Fù Dān shook his arm, which had gone numb from Xiāo Màn's kick, "Since that's the case, I will go all out. If I injure the Imperial Daughter..."
"Then it can only be blamed on my inferior skill, and I deserve it," Xiāo Màn finished, speaking decisively. "You don't need to hold back. If you injure me, my subordinates will absolutely not trouble you."
"I like your character," Fù Dān said frankly.
"I like your spirit too," Xiāo Màn attacked again, engaging in a direct confrontation. Each punch seemed to carry immense power, raining down on Fù Dān like a storm, leaving him with only defensive options and no chance to retaliate.
Yàn Yáo's eyes widened in shock, staring at the scene in disbelief. Fù Dān, known as the number one warrior, was unable to even fight back under the Imperial Daughter's assault. The Imperial Daughter was truly formidable, no wonder she was an Imperial Daughter!
A flush of excitement appeared on Yàn Yáo's face. If one were to marry, one should marry a woman like the Imperial Daughter—not necessarily strong, but not weak either; possessing both gentleness and strength, a perfect balance. Only such a woman could be considered a true warrior.
"I must become the Imperial Daughter's consort!" Yàn Yáo exclaimed excitedly.
Wén Mòhán cast a cool glance at Yàn Yáo, "You, are unworthy."
"How am I unworthy?" Despite his young age, Yàn Yáo's spirit was not diminished. "I am the most outstanding and youngest student at Hóngxiù Academy!"
"Can you lead troops in battle?"
"That's something for women to do! We men only need to manage the household, raise children, and handle relationships with outsiders."
"There is nothing that women should do. Going to the battlefield is not a woman's sole privilege. Both men and women can fight on the battlefield to defend the country. Hiding behind women, aren't you ashamed?"
"A man like that won't be able to get married!" Yàn Yáo said without hesitation. "You are only a little older than me. In a couple of years, when you are old and your beauty fades, the Imperial Daughter will no longer like you. But I will be in my prime, and I will surely win the Imperial Daughter's favor."
Wén Mòhán was amused by Yàn Yáo's self-righteous demeanor. He never expected to be in a situation of romantic rivalry, discussing how love fades with waning beauty.
"Young man, you don't understand her. She is not like the vulgar women you usually encounter, who are fond of appearances. The man she likes is not one who is confined to the inner chambers, squabbling over favors day in and day out. She will surely favor someone who can fight alongside her and understand her."
"Who says I cannot fight alongside the Imperial Daughter?" Yàn Yáo straightened his chest. "One day, I will take your place and become number one in the Imperial Daughter's heart!"
The Imperial Daughter Xiāo Màn's number one? Wén Mòhán's gaze darkened. Even he dared not guarantee he could be number one in Xiāo Màn's heart! Su Dan novel network.
Seeing Wén Mòhán's silence, Yàn Yáo intended to argue further, but then he heard cheers from around them and quickly looked towards the training ground.
He saw Fù Dān, overwhelmed by Xiāo Màn's attacks, falling into a disadvantage within a short period, taking many blows. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and Xiāo Màn's attack was upon him again!
"I concede!"
Xiāo Màn's fist stopped just short of Fù Dān's face. A second later, she would have surely knocked out his teeth and bruised his cheeks.
Yàn Yáo and the people from the Imperial Daughter's manor were all stunned, unable to believe that the number one warrior of Biànjīng had been beaten to his knees begging for mercy by their mistress!
"Long live the Imperial Daughter!" Yàn Yáo shouted excitedly.
Xiāo Màn turned and glanced back, "Children are easily satisfied."
Fù Dān stood up, clutching his chest, "Mistress, thank you for showing mercy in the arena that day."
"It's nothing," Xiāo Màn tossed Fù Dān a small porcelain bottle. "Take one pill, and from now on, you are my guard."
"Your subordinate greets the Imperial Daughter."
"Alright, don't kneel at every turn. Here in the Imperial Daughter's manor, there are not so many rules. There is only one rule here: loyalty and obedience." Xiāo Màn turned, "Let's go, accompany me for a walk."
"Your subordinate obeys."
"Imperial Daughter, wherever you go, let this servant follow."
"It's better for children to stay home and study," Xiāo Màn pinched Yàn Yáo's cheek. "There is a book on the study desk. Read it carefully, and when I return, tell me how you felt after reading it."
"This servant obeys."
Shaking off the clingy Yàn Yáo, Xiāo Màn led Fù Dān towards the Third Princess's residence. The residences of the various princesses were in different locations, but the Imperial Daughter's manor was centrally located. The five princesses each occupied a cardinal direction, making the distance to any princess's manor roughly the same.
At the Third Princess's manor, the Third Concubine looked at the various ornaments in the room, as well as the countless beautiful clothes and jewelry, her face filled with flattered surprise.
"Third Miss, are all these for me?" The Third Concubine now understood that her daughter was the Third Princess of Lán Yuè. As for the reason behind it, she actively chose to ignore it. She refused to believe her daughter was dead and continued to treat the Third Princess as her own daughter.
"Yes," Lán Qín said while sipping tea. "If you need anything in the future, just tell the steward."
"Can I?" the Third Concubine asked, somewhat uncertainly. Back in the General's manor, she was merely a concubine. There was the matriarch above her and the legitimate daughter below. She had no authority to make decisions. Even when she temporarily managed the household later, she had never enjoyed such treatment.
"Of course, you can. You are my mother, and I am the mistress of this manor, so you are naturally the mistress here too," Lán Qín said gently.
"Third Princess," a maid entered to report, "The Imperial Daughter has arrived."
Lán Qín immediately rose, "I have something else to attend to. You may wander around the manor first, familiarize yourself with the environment, and serve them well."
"Yes, Third Princess."
The Third Concubine watched Lán Qín leave and then looked at the young maid serving her, "What is your name?"
"Reporting to Madam, my name is Xiùxiù."
"Xiùxiù, what is the official title of the Imperial Daughter?"
Xiùxiù paused for a moment before realizing that this Madam was from Yù Shèng and was unaware of the official titles here. "The Imperial Daughter is the Crown Prince."
"So that's how it is. Then is this Imperial Daughter very powerful?"
"This servant does not know. The Imperial Daughter only returned to Biànjīng a couple of days ago. She lived in Yù Shèng before. I heard that in Yù Shèng, her family was also a powerful official household," Xiùxiù explained.
"A powerful official household in Yù Shèng? What is its name?" the Third Concubine asked curiously. If it was the daughter of a powerful official household in Yù Shèng, she might know her.
"Madam, this servant cannot call the Imperial Daughter by name directly, as it is disrespectful. However, I know her surname is Xiāo."
"Her surname is what?" the Third Concubine swallowed, asking in horror. A familiar face already appeared in her mind.
"Her surname is Xiāo. It is said she is the treasured daughter of the Grand General of Yù Shèng."
The Third Concubine's eyes rolled back. She felt that life was hopeless. She had clearly come to Lán Yuè, so why couldn't she escape that demonic being?