Rong Zhi thought about it and felt it was indeed impossible. People in officialdom valued face the most. Even if they were to send women, they wouldn't casually send women without status, not to mention these women weren't beauties.
"In short, you be careful. She bribed the young servant at the gate. If she gives you some aphrodisiac and forces herself on you, your pure body will be lost."
Xia Yun Ting propped his head and looked at her, "Since you saw it, don't you want to help me?"
Rong Zhi thought for a moment, took out a pill from her embrace, and said, "Eat this. It can neutralize some ordinary aphrodisiacs."
Xia Yun Ting took it and swallowed it without hesitation.
Rong Zhi raised her eyebrows and said nothing, just watched him quietly.
After a while, a blush suddenly appeared on Xia Yun Ting's face, his usually deep gaze became hazy, and he let out a muffled groan of discomfort.
"Xiao Mo..."
"Hahahaha..." Rong Zhi clapped her hands and laughed heartily, "I thought you were very vigilant, but I didn't expect you to fall for it so quickly. This is the pill I just developed, called 'A Moment of Spring Night'. It seems the effect is not... Mmph!"
A shadow suddenly fell before her, and that handsome face drew closer, and a soft touch appeared on his lips.
Xia Yun Ting's large hand clasped her head, bringing them closer, their breaths mingling.
Well, I only meant to tease him, but it got out of hand. Rong Zhi tried to push him away, but to no avail. Instead, she was pulled into his embrace. During their struggle, Rong Zhi's clothes were also loosened.
"Xia Yun Ting!" Finally getting a chance to breathe, Rong Zhi quickly fed Xia Yun Ting the antidote. Seeing his Adam's apple bob, Rong Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he was still obedient.
Suddenly, her body felt light, and with a dizzying spin, Rong Zhi was carried and forced to lie on a soft couch in the corner of the study, completely pinned down.
Rong Zhi was greatly alarmed. Hadn't she already taken the antidote? How could it be concealed? Had the antidote expired?
"Xia Yun Ting, don't mess around, or I'll be rude to you!"
Rong Zhi clenched her fists, ready to make him sober up. Xia Yun Ting's hands, which were untying her belt, suddenly stopped.
He looked at Rong Zhi dejectedly, his voice carrying an inexplicable grievance, "Xiao Mo, I'm a man."
A man in his early twenties, full of vigor.
Rong Zhi swallowed, only then realizing she had played too much, "I didn't expect you to have no defenses against me at all."
"Against you, there's no need for defense."
Xia Yun Ting said it firmly, and Rong Zhi felt an inexplicable softening in her heart, "Then what if I wanted to harm you?"
"You saved me. If you want my life, just take it."
His frankness made Rong Zhi feel a little guilty, "I won't tease you anymore. Be careful yourself, I'm going back."
She fled in a hurry.
Perhaps it was because she ran too fast, Rong Zhi's heart was still pounding violently on her way back.
The other three people in the room were already fast asleep. Rong Zhi didn't disturb anyone and quietly got into bed.
That night, Rong Zhi had some chaotic dreams, all about what happened with Xia Yun Ting in the study. She woke up early the next morning, her face still hot.
Today, Xia Jin asked them to clean the front yard, saying that the Prime Minister was coming and that girls were meticulous, so they should clean it more thoroughly.
Actually, Rong Zhi could see that Xia Jin wanted them to show themselves more in front of Xia Yun Ting. Otherwise, there were people who cleaned the front yard, so why would it be their turn?
The Xia Qiu sisters had obviously guessed Xia Jin's intention, but like Rong Zhi, they feigned ignorance. Only Dong Mei dressed up properly and even put on rouge and powder, looking radiant.
If it weren't for the fixed attire of maids, Dong Mei might have changed into a more revealing outfit.
Rong Zhi suddenly wanted to see what kind of good show would unfold if Xia Yun Ting really fell into Dong Mei's trap.
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and go!" Xia Jin's impatient voice came from outside. Rong Zhi simply tidied her hair and went out.
As soon as she went out, she ran into Xia Jin outside. She had dark circles under her eyes and a grim expression, looking displeased.
Rong Zhi was startled by her appearance. Although she hadn't studied physiognomy, she could tell at a glance that her complexion was dark and ominous, which was a bad omen and indicated impending disaster.
However, Rong Zhi didn't say anything. After all, at the foot of the imperial capital of Tian Que Kingdom, saying such things would cost one's head.
Xia He, Qiu Ju, and Dong Mei came out one after another. Xia Jin stared at each of them until Dong Mei came out. Xia Jin grabbed her and whispered something in her ear. Rong Zhi couldn't hear because she was too far away.
However, Xia Jin didn't instruct anyone else, only Dong Mei alone. It seemed she saw that Dong Mei had a better chance of getting close to Xia Yun Ting.
While cleaning, Rong Zhi deliberately stayed close to Dong Mei.
"Dong Mei, what did the steward say to you just now?"
Dong Mei looked around and said in a low voice, "The General is hosting a banquet for the Prime Minister tonight. The steward said we can go serve the dishes."
Letting Dong Mei serve the dishes, wouldn't that be giving her a chance to tamper with them?
Rong Zhi deliberately said, "This is a great opportunity. You can show yourself in front of the General."
Dong Mei smiled smugly, "Showing myself is nothing. It's better to cook the raw rice into cooked rice directly."
Rong Zhi was surprised, "With so many people watching, how can you cook the raw rice into cooked rice?"
Dong Mei said mysteriously, "I have my ways."
"What are you dawdling for? If you dawdle any longer, I'll break your legs."
As soon as this voice was heard, all four of them except Rong Zhi trembled. It was Granny Gu's voice. Wasn't she under house arrest? How did she get out?
The four of them turned their heads and saw Granny Gu supporting Xing Jiayun as she walked towards them. Xing Jiayun was dressed in grand attire today, her raven hair styled into a matron's bun, wearing a light purple long skirt. She indeed had some of the dignity of a mistress of the house.
"Madam!" The young ladies quickly bowed. Rong Zhi also slightly curtsied as they did.
Xing Jiayun didn't speak, but Granny Gu glared at the group, her eyes full of warning.
"Aren't you maids from the back courtyard? Why are you in the front yard? Are you trying to seduce the General again? I'm telling you, don't think you can run wild just because Madam is under house arrest. Especially you!"
She walked up to Dong Mei and slapped her. With a crack, Dong Mei's face immediately swelled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Of the four, only Dong Mei was dressed attractively, originally intending to catch Xia Yun Ting's attention, but she unexpectedly became the target.
"Please spare me, Granny. I didn't mean anything by it. It was Steward Xia who asked us to come."
"Still talking back!"
Granny Gu was about to hit again when Xia Jin suddenly came over and said with a smile, "Granny Gu, I did ask these people to come. They did a good job and cleaned thoroughly, so they are qualified to pave the way for the Prime Minister, aren't they? Now that they've finished cleaning, I'll send them away immediately and I won't let them linger in front of the General."
It could be seen that Xia Jin still respected Xing Jiayun very much, and these words were also flattery.
Xing Jiayun was very pleased. "Since that's the case, then send them away quickly."
"Go, go, go, you hurry up and leave."
Xia Jin waved her hand to drive them away.
Rong Zhi and the others retreated. When they were halfway, they could still hear Granny Gu and Xia Jin talking behind them, "Look at your dark circles. You don't even tidy yourself up when you know the Prime Minister is coming. Who are you putting on a deathly face for?"
Xia Jin just kept agreeing and didn't retort.
It seemed that Granny Gu had backing, and her demeanor had strengthened a lot. However, it seemed that she and Granny Gu did not have a good relationship.
Seeing this situation, Qiu Ju couldn't help but sigh, "This Madam is very powerful, and she's even been released today. Dong Mei, I think you have no hope."
"What are you afraid of? There's still a long way to go." Dong Mei stared in the direction of the front yard, looking determined.
Her plans had never been hidden from others. The Xia Qiu sisters probably never thought she would succeed. After a brief chat, they went to do other things. However, Rong Zhi keenly noticed that after they left, Dong Mei glanced in their direction with malice in her eyes.
It was a fleeting glance, but it made Rong Zhi feel a little startled.
She had never seen Dong Mei display such an expression before.
In the evening, the kitchen indeed prepared a table of exquisite banquet dishes. According to Xia Jin's arrangement, Dong Mei was called to serve the dishes, while Rong Zhi, Qiu Ju, and Xia He did not receive such orders.
"Dong Mei, I didn't expect the steward to be so good to you and give you such an opportunity. Did you secretly bribe him?"
Qiu Ju teased Dong Mei. Dong Mei said with a bitter smile, "I wish I had that ability."
"Dong Mei, let me go with you. I can help you too." Rong Zhi seized the opportunity to say, "I can't let Dong Mei really poison the food. If she harms Xia Yun Ting, or even Xing Jiayun and Xing Jie, and something happens to them in the General's mansion, it will become a handle."
"Alright then." Rong Zhi had previously pledged her loyalty to Dong Mei, so Dong Mei trusted her more.
The two of them went to the kitchen. Rong Zhi only then realized that Granny Gu was actually there. They quickly lowered their heads.
"Be careful. If anything goes wrong, the General will not spare you."
"Where did those two maids come from? What are they doing in the kitchen?"
Granny Gu had sharp eyes and immediately spotted Dong Mei and Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi quickly went out and knelt down, "Granny, the steward asked us to serve the dishes."
Granny Gu's eyes narrowed, and she immediately began to scold, "During the day, you said Xia Jin asked you to clean the yard, and now you're serving dishes. Are you the only ones left to do all the work in the mansion?"
Dong Mei knelt on the ground without a word. Rong Zhi quietly waved her hand at her, "Granny, there are few people in the mansion. If we come to help, it will also make you less tired. Isn't that good?"
"You're glib-tongued. I can see you have bad intentions. You kneel here and don't move. The other one... Huh? Where did the other one go?"
It turned out that while Granny Gu was scolding Rong Zhi, Dong Mei had already slipped away.
"You little vixen!" Just as she was about to chase, she suddenly stiffened and couldn't move at all.
The surrounding gazes all fell on this side. Rong Zhi feigned surprise, "Granny, what's wrong? Are you too tired? Come, rest here for a moment." As she said that, she found a chair and pressed her down.
The people around were probably instructed by Xia Jin, so they didn't pay too much attention to Rong Zhi. By this time, Dong Mei had been gone for some time. Rong Zhi simply followed her, avoiding the sight of the people around, and quietly came under the window.
She heard Xing Jie's voice from inside, "I heard the Emperor visited the General's mansion. What important matter occurred that the Emperor himself came?"
"Prime Minister, you're asking the obvious."
Rong Zhi quietly poked a hole in the window paper and found Xia Yun Ting, Xing Jie, and Xing Jiayun sitting inside. Xing Jiayun and Xia Yun Ting were sitting together, but they were far apart, appearing very distant.