Chapter 6: Half Cut

"Hehe..." Mingzhu's thoughts were exposed, and she couldn't help but chuckle a few times.

As the saying goes, the mountains may change, but one's nature is hard to change. Today's events clearly showed that it was difficult for her to restrain her temperament. Moreover, calling off the engagement had already made her family members curious. If she were to change her personality, it would surely be even more surprising to everyone.

In that case, she might as well continue to be arrogant when the time calls for it, especially towards those who had later harmed her. At other times, she should still act gentle.

"The fire is out, it looks like there's no major damage."

Sulan stretched her neck to look down and saw the people from the Ying Mansion laughing loudly as they ascended the stone steps. Remembering their disrespectful behavior earlier, she felt a chill. She whispered, "I haven't heard of any conflict between the Ying Mansion and our mansion. Why do they seem to have a grudge against us?"

Mingzhu stared at the ever-changing sea of clouds below, thinking that there was nothing surprising about it. Yuwen You had told her long ago.

Due to the Fu family's control over the court, the entire Yuwen family despised the Fu family. Now, it was just a matter of the situation being stronger than the people, and they had to bow their heads.

She really wanted to know what would happen if she continued to be arrogant. But it was better not to try. She didn't want to cause trouble for the old man. The old man was already worried enough.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

A young man walked up the stone steps and couldn't help but laugh when he saw Mingzhu and Sulan sitting in the sheltered area. "Your family is looking for you everywhere, causing chaos. And here you are, enjoying the peace and quiet?"

The young man had clean features and a row of neat white teeth, making him not unlikable.

Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh and raised an eyebrow at the small wine gourd in the young man's hand. "Banqian, are you sneaking a drink again? Be careful, I'll tell the master!"

Banqian quickly hid the wine gourd in his sleeve and cautiously took a few steps back. "Fu Mingzhu, don't think about taking my wine gourd again."

Mingzhu pouted. "Stingy! It's just a worthless old gourd. I've already sent someone to deliver the best old gourd back to you. You'll see that the one in your hand is really not presentable!"

Banqian couldn't help but feel excited and blinked. "Really?"

Mingzhu sneered. "Would I deceive someone like you who has no knowledge? The old gourd is a real big gourd. It takes the roots of ten gourds to nourish a seedling, and only the largest, best-shaped gourd is kept after it bears fruit. The rest are all discarded. Only then can you get the best gourd. After being crafted by skilled artisans, it turns a purplish-red color like lacquer. The wine stored in it turns into a light yellow color. Drinking it can clear heat, improve eyesight, and aid digestion. Haven't seen it before, have you?"

The more she showed off, the more pleased she became. Seeing Banqian engrossed in listening, she extended her hand. "Where's the drawing you borrowed from me? When are you going to return it?"

Banqian snapped out of the illusion of the purplish-red gourd and shook his head like a rattle. "You said you'd lend it to me for three days, but it's only been two days and two nights. Why are you asking for it back? Even though you're a woman, you should keep your word."

Mingzhu didn't let up and narrowed her eyes. "I'm just reminding you. If you can't make that thing, return it to me early to avoid losing it."

"Who says I can't make it? You underestimate me too much."

Banqian puffed out his chest and raised his head. "You wait and see. I already have a plan. I'm sure I can make that thing. But you, don't forget your promise when the time comes!"

"Huh! A little boy talking tough! If you can do it, I can do it too! Let's shake hands on it!"

Mingzhu laughed heartily and, ignoring Sulan's frequent hints, raised her hand.

Banqian pursed his lips and spat in his hand, then quickly struck Mingzhu's hand and said loudly, "Just you wait!"

Disgusting!

Mingzhu's face immediately wrinkled, and she grabbed Banqian's sleeve to wipe her hand vigorously, scolding, "You're really something. Why did you have to spit in your palm before shaking hands? It's so dirty."

"That's how it shows that I'm serious and keeping my word."

Banqian wasn't angry and laughed cheerfully. "Disgusted? That's right. I did it on purpose."

Mingzhu was taken aback, then wrinkled her nose and wiped her hand with a handkerchief, still smelling the unpleasant odor. She held her hand high, trying to let the mountain wind and morning mist remove the strange smell.

The people in the British royal mansion looked at her strangely and curiously. A sharp glance swept over her, and she turned her back to look at the distant sea of clouds, feeling embarrassed.

She really didn't understand why the young lady was so polite and attentive to the young man who grew up in the mountains.

Sulan sighed and, seeing the maids from the mansion approaching, called out, "We're here."

The maids saw Mingzhu and immediately surrounded her.

Mingzhu's nursemaid, Geng Mama, complained, "Miss, you're too willful. You disappeared without a sound. If something happens, how can we live!"

Mingzhu impatiently replied, "Why so much nonsense? Isn't Sulan with me? Hurry and have someone bring me my shoes."

Geng Mama immediately wanted to find out where the shoes were. "Where did the shoes go?"

Sulan was about to tell the truth when Mingzhu shot her a glance and said, "One accidentally fell off the cliff, and the other is probably still on the corridor. Just go and find the one that fell."

The maids clamored, one went to search for the shoe, another went to retrieve it, and a few others surrounded Mingzhu, bombarding her with questions.

Geng Mama, taking advantage of her position as the nursemaid, shed some tears, mostly blaming Mingzhu for disappearing without a trace. Mingzhu was annoyed and looked around with a stern face.

They all said she was pampered and spoiled, but they didn't know that she was also not free to act. Wherever she went, there was always a crowd watching her, making her feel uncomfortable doing anything.

Mingzhu thought to herself and glanced up at the tall Jade Emperor Pavilion, suddenly seeing a figure standing in front of the second-floor window, looking down at her with a cold and aloof expression, and a hint of amusement, as if watching a monkey show. It was the cunning and sly British King Yuwen Chu.