28 A three step revenge
"There better not be a single stain in any of these clothes or I will make sure you are unable to sleep on your back for two weeks", Manlin glared at her one last time before turning to Xu Miao and the rest of the maids.
"Help her at your own risk. Don't try to be a hero or you will take over her punishment", she glared at Liqiu before leaving the room. Liqiu pushed herself up and picked up the empty bucket beside her.
She ignored the maids' stares as she walked to the well and drew bucket after bucket of clean water.
The maid left her to do all the washing just Manlin ordered, no one wanted to risk getting into manlin's bad books by helping her in any way
They all sat about, sharing gossip among themselves. They couldn't return to their rooms, since that would draw unwanted attention.
They all left when it was time for lunch, Manlin returned with the rest of the maids after the lunch break.
She made a beeline to Liqiu as soon as she walked in, she stood behind Liqiu and looked into the basin.
"Only six clothes? You are hopeless. Don't even think of sleeping until all these clothes are washed", Malin walked to the bucket containing the washed clothes and kicked the bucket over.
"No!" Liqiu felt a sharp pain at the back of her throat, she balled up her fist and looked up. She frowned as she met Manlin's smug smile.
Manlin eyes narrowed on seeing Liqiu's glare, she stretched out her hand and gave her a heavy slap. "You have a lot of nerve, how dare you glare at me?"
Manlin scuffed and stepped closer to her, "this is just the beginning".
Manlin turned around and walked to the small bench under the orange tree by the wall. Manlin sat on the bench and watched Liqiu pick up the fallen clothes and continue washing.
Liqiu washed till late at night, she wasn't allowed to eat dinner. Manlin locked her in as she left for dinner, she unlocked the door an hour and a half after dinner.
Liqiu was dismissed an hour later, right after she hung the last piece of clothes.
She did not waste any time, as soon as Yu Miao checked the clothes and dismissed her from her duties.
Liqiu picked up the lamp and rushed out of the room, she yelped and took a step back.
"Xiaolian!", she held her chest and tried to bring her breathing rate back to normal.
Xiaolian looked up and met her gaze from her spot by the wall, "Liqiu, finally you are out."
She picked up her lamp and stood, "I was wondering when they will let you go. You missed dinner, here", She took out a rice ball and handed it to her.
Liqiu stared at the rice ball silently for some seconds, the event of the entire day played out in her mind. The tears that she held in all through the day threatened to fall, Liqiu sniffed.
She blinked continuously and looked up to the roof until the tears that were at the edge of her eyes disappeared.
Xiaolian placed a comforting hand on Liqiu's shoulders and asked softly, "what_ What is wrong Liqiu?"
Liqiu discretely wiped her eyes and shook her head, "no_ it is nothing. I had something in my eye. Thanks", she took the riceball from Xiaolian and took a bite.
Xiaolian smiled as she took the bite, "Let's get going, it is already late".
Liqiu nodded and they fell into step, the rice ball was suddenly knocked out of her hand as they got to the end of the hall.
"AHH!" Liqiu looked up, eyes narrowed. Her lips pursed as she met Manlin's smug face. Her breathing rate increased as she balled her fist at her side.
"Don't you know that you are not allowed to take food out of the dining room", Manlin stepped closer to Liqiu and whispered, "don't worry, I won't report you," Manlin smirked and walked away.
Liqiu glared at her until she was completely out of sight, she cocked her head and shook it minutely. "Let's go", she said and continue walking forward.
Most of the maids were already asleep when they walked into the sleeping chamber. Liqiu placed the lamp on the table beside her bed and sat on her bed.
She looked down at her hands, they looked bright red. Her once dainty hands were now rough, there were a lot of blisters on her hands.
She stared at the lamp silently, a lot of emotions ran through her from pain to shame and then anger.
Liqiu felt like tearing Manlin apart, she wasn't the time to take mistreatment lying down.
She felt a strong need for revenge but without knowing what would hurt Manlin. There was no concrete way she could get back at the older girl.
Xiaolian glanced at Liqiu after changing into her night dress and sighed,
"Liqiu, don't beat yourself up over today's incident. Girls like Manlin are just bitter, She bullies the weak to make herself feel better".
Xiaolian sat beside Liqiu, she glanced around cautiously. When she saw that all the other girls next to their bed were all asleep, she relaxed and moved closer to Liqiu.
"I am very close to the other senior maids in the kitchen, a few of them have been here long and know a lot about Mrs Yang and her children. I heard from them that Mrs Yang was once a popular madam.
"She came in at the same time as Lady Yin that stays in the jade room but lost favour when she was caught by one of her wealthy patrons frolicking with a footman in her rooms. Although she is now married to the footman, it was quite the scandal back then
"You see the patron was considering marrying her in as a concubine but the discovery put him off. Madam Liu was so angry that she immediately demoted her, you see her relationship with the footman was against the rules.
"There is talk that Mrs Yang is trying to get Manlin to get trained as a dancer but Madam Liu keeps rejecting her. That is why Manlin is so bitter, it is because she cannot go after Madam Liu so she goes after other maids".
Liqiu scuffed, "how spineless...."
"Yes, so just ignore her. She will get tired eventually", Xiaolian said patting her hand and moving to her bed.
"You are right, it is better not to pay people like her any attention", Liqiu replied with a smirk. Xiaolian had just given her valuable information.
Liqiu had no intention of letting the girl go scotch free, no she already had a three-step plan on how to make Manlin pay for humiliating her.
