The quiet wilderness was bathed in the flicker of a campfire, crackling and snapping as it burned. On a wooden rack, a venison leg sizzled with glistening oil, and a young maiden, about sixteen, turned it over at regular intervals.
The aroma drifted gently through the air, making one’s mouth water and fingers twitch in anticipation.
Noticing that the venison was just about done, Dong Yun’er turned back with a smile. “Miss, the venison is ready. Come eat before it gets tough; it won’t taste as good if you wait.”
This deer was one of the demon beasts that had attacked them in the forest earlier. It had wounded them before, and now, cooked over their fire, it could be considered a kind of retribution.
Dong Yun’er took out a few small knives, sliced off the tenderest piece, and placed it on a plate before handing it over. Lin Huanhuan walked over calmly but did not accept it.
Lin Huanhuan lifted her eyes slightly, looking at the trusted maid before her. She spoke evenly, “No rush, I’m not hungry for now. Eating later will be the same. I have something very important to ask you.”
Hearing this, Dong Yun’er still felt this was the perfect time to eat meat and tried to persuade her again. “Miss, whatever it is can wait. If you don’t eat the meat now, it’ll get cold and won’t taste as good.”
“If you really can’t wait, then go ahead and eat. I truly don’t need any.”
“Miss, I’m just a servant. How could I start eating before you do? You’re making it difficult for me; at least let me observe the basic courtesies.”
“Oh, is that so? Is that really the case?”
“Of course! How could it be otherwise?”
“Heh.”
Lin Huanhuan chuckled softly, eyes narrowing as a captivating smile lifted her lips. “You say there’s no lie, but I don’t believe that.”
“All this time, you’ve always put my wishes first, never defying a word I say. Yet today, you insist I try the venison first. Why is that?”
“Let me guess, what could the reason be? Ah—could it be that you’ve added something to the meat, something like Soft Bone Powder? If I eat it, I’d collapse instantly without the slightest chance to resist?”
Faced with the pointed interrogation, Dong Yun’er’s expression didn’t change. She tilted her head, feigning confusion. “Miss, what are you talking about? How could I ever drug you or harm you? I only added seasonings to make the meat tastier.”
“I can’t believe you’d think so badly of me, Miss. I’m heartbroken! I’ve always looked out for you, yet now you suspect me. Boohoo…”
Dong Yun’er covered her face with both hands, like a loyal maid devastated by her mistress’s misunderstanding.
But Lin Huanhuan just sneered, cold and full of disdain. “Who do you think you’re fooling with that fake crying? There’s not a single tear, and your voice is so forced.”
“With how well I know you, if I really misunderstood you, you’d be in a fluster explaining yourself. But now, you face my suspicion as calmly as if greeting an old friend. You’re not even trying to act anymore, are you?”
“Miss really does know me. Should I be happy or sad? My impeccable acting was seen through so easily.”
Dong Yun’er dropped her hands, her face showing no trace of tears, not even the slightest redness around her eyes—only calm confidence.
Dong Yun’er asked, “Miss, can I ask—where exactly did I slip up? I thought I did everything perfectly. Yet you saw through me in advance. What a pity.”
At this, Lin Huanhuan grew even more annoyed. “Your disguise was perfect? How did you come to that conclusion?”
“When we were chasing the demon tiger in the forest, you kept sprinkling powder on Ye Jin Xiu whenever she wasn’t looking. Did you forget I was right there with you?”
“And when I said we wouldn’t keep chasing, your expression was so strange. You didn’t think I’d notice?”
“After we came out, I started to suspect you. That’s why I spoke to Ye Jin Xiu that way—to test you here. But back then, I wasn’t completely certain.”
Lin Huanhuan gritted her teeth. “But just now, when you were roasting the venison, after sprinkling the seasonings, you took out a packet of white powder and added it too. Did you forget I was watching you?”
“In your eyes, am I really such a helpless person, needing your care for everything, sometimes even drooling and babbling nonsense?!”
“How could that be?”
Dong Yun’er averted her gaze, denying everything. “In my eyes, Miss is very clever, smarter than most people. How could I ever think otherwise?”
“You absolutely do!”
Silence fell between them. Lin Huanhuan slowly calmed herself.
“I want to ask you, too—why, after I exposed your scheme, did you remain so unflustered and dare confront me openly?”
“So? Do you really think you’ve got me all figured out? I’m no pushover.”
Dong Yun’er shook her head gently, praising her. “As the one closest to Miss, I know: though you act mischievous, your strength is truly impressive.”
Lin Huanhuan snorted coldly. “If that’s so, then why not tell me who’s behind you? Which house bribed you to betray me, and for how many resources?”
“Whatever they offered, I’ll pay double. I have the confidence to say that—you know it.”
Dong Yun’er smiled faintly. “Miss has misunderstood. No one bribed me to betray you. Even if someone did, I wouldn’t do it. I’m simply doing what’s right.”
“What do you mean?”
Lin Huanhuan frowned. ‘Could things not be as I imagined?’
“I just want to take care of Miss, but you’re too unruly—always trying to send me away. So I had to resort to these measures.”
Dong Yun’er smiled sweetly. Lin Huanhuan couldn’t help but curse, “Never thought you were a yandere! Dammit, what a ridiculous reason! If I’d known, I’d have dealt with you back at home.”
Dong Yun’er kept smiling. “No matter what, maybe this is fate. Miss, you’re destined to be in my care for life.”
Lin Huanhuan sneered inwardly: ‘I brought all kinds of weird poisons on this trip. Just wait and see what I have in store for you!’
No more words passed between them as the atmosphere grew tense.
Clap, clap, clap—
A round of applause rang out. Lin Huanhuan and Dong Yun’er both turned toward the sound.
A man in an iron mask, Iron Mask, approached, flanked by a group of men in black.
“What a splendid show. I didn’t expect such a complicated relationship between you two—very entertaining.”
“I’d intended to kill all of you, but now I’ve changed my mind. Perhaps this will be more interesting. That maid—if you pledge yourself to me, I’ll subdue your lady and hand her over to you. How about it?”
“You’ll achieve your wish and stay alive—what better choice is there?”
Facing the invitation of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and with such favorable terms, Dong Yun’er only tilted her head and thought for a second before agreeing.
“Alright, then I thank Senior in advance. I’ll do my utmost from here on.”
Dong Yun’er sneered, “Miss, don’t blame me—you only have yourself to blame for not behaving.”
“You!” Lin Huanhuan clenched her fists, anger threatening to consume her. “Traitor! If I get out of this, I won’t let you go!”
“Get out? Miss, you’re dreaming. I suggest you start thinking about how to win my favor.”
Dong Yun’er walked toward Iron Mask.
Iron Mask stood with hands behind his back, already certain of victory. All Lin Huanhuan could do was grip her fan, seething with impotent rage.
Dong Yun’er stopped five paces from Iron Mask, then slowly turned back toward Lin Huanhuan, preparing to act.
Mid-turn, a slender sword flashed from Dong Yun’er’s hand, its cold light pointing straight at Iron Mask’s throat. At that exact moment, Lin Huanhuan unleashed several swift wind blades, sealing off all of Iron Mask’s escape routes.
‘With our mutual understanding, words are unnecessary?’