Kneeling on the ground, shivering from head to toe, Zhao Liu'er dared not raise her head, nor did she detect the change in the Second Mistress's tone. "I beg you! Please help my brother," she kowtowed. "If you agree to help, I will spend the rest of my life serving you. I'll do anything you ask, Madam. I'll never utter a word about the Stone Flower Powder to anyone!"
The Second Mistress's face was ghastly pale. The mere fact that Zhao Liu'er was Zhao Wenshuan's sister had already incensed her. Upon hearing the girl's last few words, she abruptly raised a hand and slapped Zhao Liu'er hard across the face. "How dare you mention the Stone Flower Powder to me!" she hollered with seething anger.
The slap stunned Zhao Liu'er, who huddled aground, petrified. "No no! I don't dare!"
