He was awakened sometime earlier when the stupid mistress started screeching. He had noticed Hongyue was behind it but he still didn't understand how she managed to do it. He sprang forward to feel the dead body a.n.a.lyzing to see what magic that little devil used but only came up empty-handed. There was no indication of any magic at all, however, there was some sort of oppression that had been in play inside the body. He smirked widely. His eyes shone. Today's trip hasn't been an entire waste after all. He then examined the unconscious concubine and found that she seemed to be free of any magical influences as well. He frowned, that little devil really has a lot of mysteries. He glanced up one last time and he started in the same direction Hongyue went.

Meanwhile, the bird flew back to Lan'er and directed her to the dead body. Lan'er quickly followed and found her mother crumpled on the ground. She was surprised her sister is nowhere to be detected. She looked about and didn't see any external forces. She then observed the dead body and realized that some limbs had been forcefully moved after death. She chanted a spell and forced her power into the earth to try to see what else she missed but comes up empty-handed. Lacking answers, she attempted to rouse up her mother.

-----

Hongyue was stumbling around, trying to keep herself upright but she really couldn't see at all at this point. She sagged against a tree, heaving, sweat running down her neck. This body couldn't handle the large usage of her ancient mythic ability and the poison was beginning to rebel against her control. Hongyue could also feel something else resisting against her along with the poison inside the body. Hongyue wheezed, trying hard recollect herself.

"This General Manor really isn't simple, won't you say so too?" A crisp voice rang out.

Hongyue narrowed her eyes. She was in a critical condition right now, if it was just the poison she probably could manage it somehow but there was something internally was also against her. She steadied herself and stood up straighter. She couldn't tell who it was but she figured it had to be an outsider who witnessed most of the play she created. She couldn't fight but she could still reason for the stranger to leave. She coughed, she could taste a sweet liquid coming up her throat. She forced it down and challenged the speaker.

"Is it?" She replied.

The man frowned. "What magic did you use?"

Hongyue rolled her eyes, lying with ease, "Magic? What can a 'normal' like me do? I simply used poison given to me. You truly flatter me."

The man's frown deepened, was there someone else moving p.a.w.ns in the manor. He peeped back at Hongyue. "How did that dead body move?"

Hongyue chuckled. Her laughter startled him. Was this little devil not afraid?

"What moving dead body? Has anyone heard of it? Can you prove it? You know", She hesitated, to speak softly, "Maybe there really was a ghost."

Whatever can he say? No one has seen a corpse that moved by itself after death so no one would accept his words. Clever girl. She knew his words held no weight over hers. He stared hard at her, he noted she was shaking and she didn't seem stable. He noticed her eyes were strangely dull. Was she blind?

"You're right but what if I tell others about your little mask? If they knew the eldest miss wasn't a stupid idiot, what would they say?"

Hongyue laughed wildly.

"It doesn't matter. People always want someone else beneath them. Even if it's the truth, they'll play it off until it becomes a lie. The more you say it, it better sounding it becomes to the ears. Even if you have proof, they'll continue to say I'm the little incompetent 'normal' eldest miss. They want a fool, I'll play that fool for them."

The man couldn't help but admit she was right. Who would be willing to listen to him say a useless 'normal' was all powerful all of a sudden? He would be wasting his time.

Hongyue suddenly staggered forward. Blood sprayed out of her mouth and splattered every direction. She couldn't restrain her body anymore and collapse. The man stood frozen, startled at the sudden development. He quickly reacted and caught her in his arms. A figure in pale floral robe suddenly appeared and aim for his head. The man quickly avoided it, retreating back while clinging Hongyue.

"Third Prince! Let my sister go!"