As the last of the former staff left, Li Mei returned to her desk, her thoughts momentarily distracted by the morning's encounter. She had played her part perfectly, ensuring that her former employees would not speak ill of her. It was a small, calculated move in her larger game of power and influence within the sect.
At least, that’s what she told herself. In reality, she was still that lonely and naive little girl from years ago, trapped in that dark room. The shadows of her past clung to her, whispering doubts and fears that no amount of silver teals or calculated maneuvers could entirely dispel.
At same time in Jinwei Mansion,
Junior Edina woke up in her comfy bed, feeling the softness of the linens enveloping her. She struggled to sit up, relishing in the newfound luxury of not having to worry about getting up early on her own. Xiao Min and the oppressive staff were no longer here to torment her.
As she lay there, savoring the comfort, a maid entered the room with a warm smile. "Good morning, Young Mistress Edina," she said gently, her voice soothing and kind. The maid's demeanor was a stark contrast to the harsh treatment Junior Edina had grown accustomed to.
The maid helped Junior Edina out of bed, her movements careful and considerate. She guided her towards the bath, which was filled with warm, fragrant water. The steam rose gently, carrying the scent of jasmine and lavender. Junior Edina felt a wave of relaxation wash over her as she stepped into the bath with the maid’s assistance.
The maid continued to help her, ensuring that every need was met with a tender touch. She handed Junior Edina a soft washcloth and began to wash her hair, the sensation of the maid’s fingers massaging her scalp was soothing and almost therapeutic. Junior Edina closed her eyes, allowing herself to fully immerse in the experience. The warm water and the maid’s gentle care made her feel safe and cherished, feelings that had been foreign to her for so long.
As the bath continued, Junior Edina reflected on the drastic change in her life. The torment and isolation of Jinwei Mansion were now behind her, replaced by the kindness and comfort of her new, supportive environment. This new chapter felt like a dream, one she was afraid to wake up from. But as the maid rinsed her hair and wrapped her in a plush towel, Junior Edina began to believe that perhaps this dream was now her reality.
After her bath and freshening up, Junior Edina took her cane in hand and, with the maid's support, walked into the office where her father used to work. The room, once dusty and neglected under Xiao Min’s care, was now clean and pristine. The transformation made the space feel almost new, filled with a sense of order and purpose that had long been missing.
The maid carefully helped Junior Edina sit on the chair behind the large wooden desk. She then brought over all the financial documents and account books, placing them neatly on the table. Edina looked at the neatly stacked papers, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was her first step towards taking control and proving her capability.
She smiled at the maid and said, "I... I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name."
The maid returned her smile warmly and replied, "My name is Lian Hua, your new personal maid, Young Mistress Edina." With a respectful bow, she added, "If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call for me." She then gracefully left the room to attend to her other duties.
Edina took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibilities ahead but also the freedom and support she now had. The room was bright with morning light streaming through the windows, casting a hopeful glow on the desk where her journey to a new beginning started. She opened the first ledger, ready to dive into the numbers and start making the necessary changes.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Second Dragon Mansion, Ningxiang Palace, Central City, Central Plains
Zhou Liang, the second prince, sat alongside Left Minister Han Choi in the grand hall of his mansion. Zhou Liang had a scholarly appearance, with neatly tied hair and an elegant silk robe, reflecting his deep interest in governance and diplomacy. As he read a report, his brow furrowed with concern. He turned to the servant who had brought the document and asked, “So it’s true? The Mu Family is losing control of Jinwei Mansion’s finances? How are we going to fund our next campaign to persuade the Shaolin Sect to join our faction?”
A few days ago, Zhou Liang received a letter from the Shining Blade Sect suggesting that the Mu Family was in trouble and might no longer be of any use to him. The letter implied that he should consider abandoning his alignment with them and instead allow the Shining Blade Sect to join his faction. To confirm this troubling news, he had asked the chief of his spy network to prepare a comprehensive report on the matter.
The servant, standing respectfully before him, replied, “According to our sources, the handover of financial privileges is currently a trial period for the young mistress. The sect leader has stated that he will decide if this arrangement should become permanent after a week.”
Zhou Liang sighed, leaning back in his chair. “This complicates things. We need stable support to ensure our campaign’s success. If the Mu Family’s position is truly precarious, we may need to reconsider our alliances.”
Left Minister Han Choi, a man with a stern expression and sharp eyes, spoke up. “Your Highness, perhaps it would be prudent to strengthen our ties with the Shining Blade Sect. They seem eager to join our cause and could provide the stability we require.”
Zhou Liang nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, we may have to pursue that option. However, let’s not act hastily. We should continue to monitor the situation at Jinwei Mansion closely. If young Edina proves incapable, the Mu Family might still be of value to us.”
The servant bowed and said, “I will ensure that our sources keep a close watch and report any significant developments immediately.”
Zhou Liang said, “ Send a message to the Mu Family regarding this matter and ask why I had to be informed through external sources rather than directly.”
Unlike his elder brother, who enjoyed the support of three of the nine great sects, Zhou Liang didn’t have even one. However, he did have the backing of the Leon Empire, a foreign power that provided his faction with considerable influence in the imperial palace. The Leon Empire's support for Zhou Liang was largely due to the Mu Family of the Blazing Dawn Sect, specifically Li Mei Cha Mu, who had custody of the Leon Empire’s youngest princess, Edina Cha Ling Von Nemesis. This custody obligated the Leon Empire to support Zhou Liang’s faction.
Now, with the new developments indicating that the Mu Family might be losing custody of the princess, Zhou Liang faced a significant problem. The entire reason his faction could stand on equal footing with his elder brother's was the Leon Empire’s support. If the Mu Family lost control over Edina, Zhou Liang’s political leverage would be severely diminished.
He had been planning a campaign to bring the Shaolin Sect to his side, a campaign that would have been significantly funded by the Mu Family from the Jinwei Mansion’s budget. But now, this no longer seemed viable.
Zhou Liang sighed, his frustration evident. “If the Mu Family is losing its grip, it jeopardizes everything. We need to address this swiftly.”
Left Minister Han Choi nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Your Highness. We must ensure that the Mu Family retains custody of the princess. Without the Leon Empire’s support, our position is greatly weakened.”
Zhou Liang leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. “We need to be proactive.I want regular updates on the trial period for young Edina. If she proves incapable, we must intervene and pressure the sect leader to have Li Mei Cha Mu’s privileges reinstated immediately.”
Han Choi responded, “I will see to it personally. We cannot afford to lose the Leon Empire’s backing.”
The second prince’s eyes narrowed with determination. “Prepare contingency plans. If the Mu Family falters, we must be ready to act decisively, have a door open for Shining Blade Sect.”