Li Jing pulled herself away from Zhang Yong with all her might and caught the status bar on his head.
Favorability: 83%
Killing Intent: O%
She tried hard to suppress the smirk rising from her lips. That status bar had been progressively rising these past three days. She wonders how much it would rise after this plan of hers.
"We can't, Mr. Zhang. My sister is your fiancé and you are about to have a child. Even if I do feel something towards you, I am only a bastard daughter, how can I dare covet someone as noble as you are? If my circumstances have been different, then maybe…" Li Jing didn't finish her sentence, she squeezed a drop of tear and let the guy see it roll down on her face. She then ran towards the mansion leaving the open-mouthed Zhang Yong behind.
Zhang Yong's heart ached when he saw the resignation on her face but when he remembered what Li Jing had said, I do feel something towards you, his heart couldn't contain the onslaught of happiness those words had brought him.
After a while, the man in cloud nine left the Guo property with big plans on his mind. He didn't even bother to visit her fiancé who was still locked up nor did he wait for his sister's release.
That night when Li Jing was walking to her room after enjoying a parade of bedraggled noble ladies leaving the ancestral hall of the Guo family, the family doctor arrived followed by dozens of maids moving in and out of Gou Yiyi's room.
It was minutes later as Li Jing was settling down on her bed when a frantic knock came from her door.
"Miss! Miss Li Jing! Please open the door! It's urgent!"
Li Jing sighed, put down the book she's reading, and glance at Hua Mei beside her.
"It's one of Guo Yiyi's dogs," the girl informed.
A smile that did not reach her eyes instantly formed on her lips. "That woman didn't waste time, did she?"
Another shout came from outside, "Miss! The Mistress is looking for you, please open the door!"
Hua Mei glared at the door. "Just ignore the barking dog, Milady, and let Bai Lou handed it. You need a good rest after dealing with that Zhang Yong."
Seeing the adorable scowl on the girl's face, Li Jing couldn't help but tease the little girl a bit. "My little Hua Mei is very sensible. Truly cares for his Milady, doesn't she?"
A hint of red colored Hua Mei's cheeks when she heard her Milady's praise.
Li Jing got up from her bed, "I'm feeling bored right now so why don't we humor my good sister for a bit?"
A frantic-looking maid greeted her sight after opening the door. Li Jing's newly assigned maid, Bai Lou, was subduing the other maid who's making a commotion.
The stern-looking Bai Lou bowed her head when she saw her, "I'm sorry this disturbed your sleep, Miss. I will take her downstairs now and teach her how to behave properly."
Bai Lou is the newly maid appointed for her. The woman was fierce and stern. She acts more like her bodyguard more than a maid and always follows her wherever she goes.
Li Jing wasn't born yesterday. She knew exactly who sent the girl whose looks and physique do not conform to that of a maid. The displeasure she felt for him for not keeping his promise reduced a bit.
Hearing the threat in Bai Lou's words the maid struggled some more and shot Li Jing a beseeching look, "Miss, the Mistress, and Miss Yiyi is asking for you. They are in Miss Yiyi's room right now. Quickly come with me."
Bai Lou twisted the maid's hand painfully causing the woman to cry out. this audacious woman dares to disturb her Mistress sleep. She surely needs a lesson or two.
"It's alright, Bai Lou."
Bai Lou unwillingly let go of the maid and stepped aside. Li Jing stared at the maid still trembling from Bai Lou's threat.
"It's in the middle of the night, what's this fuss all about?"
The maid who works for Guo Yiyi bit her lips. She wanted to retort badly to this other fake Miss of the Guo family. But she suppressed her annoyance and bowed her head.
"Miss Yiyi is in a delicate situation and she wanted to see you, Miss."
Li Jing's eyes narrowed, "Can it not wait for tomorrow? I had a long day and wanted to retire for the night. Tell mother and sister I will see them first thing tomorrow."
She turned and was about to enter her room again when a hand on the sleeve of her white nightdress was tugged. Annoyance flashed in Li Jing's eyes.
"Insolent!" Bai Lou said, her eyes spitting fire aimed at the impudent, lowly maid. If this woman dares act this way to the future Mistress of Liu clan in front of their Master, her head would surely roll to the ground in mere seconds.
"Bai Lou."
Realizing her blunder, the maid retracted her hand and look at Li Jing pitifully, "Miss, I will be punished by Mistress if do not bring you with me."
Li Jing sighed, "Wait for me here. I will change my clothes."
"You are fine as you are-"
Li Jing pierced her with a look.
The maid shrinks her neck in fear, "Y-you can change your clothes, Miss. The Mistress and Miss Yiyi can wait."
Li Jing closed the door and immediately disrobed, "Hua Mei."
Hua Mei appeared behind her, "Yes, Milady."
She handed the garment she took off to her, "Burn it."
Hua Mei nodded and the white nightdress immediately burst into blue flames.
******
Garbed in a modest pale blue nightdress and a white shawl on her shoulder, Li Jing with Bai Lou and Gou Yiyi's maid were en route to Guo Yiyi's room on the west wing. When they were near the room, the maid loudly coughed twice and the once silent room was then filled with wails that could wake up the dead.
Li Jing wanted to snort at their poor acting skills. It was so deliberate that Bai Lou beside her turned rigid, her eyes flashing with contempt.
The maid ushered them in and they were welcomed by Tang Ruyi's tearful line to her bedridden daughter.
"Oh, My poor little Yiyi. What should we do? First, the Zhang canceled the wedding and now your health is in decline. Mother's heart ached for you, my child. " Tang Ruyi cried dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
The pale-looking Guo Yiyi was lost for words seeing her crying mother. She patted her mother's hand with her frail-looking ones, "Mother don't cry. Even though the doctor said I have only a few months left after I give birth as long as my child could live I will do it."
Tang Ruyi cried some more after hearing her daughter's words. She turned to the doctor beside her. "Doctor, is there really no cure for my daughter's illness?"
The bald with beer belly doctor on the side dab the sweat off his forehead before replying to tang Ruyi, "Replying to the madam. I'm sorry but the Miss's situation is in a critical stage right now. No amount of medication could save her life and her unborn child, it could only prolong her life by half a year but it will surely affect the child in her womb. There is also a big chance that the child will be stillborn if the Miss should decide to undergo treatment.
Guo Yiyi's countenance became somber. "Then I don't want to leave for another six months if I don't have my child with me. I will not get treatment." She said resolutely.
The doctor bowed his head and said, "Then you could only live for a month at most," like he's reading from a script.
Guo Yiyi smiled wanly, "A month with my child is enough. I just wish my big sister will fulfill my dying wish."
Tang Ruyi wailed again, "Oh, my poor child. What kind of misfortune is this?"
As if on cue, the maid who stopped with them at the threshold of the room loudly announce their arrival.
Seeing Li Jing, Guo Yiyi smiled listlessly, "Sister, You finally came. I thought you wouldn't like to see after what happened."
Tang Ruyi grabbed Li Jing's hand and implored her, "Li Jing, I know you and Yiyi are not on good terms because of what happened, but your sister needs you right now. Please listen to her, this is my last request to you." She said and left the room with the doctor.
Li Jing also waved Bai Lou out.
Two people were left inside the room that smelled of disinfectant. One lying in bed looking frail and sickly the other standing at the foot of the bed looking down at the other person. Her eyes were cold and somewhat indifferent.
Seeing the cold countenance of Li Jing, Gou Yiyi's heart began to speed up, "Sister…"
Guo Yiyi saw the sudden change in Gou Li Jing's expression. One moment she looked cold and unmoved, the next she was smiling as if she's in pure bliss.
She blinked her eyes and the smile was gone, only the concerned look was left on Li Jing's face. Did she perhaps saw it wrongly?
Li Jing worriedly asked, "Sister, are you dying?"
Shall I dig a six feet hole for you?