On the way back to the Imperial Capital, Xiao Man sighed continuously. Years of playing the obedient and charming role were ruined in an instant. It would be difficult to gain her father's trust again!
"Sigh," Xiao Man sighed again.
Ying Xue couldn't help but chuckle, "Miss, you have things to fear too."
Xiao Man glared at Ying Xue, "You just stand there and watch the show. If Father beats me when we get back, I'll definitely drag you along."
"If General wants to beat Miss, this servant will be the first to rush up and shield you," Ying Xue replied. "But, Miss, will General really beat you?"
"Probably, after all, I've deceived him this time."
"I don't think so. General truly dotes on Miss." As she said this, Ying Xue felt uneasy.
If General knew Miss wasn't his daughter, would he turn his love into hate and want to kill Miss?
"Yes, he dotes on me, but that doesn't mean he won't be angry with me. No matter what, I'll admit my mistake first when we get back. You have to stroke a cat's fur in the right direction to calm it down," Xiao Man made a stroking gesture, hoping her father would be easier to appease, otherwise, she would be in trouble.
The journey back to the Imperial Capital was quite peaceful. Xiao Man lay in the carriage reading the military books Xiao Zhen had given her. As she read, she mused, "Does my father want to train me into a capable female general who can conquer and fight? These military books seem more suitable for my brother than for me."
"Besides military books, there are also historical texts." Ying Xue was flipping through the books in the chest when she suddenly found a box. "Miss, this..."
Xiao Man's gaze followed, and as she clearly saw what Ying Xue was holding, she sat up straight and took it. "A Mechanism Box!"
"Is this Miss's Mechanism Box?"
"No, my Mechanism Box is in Wen Mo Han's hands. This is another one." Xiao Man's expression turned solemn. "The Mohist school only made three Mechanism Boxes. One is in my possession, one is with Mo Mo, and the third is with the Blue Moon Empress."
"Then this Mechanism Box..."
Xiao Man felt a vague sense of unease. She couldn't immediately determine whose box it was. Was it Mo Mo's or the Blue Moon Empress's?
"This chest was sent by Father. Did anyone else handle it in between?"
Ying Xue shook her head, "The chest was brought by General. After General left, it was carefully kept in the cabinet, and no one else touched it."
Xiao Man's expression was grave. The three Mechanism Boxes opened in different ways. If one wasn't careful, they could ruin the contents. She didn't dare to open this Mechanism Box rashly.
"Send a message to Qin Xue, tell her to investigate the Blue Moon royal family, focusing on who possesses the Mechanism Box. Also, contact Mo Mo and ask her to come to the Imperial Capital to see me."
"Yes, Miss."
The carriage suddenly stopped. Xiao Man's expression flickered. She lifted the carriage curtain slightly and looked outside. Only then did she realize someone was blocking their way, or rather, they, a plump sheep, had actively run into bandits!
"Miss, bandits are blocking the road and robbing."
"Are they robbing us?"
"No, they are robbing the convoy ahead, but they've blocked our path."
"Tell them to move aside." Xiao Man stretched. If the other party willingly moved aside, she would pretend not to see anything. If they were foolish, she would capture them all.
"Yes, Miss."
The leading guard rode forward, "Those ahead, please clear the way, we need to pass."
The bandits robbing saw this and immediately rejoiced, "I've seen bandits begging for mercy and fleeing in terror, but this is the first time I've seen someone tell bandits to clear the way!"
The guard heard this and immediately turned his horse back. "Miss, they refuse, and they're calling us grandsons."
Xiao Man heard this and smiled, "Really? I'm in a bad mood anyway. Go, beat them all into grandsons!"
At her command, the guards who had been protecting the carriage drew their swords and charged towards the bandits. These bandits were hardened criminals and were not afraid. They immediately met the charge. The people who were initially being robbed by the bandits were awkwardly caught in the middle.
"Do not harm the innocent."
"Yes, Miss."
"It's a young girl!" the leading bandit exclaimed excitedly. "Brothers, charge! Drag the little ladies from the carriage back to the mountain stronghold as our wives!"
"Tsk, such big talk!" Ying Xue and Chu Xue came out of the carriage, protecting it from left and right, their swords gleaming coldly. The carriage door opened, and Xiao Man emerged, standing elegantly on the carriage shaft.
"Esteemed heroes, this humble girl is a refined lady who cannot stir up trouble or engage in fights. Could you possibly trouble yourselves to move aside obediently?" Xiao Man asked with a smile.
"Such a beautiful young lady! Brothers, go, snatch them all away!"
"It seems talking is useless. Kill them all." Xiao Man's voice was cold. The guards had already drawn their swords, and Ying Xue and the other two had already rushed into the bandit ranks, drawing their swords and cutting.
These bandits had never seen such ferocious young ladies. They were all stunned by Ying Xue and the others' ruthless methods. By the time they reacted, many of their brothers had already fallen.
Xiao Man took out a bag of melon seeds and ate them, saying, "Leave the leader of the bandits alive. Take him back to my father as a gift."
"Yes, Miss."
"Right, tell them to hand over all the looted money and valuables. Take it back to my father as a gift."
"Yes, Miss."
"If they are willing to surrender, they can be spared. Tie them all up and bring them back to my father as gifts."
From the carriage in front, a low laugh was heard. Although it was noisy, Xiao Man still heard it. With a slight movement, she was already standing on their carriage. She reached out and opened the carriage door, revealing a person sitting inside, with exquisite features and a gentle smile. Those dark eyes seemed to speak.
"Miss, I offer my salutations."
Xiao Man offered the melon seeds in her hand, "Want some melon seeds?"
The man looked at the melon seeds offered to him and slowly shook his head, smiling before speaking, "Thankfully I met you today, otherwise, we would have been in trouble."
"Without me, you would have been fine too." Xiao Man turned back. She was now immune to handsome men, especially after being constantly dazzled by the Prince of Qin's stunning beauty. Even when encountering the most beautiful person, Xiao Man could remain clear-headed and unfazed.
The man watched Xiao Man fly back to her own carriage, the smile in his eyes undiminished. "This young lady is quite interesting."
"Indeed interesting, but she keeps mentioning 'Father' when she speaks. She must be a daddy's girl!"
"What is a daddy's girl?"
"Daddy's good baby. Whatever Daddy says is right!"
The man heard this and shook his head disapprovingly. "I think this young lady has a clear mind, is graceful, and has her own opinions. She may not be as you say."
"If the young master doesn't believe me, your subordinate will go and ask."