“I’m sure that this invitation is not included in his plan,” Jun Hua said.
Concubine Qi nodded. “It’s not. Normally he wouldn’t let Kang’er out from this residence, but now that this invitation had come, he had to. The problem is Kang’er weak body. I’m afraid that something will happen once he goes there.”
“I’m fine mom,” a boy comes out from the house. He looks towards Jun Hua and greets her, “Third Sister.”
“Second brother,” Jun Hua replied.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. If Lin Hong wants to hurt me, then he will surely do it. There’s nothing I can do. With my physical constitution, it will be already good enough to survive all this year.”
Lin Kang coughed and Concubine Qi hurriedly hugs him. She pats him slowly as the cough eased up. Jun Hua watched it and the glint in her eyes grow deeper.
“The poison hadn’t been cured completely?”
Concubine Qi nodded. “We don’t have enough money. Even for eating there’s barely anything to eat. Only this past month had been better because Concubine Sie increased my allowance and the food.”
Jun Hua stared at Lin Kang. Knowing Lin Hong and that pair of cold eyes, Jun Hua is sure that he must have another plan for eliminating Lin Kang from here. This boy is truly pitiful. If Jun Hua hadn’t been kicked out of the residence, she’s sure that her fate will be even tragic because she was originally the daughter of the official wife.
“Concubine Qi, do you want to get out from this place?” Jun Hua asks suddenly. Concubine never has any real power and they’re mere decoration that can be tossed as people wish. She hates that just because they come from low birth does it means they cannot fight for their own happiness? She may only meet her for one time, but it’s enough. She cannot let this little boy to suffer anymore.
In the future, when she remembers how she acts today, she too found it surprising. She’s not an overly kind woman. In fact she may be called cold towards people because of her experience in the battlefield. But home and battlefield is different and maybe it has softened her hearts.
Probably, she feels some connection towards the boy who has been mistreated. She too has once been mistreated by a lot of people and undergone abuses for a long time before she could reach where she stands now.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Concubine Qi raised her head. “What is your plan? Can you take me out from here?”
Jun Hua nodded. “But I need you to act.”
“Don’t worry, mother is good at acting,” Lin Kang answered. His previously lifeless eyes started to brim with life. “I want to go out too. Staying here is boring and mother always sad.”
Concubine Qi eyes watered. Whatever Jun Hua said and offered to them, she will listen to it carefully. No one has ever cared for her and even Lin Tang tossed her a cold expression when he sees that Lin Kang have a weak body. All this year, she had endured. Now that a chance has appeared, she will definitely take it.
“Don’t worry, I will help you,” Jun Hua smiled. That day a plan is formed between the three of them.
…
“Mother, Lin Kang is also invited,” Lin San browse through the invitation paper sent to their family.
“Oh?” Lin Hong is the one who responded first. “That child has finally got the chance to see the world. Too bad, it will also be his last.”
“Do you have any plan, Lin Hong?” Chun Maora eyes lit up. All along she had been thinking how to eliminate that boy from here, but she cannot act because Concubine Qi always guarded that boy. She thought that when the boy goes to school, it will be the chance to act. Who would have knows that there is a change even quicker than it.
Lin Hong lips curled. He may not proficient in martial arts, but he had learned archery from Lin Tang because there are events like this. Even if he’s not an expert at archery, he’s good enough at it.
“Mother doesn’t need to be worried. I will surely eliminate him so there can only be one heir in this house.”
Chun Maora nodded. “Whatever you planned, mother support you.”
“Go big bro! I’m sure you can,” Lin San smiled.
“Don’t worry about me.”
…
Jun Hua didn’t tell her plans to anyone and times pass quickly. One week soon passes and it’s already the times for the hunting event. Jun Hua wakes up early and dressed up as Jun Min. She calls Yamin and the girl appeared.
“Stay here and don’t let anyone meet with ‘Jun Hua’ today.”
“Yes Miss.”
“Xia, if anyone wants to meet with Jun Hua, said that she’s feeling unwell. Unless it’s someone truly important, you’re not allowed to meet with anyone.”
“Yes Miss.”
“Yasha, come here.”
A man suddenly appeared before them. Similar with Yamin, he dressed in all black but his aura and stature is completely different than her. Xia and Yamin retreated to the side of the room when this man appeared.
“Yes Miss.”
Jun Hua looks towards the man then tossed him a man clothes. “You’re going to act as my attendant during the hunt. Pay any attention to anyone who bears ill will towards Jun Min.”
“Yes Miss.”
Jun Hua checked everything once more. After looking that everything has been arranged, Jun Hua and Yasha disappeared to the darkness. Xia and Yamin stay in the room watching the two of them gone.
“You might need to wear a face mask first to make it easier if someone comes,” Xia said.
“Please.”