"Master, could Xiao Man have already been turned by Empress Dowager Dugu?" Tian Hao inquired.
"Did you find any evidence of Xiao Man contacting Empress Dugu?"
"No, but we did find someone who has had contact with both of them."
"Who?"
"Wuyou."
Feng Moran's brows furrowed even tighter. Very few people knew the true identity of the old monk Wuyou, and he had renounced the world and did not involve himself in worldly affairs... No, Wuyou had voluntarily descended the mountain to take Xiao Man to Ganyes Temple to recuperate... Why was Wuyou providing cover for Xiao Man?
"Did you find anything?"
"Xiao Man once traded a bottle of thirty-year-old Nu'er Hong for a box from Wuyou."
"The puzzle box!" Feng Moran finally understood what he had overlooked. There were only three puzzle boxes in this world: one in Empress Dugu's possession, one in Lan Ruoxian's, and the third was said to be in the Mo family's hands, but they had never been able to find any trace of the Mo family. Then whose puzzle box was the one in Wuyou's possession?
Feng Moran's heart was filled with more and more mysteries. What was the connection between Empress Dugu, Wuyou, and Xiao Man?
"Did you find out whose puzzle box Wuyou had?"
Tian Hao looked up at Feng Moran, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Yan Chi said that the puzzle box in Wuyou's possession is the same one held by Empress Dowager Yunqi, Dugu Man."
Feng Moran tapped his fingers on the railing, lost in thought. If both Empress Dugu's puzzle box and Lan Ruoxian's puzzle box were in Xiao Man's hands, then was the missing third puzzle box also in Xiao Man's hands? And what about the lost Phoenix Bead, which had yet to be found? Could it also be in Xiao Man's hands?
As soon as Xiao Man found Feng Moran's whereabouts, she made a decisive move to confront Feng Moran herself.
However, just as she reached the door, Ying Xue hurried to catch up: "Your Majesty, the dark guards have found the Fourth Princess collapsed on the street."
Xiao Man's face showed surprise: "She's ill?"
"She was stabbed, and the wound is in a vital spot. I fear..."
Xiao Man looked at Ying Xue: "Tell Yan Yuqing and Dongfang Wei to intercept Feng Moran together. Ensure they are careful and do not fall into Feng Moran's trap."
"Yes, Master."
"Take me to see her." Xiao Man signaled Yin Zhu to take her to see the Fourth Princess. The Fourth Princess had always been defiant and quite cunning. Yet, despite numerous assassination attempts, none had succeeded. But she didn't get discouraged and kept trying. How could she suddenly collapse on the street?
The Fourth Princess lay on the bed, her face as pale as paper, her clothes stained with large patches of blood. Although it had been treated, blood was still oozing from the wound in her abdomen.
Xiao Man untied the bandage, asked for a medicine box, gave the Fourth Princess some medicine, and then began to examine her injuries. The stab wound was so skillfully placed that if she hadn't been there, the Fourth Princess would have gone to meet the King of Hell.
"Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll save your life."
"Your Majesty, you intend to save her?" Bai Ling asked somewhat confusedly. The Fourth Princess had always been at odds with Xiao Man. Even if the Fourth Princess died, Xiao Man would suffer no loss. In her opinion, there was no need to save her.
"Of course, I must save her." Xiao Man replied unhurriedly, her hands moving swiftly. Blood stained her hands, but she paid it no mind, continuing to treat the Fourth Princess's wound. "Give her another deep red pill."
"Alright." Bai Ling gave the Fourth Princess another pill.
"Fu Dan."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Guard the outside. No one is allowed to enter." Xiao Man ordered. The Fourth Princess was injured, and there must be a plan behind it. Although she didn't know who the attacker was, the fact that she was brought back to the Imperial Princess's Mansion by her dark guards was itself a problem.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, could it be that someone deliberately severely injured the Fourth Princess in an attempt to frame you?" Bai Ling asked, puzzled.
"It's possible." Xiao Man picked up a slender, willow-leaf-like knife and made an incision on the Fourth Princess's wound. The originally colorless blade gradually changed color.
"It's poisoned!"
Xiao Man smiled and continued to treat the wound: "You always had a dagger hidden behind your smile, and now you've been stabbed yourself, haven't you?"
"The Fourth Princess is probably not happy either," Bai Ling said with a smile. She had been hiding in Lan Yue for so long and understood the Fourth Princess's character quite well.
The Fourth Princess was a troublemaker, always smiling on the surface but secretly plotting against you. However, she was different from the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess, though seemingly gentle and respectful of her subordinates, was actually narrow-minded and liked to settle scores later. The Fourth Princess was two-faced and profit-driven, but she treated her subordinates well.
"Get out of the way, I want to go in." A commotion came from outside the door.
Bai Ling glanced out: "Your Majesty, it's the Fifth Princess."
"I heard her. Few dare to be so loud here." Xiao Man's expression was calm. "If she causes trouble, I permit you to subdue her with ač. If she attacks someone, let her suffer a bit."
"Yes, my Empress." Bai Ling's face lit up with joy. She hadn't used her č during her time undercover in Lan Yue and had been itching to do so. And now, the Fifth Princess had come to her doorstep.
"Xiao Man, come out here!" Although the Fifth Princess was reckless, she knew not to go too far, or she would be the next one to lie down. She was well aware of how strictly guarded the Imperial Princess's Mansion was. The fact that she could reach here unharmed was due to Xiao Man's deliberate leniency.
Fu Dan guarded the door: "Fifth Princess, His Majesty has ordered that no one may enter before His Majesty comes out."
The Fifth Princess stepped forward: "Xiao Man..."
"Fifth Princess, addressing His Majesty by name is insubordination!" Fu Dan reprimanded. Xiao Man was now the Empress of Lan Yue, yet the Fifth Princess still addressed her by name. She didn't know whether to call her brave or foolish.
The Fifth Princess choked, glared at Fu Dan, and said, "I'm looking for your mistress, not you. Get out of the way!"
"His Majesty's order is that any trespassers will be killed without mercy!"
The Fifth Princess hesitated, her foot stopping mid-stride, but she was unwilling to retract it. She stared at Fu Dan, neither of them backing down.
"Is Lan Yuan inside?"
Fu Dan looked away, refusing to say anything.
"Xiao... Does His Majesty intend to kill her?"
Fu Dan looked at the Fifth Princess as if she were an idiot and continued to look away.
The Fifth Princess, provoked by Fu Dan's gaze, acted before her mind could catch up. She landed a punch on Fu Dan's abdomen, forcing him back a few steps. Then, she clenched her fist and charged forward, engaging in a brawl with Fu Dan.
The maids and servants in the mansion scattered when the two started fighting. No one dared to intervene. Fu Dan was a martial arts enthusiast who would spar with anyone. In their eyes, Fu Dan was merely sparring with the Fifth Princess.