Looking up at the starry sky, Long had poured another cup of wine in Rachel's saucer as she dazed at the stars and took in another sip. Her face slightly red.

"Lulu had become greedy…."

Long jumped and looked up at Rachel with a worried expression. Wanting to say something but ultimately chosen not to. The Xie household was tortuous even for a mere maidservant, Family members where always scheming against each other it was horrifying, a lot of those schemes would get maid servants killed.

Due to the schemes her parents and other siblings except for Jojo did not survive. Long shivered she had seen so many things, maid servants will also backstab their masters and fellow servants.

"Second Madam has Lulu become a liability" Long said hardening her heart towards Lulu who she had known and treated like a sister for almost two years.

"She has, having affections for the master of the house despite being a mere servant. Long, your eldest sister was the same way"

Long's main family consisted of their parents and eight siblings. Long was the third eldest while JoJo was the baby of the family, the first eldest was a girl and the rest where boys. All served the Xie family, Long's eldest sister began to hold affections for her Cousin. She schemed and tricked and eventually ended up his concubine. But when those schemes and tricks came back to her she pushed the blame onto her parents. Ultimately, getting them slaughtered in the end.

As for Long herself she had watched her parent's death but wasn't able to do anything for so long. She still couldn't do anything as her older sister used her brother's as p.a.w.ns until they where all gone. Finally, it came time for her and her younger sister to be sacrificed.

Rachel put an end to it and turned the table, Long's sister was just a concubine and had no value. What was important to Rachel was whether Long would be useful, as such she put Long and her Sister in the same room.

The result Long killed her of course, if she hadn't Rachel would have gotten Rid of Long to. Long killing her older sister signified that the women would toss away her naivety and get rid of her enemies regardless of who they are.

In this world, she couldn't afford naïve maidservants.

"However, these affections I can use" Rachel leaned into her chair "Since she likes the Marquis, as her master I would like to give her what she wants."

"…."

"As for Hana, well, get rid of her" she smiled "Tomorrow, will, be a splendid show"

As Dawn broke out, a deadly scream pieced waking up the entire household. Upon the entering the sight of Concubine Zhu Xiang courtyard. Blood was seen everywhere, and the body of a mutilated corpse laid in front of Concubine Zhu Xiang bedding.

Concubine Zhu Xiang herself was frightened to near death as she fainted the moment she woke up and saw the sight.

Once hearing the story all the concubines stayed inside as the tail was to frightening. Marquis Zheng Rong was a bit pale as something like this happened in his household, it was to bold of a message. When he found out that the mutilated corpse belongs to one of Rachels Maidservants he suspected but couldn't prove anything.

In the end he found d.a.m.ning evidence on Concubine Zhu Xiang as she was providing information to someone. He imprisoned Concubine Zhu Xiang, but, her maiden family interfered and took her away. Later, she went missing from her maiden family. But that was quickly solved when not even a day later her severed head was placed in front of her maiden family's home. The rest of her body was never discovered.

Soon enough time continued and the matter was placed in the back of everyone's minds.

Wei Cui was the only person that continued to be unhappy, after the pa.s.sing event. Concubine Gao's pregnancy was like a thorn in her heart. Every time she thought about it, there was a difficult to endure pain in her heart. And so, she usually avoided any place where Concubine Gao would be and her mood continued to be bad. There hadn't been any smiles on her face in a while.

At first, the marquis stayed in her Courtyard every day to keep her company. However, it seemed that he had become busier with his work in the palace and he would return home very late. Occasionally, he would sleep in the courtyards of the other concubines.

"Stupid Man" Rachel mouthed those words with a condescending tone.

Today, everyone had sat down to chat after the women had finished paying respects to old madame. Marquis Zheng Rong had also happened to come by at this time, but he seemed tired. He also brought a message that Wei Cui wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be coming.

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Sitting at the highest position, old madame coldly harrumphed, "It seems like it's really easy for her to get sick in this weather. You'll have to order the servants to properly take care of her."

There wasn't anything that Marquis Zheng Rong could say to refute. He could only agree. Afterword's he said some words of encouragement to Concubine Gao whose belly was bigger. The other Concubines had also said some lighthearted things as well. Making her who has been very unhappy lately pleased.

As some more time pa.s.sed the Marquis cousins and uncle from his mother's side had come to visit, old madame naturally warmly welcomed them with a festive meal at the main courtyard. I

"The new cousin-in-law is truly beautiful. She's much prettier than our old cousin-in-law." said Chen Xuegang, her eyes had looked at Rachel for a long time before falling on Wei Cui's body. Zheng Rong face turned ugly because what sounded like a compliment was actually and insult directed to Wei Cui.

Sitting next to Chen Xuegang, was her brother Chen Zan wearing a silver mask. He was the second male lead in the novel. He quietly said, "Xuegang, properly eat dinner and speak less," and added more food to her bowl.

She blatantly observed him a few more times. He looked at Wei Cui only once during that hole time. Eventually, he finally noticed her observing eyes and look up at her. She didn't turn her gaze away but tilted her head.

'His Mask' Rachel thought and couldn't help but think of someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

Marquis Zheng Rong didn't like to look around the table while he was eating, but during this meal, By coincidence, he saw Rachel and his cousin staring at each other. He kicked Chen Zan's leg.

"En?" Chen Zan looked at him in confusion.

By that time Rachel had already stopped looking and was quietly sitting in the back not really putting anyone in her eyes.

Chen Zan eyes turned back to Rachel for a moment, then back to his food.

By the time the meal was over, the sky had become dark. After old madame talked with her older brother for a while, she had Wei Cui guide these cousins to their rooms. She was followed by the rest of the concubines

Rachel was the last one and was still observing Chen Zan hard, the mask he wears is really unsettling her for some reason. Feeling hostile intent, Rachel reacted by instinct the moment she felt the hands try to push her.

"Ah!" A cry in surprise and the surrounding people became a disorderly mess. The servants, who had been carrying the lanterns, turned around to look to see Rachel holding Wei Cui servant's girl by her neck. The young girl was frightened by the turn of events and was attacking Rachel trying to break free from her grip.

By then Rachel was already lost in blind fury when she snapped out of it as she heard a splash and looked back towards the other. Concubine Gao wasn't there, letting go of the helpless maid she almost strangled. Rachel ran towards the side where she heard the splash and saw Concubine Gao's clothes in the water.

Taking off her outer layer of her coat and dropping it she dove into the freezing cold water and pulled Concubine Gao up.

As for everyone else they were frozen except for Concubine Gao's maidservant who started screaming. When she brought Concubine Gao out of the lake she was shivered, frightened and completely drenched.

"Fan Yahui, take out guest to the western courtyard" Rachel said wrapping Concubine Gao in her fur coat to keep her from going into shock,

"Yes, Second Madam" Concubine Fan said after glancing at Wei Cui, who was still frozen with the situation.

She turned to the Concubine Gao's maidservant. "Bring a doctor here now"