"Tell me everything you know about him," he ordered.
Confused, Lian answered, "Everything? Like everyone else, I only know rumors. His name is Xie Tian."
"Rumors? Rumors are like predictions—fifty-fifty. But someone must be spreading them."
Lian replied, "I know who spreads them. A sect called the Thousand Eyes Sect."
"Hmm. Then I'll pay them a visit. Better yet, I'll kill the sect leader and take his place. What do you say?"
Lian laughed while covering her smile with her sleeves. "That's a good idea."
They kept talking as they approached where Rou Mei was waiting but stopped for a moment.
He asked, "Do you have a Spirit Opening Pill?"
Surprised, Lian said, "How do you know I have one?"
He pointed at his nose. "I can smell it. And I can tell you haven't opened your meridians yet. That means you're preparing to. So you must have it."
Lian nodded.
"I have two. Here, take one."
She handed him a pill and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Well, I'm leaving because you don't want your wife to see you with another woman, do you?" she replied.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Here, take the pill back and give me fifteen gold coins."
They both walked toward Rou Mei.
She sensed them coming and let out an annoyed laugh.
"Ha-ha-ha, you finally came. I thought you ran away and—wait—"
Ji Zong stepped aside and introduced the girl behind him.
"This is Lian. Some men tried to take advantage of her. I stopped them with money. Since you know I can't fight, I helped her that way. She doesn't have a place to stay, so I thought you could let her work as my maid."
A vein popped on Rou Mei's forehead.
"Yes, I understand. But you know not everyone's problem is your—"
Ji Zong cut her off.
"But didn't you say it doesn't matter to you which women I'm with, like you totally don't care about that?"
"Ah—y-yes, and I still stand by that. But she can only be your maid if you give me double the amount I gave you."
She lifted her hand, palm up. Her face stayed calm, but her thoughts snapped.
How stupid is he? We haven't even signed the marriage contract, and he's already bringing a beautiful woman into the house as a maid? Only a maid? I don't believe it.
"Here's triple the amount." He placed the coins in her hand.
Rou Mei froze. "Wait, What?how did you get this much money in such a short time? Do you know the value of two gold? That's like a normal family's yearly income."
She glared. "You gambled, didn't you? I told you it would be a big disgrace for my clan."
"No, I didn't. I just played the lottery. And you know how bad a gambler I am."
She looked at him for a moment, then sighed. "Well, you're right about that."
Lian, who was standing there, thought, "What is this? conversation or lover's quarrel."
Rou Mei turned to Lian. "Do you truly want to be a maid? Or is he forcing you?"
Lian nodded. "I want to be his maid," she thought.
I think this would be a better job than being assigned anywhere else. And Ji Zong… he's very interesting.
The three of them walked toward the gate, where a luxurious carriage waited with the coachman already in place.
Rou Mei said, "This will take us to my clan. Remember—don't try anything funny, and don't tell anyone you were a slave and I bought you."
Hearing that, Lian froze. "Wait… mistress, does that mean before he married you he was a slave?"
"Yes," Rou Mei replied calmly. "I'll tell you the details later. Now let's go. It's already time for Father's birthday party. And don't call me mistress—I don't like that. Just call me by my name."
Lian looked at them both and muttered, "Both are alike."
And the three of them left together.
After that, they arrived in the city of the Rou Clan.
"Oh, does your clan supervise this city? Everyone bows at the carriage and even smiles when they see it."
"Yes, my clan does."
The carriage stopped, and they stepped down.
The guards at the gates bowed, and they entered the hall.
Ji Zong said, "Wow, your clan hall is big."
Just then, a maid hurried over.
"Where were you, young miss? The clan leader will be very angry if you're not at the party. And these two?"
"You'll find out soon."
"But where is Father?"
"Miss, he's… in his room."
"Perfect."
Ji Zong turned to Lian. "You stay here, okay?"
She nodded, and the two of them stayed behind.
Rou Mei walked straight to her father's room.
"Father, open the door."
"What is it, you damn girl?" her father shouted from inside.
He continued, "I will not allow you to take my place unless you marry that boy, Xie Tian."
Rou Mei answered firmly, "Open the door. I'm married."