32 His Concubine (1/2)

*Pa!!!*

YuLi was caught off-guard. She was busy scheming when she felt the stinging pain on her left cheek.

”You----!”

When YuLi turned her head, she saw YuYing standing in front of her. YuLi was rendered speechless. She saw that YuYing's hand was currently hovering near her face. Realization struck YuLi, she realized that the one who slapped her face was the timid YuYing who was always treating her like a big sister.

YuLi inwardly bit her lower lip. A hint of panic reflected inside her eyes. She was caught off-guard by YuYing's sudden action and was not able to be mentally prepared, thus, her emotions were clearly written on her face.

What happened?

Why did YuYing slap her?

Did she know something?

Was she discovered?

Many questions were floating inside YuLi's mind. A warning signal flashed inside her head as if telling her that everything was over.

'Impossible!'

YuLi forcefully suppressed the fear creeping inside her heart. The plan to assassinate XuanRong was only known to few people. Er Furen[1] sent her a massage saying that aside from her, no one should learn the assassination attempt. So, YuLi was sure that among all the servants inside the manor, only she, the one who was told by Er Furen, knew the treacherous plan and hidden scheme prepared by Xiao Lou.

So, why did YuYing slap her?

Did she eat leopard's guts and even dare to attack her in front of their mistress?

'Is she trying to flaunt her authority by acting arrogant, showing that XuanRong favors her more?'

YuLi snorted in disgust.

'How dare you slap me!'

Tossing her previous thought of being exposed, YuLi's face showed anger. She glared at YuYing who was also glaring back at her. She was older than YuYing for a year, that was why, between the two of them, she was the one acting as the head of all the servants in XuanRong's courtyard in the capital[2]. And since YuYing was now threatening her status, YuLi was angered to death.

She opened her mouth to rebuke YuYing's action, planning to scold her, when a second slap landed on the other side of her cheeks. Once again, YuLi felt the stinging pain on her face. It swelled like a steamed bun, making her look like a battered pig.

”You traitor!!”

YuYing screamed as she once again raised her hand to slap YuLi.

This time, YuLi was able to dodge YuYing's assault. She moved her face away from YuYing and took a step back, trying to create a distance between them.

”Y-YuYing.. what are you talking about?”

YuLi's countenance paled when she heard YuYing's words.

'It can't be!'

But no matter how YuLi denied it inside her heart, deep down, she knew that it was really over. The moment when YuYing uttered those words, YuLi almost fell on the ground. It took a great effort for her to remain standing and act oblivious to YuYing's scandalous remark towards her, like nothing was wrong.

”Liar! Don't pretend like nothing was wrong and everything was okay! XiaoJie treated us well but what did you do? You coerced with someone who was trying to harm XiaoJie! YuLi, don't you have any conscience left inside your heart?”

YuYing's chest was repeatedly rising and falling due to the strong emotion stirring her heart. Her heartbeat was erratic and fast, making her gasp as she tried to catch her breath.

YuLi shook her head, trying to deny everything.

”No! Who told you those lies??” YuLi whipped her head towards XuanRong who was currently standing near at the front door.