"Guest, please come in." The innkeeper solicitously welcomed them. "You must be from out of town. Don't let our humble establishment fool you; it's clean and hygienic. Our food is also unparalleled; you won't find anything like it elsewhere. We guarantee you'll love it."
"Is that so?" Xiao Man replied with a smile. "Then bring us some of your signature dishes to try later."
"Certainly, you'll be completely satisfied!" The innkeeper led Xiao Man into the main room, then guided Yao Ran and the others to different rooms. Yao Ran glanced at the people below, a mocking smile curling the corners of her lips. Impatient already, were they? Good, let these people suffer a bit. Then they would know that some people were not to be trifled with.
The innkeeper soon brought up steaming hot local delicacies. Xiao Man ate with elegant composure. Wen Mohan, seeing Xiao Man enjoying her meal, suspected nothing and ate along. However, halfway through, she felt dizzy and soon lost consciousness.
Seeing Wen Mohan collapse, Xiao Man's expression turned alarmed. She tried to stand but lost her balance and fell forward. Moments later, voices were heard from outside: "Are they all down?"
"They're all down, my lord."
The door was kicked open, and a boldly dressed woman entered, holding a whip. She prodded Xiao Man with the whip. Seeing Xiao Man motionless, she sneered.
"I thought the person Prime Minister Yao brought back would be formidable, but she's no different. She fell into my hands so easily. Once in Bianjing, she'll just be a stepping stone for others."
"My lord, what should we do next?"
"Strip the women and throw them in the river for the fish. As for the men, take them back. They're mine." The woman stepped forward, cupping Wen Mohan's chin to examine her closely. "I only glimpsed her from afar before, but I thought she was extremely beautiful. Up close, she's even more so."
"The women are also good-looking."
The woman heard this and walked over, frowning at Xiao Man's face. "She bears a slight resemblance to the Empress. But if you're going to run, why come back and lose your life for nothing? Still, your face..."
The woman drew a dagger and lunged towards Xiao Man's face. The person who should have been unconscious suddenly opened her eyes, grabbed the woman's arm, and twisted it forcefully. The dagger slipped from the woman's grasp and fell into Xiao Man's hand. Xiao Man, in turn, slashed the woman's face with the weapon.
The woman let out a scream and swung her whip towards Xiao Man. Xiao Man sneered and kicked the woman in the stomach, sending her flying out of the room and crashing into the lobby below.
The people waiting in the lobby, seeing their leader thrown down from upstairs, immediately drew their weapons. "Go!"
Xiao Man looked at the charging attackers and turned around. "Kill them all."
At Xiao Man's command, several figures in black, wearing Rakshasa masks, descended from above. Without a word, they drew their swords and began to strike, leaving no room for negotiation.
Those who were lying in wait were caught off guard by the sudden onslaught. Even the woman who was kicked downstairs looked shocked, hiding amidst the chaos.
"Useless, all of you! Hurry, kill them!" the woman yelled furiously, while retreating outwards. She had chosen to drug Xiao Man and her companions precisely to capture Xiao Man without bloodshed, but the other party had seen through her ploy and brought so many hidden guards. For safety, she decided to withdraw and gather more people.
"Trying to run? You won't get away!" The hidden guards blocked the doorway, their voices cold and emotionless. "You're here, so don't even think about leaving!"
Jing Shiyu grabbed a nearby guard and pushed him towards the black-clad guards blocking the entrance, seizing the opportunity to rush outside. She thought she would be safe once she left the inn, unaware that there was no safe place outside either. From the moment she stepped into this inn, there was no turning back.
Sha Yun looked at the calmly seated Yao Ran, a hint of worry in his voice. "Prime Minister, aren't we going to see what's happening?"
"They're asking for trouble themselves, no one to blame but themselves," Yao Ran said slowly. "It's only right that they learn a lesson. I can't be the only one to suffer losses."
"Prime Minister, that young lady is also there. If anything were to happen to her..."
"That would be her own fault," Yao Ran said, taking a sip of tea. "The bird that sticks its head out gets shot. She insisted on being that bird. General Jing was too lenient with her."
"You and General Jing are friends, after all. If you sit by and let Miss Jing meet her end here, General Jing might hold you accountable." Su Dan Novel Network
"Don't worry, our Imperial Daughter is not foolish," Yao Ran said slowly. "Unless she doesn't want to stay in Blue Moon, she would never kill Jing Shiyu."
Sha Yun was still uneasy. After all, Xiao Man never acted according to convention, and she was always fearless. If she really killed Jing Shiyu, it would be too late for the Prime Minister to panic.
"Your subordinate is still not at ease."
"It's almost over outside. Let's go and take a look," Yao Ran said confidently. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to plot against Xiao Man here. After all, Xiao Man was a direct descendant of Blue Moon. Ordinary medicine wouldn't affect her. However, very few people knew this; even several princesses were unaware. This Jing Shiyu was truly foolish.
As soon as Yao Ran emerged from the room, she saw a man wearing a Rakshasa mask kneeling in the corridor, holding a tray covered with black cloth. Xiao Man was sitting inside, poking Wen Mohan's face. She had no defense at all. How would she survive without her?
"Master, everyone has been executed on the spot. The head of the leader has also been secured." The man lifted the black cloth, revealing a human head on the tray. Jing Shiyu's face was filled with terror, as if she had suffered an immense shock.
Yao Ran was also shocked, unable to believe Xiao Man's audacity in killing someone directly. Wasn't she afraid that the other party might be a noble from Blue Moon, and could become an obstacle in her path?
"Killed them all..." Yao Ran was somewhat provoked.
Xiao Man's eyes darkened as she looked at Yao Ran. "What, Prime Minister Yao recognizes this person?"
"I..." Could Yao Ran say she didn't recognize her? Of course not. If she dared to deny it, when things blew up, Xiao Man would surely make her a scapegoat. This was too hasty. She had thought Xiao Man, being new, would act more cautiously, but she had forgotten that Xiao Man was never one to endure!
"This person is the youngest daughter of General Jing Yujun of Blue Moon, greatly doted on by General Jing. Her presence here might just be..."
"She wanted my life," Xiao Man interrupted Yao Ran, her voice low and resonant. "I never show mercy to those who want to take my life."
Yao Ran swallowed hard. She wondered how she would explain to Jing Yujun back in Bianjing that his beloved daughter had her head severed right under her nose.