"Old Madam, your complexion has improved greatly recently," remarked Granny Xu as she helped the Old Madam take a stroll in the courtyard. Although Xiao Man disliked the Old Madam, she ensured that all her due provisions were met, and her attendants were meticulously chosen and exceptionally attentive.
The Old Madam sat down on a bench in the courtyard. "I remember I stored a jar of osmanthus last year. Did you bring it back?"
"Yes, I did. I know you like it, so I brought it back," Granny Xu replied with a smile. "Do you wish to make osmanthus tea, Old Madam?"
"I haven't cooked in years. Today, I suddenly feel like making osmanthus cakes," the Old Madam said with a smile. "Go and find the osmanthus I dried last year. I want to cook osmanthus cakes."
"Old Madam, you've just recovered. If you wish to eat them, I can make them for you," Granny Xu quickly said.
The Old Madam shook her head. "Just go and fetch them."
Granny Xu immediately went into the house and retrieved the osmanthus the Old Madam had dried last year. They then entered the kitchen. The Old Madam personally cooked the cakes, with Granny Xu assisting her. Soon, the sweet aroma of pastries filled the kitchen.
Looking at the freshly baked osmanthus cakes, the Old Madam picked one up. "I remember Eldest Miss loved my osmanthus cakes the most when she was a child. She would always get her face covered in them and want to take the leftovers with her. Such a gluttonous little kitten."
Granny Xu chuckled upon hearing this. "I remember once when the Eldest Miss was very ill, she cried and insisted on eating osmanthus cakes. Osmanthus had not yet bloomed then, and the Old Madam ran to many houses to find some dried osmanthus. She personally cooked a plate of osmanthus cakes for the Eldest Miss, and the Eldest Miss was so happy."
The Old Madam's face was full of smiles. She looked around. Granny Xu immediately understood and brought out a food box from a cupboard. "Shall I send it to the Eldest Miss?"
Old Madam Xiao nodded with a smile. "I haven't made them for so many years, I wonder if they'll be tasty."
"Your cooking has always been excellent, Old Madam. The Eldest Miss will surely love them when she sees them," Granny Xu said, placing the osmanthus cakes into the food box. She then had someone help the Old Madam back to her room while she went to Shui Yue Xiao Zhu to deliver the cakes.
At Shui Yue Xiao Zhu, Xiao Man was practicing her swordplay. The sword energy was fierce, as if the flowers and plants in the courtyard were startled by it, swaying wildly in the wind, as if to avoid being harmed.
Yin Zhu stood by the side, watching Xiao Man's sword dance, and smiled, "Miss's sword dance is truly beautiful."
"Of course. Miss used to be an expert swordswoman," Ying Xue said proudly. "It's just that Miss rarely uses her sword now."
Yin Zhu had only started following Xiao Man midway and didn't know about Xiao Man's past. She knew that Xiao Man was different from her reputation outside. How could a young lady from a prominent family expose her true nature? Outsiders said their Miss was a prodigal, but she knew that their Miss was the kindest and gentlest.
A figure appeared at the doorway. Yin Zhu's sharp eyes spotted it and she immediately went towards the door. "Granny Xu, why are you here? Is the Old Madam unwell?"
Granny Xu saw Xiao Man practicing her sword and dared not disturb her. She handed the food box to Yin Zhu. "The Old Madam has recovered considerably and personally made osmanthus cakes. The Eldest Miss used to love the Old Madam's osmanthus cakes the most. The Old Madam specifically asked me to bring them to the Eldest Miss for her to taste."
Yin Zhu glanced at Xiao Man and smiled as she accepted the food box. "Miss is busy now. I'll give it to her after she finishes practicing her sword. Thank you for the Old Madam's kindness."
Granny Xu smiled with a benevolent expression. "The Old Madam is stubborn and rarely listens to advice. Now that the General is gone, her nature has become even more obstinate. Fortunately, she can still listen to the Eldest Miss. She has been feeling much better these past two days."
Yin Zhu smiled in agreement. "It's good that the Old Madam is feeling better; the Miss will be more at ease."
"In that case, I shall not disturb the Eldest Miss any further." Granny Xu bowed to Xiao Man and turned to leave.
Yin Zhu returned with the food box. Xiao Man had just finished a complete set of sword forms. Ying Xue handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face.
"Miss, Granny Xu from the Old Madam's courtyard came and brought pastries," Yin Zhu said, opening the box to show Xiao Man. Inside was a plate of osmanthus cakes, exuding the fragrance of osmanthus and the sweetness of pastries.
Xiao Man merely glanced at them and said, "You all eat them."
Yin Zhu looked at Ying Xue. "Shall we eat? They say the Old Madam made them herself."
Ying Xue, who had been about to reach for a piece, immediately withdrew her hand upon hearing that the Old Madam had made them herself. "I'd better not eat them. It's best to eat less of things from the Old Madam's courtyard."
Yin Zhu looked at the steaming osmanthus cakes and then at Xiao Man's retreating figure as she entered the house. After a moment's hesitation, she closed the box and carried it inside. Although she didn't know what was wrong with the cakes, it was safer not to eat them.
As soon as Xiao Man entered the room, she sensed another presence. Xiao Man tightened her grip on her sword and walked in unhurriedly. When she reached the desk, she suddenly drew her sword and thrust it towards the bed. A person rolled out from behind the mosquito net.
"Xiao Man, it's me!"
Xiao Man frowned as she looked at the person who had rolled onto the floor. "Your Highness Prince Qi, if you have something to discuss, please submit a formal request and enter through the main gate openly. I do not wish for anyone to misunderstand that we have any clandestine relationship."
Nangong Yi looked at Xiao Man's cold and stern face, his heart sinking to the bottom. "You... you also think I'm an illegitimate child, like everyone else outside?"
Xiao Man merely looked at Nangong Yi indifferently. "If that is how you wish to see it, I have nothing to say."
Nangong Yi got up from the floor. "I've come to tell you that I plan to leave the Imperial Capital."
"This is an excellent choice for you," Xiao Man said, sitting down beside him. "The Imperial Capital is a place of much trouble now. It's good to leave."
"If I leave, aren't you worried?"
Xiao Man poured a cup of tea and drank it. "As I said, leaving is a good choice."
Nangong Yi was silent for a long time. "I will take Du Yulan with me..."
"She will not be able to leave the Imperial Capital!" Xiao Man stated to Nangong Yi with an unshakeable tone. "I will absolutely not let her leave the Imperial Capital. If you insist on taking her out, then you will be my enemy."
Nangong Yi gave a bitter smile. "It seems you already know."
"You should be grateful that I'm not holding you responsible," Xiao Man said coldly. "If they are willing to take their own lives, then I am willing to let the others go." Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yi. "Do you think they would be willing to take their own lives?"
Nangong Yi fell silent. Du Yulan was now determined to clash with Xiao Man to the bitter end. As for the Empress Dowager, due to the matter of the illegitimate child, the Empress Dowager was in a difficult position. However, this did not mean the Empress Dowager had given up, and moreover, the Empress Dowager had never abandoned her desire to kill Xiao Man.