Scheming Against Each Other

North of the Huai River, south of Pengcheng—the Xiang Clan's stronghold in the Central Plains—a few miles south of Fuli City.

A luxurious carriage raced along the official road, surrounded by hundreds of burly guards with bulging temples and sharp eyes. One glance was enough to tell its occupants were no ordinary people; otherwise, they would never have had so many skilled fighters protecting them.

Beside the luxurious carriage, a curtain lifted. A pretty young face appeared at the window and turned toward the distant city wall. The girl let out a breath and cried happily:

"Miss, I can see a city! We've been traveling for over two weeks straight. All that jolting has left me dizzy. We can finally rest!"

A beautiful woman of about thirty opened her eyes. She had been resting with them closed, her bearing thoughtful and her figure alluring. Now her expression cooled as she ordered, "Pass the word. Go around the city and make for Sishui Commandery as quickly as possible!"

"What?! Miss?" The maid in red froze, then protested.

The maid in blue on the woman's other side was not as innocent as the one in red. After a moment's hesitation, she said:

"Miss, you may still be a steward, but the master has declared himself king, and the royal palace is being rebuilt. Once it's finished and the master takes his rightful place, you'll be as important as a third-rank official. Even first- and second-rank ministers will have to treat you with respect! The master has given you special leave to visit your family while the palace is rebuilt. You aren't carrying out some urgent assignment, so why put yourself through this?"

The woman glanced at the maid in blue but said nothing.

The maid in red nodded vigorously. "It's only natural