The Shangguan manor had been prepared long before Shangguan Jin arrived in the capital. Carriages drove directly through the main gate into the estate. Servants brought out stools, and a young maid helped Shangguan Jin alight from the carriage.
Shangguan Jin’s gaze fell upon the plaque in the main hall. “Qing Feng Ming Yue” (Clear Wind, Bright Moon) – these four characters felt too detached from the mundane world. The family was one of great merchants and nobles; what did clear wind and bright moon have to do with them?
“You’re finally here. I thought you might delay your arrival in the capital for a few more days,” Qin Xue said, approaching gracefully in robes as white as snow. Her clear, autumn-like eyes held no discernible emotion, yet seemed to carry a thousand unspoken sentiments.
“Qin Xue, it’s been a while. You’ve grown into quite a young lady,” Shangguan Jin replied, his voice gentle and pure.
Qin Xue shot him a look. “A while? Didn’t we just see each other before the New Year?”
“A day apart feels like three autumns. Who knows how many springs have passed since the New Year?” Shangguan Jin teased. “How have you been lately?”
“I’ve been well, though someone else hasn’t been so good,” Qin Xue said, turning to walk inside. Shangguan Jin’s smile faded, and he followed her.
In a garden pavilion sat a young woman, her back to them, her face obscured. She wore a simple white robe, her long hair tied back with a ribbon, both plain yet elegant. A breeze stirred, lifting a few strands of her hair to dance in the wind.
Shangguan Jin stared, stunned, at the familiar silhouette. Tears seemed to glisten in his eyes. “Miss.”
The young woman heard the voice and turned around, a radiant smile gracing her lips. Yet, her seemingly expressive eyes were covered by a white silk blindfold. It could be none other than Xiao Man.
“Is that A’Jin who has arrived?”
The unfamiliar face and the familiar address caused Shangguan Jin a moment of disorientation. He couldn’t discern if this was the lady of his memory or if he had mistaken someone.
“Is it A’Jin?” Xiao Man asked again.
“Miss, it is him, and he’s dazed,” Qin Xue said, giving Shangguan Jin a nudge. He finally came back to his senses, his gaze fixed on the person before him, filled with confusion.
“What is going on?”
Xiao Man touched her face. “It’s hard to believe, but I died, and yet I am alive.”
“It was Murong Sheng Rui…” As she uttered the name, her hatred intensified.
“A’Jin, come here.” Xiao Man beckoned. Shangguan Jin approached and leaned down. Xiao Man extended her hand, meticulously tracing the contours of Shangguan Jin’s face. “You haven’t changed much, still the same as in my memory.”
Tears streamed down Shangguan Jin’s face as he choked back a sob. “Miss has suffered. Your eyes…”
“This? It’s nothing,” Xiao Man said, touching her eyes. “I was caught off guard by someone. I can’t see for now, but it will recover in a few days.”
“Who ambushed you?”
“Who it was doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that you are here,” Xiao Man said with a bright smile. “Now that you are here, I don’t have to be so passively beaten.”
“Your subordinate was late. I beg Miss for your punishment.”
“Not late, just in time,” Xiao Man said softly. “A’Jin, you’ve just arrived in the Imperial City. While it pains me to ask this of you, I have a mission for you.”
“Please, Miss, command me.”
“Keep the Cen family in check and find out who is behind them.”
“Cen Yu?!” Shangguan Jin exclaimed in surprise.
He had anticipated some conflict with the Cen family before coming to the capital; after all, two tigers cannot share one mountain. However, he hadn’t expected the conflict to arrive so swiftly.
“You know him too?”
“More than just know him; we can be considered friends,” Shangguan Jin said slowly. “As soon as I entered the Imperial City, he intercepted me. They were also probing for information.”
“This man is deeply calculating. Be extremely careful,” Xiao Man cautioned. “No matter what, prioritize your own safety, and Qin Xue’s too.”
“Miss, please be assured. Your subordinate will not act recklessly.”
“You, I trust. My concern is for Qin Xue. Her temper is quick. I am already quite surprised that she has remained steady and inactive all these years. Now that you are in the Imperial City, help me look after her, and I will be even more at ease.”
Qin Xue’s face flushed. “Who needs him to look after me? Miss, I’ve already mended my hasty temper.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Man said dismissively. “Then who was it who secretly arranged for people to assassinate the Princess Consort of the Prince of Han a few days ago?”
Qin Xue turned her face aside, remaining silent. Wen Mo Yu had designed to harm her Miss and injured her eyes; how could she let her off easily? Naturally, she had to teach her a lesson.
“Was it the Princess Consort of the Prince of Han who injured your eyes?” Shangguan Jin deduced the information he sought from their brief exchange. “I heard the Princess Consort of the Prince of Han hails from the Prime Minister’s manor, and the Prime Minister’s eldest son is a close friend of Cen Yu. It appears Cen Yu is an enemy?”
“It’s not yet certain if he is an enemy. However, it’s correct to say he is not a friend.” Cen Yu had tried to kill her multiple times. She was not a person who repaid evil with kindness; the fact that she hadn’t retaliated in kind was already extreme. For her to be friends with Cen Yu was impossible.
“Your subordinate understands. Cen Yu shall be handled by me,” Shangguan Jin said decisively. “Miss’s current identity…” Sudannovel.com
“The eldest daughter of the Protector General’s manor, Xiao Man,” Xiao Man said calmly. “Also, A’Luo is in the Imperial City, hidden in the shadows to protect my safety. Now that you are in the Imperial City, have Qin Xue summon a few skilled individuals to protect your safety.”
“Miss, please be at ease. We will take care of ourselves. It is you who must be extremely cautious. Now that the princes have come of age, the battle for succession is about to erupt. The Protector General’s manor remaining steady and inactive will inevitably attract the covetous eyes of other princes.”
Before arriving in the Imperial City, Shangguan Jin had thoroughly analyzed the situation in the capital. The Crown Prince sat firmly on the throne, but the other princes each had their strengths and were not willing to be subordinate. Not to mention the other princes, Prince Qin was currently the most popular, holding military power and possessing boundless strategies!
“Don’t worry, I have it under control,” Xiao Man said softly. “I just can’t figure out what role the Cen family is playing in this succession struggle.”
“The Cen family has joined the succession struggle?” Shangguan Jin was somewhat surprised. With Cen Yu’s disposition, he shouldn’t have been involved. Merchants valued profit. If the succession struggle succeeded, it would bring glory and wealth, but failure meant the annihilation of the entire clan. The Cen family’s current position was stable; there was no need to be entangled in the succession dispute.
“Yes, it depends on whom he supports.”
“Whom does Miss support?”
“Prince Qin, Nan Gong Yu.”
“Miss has always shown particular favor towards Prince Qin.” Shangguan Jin had already guessed this answer long ago. Back then, Du Gu Man had also shown particular favor towards Nan Gong Yu, giving him a pass on the battlefield and helping him establish a foothold in the army. Now, she had chosen Prince Qin again.
“After much consideration, I believe he is the most likely person to help me exact my revenge,” Xiao Man said in a low voice. “Murong Sheng Rui owes me, Yun Qi owes me. One day, I will reclaim it all.”