stranger mumbled to herself. Li Wan'er couldn't quite catch it.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing! Just talking to myself, haha!" the woman laughed and waved dismissively.
From her open demeanor, Li Wan'er could tell this woman wasn't a noble lady of the capital. She was too bold and casual, with sun-kissed skin unlike the fair complexions common in the city.
"Thank you, miss, for helping me," Li Wan'er said kindly.
"No problem, no problem... Actually, it was my fault for tossing the banana peel there," the woman replied, scratching her head with a sheepish laugh.
Li Wan'er narrowed her eyes, feeling a strong urge to shake the woman and scold her. How could anyone be so careless as to leave a banana peel lying around?!
If another noble lady had slipped and fallen, the humiliation might have driven her to shut herself in and even... end her life.
This was practically a crime!
The woman, unable to offer a proper excuse, simply laughed dryly and stood there, accepting the silent scolding.
Lin Luo, having observed from a distance, rushed over to examine her mistress, subtly placing herself between the two women.
"Miss, are you alright? Are you hurt?" she asked, inspecting her from head to toe. Finding no injury, she finally relaxed and turned to eye the stranger.
Realizing she was a woman, Lin Luo dropped her guard slightly and moved back beside her mistress.
"I'm fine. Thankfully, this young lady helped me just in time. Thank you again for your help," Li Wan'er said with a gentler tone, her earlier hostility hidden behind a graceful smile.
"Thank you, miss. I must take my leave..."
But before she could go, the woman grabbed her arm.
"It's fine, really. But... would you happen to have some money I could borrow?" she asked, looking troubled.
Li Wan'er: "What?"
Lin Luo: "..."
"Someone picked my pocket on the way here, and I don't even have money for food," the woman added.
Li Wan'er was speechless. She had never encountered a situation like this before.
Did this girl forget that we don't even know each other?
"Sier, Siwu! Seize her! She's acting suspiciously—bring her back for questioning!" Lin Luo suddenly barked, pointing at the mysterious woman.
"Miss, it's dangerous here. We must leave!"
Huh?
Before she knew it, Li Wan'er was being half-dragged back by her maid, fully protected by her guards. And so, she returned to the Li family residence just like that.
The mysterious woman was also taken to the Li estate, thanks to Lin Luo's quick command and the guards' efficiency.
Even as the young mistress of the Li family, Li Wan'er had no chance to react—the whole incident happened so fast.
Back at the Mudan Pavilion, she sat holding her head.
What in the world just happened?