Chapter 13: Establishing Authority (1)

When Luo Yi arrived at the main hall, the patriarch had already beaten Luo Anbang to within an inch of his life.

"You useless fool! You let someone steal the pills right under your nose without making a sound. What use do I have for you?"

All the members of the Luo family knelt on the floor, their faces dark with worry.

Within the Luo household, Luo Anbang’s status was second only to Luo Anrong. Out of respect for him, even Luo Anrong pleaded for mercy on his behalf, so everyone else followed suit.

"Father, could the thief be connected to the Emperor?" Luo Anrong asked cautiously.

Only Luo Anbang knew the truth; he could not fathom why Luo Yi wanted to steal the pills, but he did not regret letting her in.

Luo Yi’s heart ached for him. This uncle had always cared for her, and she for him. Besides, if her grandfather replaced him, it would be much harder for her to obtain pills in the future.

Luo Anrong's suggestion sent a chill through the crowd.

First, an assassin caused trouble at the Luo residence; then the Emperor and Crown Prince arrived; shortly after they left, the pills were stolen. It all seemed to fit together perfectly.

"Ridiculous! After all these years as Prime Minister, where has your sense gone? Think for a moment! The pills in the palace are ten times better than those here. Would the Emperor stoop to such a thing?" The patriarch looked at his son with bitter disappointment.

"Yes, yes, I was foolish," Luo Anrong replied.

Reminded by the patriarch, Luo Anrong felt something was amiss. He had made no enemies in court these past years. Could someone be jealous of the Luo family?

The more he thought, the more anxious he became.

Luo Yi sensed her moment to shine. "Grandfather, give me three days. Within three days, I will apprehend the thief."

Regardless of whether she caught the real culprit, she had a backup plan—Luo Xia.

Luo Anbang looked at Luo Yi in confusion.

Luo Yi bent low and comforted him, "Uncle, rest assured. I will catch the thief for you so you may punish her yourself!"

Now, as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, the organization would surely obey her commands.

The patriarch turned to Luo Yi. "And you are confident you can apprehend the thief in three days?"

Luo Yi nodded. "If I succeed, I ask that you spare Uncle from punishment."

The patriarch found the girl surprisingly bold.

"Very well, I’ll give you this chance. Now, let me assign the tasks for three days hence..."

He had not forgotten the bloody letter.

He could not be certain the thief was from the same group, but it was wise to be prepared.

They all overlooked Luo Xia.

After all, in their eyes, Luo Xia was just a useless girl—what trouble could she possibly cause?

Only later did they realize how wrong they were.

It was precisely this so-called useless girl who threw the Luo family into chaos!

…

Luo Xia was suffering a headache!

Just when she thought this fellow would help her unlock her sealed spiritual power, he lazily declared, "I’m hungry!"

Really? Just because you’re hungry, I have to serve your every need, from meals to sleep?

Luo Xia decided not to lose her temper in front of him.

If he wanted food, she could cook. Over the years, Luo Xia had suffered abuse from the servants, and her meals had been worse than pig slop. She hardly expected them to bring anything decent now.

As expected, it was yesterday’s leftovers again.

Luo Xia frowned.

She did not make things difficult for the maid who brought the food, for the girl was also under Luo Yi’s control. Each time, she looked at Luo Xia with sympathy rather than mockery, which explained how Luo Xia managed to escape worse treatment.

Once the maid left, Luo Xia overturned the dishes.

"Miss…" Bi Zhu was shocked.

All these years, they had survived on leftovers. If Luo Xia overturned them, what would they eat?

Luo Xia pressed her lips together. "Bi Zhu, come. I’ll take you to make something delicious!"

Bi Zhu was stunned.

Before she could react, Luo Xia pulled her out of the small courtyard.

Along the way, the maids looked at Luo Xia with contempt.

"You don’t know, Third Miss is so scheming—she even tried to seduce the Crown Prince."

"Shameless! As if she could ever match him—she’s useless!"

"Of course, the Crown Prince is a dragon among men. Only the eldest miss, a phoenix, would suit him."

"I heard she begged to become the Crown Prince’s fiancée."

"She’s disgraced the Luo family."

"Exactly… utterly shameless…"

…

Luo Xia squinted; it seemed Luo Yi and Luo Mei had nothing better to do. Even with all the chaos, they still found time to gossip about her. Perhaps she should give them something else to worry about.

Bi Zhu had long grown numb to such gossip.

"You, come here," Luo Xia pointed at the loudest maid.

But the girl ignored her, sneering, "You think a useless girl like you can order me?"

How arrogant!

Luo Xia frowned, her voice calm, "Bi Zhu, teach her a lesson."

Ah?

At this, everyone burst into laughter!

This useless girl was hilarious—she wanted to teach someone a lesson?

Everyone waited for the show.

In a world where martial skill ruled, they were curious to see what this so-called useless Third Miss could do.

Bi Zhu was bewildered.

Secretly, Luo Xia moved her foot, and Bi Zhu felt a surge of power, then launched herself at the maid!

The arrogant girl barely had time to react before she was engulfed in a shadow.

A scream rang out!

Bi Zhu swore it was not intentional.

"Bi Zhu, show her what respect means!"

As Luo Xia finished, she kicked a stone toward Bi Zhu’s hand. Bi Zhu winced, her hand whipped forward—

Smack—

"I…"

Bi Zhu tried to explain, but another stone flew her way. Though still a beginner, she had just taken a third-grade pill, and her reflexes were much quicker now.

She drew her hand back and slapped the maid again.

"You—"

Smack, smack, smack—

Several more slaps.

Bi Zhu was nearly in tears. Where were all these stones coming from? If they pierced her hand, she’d be injured for sure.

The onlookers, all low-level servants, were shocked at Bi Zhu's swift moves.

In their memory, both Bi Zhu and Third Miss were always bullied, never the bullies.

"Bi Zhu, how dare you!"

Someone stepped forward from the crowd.

Luo Xia approached, placing her foot on the maid, then pointed at the new challenger, "Bi Zhu, this girl is yours now. Teach her a lesson!"

What followed was another strange incident.

Bi Zhu again tackled the maid and delivered several hard slaps.

Luo Xia crossed her arms and smiled, "Bi Zhu, you’re close to advancing. Use anyone here you dislike for practice."

Bi Zhu was well aware of her current strength. These maids were all beginners, while she was at the peak of beginner level, ready to advance at any moment.

Those third-grade pills were truly effective! One pill had elevated her from entry-level to peak beginner. If she took another, could she reach peak level one?

Bi Zhu was thrilled; among the maids in Luo Manor, reaching level one was remarkable.

If she could reach level two, her position would be much more respectable.

But Bi Zhu dared not discipline others. She looked to Luo Xia for help.

Luo Xia gave her no chance to refuse, pointing at another maid in the crowd, "Her—what did she say about me just now? Seducing the Crown Prince, was it? That’s her crime—reward her with ten slaps. If she resists, I’ll drag her before the Prime Minister and confront her in public. Then it won’t just be a matter of slaps, will it?"