Lory was puzzled. Her workload had somehow decreased lately. The housekeeper, Mu Han, didn’t let her scrub the floor or even carry the heavy water bucket anymore. She was only allowed to lift a broom, a mop, and a cleaning basin. When she inquired about the new situation, Mu Han told her he preferred using someone else because she was too slow. This made Lory wonder why it took them three years to notice it.

Lory didn’t really dwell on the matter as it was not like she enjoyed doing the labor. Working was just something she had to do to earn money. She was sweeping the garden when one of the maids asked her to buy pastries from the White Pavilion Tea House.

​​

” Ri Yi, don’t also forget to buy more mung bean cake for Madam Lao.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Hurry up! The desserts at the White Pavilion are usually sold out by noon!!”

“Uh… I’m leaving now…” Lory received the money and rushed out.

Girsha followed her from afar with a complicated feeling. The girl who was a princess from a great nation and whose existence could be compared to a demi-god had been reduced to running errands for commoners.

In Girsha’s eyes, all humans even royalty or nobles were nothing but commoners. None could be compared to a Lucient descendant. Sadly, the girl did not care too much about such things as she seems enjoyed her new simple life. Then again, no one wanted to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders for the rest of theirs live.

Lory loved the hustle and bustle of Nanjing City. Sadly, she did not get a lot of opportunities to leave the manor through the front door. She had to sneak out every time she left the manor by climbing the back wall. But in those moments, she only sneaked out of the manor to relax.

She reached the white building with a large wooden brown plaque with the writing ‘White Pavilion’. There were also two medium-sized lanterns covered with white gauzes that had red cherry blossom petals and auspicious words she couldn’t make out.

Lory had lived in this world for three years but there were some words she couldn’t understand. The store was much bigger and more lavish compared to other stores in the city. The inside didn’t disappoint as it was grand and spacious. The attendant saw Lory’s uniform and could easily guess she was a maid from a noble house.

“Welcome. How may I help you?” The attendant slightly bowed to Lory.

“I’m a maid from the Lao Manor. My Master wants me to order some pastries from you.” Lory said politely

“Of course, please follow me to the counter and tell me what you need.” The attendant gestured for her to follow him. Lory nodded then walked behind him. 

A plump middle-aged man with a long black beard welcomed her with a kind face. He gave her a big smile and asked, “What would you like to buy?”

“Give me dozen of everything and an extra mung bean cake.”

“Understood. You have purchased quite a lot of pastries. Why don’t we help you deliver them to Lao Manor?”

“That would be great! Thank you,” Lory smiled cheerfully. She was happy she did not need to carry everything by herself.

Lory’s smile quickly turned into a frowned when she heard a familiar voice shouting. Curiosity overcame her as always so she decided to follow the source of the voice. She crossed the folding doors and headed to the garden behind the building. It seemed the White Pavilion was bigger than she originally thought.

The larger garden was covered with peach blossom flowers. There was also a big pond with a small bridge above it. Lory was first amazed by the beautiful scenery before she realized the people were watching something else. She squeezed through the crowd and saw Lao Min Na and Lao Fei Yan arguing.

Just like the perfect villain, Lao Fei Yan had an entourage behind her: two female noble friends and their servants, while Lao Min Na stood alone. They were both glaring at each other with hostility.

It would have made quite an attractive film scene as it had a bunch of girls glaring on the bridge. The only thing lacking was intense background music. However, Lory was still tempted to scream the word ‘ACTION!’

“This is not a place for someone like you?” Lao Fei Yan sneered as she spoke. 

“I’m the Prime Minister’s daughter. Why can’t I be here?” Lao Min Na retorted with a smile. Her smile was stunning. Those who saw it did not want to look away from her. “Aren’t you here too…?”

Lao Fei Yan gritted her teeth. The last thing she wanted was to be compared to Lao Min Na. Although she knew people did it behind her back by saying Lao Min Na was more beautiful than her. The fact that Lao Min Na’s body was weak, had lived a harsh and could not cultivate was a blessing for Lao Fei Yan as she managed to seize the spotlight.

However, Lao Min Na’s temperament had drastically changed lately and she was getting a lot of attention. All this made Lao Fei Yan wary.

“This place is expensive. I don’t think you can afford it. Where did you get the money from? For the sake of our father’s reputation, I hope you did not get it from doing something suspicious.” Although Lao Fei Yan’s words seemed righteous, she was slandering Lao Min Na. Those who heard Lao Fei Yan murmured about Lao Min Na’s mother’s scandal. Remembering Lao Min Na’s mother was enough for people to judge her.

“What do you mean I can’t afford it? If you can afford it so should I… or you are trying to say the Lao family doesn’t give me any money?” Lao Min Na’s face remained calm as she turned the tables to Lao Fei Yan. Everyone could see Lao Fei Yan’s lavish dress and jewelry, while Lao Min Na was shabbily dressed.

She didn’t have any jewelry, not even have a single hairpin. This got many people thinking. Lao Min Na’s mother had a bad reputation, but it did not excuse the prime minister, who was considered wise and benevolent, to neglect his own biological daughter. The murmurs became louder. They all looked at Lao Min Na with pity.

‘Well Played’ Lory smiled as she watched them.

“You… don’t speak nonsense!!” Lao Fei Yan lost her composed demeanor.

Lao Fei Yan’s popularity grew when she got engaged to the Crown prince. Many noble families asked their children to curry favor with her. One of these friends came forward to defend her.

She couldn’t let Lao Min Na ruin Lao Fei Yan’s name. The friend gave off a pitiful look before she accused Lao Min Na of being unfilial, “First Miss, you should not slander your own father who has raised you.”

Lao Min Na frowned blankly, “Are you daft? I didn’t say my father treated me badly… I’ve just questioned my sister on the facts. If it’s not true, then why is she so upset? I’m just joking…”

Lao Fei Yan and her friend turned pale. Lai Min Na was right. She did not say anything bad about Prime Minister Lao. However, her words we suggestive making one easily fall into her trap. Everyone was not saying how the Prime Minister’s family was wrong. It was good the Crown Prince was not there to hear it. Lao Fei Yan bit her lip with embarrassment, Lao Min Na managed to trick her.

“Miss… We are done with your order.” The shop attendant tapped Lory’s shoulder to remind her to pay for her pastries.

“Sorry,” Lory felt embarrassed. She got so immersed in the drama and forgot why she was there. She took out a few silver tails to pay. The food inside the White Pavilion was more expensive than the average tea house. She smiled shyly once she was done, “Thank you mister… sorry once again.”

“You are welcome, young miss… But, aren’t those ladies from your family?” The attendant pointed at Lao min Na and Lao Fei Yan.

Lory smiled awkwardly, “They are….”

The attendant understood the hardships of a noble servant. He nodded at Lory and warned her seriously, “It is good to not interfere. It is better for a servant to step back when the masters are fighting.”

“Yes. Thank you for your teaching…” she nods gratefully.

SPLASH!

“Someone fell into the pond!” The scream jolted everyone as things dissolved into chaos. People run to the pond, but no one jumped into the water to save the fallen person. It turned out that people could spend their whole lives perfecting their Qi Gong but did not take the time to learn how to swim. It was unbelievable.

“What… what happened?” Lory asked one of the people as she joined the commotion.

The man’s eyes were glued to the pond with an anxious but excited face, “Someone fell in. I think it was one of the maids.”

SPLASHH!

“Someone else has fallen… AGAIN!”

“Help Them!” More people shouted prompting one of the guards to jump into the pond and save them.

  [Girsha, did you see what happened? Damn! I missed it!] Lory called through their telepathic link.

[Yeah. One of the maids wanted to make Lao Min Na fall into the pond but she’s the one who fell in instead…]

[INSTANT KARMA!] Lory gasped. 

[Lao Fei Yan also wanted to push Lao Min Na, but she fell into the pond as well…] Girsha guffawed.

[DOUBLE INSTANT KARMA!] Lory gasped again. [My God! KARMA is a B*tch!]

[Yeah… Literally!] Girsha cackle even more.