There’s No Way My Maid Is a Villain

Sense of Discord

"Ah, ah, it truly has been a long time since I came back. The scenery outside the window is quite nice, too."

Yinhua spoke as she got down from the carriage.

"You've been asleep the whole time, haven't you? How did you enjoy the scenery along the way?"

Standing to the side, Aili did not hesitate to retort sarcastically.

"Uh..."

"Anyway, let's go inside first,"

Yinhua said, trying to break the awkwardness.

"No, I'll pass. I still have some other matters to deal with."

Zhixi said helplessly. Truth be told, she had no real purpose for coming here.

"Huh? Is it something urgent? The Spirit Selection starts tomorrow."

"I know, isn't there still a day left?"

Zhixi said carelessly, then disappeared in a flash.

"How could she... I'd wanted to show her all around the imperial capital,"

Yinhua looked a little disappointed, but immediately perked up.

"Anyway, let's go see Mother first."

Liqin said quietly, standing beside her.

"I'm sorry, my dear master, but I also have something to handle. May I leave you for a while?"

Yinhua looked at Aili with an unusually searching gaze—she had never seen her maid take the initiative to ask for leave.

"Is there something important?"

"Yes, but it's nothing major. If you'd like, I could explain, but it might take a while."

"No need. Think of today as a day off. Go and enjoy your holiday."

"In that case, please take this. If anything happens, there's no need to hold back. I'll take care of everything."

Aili placed a short dagger in Yinhua's hand, then quickly left.

"Aili really does worry too much. This is the royal capital! Who would dare lay a hand on me?"

Yinhua shook her head, though she still hid the dagger up her sleeve.

'Did she feel it too, this odd sense of disharmony? Where on earth is it coming from? Anyway, I should head to the palace first. With Master there, nothing can happen to little Yin.' Liqin thought to herself.

"Huh, where did she go?"

She had only just finished speaking, and Yinhua was already nowhere to be seen. Wasn't this slapping her own face?

"Hurry up, hurry up, big sis Liqin."

Looking closely, Yinhua was already some distance away, clearly unable to contain her excitement.

"Wait for me!"

Liqin called, chasing after her.

At the same time, elsewhere in the imperial capital—the first-class intelligence department, sky Net.

"Long time no see, Aili."

"You too, Xing Sha."

The woman called Xing Sha was the ruling head of Sky Net. She had short, tea-colored hair, black eyes, and a figure that could drive any woman mad with envy.

From her pointed ears, it was clear that she was an elf.

No one would imagine that a member of the elf race, known for their faith in nature and peace, would lead such an underground organization.

"So, what's the situation?"

"The recipe for Snake-haze herb has been destroyed, but the maker hasn't been found."

Aili did not mention anything about Zhixi—that was taboo.

"Any leads?"

"None. The formula was kept in a villa. From my surveillance, that villa hasn't shown any sign of habitation for a long time. The other party was very cautious and didn't leave any traces behind."

"That villa?"

"I've already destroyed it."

Xing Sha showed a 'I knew it' expression that slightly irked Aili.

"You entered the city this time, and your little master is with you, isn't she?"

"So what if she is?"

"She's here for the Spirit Selection, isn't she? You know perfectly well she can't possibly succeed, yet you haven't told her. In a sense, that's rather cruel."

"So what if she fails? As long as I'm by her side, that's enough. If possible, I'd rather she didn't succeed, so that she's even more dependent on me."

After hearing Aili's words, Xing Sha stared, mouth agape in surprise.

"You're really twisted to a certain degree, Aili."

"Thanks for the compliment. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Wait. Here's a warning for you. I have information that the emperor is trying to make use of your little master for something."

Upon hearing this, Aili paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.

"Thank you."

Not long after Aili left, Jin Xue came to stand by Xing Sha's side.

"This Spirit Selection may be different from before."

"Yes."

Aili arrived at the palace gates. Seeing the guards, she was about to show her identification when a woman walked up to the entrance.

All the officials and soldiers along the way dropped to one knee, offering her the highest respect.

"Shui Cangxuan?"

Aili exclaimed in surprise.

The newcomer was none other than Shui Cangxuan, the Sage of Water, one of the Seven Sages and national protector of Wanhua.

"Hello, Aili."

Shui Cangxuan was tall and slender, graceful and dignified. Her blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes showed no ripples of emotion.

The silver crown upon her head proclaimed her identity, and her entire being reminded Aili of the vast, calm ocean.

"Come in. There's something I want to say to you."

Naturally, the guards did not dare stop her. Aili narrowed her eyes and followed inside.

On the way to the palace, Aili wondered what Shui Cangxuan was plotting.

She had rarely met Shui Cangxuan, who was among the few who knew her true strength, but had never exposed her.

She definitely wouldn't seek her out for no reason—perhaps she just wanted an excuse to detain her.

She recalled Xing Sha's words to her.

"Here's a warning for you. I have information that the emperor is trying to make use of your little master for something."

'If this already involves Shui Cangxuan, then this isn't going to end easily.'

Aili was naturally unafraid of Shui Cangxuan, but this was the imperial capital.

If a fight really broke out, not to mention herself, her master wouldn't be able to bear it, since she had always deeply respected the Sage of Water.

'That emperor—just what is he up to?'

At this moment, all she could do was hope Liqin would act wisely.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】