"My husband," Bai Sheng took a sip of tea, "When we were in prison, Xin Yao secretly went to see my husband and confessed her feelings to him, saying she fell in love with him at first sight. As long as my husband agreed to be her personal guard, she would release us. However, my husband firmly rejected her."
"Oh," Consort Mei nodded with a smile, "That does sound like something Little Ye would do. Sheng'er, you did wonderfully. You should be that decisive with women who covet your man."
Bai Sheng put down her teacup and smiled faintly, "Aunt Qing, it wasn't because she coveted my husband that I refused her. There are plenty of women who like my husband. As long as my husband doesn't fall for them, those fluttering butterflies will only humiliate themselves. I simply, purely, dislike Xin Yao as a person, so I didn't want to help her with her facial issues."
Consort Mei chuckled, "If you dislike her, then don't treat her. However, she won't give up so easily. You must be careful."
Bai Sheng looked indifferent, "No matter how dim and unjust Great Xia may be, they won't force people to be renowned physicians, will they? Even if I refuse to treat her, what can she do to me? However, if she has enough tempting bargaining chips, I might make an exception. Otherwise, no discussion."
As expected, a few days later, Princess Xin Yao personally visited.
She wore a veil, with several attendants following behind her.
Xiao Gu tried to stop her but was pushed aside by her, falling to the ground.
Xin Yao strode directly into the courtyard. Upon seeing Uncle Ding, she sternly ordered, "Take this princess to see Bai Sheng!"
A trace of mockery flashed in Uncle Ding's eyes, but his expression was extremely respectful, "Your Highness, please take a seat in the main hall. I will send someone to fetch Madam immediately."
"No need to waste time. You, take this princess to find her!" Princess Xin Yao said coldly.
"My madam is currently practicing martial arts with Master in the training grounds. Your Highness might as well go to—" Uncle Ding made an inviting gesture.
"Stop with the nonsense, quickly take this princess to find her!" Xin Yao snapped impatiently.
Uncle Ding had no choice but to lead Xin Yao and her attendants towards the training grounds in the backyard.
In the training grounds, Bai Sheng and Lu Ye were sparring. They crossed swords, the sword light flashing, their gazes filled with affection. Their flowing sleeves drew beautiful and heroic silhouettes in the air as they moved.
From afar, they looked like a pair of celestial beings who had descended to the mortal realm.
Princess Xin Yao was stunned. She hadn't expected Lu Ye's servant wife to know martial arts, and such skillful martial arts at that.
Xin Yao's gaze couldn't help but shift to Lu Ye, staring at him blankly.
Lu Ye was truly a rare beauty in the world. When he danced with his sword, he was even more handsome.
Besides his exquisite appearance, his physique must also be quite good, right? Broad shoulders, a strong chest, a powerful waist...
The thought of him and Bai Sheng, that servant woman, making love filled Xin Yao with an envious rage.
Sensing someone watching, Bai Sheng and Lu Ye sheathed their swords.
Xin Yao snapped back to reality, her expression returning to one of fierce anger. She strode forward, glaring at Bai Sheng, "Bai Sheng, how dare you refuse this princess!"
Bai Sheng sheathed her sword and sneered, "This commoner doesn't know how to treat facial issues. Should a quack doctor who endangers lives not be refused?"
Xin Yao immediately retorted loudly, "You do! You know how to treat facial issues! You treated the prostitute disfigured by the Dong family! Outside the Dali Temple, I heard you with my own ears say you would treat them, and you actually did it!"
Lu Ye scoffed, "My dear Bao is neither a royal physician nor a doctor in a medical clinic. She has no duty to be responsible for anyone else's medical condition. I hope Fifth Princess will not push too hard!"
Seeing Lu Ye so protective of his servant wife, and even affectionately calling that servant woman "dear Bao" in front of her, a look of resentment and unwillingness flashed in Xin Yao's eyes. But she knew that this servant woman was her only hope at the moment, and she couldn't afford to offend her too severely.
Therefore, Xin Yao softened her voice slightly, "This princess is not forcing her, but rather asking her. You must know, this princess has never humbled herself to beg anyone since she was young!"
"Fifth Princess's way of begging is truly fresh and unconventional," Bai Sheng gave a mocking smile. "However, if Fifth Princess truly wishes for this commoner to treat her face, I can take a daring stab at it, as long as the compensation Fifth Princess offers is satisfactory to me."
Lu Ye and Uncle Ding looked at Bai Sheng with slight surprise.
Xin Yao's face lit up with joy, "What compensation do you want? Just name it!"
Bai Sheng took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, "I don't care for gold, silver, fine silks, or rare treasures. I have plenty of money."
Hmph! Such bold words. What money could a mere merchant's daughter have? Xin Yao thought with great disdain, "Then what do you want?"
Bai Sheng smiled innocently, "I'm a person who holds grudges. Your mother and brother have plotted against us multiple times, and will continue to do so in the future. If you give me some leverage to control them, to make them afraid to easily plot against my family again, I will treat your face."
Lu Ye had told Bai Sheng about what happened at the skirt banquet. Given Fifth Princess's extremely selfish and self-centered nature, she would surely develop a rift with the Empress and the Crown Prince.
"They are this princess's mother and brother! You want this princess to betray them?" Princess Xin Yao sneered continuously.
Bai Sheng pursed her lips, appearing to ponder, "It is indeed a bit unreasonable. How about this? Zhou Yanran and Dong Xuerou framed both you and me. They can be considered our common enemies. If you can provide some substantial dark secrets about the Zhou and Dong families, with sufficient evidence, I can also treat your face."
Xin Yao fell into thought, then after a moment of silence, said, "Alright, I promise you. Just wait."
After speaking, she cast a deep glance at Lu Ye, then turned and walked out.
Behind her, Bai Sheng called out with a smile, "Fifth Princess, I want really potent material! Ordinary minor squabbles won't buy my favor!"
Fifth Princess let out a cold snort and left without looking back.
Lu Ye handed his sword to Uncle Ding and took Bai Sheng's hand, "Baby, are you really planning to treat this woman's face?"
Bai Sheng said with a smile, "That depends on what dirt she brings me. If the dirt isn't sensational enough, I won't make a move."
"Hmm, if she dares to mess around, I'll destroy her!" Lu Ye's eyes glinted like blades.
Back in her palace, Xin Yao's attendant, Lu Qin, said, "Master, that servant woman's conditions are too difficult. For so many years, we haven't paid attention to these court officials. How can we get dirt on the Dong and Zhou families?"
Xin Yao lay on the bed, her gaze unfocused, "Moreover, she definitely won't accept ordinary dirt."
"Princess," another palace maid's eyes suddenly sharpened, "She's just a lowly servant, what's there to be afraid of? Why don't we capture her, put a knife to her throat, and force her to treat you?"
Lu Qin glared at the palace maid, "Do you think that servant woman is someone who can be easily threatened?"
Xin Yao sat up, "Lu Qin, summon all the dark guards to see this princess."
"Yes," Lu Qin replied and left.