Chapter 4: Survival Comes First

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Liu Yuanqing looked at the maid Xia Qiqi before him, feeling a slight tingling on his scalp and a faint twitch on his forehead. "Hm?"

He had not expected Xia Qiqi to boldly climb higher and openly bring up conditions to him!

Hmph!

Still too inexperienced!

Did she really think that after the seven-month term ended, she could walk away unscathed?

Xia Qiqi no longer knelt. Slowly rising, she smiled faintly at Liu Yuanqing. "Your servant dares to make a request to the prime minister."

Liu Yuanqing’s expression stiffened. "Speak!"

Xia Qiqi bowed slightly, raising her voice a little. "Once the matter is settled, your servant naturally cannot remain in the capital. I only ask that, at that time, the prime minister grants some gold and silver so that your servant can leave far behind and never meet you again."

When the birds are flown, the good bow is put away!

After this is done, she must run as far as possible to be safe!

Moreover, openly labeling herself as greedy for wealth was the only way to make this old fox drop his guard completely.

Liu Yuanqing listened calmly, showing no disturbance in his eyes.

"I grant you ten thousand taels of silver!"

Xia Qiqi’s voice left no room for negotiation. "One hundred thousand taels!"

Having just come to this world, she was not very familiar with the price levels in the Great Liang Kingdom, but since she was naming a price, she naturally had to give a figure that would shock the other party.

Even if he bargained, he wouldn’t dare go too low.

Unexpectedly, Liu Yuanqing did not hesitate. "One hundred thousand it is!"

Xia Qiqi caught a fleeting flash of anger in Liu Yuanqing’s eyes.

If he was truly angered, it would prove he was thinking along with her plan.

"Thank you, prime minister," Xia Qiqi immediately lowered her gaze and smiled obediently. "Your servant will now go with Steward Yan to wash up and dress."

She knew well that Liu Yuanqing was not only an old fox but one who devoured his prey without leaving bones behind!

Working for such a man would most likely lead to a death without burial.

No choice—survival was paramount!

...

At the Peony Pavilion, the cotton-wood charcoal burned brightly as Xia Qiqi soaked in a tub filled with peony petals.

The water, around thirty-seven or thirty-eight degrees Celsius, enveloped her body, the delicate skin as pure as snow and frost surrounded by steam. The scent of peonies in the pavilion seemed to desperately seep into every pore of her being.

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Xia Qiqi lowered her eyes, the warm yellow glow of the palace lantern growing increasingly blurred...

[Meow! Xia Qiqi, the old fox plans to poison you! Don’t fall for it!]

If it weren’t for Little Ai suddenly bursting in, Xia Qiqi might have fallen asleep in the tub.

"Oh, it’s you." Xia Qiqi slowly opened her eyes, raising her slender arm to touch Little Ai, who was perched on the tub’s edge. Smiling, she asked, "What poison does the old fox intend to use on me?"

Perhaps startled by Xia Qiqi’s exposed arm, Little Ai shyly raised a paw to cover its eyes.

[When I went to the kitchen for some dried fish, I saw with my own eyes the fat cook putting medicine into the fish soup and hastening Chun Tao to deliver it to the Peony Pavilion.]

[Meow! The old fox must be afraid you’ll become favored and refuse to exchange with Liu Mingyu!]

The cat’s voice was anxious and full of worry.

Xia Qiqi paused slowly.

Poison?

Poison a doctoral student majoring in pharmaceutical sciences at a proper medical university?

Though she had worked as a veterinarian before arriving here, that was only because she had witnessed a medical dispute firsthand and changed careers.

A meaningful smile curved on Xia Qiqi’s lips as she blinked. "Why do you always help me?"

[I’m a cat, not a human, no need for so many reasons! Meow!]

[Meow meow... such a fragrant fish soup... ruined!]

Little Ai suddenly seemed angry, meowing loudly several times.

Xia Qiqi nodded in agreement. "Mm."

When people make choices, they always weigh pros and cons, judge value.

This cat obviously did not!

"Thank you, little cutie!" Xia Qiqi sighed softly. "I must rely on my own strength to survive."

[Meow! No peeping, I’m not looking!]

With a swift sound, Little Ai darted to the window, running off without looking back.

Xia Qiqi smiled and finally stood, stepping out of the tub.

After drying the droplets from her body, she picked up the dress set placed nearby and awkwardly began to dress.

"Dinner is ready. Sister Qiqi, when will you dine?" Chun Tao quietly reminded from behind the screen.

"Leave it for now." Xia Qiqi came out from behind the screen. "Chun Tao, is Steward Yan still at the Peony Pavilion?"

Chun Tao had been in the Prime Minister’s residence for less than two years, still unmarried and young. Because she was close to Xia Qiqi, Steward Yan had temporarily assigned her to serve at the Peony Pavilion.

The Peony Pavilion had originally been Liu Mingyu’s residence, but now that she was "unwell," Liu Yuanqing had moved her to the secluded Youlan Garden under the pretext of convalescence.

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The pavilion had once been attended by more than a dozen maids. Those who were clearly unaware and young had already been sold off by Steward Yan, while the few remaining were originally to be silenced along with Xia Qiqi. Unexpectedly, Liu Yuanqing suddenly ordered Steward Yan to keep them at the pavilion under guard by several soldiers.

Chun Tao stepped aside. "Steward Yan told me to serve Sister Qiqi dinner first, then go to the prime minister’s study."

Having not eaten for two days and just bathed, Xia Qiqi was quite hungry, but recalling Little Ai’s warning, she could only endure it.

"Take the dinner away for now." Xia Qiqi sat before a faceted mirror and asked, "Did Steward Yan say anything else?"

Chun Tao’s eyes flickered with confusion. "Steward Yan also said that the rouge, powders, and cosmetics on the dressing table may be used freely by Sister Qiqi."

The rouge and powders on the dressing table were indeed complete.

It seemed that creating a counterfeit makeup look wouldn’t be difficult!

But she absolutely could not let Chun Tao see her disguised as the young lady. Otherwise, Chun Tao would inevitably be silenced by Liu Yuanqing in the future!

Of course, Xia Qiqi also understood that if she couldn’t produce a look that satisfied Liu Yuanqing, escape would be impossible.

Xia Qiqi glanced at Chun Tao. "Chun Tao, you may leave now. I will go to the prime minister’s study myself later."

"Yes." Chun Tao replied and turned to remove the dinner.

"Quietly pour out the bowl of fish soup from the dinner."

"Yes."

Xia Qiqi noticed while Chun Tao’s eyes were full of care and questions, she did not ask further and obeyed her instructions.

Though young, this girl was remarkably composed!

If she could truly secure one hundred thousand taels of silver, Xia Qiqi planned to keep this girl by her side.

With that thought, Xia Qiqi’s hands did not pause, and the wind outside grew stronger.

It was nearly midnight. Having completed her makeup, Xia Qiqi donned a black fox fur cloak and a matching snow hat, covering her carefully made-up face before heading to the prime minister’s study.

Inside the study, Liu Yuanqing sat at his desk, Steward Yan attending nearby.

They exchanged a glance as they heard movement at the door.

Steward Yan asked, "Who is outside?"

"Daddy, it’s me."