Maya nodded, her expression carefully neutral, but Heena could see the calculation in her eyes.

The trap was baited.

Now they just had to wait for their prey to take it.

---

’’[Afternoon - Final Preparations]’’

While Heena spent the afternoon going through her normal routines—visiting the kitchen, walking in the garden, chatting with servants—Samuel was busy positioning their assets.

He met discretely with Master Feng and Master Zhao at the latter’s shop in the market district.

"I need your help with something delicate," Samuel said after ensuring they had privacy.

Both elder merchants looked at him with interest.

"My stepmother has hired a man to attack my wife," Samuel said bluntly. "We have intelligence that the attack will occur this evening in the servants’ quarters."

Master Feng’s expression darkened with anger. "That’s outrageous! We must alert the authorities—"

"We will," Samuel interrupted. "But first we need proof that my stepmother was behind it. Otherwise it’s just the word of a disgraced driver against a merchant’s wife. The authorities won’t act."

Master Zhao, always the practical one, asked, "What do you need from us?"

"Witnesses," Samuel said. "Respected, unimpeachable witnesses who can observe what happens and testify to the truth. My wife will defend herself—she’s quite capable—but we need credible observers to document everything."

He explained the plan: the storage building vantage point, the hidden guards, the expected sequence of events.

"This sounds dangerous for your wife," Master Feng said with concern.

"She insists she can handle it," Samuel said. "And honestly, after seeing her capabilities, I believe her. But I’m taking every precaution to ensure her safety regardless."

Master Zhao nodded slowly. "We’ll do it. Both of us. This kind of malicious violence must be stopped, and if your stepmother is truly behind it, she needs to be held accountable."

"Thank you," Samuel said with genuine gratitude. "Please arrive at the storage building about half an hour after sunset. Use the back entrance so you won’t be noticed. My guard will be there to guide you to the observation position."

After the merchants left, Samuel met with his personal guard—a man named Wei who’d served Samuel’s mother before her death and was utterly loyal.

"Everything is ready, young master," Wei reported. "I have three reliable men positioned as you requested. All are experienced fighters, all completely trustworthy."

"Good. Remember—don’t intervene until the situation is absolutely clear. We need Driver Li to commit to the attack fully, to make his intentions unmistakable, before we act."

Wei nodded grimly. "I understand. But young master, if I see the young mistress in genuine danger, I will intervene regardless of the strategic considerations."

Samuel appreciated the loyalty. "Agreed. Her safety is the first priority. The political gains are secondary."

As the afternoon wore on and sunset approached, everyone moved into position.

Master Feng and Master Zhao arrived at the storage building, looking nervous but determined.

The three guards concealed themselves in the shadows around the servants’ quarters courtyard.

Samuel positioned himself near the entrance, hidden behind a large pottery storage container.

And Heena, dressed in simple, practical clothing that allowed easy movement, walked calmly toward the servants’ quarters carrying a small bundle of reading materials.

To any observer, she looked completely innocent and unsuspecting—a young mistress going to teach an evening lesson to household staff.

But those who knew her well—Samuel, the System, her past companions from other worlds—would have recognized the predatory grace in her movements.

This wasn’t a victim walking into a trap. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

This was a hunter positioning herself for a kill.

---

’’[The Servants’ Quarters - Sunset]’’

Heena arrived at the servants’ quarters just as the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

About eight young servants were already waiting—girls ranging from about ten to sixteen years old, all eager for their lesson.

"Good evening, everyone," Heena said warmly. "Thank you for coming. Let’s continue where we left off with the character recognition exercises."

For the next hour, she conducted a genuine, productive lesson. The girls were learning well, and Heena felt actual satisfaction in teaching them—a reminder that not everything in this world had to be about schemes and survival.

But all the while, she remained alert to her surroundings.

She noted the shadows lengthening, the darkness gathering in corners.

She noted the position of exits, potential weapons, obstacles that could be used for cover or leverage.

She noted which servants were smallest and would need protection if violence erupted.

Finally, as planned, she dismissed the students.

"Excellent work tonight, everyone. We’ll continue tomorrow. Please return to your quarters now before it gets fully dark."

The girls thanked her cheerfully and left, chattering among themselves about the characters they’d learned.

Heena waited until their voices faded into the distance.

Then she was alone in the courtyard, gathering up the reading materials with deliberate slowness.

In the storage building above, Master Feng whispered to Master Zhao: "She’s alone now. Should we warn her?"

"Young Master Samuel said she knows," Master Zhao whispered back. "She’s prepared."

"But—"

"Watch," Master Zhao interrupted. "Look at how she’s moving. That’s not the movement of someone afraid or unaware."

He was right. Despite appearing to be casually organizing papers, Heena’s posture was balanced, her weight on the balls of her feet, ready to move in any direction instantly.

In the shadows, Samuel watched tensely, his hand on the concealed knife at his belt.

’Come on,’ he thought. ’If you’re going to attack, do it now while the trap is ready.’

And as if summoned by the thought, a large figure emerged from the darkness at the far end of the courtyard.

Driver Li.

He was bigger than Heena remembered—months of hard labor had added muscle to his already substantial frame. His face was twisted with rage and anticipation.

"Well, well," he said, his voice rough and hateful. "The little servant girl who destroyed my life. All alone. How convenient."

Heena straightened up slowly, her expression showing surprise but not panic.

"Driver Li. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d left this region."

"I came back," he growled, moving closer. "Came back to get justice for what you did to me."

"I didn’t do anything to you," Heena said clearly—projecting her voice so the hidden witnesses could hear every word. "You attacked me. I defended myself. That was your choice, not mine."

"LIES!" Driver Li roared. "You seduced me! Tempted me! Led me on and then cried assault when I responded to your advances!"

He was fully into the courtyard now, blocking the main exit.

"That’s absolutely false," Heena said, still speaking clearly and calmly. "I never approached you romantically. I never gave you any encouragement. You attacked me without provocation, and when I defended myself, you lost your position. That’s the truth."

In the storage building, Master Zhao was writing rapidly, documenting every word exchanged.

Driver Li pulled out a knife—a long, wicked-looking blade that gleamed in the dying light.

"Doesn’t matter anymore. The Mistress hired me to teach you a lesson. Said she’d pay well if I made sure you knew your place."

’And there it is,’ Heena thought with satisfaction. ’Confession of conspiracy, with witnesses.’

Out loud, she said, "The Mistress? You mean Madam Maya hired you to attack me?"