The corridors and verandas in the Dewas temple were intertwined. The mountain road winds up slightly away from the temple. When you look back, you can clearly see the scene in the temple through the covered snow green pines and cypresses.
"You clever ghost."
Kiu Nyu hugged her grandma coquettishly, "But I'm your clever ghost, Grandma."
The duo laughed while walking to the Dewani Dewas statue.
Mrs. Wei must admit, Kiu Nyu's plan was flawless. She avenged herself while making the duo uncomfortable, while showing her grace in front of them. Han Ji's little mistake also helped them regain some face, after all not everyone could get an apology from a prince.
Dewani Dewas was the mother of the world. She represented feminine energy, in charge of life, rebirth, and creation. She was Mother Earth.
While Mrs. Wei ate vegetarian food with the nuns, Kiu Nyu stayed behind and kneeling in praying posture.
She stared coldly for a moment, playing with the beads on her wrist with her fingers, determination in her eyes.
Nowadays, there is a huge disparity in power.
Her future was uncertain, she couldn't protect herself, and she couldn't settle old scores. However, the Xu family was very defensive, and under the public support, it was difficult for her to clear away those stigmas.
If the Wei family counterattacked, the Xu family would stir up overwhelming rumors, and Han Ji would still acquiesce because he had interests related to the Xu family. How can the Wei family compete with it?
Just like incense that gradually burnt away, the hot and sincere heart was swept away in the lake on that cold night.
Kiu Nyu stared coldly for a moment, moving the praying beads with her fingers, determination in her eyes.
The overwhelming rumors and slanders must be returned a hundredfold!
Kiu Nyu thought that her entanglement with Han Ji would be temporarily cut off after their chance encounter at the Dewas temple. Unexpectedly, a few days after returning home, she received a letter. It was not signed, but the handwriting on it was extremely familiar.
It was from Han Ji.
The letter was written briefly, and judging from the condensation of the handwriting, he felt quite hesitant to write it. The general content was that he made this choice out of helplessness and often felt guilty in his heart. He repeatedly avoided her because they better be dissociated.
He hoped she could clear her heart, protect herself, and stop doing stupid things. He would bury the unhappy event and forever be grateful for her kindness. If his wish comes true in the future, he will try his best to make up for it.
No matter whether Han Ji had any difficulties at the time or what hidden thoughts were hidden in this letter, it was too late after all.
Rumors were like flying swords and his silence cut deeper than any knife. The person who loved him so much has already died in the frozen lake that winter, and there is no way he can look back.
Han Ji didn't stop the Xus from ruining her reputation and smearing the Weis name, but still said he was grateful for her favor? She protected him from multiple assasination attempts, for Dewas' sake! Where was the gratitude? Was watching her being the laughing stock repaying kindness?
Such a bull's crap.
Also.. If his wish comes true? What? Being the emperor? Dream on!
Kiu Nyu would be the worst obstacle between him and the throne.
"Liu Li, have our goods for the temple stay been packed?
"Yes, Miss."
"Good, let's go to grandma to say goodbye."
"Miss, are we leaving because of what happened in the temple?"
Liu Li's question caught her off guard, then she chuckled. "Do you see this? This is from Prince Han."
"What?!" Liu Li immediately knelt down, "No, Miss. I beg you don't forgive him. There is other outstanding man in the world, how could Miss Kiu-"
"Hey, what are you thinking Liu Li?"
"Miss, I've been with you since you're a child. I know you won't go to Linzhi Temple without a fight, I know you'll find a chance to run away, but please Miss. Don't go to His Highness Prince Han again. He's not worth it!"
The past Kiu Nyu would do that, she admits, but after experiencing the brink of death..
Kiu Nyu tore the letter twice, shook her head, and burned it on a candle.
"My Husband won't be such a coward, Liu Li."
***
The scenery currently red and orange, the falling leaves was the strong indicator of the arriving autumn.
In a corner of Kingly Jun's Mansion, in the small courtyard where the maids and servants lived, the sky was slightly bright, and everyone had already gotten up, washing and tidying up.
The summer just ended and everyone was still wearing thinner clothes. There were several maids in their mid to late teens, with black hair like clouds, beautiful faces, and slim waists.
The servants in charge of the courtyard couldn't help but take a few glances, and couldn't help but say: "The ones Mama Lin found this time are really good-looking."
"The men in the family are all noble, they won't like the ordinary-looking girls. These girls have breasts and waists, and their ability to serve on the bed must be pretty good."
The servants and women were all married, and they didn't have any scruples when talking about naughty things. They were laughing and joking without caring how loud they talked.
The new maids were young after all, blushed with embarrassment when they heard this. They just pretended not to know and hurriedly washed up and went back to their rooms to dress up.
Kiu Nyu was washing her face by the well. Even with the cool water in autumn, she couldn't help but blush slightly.
Kingly Jun Mansion didn't only have the Warlord, his trusted subordinate and confidant also lived here.
Mama Lin was the foster nanny of the Kingly Jun and she was in charge of the household. The meaning of recruiting young beautiful maids was obvious, even if not for the Kingly, she was also catering to the young masters' needs.
After arriving in Linzhi Temple in the late summer, Kiu Nyu threatened Liu Li to pretend as her and lived in seclusion. She on the other hand bought a ticket for a commercial carriage and arrived in Kingly Jun fiefdom - San.
On the way, by chance, she met a girl with the same name as her. Listening to the girls' conversation, it turned out that they were recruited to enter Kingly Jun's Mansion to serve several masters.
However, that night, it rained heavily, and the other Kiu girl eloped with the coachman, and the broker burst into tears.
Kiu Nyu was worried about how to enter the house, but such an opportunity presented itself. Kiu Nyu hurriedly recommended herself. The broker surnamed Ya was overjoyed. Broker Ya had someone to fill in the spot, so she could avoid any losses, and there was no scolding from Mama Lin, so she could do business.
Just like that, Kiu Nyu entered Kingly Jun's Mansion.
Today the girls were especially excited because they could finally be assigned to the young masters' courtyard. Even if they couldn't get favors, at least it was better than rough work in the kitchen or washing room.
"Everyone, hurry up and get dressed. Mama Lin is here."
Kiu Nyu dried her face and tidied her hair into a ponytail.
The people stopped talking, walked out, and saluted Mama Lin. Mama Lin looked at a few people, her eyes lingered on Kiu Nyu for a moment, coughed, and said: "It has been a while since you have been in the mansion, and you have almost learned the rules. Today, I'll assign you to each courtyard and tomorrow you start working."
Everyone responded in unison.
Kiu Nyu was nervous, she had learned about Kingly Jun and specially showing off her acupuncture and interest in medical knowledge 'unintentionally'. The real Kiu Wei was a pharmacist's daughter and she was indeed favored by Broker Ye exactly for this reason.
It was a waste of resources to send her to another courtyard when she was perfect to be Kingly Jun's maid, but if her prediction was wrong..
Kiu Nyu had to make a backup plan.
"Kiu Wei. Jun Courtyard."
Kiu Nyu was as startled as everyone else. When they were pitying and gloating on her misfortune, Kiu Nyu was shocked by how smooth her journey had been.
"Why? You don't want to serve the Lord?"
Kiu Nyu hurriedly saluted and took the courtyard's token, "Thank you for My Lord's grace."
The episode was fleeting and everyone went back inside.
They were looking at her with some pity, but mostly gloating. They had long realized how beautiful and different Kiu Nyu was. They were all young and beautiful, they were charming and curvy, they were smart and skillful, but there was something about Kiu Nyu that made them restless. The kind of temperament emanating from the bones that made them felt insecure just by watching her move.
Now their biggest rival was sent to the lord's courtyard, they were at ease. Who didn't know that the Warlord was gloomy and disabled. Although he owned the place, he couldn't give women any happiness.