I just can't stand the sight of you.

Night had fallen in the servants’ quarters of the Prince Jun’s Manor.

Yue’er finished her meal and walked into the quarters with Qiqi, listening as Qiqi told her many things about life within the manor. Yue’er learned that even among the servants there was a strict hierarchy. The maids who directly attended their masters were considered high-ranking and only needed to obey their own mistress. Of course, if one served the Old Princess Dowager or Zhao Chengxian, that was an even greater honor—envied by all.

Yue’er and Qiqi shared their room with two others: Hong’er, the personal maid to Consort Xiang, and Lyu’er, who served Consort Yu. Both were the type who aspired to climb higher, though fate had them serving secondary consorts. Their mistresses would never give them the chance to get close to Zhao Chengxian; after all, no one wanted more rivals for their husband’s affections. When Hong’er and Lyu’er heard that a new maid had effortlessly become Zhao Chengxian’s personal attendant, jealousy and resentment festered in their hearts, and they decided to teach Yue’er a lesson. Little did they know that Hui Yue’er was a martial arts master—should they provoke her, it would only be disastrous for them.

As Yue’er and Qiqi entered, Hong’er and Lyu’er pretended to be asleep, hiding under their quilts and suppressing their laughter. Yue’er and Qiqi didn’t notice. Qiqi showed Yue’er to her bed, “Sister Yue, you can sleep to my left.” She busied herself making the bed, while Yue’er nodded indifferently—after all, she was used to wandering far and wide, and could sleep even in the wilderness, let alone on a proper bed.

After straightening her bedding and pillow, Yue’er sat down. Suddenly, her hand brushed against something slick. She calmly stood, lifted the quilt and pillow, and found a cobra, its tongue flicking menacingly. While Yue’er remained unfazed, Qiqi’s curiosity got the better of her. When she saw the snake, she shrieked, “Ah! A snake! How could there be a snake in here? This is terrifying…”

Startled by Qiqi’s cry, Hong’er and Lyu’er looked over as if waking from a dream, and joined in the clamor.

Unperturbed, Yue’er signaled for silence and carefully approached the snake. With precise timing, she seized it by the head, carried it outside, found a stone, and struck it at the vital spot with practiced ease. Only after the snake was dead did she return inside. Hong’er stared at her in astonishment, “Weren’t you afraid at all?” They had hoped the snake would bite Yue’er or at least frighten her half to death, but had not expected this outcome.

Lyu’er patted her chest and blurted, “It took us a lot of effort to get the stable boys to catch that snake this afternoon—how did you handle it so easily?” Foolish girl! She had let slip the truth. Now they were in trouble.

Yue’er knew immediately that this was no accident; cobras only appeared deep in the mountains and forests, never in a grand household like this. She shouted at Hong’er and Lyu’er, “Do you value human life so little? Have I wronged you in some grave way, killed your family, or committed some unforgivable crime? No, I haven’t. Then why would you wish me dead?” Her glare was fierce and unyielding, making the two women tremble, terrified they would meet the same fate as the snake.

Qiqi, equally angry, fixed her gaze on them. “Sister Lyu’er, Sister Hong’er, it’s bad enough you act so arrogant in the manor, but I can’t believe you’d go so far as to try and harm Sister Yue. That’s truly despicable!” Though they never dared cross Qiqi, she’d heard a thing or two about their behavior, but was not one to gossip.

Frightened now, Hong’er and Lyu’er pleaded in unison, “Miss Yueya, please spare us! We won’t dare do such a thing again…” When it was clear Yue’er had no intention of forgiving them, they turned to Qiqi, “Qiqi, we know we were wrong, please help us plead with Miss Yueya!” They clung to her hands, but she shook them off and refused to look at them.

Exhausted from the day’s events, Yue’er had no interest in dealing with them further. “Get out. Tomorrow I’ll let your mistresses decide your punishment!” she declared. Truly, as the saying goes, the rot at the top spreads to the bottom—such servants must have such masters! All her anger she directed at Zhao Chengxian.

Hong’er and Lyu’er slunk away, though their submission was only temporary, born of fear of Yue’er’s skills. They swore to themselves that one day, they’d drive Yue’er from Prince Jun’s Manor.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, those neither young nor old—shower me with your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Spare nothing, let the storm rage on with even greater force!