The Master's Special Maid

19

------Lin's POV -------

I sucked in a large breath as I looked at the vast library that laid before me. I jumped for joy in how much knowledge there was in a single place and I took advantage of the moment. My eyes flitted around the various titles that I had been looking to read. When we got to the centre of the large library I found it had various sheets of paper and ink already there. I assumed that the Master continuously used this room. 

I took some paper and started looking at the titles of the novels. Everything was neatly arranged so that allowed for everything to found easily. I hummed a small tune as I looked around writing down where I found certain genres of scrolls so that I could come back later. Once I returned to the centre I froze in place. Someone had intruded on the compound but did not carry any ill intent. They raced through the markers and came closer and closer. 

I could feel their breathing in my ears and could hear the silent footsteps as they raced past all of my security measures. I didn't relax until the person left. Once they left I returned to my regular mood. I looked over to see that Wu had disappeared away. I shrugged and got down to looking for scrolls and books about mages. There had to be something in this vast amount of knowledge. I sighed and started to read, the more I read the more disappointed I became. Nothing seemed to be about mages. 

The only thing here was about Bo Chen and I didn't really know what to do with this information. "Ugh. This is all useless!" I slouched as I decided to take a quick nap. 

----- Rong Shen's POV -----

Wu waited with me in a room. Neither of us was in a chatting mood until intelligence returned so that we could take appropriate actions. It seemed like there was internal strife in the court and the Emperor was having difficulty with nipping the bud of dissent. I tapped my fingers on my wheelchair in exasperation as we waited. 

Then he arrived. He did not speak unless spoken to. "Give me a report on the court." He huffed a yes "It seems that our previous information was correct. It seems like the Fourth Prince has been purposefully creating chaos in court, however, we are unaware as to why." I grunted. Damn that man. He always caused trouble whenever he felt like it. But I could not go directly against him. If I was like a sword, he was like smoke. A sword cannot destroy smoke, I would be played as a fool.

"Anything else to report about Lin?" I heard what seemed like a chuckle but I would let it go. "The girl is certainly something. She's been labouring away in your library trying to find information about mages. As to why I do not know. That girl has secrets, but either she is really good at hiding them or she has other motives. But one thing that we agree on is that she is certainly an asset of value. Even if she could possibly be treasonous." Wu kept quiet about the comment but I could see he had something to say. 

"Wu, what has you so outspoken today about Lin?" He brushed off my comment with a snort before he looked to contemplate something. "It was something she said when I ran into her." He ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame his thoughts. "She was with Guan Yu and I asked her why. She explained about getting lost and finding a room." I paused, she shouldn't know what is there. "She told me she got an eerie feeling and fled immediately saying she got this feeling that someone was watching her. It seemed pretty similar to the reaction you had from that room as well."

"Wu is there anything else from you keeping your eye on her." He chuckled slightly before answering. "You've got a sharp slave. She is becoming suspicious of your paranoia. Most likely she is trying to lose your suspicions by telling the truth exactly as it is. It seems like Shen that you've cornered Lin like a wounded animal." He gave me a wry smile. But did not continue his sentence. 

"If that is all, leave. I have nothing more to talk with you." The man disappeared and I was left with Wu once more. I rolled my wheelchair out with little effort. I reached the pond and stood up. I had feeling in my legs as I moved about slowly. Wu handed me a cane as I walked slowly across the garden. When I felt the thick beads of sweat coat my forehead Wu brought over once more my wheelchair. He gave me water and my medicine. I looked up at the sky with little care as I saw a flash of gold. 

It could be considered non-existent but that was not true. After the comments about a mage setting up traps in my compound, I was unable to find anything concrete. I could not find any traces of magic. When we tried the guards entering not directly it would not set off. We got some mercenaries to do the same but nothing happened. It confused me to no end. I heard the soft hum of an incantation that sounded like a song. 

" A floret in vere flos ruber

 A puellam Deligit 

A rubrum flos flore capillos 

A in flos ruber

 Forma in aeternum."

I noticed how on the outside of the compound a large plum tree emerged as the song finished. The flowers bloomed a blood red. I sent the guards to investigate immediately. They found nothing else except the plum tree. I slammed my hand against the handle of the chair, but nothing seemed to release my annoyance. 

----- Lin's POV----- 

I giggled at the sight of the large plum tree. I looked in every nook and cranny in that library until I came upon the mustiest scrolls and brittle books imaginable. I had to handle them with my magic because with a touch they could be destroyed. After finally starting to be able to translate and read it properly a single sentence I was able to find this spell. It was much more useful than I thought. Although it acts as a part of the landscape it also serves as a handy defence mechanism.

I rolled about in my small room and felt tired from the exertion of magic. I would take another nap but I wasn't sleepy, rather hungry. I remembered the gold I found on those dead bodies. Today would be a great day to get out of the compound and go shopping. Maybe I'll get Guan Yu to come with me if he's still in the compound.