Why Are You Just Standing Here?

Ruby's expression instantly turned a bit awkward.

Grace couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "General, my father was a scholar. He taught me when he was alive."

"Hmm, not bad," Evan Xiao said coolly.

Grinding ink is a real skill. The thickness, speed, pressure, posture, angle—all of it matters. It's not something you can master in a day or two.

So, anyone who knows their stuff can tell at a glance that Lily Bai's ink grinding is far beyond what ordinary maids or servants can do. She not only understands the technique, but there's a kind of feeling behind it.

She definitely knows how to write.

Ruby can't even compare to her.

So, all the 'advice' Ruby wanted to give was swallowed down, leaving her feeling a bit... constipated.

That indigestion showed on her face, and Evan Xiao noticed, frowning as he asked, "Ruby, is something wrong?"

"Huh? N-no, I'm fine..." Ruby replied.

"Why are you just standing around here? You think my study is a place for you to hang out whenever you feel like it?" Evan Xiao's tone turned cold.

Ruby was so scared she nearly lost half her life, bowing quickly and backing out.

As she left, it suddenly hit her: maids only enter their master's room if they have a task to do.

If you just barge in without a reason, wouldn't the master think you're crazy?

Turns out, Lily Bai had already pushed her to the sidelines!

If this keeps up, Lily Bai's going to squeeze her out sooner or later!

But who is Ruby? There's no way she's giving up that easily!

She stormed over to Lily Bai's room and kicked the door open, full of rage.

Lily Bai was sitting on her bed, munching on sunflower seeds. Seeing Ruby burst in, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh? It's Sister Ruby! Why didn't you knock? I thought a bandit had barged in!"

"Lily Bai! Give me back my tasks!" Ruby demanded, getting straight to the point.

"Your tasks? Which ones are yours?" Grace asked lazily, shelling sunflower seeds.

"I used to be in charge of the General's clothes. That task—give it back to me!"

Grace looked up at her and smiled slightly. "And what if I don't?"

"You—"

"What about me?" Grace said. "If I remember right, all the work in the Frostmoon Quarters is assigned by me, the Head Maid. How I arrange things is my business—it's not your place to point fingers, is it?"

That's always been the rule in the Frostmoon Quarters.

Ruby fumed for a long time before finally snapping, "The Head Maid position was mine to begin with!"

"That's right, but now it's mine!" Grace grinned at her.

"You're really not giving it back?" Ruby's face twisted with anger.

"Nope!"

"I'll beat you to death, you little tramp!" Ruby snapped, lunging to grab Grace's hair and smash her head against the wall.

In her previous life, Grace had cultivated to the peak of Spirit Master, Ninth Rank.

What's the big deal about Spirit Master, Ninth Rank?

Let's put it this way: General Evan Xiao of the Blue Moon Kingdom is at Spirit Master, Eighth Rank.

Her father, Minister Zhuo, is at Spirit Master, Seventh Rank.

Back then, she had reached the very peak of Spirit Master, Ninth Rank.

Now, even though she doesn't have spiritual power, her fighting skills are still way beyond ordinary people.

As Ruby rushed at her, Grace nimbly kicked her right in the softest part of her belly.

Ruby cried out, fell flat on her back, clutching her stomach and unable to get up for ages.

Grace set down her sunflower seeds, dusted off her hands, and said calmly, "Ruby, ever since I entered the General's Manor, you've targeted me nonstop—spiking my teapot, tripping me while I served tea, even hiding flies in my tea leaves!"