The Fourth Princess leaned back slightly, creating distance between herself and the Second Princess. The Second Princess’s demeanor had startled her. Lately, she had been like a startled bird, fearing trouble from Feng Mo Ran and retribution from Xiao Man, living in constant dread.
Seeing the Fourth Princess’s wary expression, the Second Princess immediately changed the subject. “The opera I like is about to begin. Fourth Sister, will you come with me to watch?”
The Fourth Princess shook her head slowly. She didn’t want to watch opera; she didn’t even want to leave her room, fearing she might encounter someone she shouldn't and be coerced.
“Fourth Sister, the most direct way to atone for a wrongdoing is to admit it,” the Second Princess said, rising. She walked to the door and paused. “If you continue to make mistakes out of fear of admitting fault, allowing yourself to be blackmailed and thus repeating your errors, then it will truly be beyond redemption.”
The Fourth Princess watched the Second Princess leave. Her back was already soaked with cold sweat. She knew she had done wrong, but she dared not confess to Xiao Man. If Xiao Man knew what she had done, she would surely flay her alive, reduce her to ashes!
The Fourth Princess tightened the thin garment she wore. The early autumn wind was a little chilly, making her feel cold all over. She pushed open the door and stepped out. Looking at the bustling streets, the Fourth Princess hesitated. She always felt that crowded places were dangerous. Finally, she avoided the throngs of people and headed towards the Fourth Princess’s manor.
A child suddenly ran out and bumped into the Fourth Princess. Her expression changed slightly. The child was already gone. The Fourth Princess leaned against the wall with one hand, clutching her abdomen with the other. Blood flowed from between her fingers. She had ultimately failed to escape!
At the Imperial Concubine’s manor, Xiao Man stood outside a room. A maidservant knocked.
“Third Miss, His Majesty has come to see you.”
There was no response from the room. The maidservant glanced cautiously at Xiao Man and knocked again, her knocking becoming more urgent. “Third Miss, His Majesty has come to see you personally. Please open the door quickly.”
Still, there was no response from within. Xiao Man frowned slightly. Ying Xue immediately stepped forward and kicked the door open. A smell of blood assailed them. The two exchanged a look and hurried inside. As they entered the inner room, they saw Xiao Ling slumped by the bed, her wrists cut, bleeding profusely.
“Quickly summon the manor physician,” Ying Xue commanded.
Xiao Man, however, strode forward, grabbed a bedsheet, tore off a long strip, and bandaged Xiao Ling’s wound. She then gave her a pill and had Ying Xue carry her to the bed.
By the time the manor physician arrived, Xiao Man had already treated Xiao Ling’s injuries. Assured that her life was not in danger, the physician withdrew. Xiao Man sat beside the bed, gazing at Xiao Ling’s pale face, her own expression unruffled.
“Mistress, it seems Third Miss was greatly stimulated this time, to the point of attempting suicide.”
Xiao Man lowered her gaze. This was not like Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling would never attempt suicide, yet here she was, having done so.
Bai Ling looked at Xiao Man. She didn’t know Xiao Ling well but had heard about her from others. Xiao Man’s sisters, each with their own agendas, were not easy to deal with. Would Xiao Ling attempt suicide due to some setback?
Half an hour later, Xiao Ling awoke. Her eyes looked blankly at the people before her. Seeing Ying Xue, she felt weak and asked, “What happened to me?”
“Third Miss, what was so unbearable that you had to attempt suicide?” Ying Xue inquired.
“Suicide?” Xiao Ling looked taken aback. Her gaze drifted to the side, and she immediately saw Xiao Man. Xiao Man looked the same as before, but her expression had grown colder, more like their father’s. “Eldest Sister, I… I didn’t mean to commit suicide.” Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Man nodded. “I know.”
“I… I don’t know what happened to me either…” Xiao Ling felt a headache coming on. She remembered sneaking out of home, then encountering thugs. In a daze, she somehow ended up in Lan Yue and met Ying Xue.
Xiao Man rose and sat by the bed. Xiao Ling immediately tried to sit up. Ying Xue looked worried, but Xiao Man raised a hand to stop her. Her deep, dark eyes fixed directly on Xiao Ling’s.
Xiao Ling felt as if she couldn’t move, compelled to stare into Xiao Man’s eyes. She began to feel increasingly tired and drowsy, her eyelids growing heavy. A voice kept telling her she was tired and needed rest. Then, another voice interjected, warning her not to believe the first voice, telling her this person was evil and wanted to harm and kill her!
Xiao Ling felt her head throbbing harder, as if two small people were fighting in her mind. Until one side emerged victorious, her headache would not abate.
Xiao Man watched Xiao Ling writhe in pain, her eyes growing brighter. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. Moments later, she smiled. “Found you.”
The two voices suddenly fell silent. The world seemed to grow quiet instantly. The look of pain vanished from Xiao Ling’s face, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Feng Mo Ran coughed up a large mouthful of blood. The attendant by his side rushed forward.
“Master, are you alright?”
Feng Mo Ran clutched his chest, wiping the blood from his lips, a look of madness flashing in his eyes. “Good, good, good! You truly live up to your name!”
He repeated the word “good” three times, each more heavily accented than the last, as if he were trying to swallow the words whole.
“Master, are you well?”
Feng Mo Ran looked up at the speaker. “I am very well. Give the order to prepare for relocation.”
“But your body needs rest, you cannot endure such haste.”
“If we don’t leave soon, we won’t be able to leave at all,” Feng Mo Ran said slowly. He had truly underestimated his beloved disciple. She even knew the art of soul manipulation, yet he had never taught it to her!
He had only taught soul manipulation to one person: Du Gu Man! He had thought he was well-disguised, controlling everything. However, Du Gu Man had, without him realizing, broken free from his grasp and had even influenced Xiao Man!
“Tian Hao.”
“Your subordinate is here.”
“Tell me, is Du Gu Man truly dead?” Feng Mo Ran asked again. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that Du Gu Man was still alive. He had thought that with Du Gu Man’s death, taking control of the four-nation trade routes would be a simple matter, but it had proven impossible. He had instigated the downtrodden on the four-nation trade routes multiple times, yet had failed to achieve his goal, losing many men instead.
Tian Hao lowered his head. “Master, the Dowager Empress Du Gu turned to dust long ago, returning to nothingness. Naturally, she is dead.”
“If she were truly dead, why would the four-nation trade routes remain impregnable? Why would Zhan Tian Que remain indifferent, and even become more active?”
Tian Hao was momentarily at a loss for words. After all, this matter involved Xiao Man. If Xiao Man had been swayed by Du Gu Man, then Zhan Tian Que’s support for Xiao Man would make sense.