The stewardess sends each of them to various places and Xu Yan and Li Qin were separated to different places. "A chance of getting promoted right away is a good omen, right?" Xu Yan thought to herself as she walked. Suddenly, there was a sound of argument that reaches her. She looked in that direction and saw several maids fighting over something.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to step on your shoes. I haven't even worn my new shoes yet, I'll trade yours." One of the maids, Fu Xin said.

"I don't want your shoes! I just want mine cleaned. That's not too much to ask, is it?" Cai Li said in a disgusted voice. "I have a higher rank than yours, know your place." She spats on the ground.

"You! -" Fu Xin stutters.

Xu Yan knows that Cai Li is up to no good and is giving Fu Xin a hard time, so she walked towards them.

"What are you fighting for? The stewardess is still waiting for us. Let's get her to be the judge." Xu Yan spoke. Cai Li gave her a look and laughed sarcastically.

"Wow, getting cocky as soon as you got promoted?" Cai Li said. Most of the maids does not accept Xu Yan's promotion so the others were also looking at her hostility.

"You do know I'm the supervisor, and that means I can stop you from fighting, right?" Xu Yan said.

"You're really going there? You've all seen it. [Cai Li looked at the other maids] She didn't even know how to do the laundry, yet she's the supervisor! She's probably done some shady stuff to get there!" Cai Li yelled.

The maids started gossiping as well and some are shouting for an explanation.

"What do you want me to explain? I'm sorry but the reason I got promoted is because of this, and not some shady deals." Xu Yan said. She smiles and points at her own head, "Smarts. If you were so against it, why didn't you tell Matron Rong back there? And now you're yelling over it? No brains, and no guts either."

Her speech made Cai Li and the maids outraged but can't make their comeback.

A few patrolling guards walk their way. The head guard looks handsome but expressionless, his face says, "Do not approach". The group begin talking about the man. Someone said that he's the up-and-coming imperial guard, Fu Heng. Xu Yan long heard of him that he's said to be a man of justice. And he serves the emperor. As the maids were strong in number while it's just Xu Yan and Fu Xin, she thinks about asking him for help but then thought to herself, "It's nothing big, forget it. I don't even know why he would help this petty matter."

Unexpectedly, Fu Heng walks over as soon as he sees all the maids. He asked them what happened.

Fu Heng: "[frown] What's the matter?"

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Cai Li claims that Xu Yan and Fu Xin were the troublemakers and tells on them first.

Fu Heng: "[looked at Xu Yan] You speak first."

Cai Li was annoyed at Fu Heng's reaction. But nonetheless, Xu Yan tells Fu Heng exactly what happened.

Cai Li: "[yells frustratingly] That's not what happened! You definitely paid them off first!"

Xu Yan: "You keep claiming that I bribed the old matron, what proof do you have? You can't even confront the matron yourself. [crossing her arms]"

Cai Li: "If you can buy over the matron, then you can deal with me easily! I don't want you taking revenge on me! [stomps her feet]"

Xu Yan: "Really now...you don't look like a pushover."

Cai Li: "You...! I can't win against you in an argument! Please sir, you have to believe me!" *Grabbing Fu Heng's arm.

Fu Heng pulled her hand away and, "Xu Yan is right. If you suspect her, then shouldn't you confront the matron first, rather than arguing about it here? Trying to start a fight" he said with a cold face.

"I...I... -" Cai Li began to get nervous and started stuttering.

"My sister here dirtied your shoes by accident. You can take this ingot as compensation." Fu Heng said, taking out his wallet.

"SISTER?! Fu Xin is your sister?" Cai Li became pale.

"[piteously] Fu Heng! Thank goodness Xu Yan was here for me. I can't believe the culprit would blame a victim first! You have to make things right." Fu Xin says.

"[Turned to Cai Li] I will investigate this matter of you making false accusations and assaulting people. What do you take this palace place for? Please come with me to the Stewardess." Fu Heng said.

~~~

Cai Li loses her initial momentum when she's put in front of the stewardess. She apologized 'sincerely'. Xu Yan doesn't believe that she'll stop here but she just ignored it and walked away.

Fu Heng stops her from walking away and says, "Thank you for helping Fu Xin today."

"You're too kind. I'm only trying to make things right and told people how I thought." Xu Yan smiles to herself.

"You really are brave though, making enemies as soon as you get here. You probably should mind your own business next time." Fu Heng said.

"I will thank you."

XY in her mind: "Sir Fu Heng is right...now that I have made enemies, I have to face more troubles than just dealing with the Crown Prince.

"But do find me directly if you ever get into troubles." Fu Heng gave a tiny smile and walks away. Xu Yan noticed that Fu Heng's suit has a footprint.

"It must be from the situation where Fu Heng and the guards were trying to take Cai Li away and she fought hard against them." she said quietly.

Xu Yan walked towards him again and held his wrist, "Head Guard Fu Heng, your clothes are a mess. Let me wash them. It would let me repay you, I don't like owing anyone anything." She says as she lets go her hand go.

"Oh? But I heard you didn't know how to wash clothes..." Fu Heng said scratching his forehead.

"[awkwardly stifling a cough] Alright, I just learned, so maybe I wouldn't get them fully cleaned. But...in the future, if there's anything you need, do let me know." Xu Yan smiled awkwardly.

"Then I shall thank you in advance." Fu Heng smiled and walks away.

Xu Yan remained at the entranced by the thought of his smile, "I thought he had always seemed cold and distant." She thought to herself. "Come to think of it, this was actually my first time seeing him smile." She laughed. She shooked her head and held her face, "What am I doing."

"Miss! Miss!" A voice called her comes closer. Xu Yan turns to the direction and sees Li Qin running towards her, "Li Qin, I told you not to call me that..." Xu Yan mumbles.

"Sorry..." Li Qin says quietly.

"What's wrong?" Xu Yan asked.

"Oh- you have been sent to serve Princess Ye Xiao Fan!" She smiles.

"Consort Ye's daughter? Alright. [smiles] You should get going too, Qin Qin. Don't get in any trouble." Xu Yan says as she walks to the destination.