The Yan family ultimately left the general’s mansion in disgrace.
There were a myriad of things they could find fault with in Xiao Zhen’s actions, but they could not take them to the Emperor. Xiao Zhen was a pillar of the state, a beloved general of His Majesty, and held military power; how could a mere Minister of Rites possibly shake him?
Madam Yan stood in the courtyard. The scorching sun of May burned her face, but it could not compare to the humiliation brought about by Xiao Zhen’s words.
“General, has the eldest young lady recovered?” Madam Yan forced a smile, tears welling up in her eyes.
The man before her, despite nearing forty, was still remarkably handsome and possessed an upright aura. It was precisely his unyielding character that she loved. She never imagined that such a man, once he fell in love, could no longer make room for anyone else!
“Today was supposed to be Xiao Ling’s coming-of-age ceremony. Why must you make such an ugly scene and upset her?” Xiao Zhen said slowly.
Madam Yan’s heart turned cold as ice. Xiao Ling, heh, Xiao Ling. He always addressed Xiao Ling by her name directly.
In this mansion, Xiao Man was his daughter. He called her Man’er, his darling, his treasure. For the other young ladies, he always addressed them by name. Such blatant favoritism was truly rare.
“It is this concubine’s fault.”
“Has the coming-of-age ceremony been completed?”
“We were waiting for the General to arrive. Since the General did not, it has not yet commenced,” Madam Yan replied truthfully. If it hadn’t been for the auspicious time passing and Xiao Zhen’s absence, how could her father and mother have so angrily barged into the Water Moon Pavilion?
Xiao Zhen looked at Xiao Ling, who was still kneeling on the ground, and reached out to help her up. “You are now a grown woman, having reached your coming-of-age. You can’t just cry all the time. Do you like the gift I prepared for your ceremony?”
“I like it very much. Thank you, Father.”
“Go back with your mother and complete the ceremony.”
“General, I know you are worried about the eldest young lady. Why don’t we complete Ling’er’s coming-of-age ceremony right here in the Water Moon Pavilion? General is also Ling’er’s father, and Ling’er wishes for you to witness her ceremony.”
“As you wish.”
Madam Yan swallowed all her grievances. She instructed Granny Luo to fetch a comb and style Xiao Ling’s hair. With each stroke of the comb, her hatred intensified, and the chill in her heart deepened.
She had managed the general’s mansion for over a decade, bearing children for Xiao Zhen, yet she could not receive even a shred of his love. That woman she had never met, and her child, were like nightmares that weighed heavily on their mother and daughter’s hearts, tormenting them day and night!
After the coming-of-age ceremony was completed, Xiao Ling’s smile was gentle and soft. She asked cautiously and obsequiously, “Father, do I look pretty?”
Xiao Zhen looked at Xiao Ling before him, as if he were back to the time of Xiao Man’s coming-of-age. Xiao Man had bounced up to him, asking, “Father, do I look pretty?”
“My daughter is the most beautiful person in this world.” Xiao Zhen’s expression instantly softened. A spark of surprise flashed in Xiao Ling’s eyes, and her smile finally became genuine. Father still cared about her!
Only Madam Yan saw clearly. Xiao Zhen’s eyes had never truly seen Xiao Ling. When Xiao Zhen said “my daughter,” in his heart, only Xiao Man was his daughter!
Xiao Ling left the Water Moon Pavilion in high spirits. Xiao Zhen watched the retreating figures of Madam Yan and Xiao Ling, his eyes cold, his smile vanishing.
He then turned and entered the room. Seeing that Xiao Man had fallen asleep on the couch, he moved quietly, picked her up, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a quilt before leaving the Water Moon Pavilion.
As soon as Xiao Zhen left, Xiao Man’s eyes fluttered open. She sat up in bed. Ying Xue quickly approached her. “Miss, news has arrived.”
Xiao Man took the message and unfolded it. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. “Tian Gan is at the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.”
“Miss’s sword, shall we retrieve it?” Ying Xue immediately inquired.
Xiao Man hesitated.
Tian Gan was too distinctive. In all four nations, who didn’t know it was the personal sword of Empress Dowager Dugu Man of Yun Qi? If she were to retrieve Tian Gan, it might attract suspicion, proving counterproductive.
“Let the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion keep it for now,” Xiao Man said slowly. “The people of the Dark Department should have received my signal. Inform Qin Xue to contact the Dark Department and instruct them to stand down.”
Xiao Man’s expression turned icy.
The fire at Shou Kang Palace was a signal, one that Dugu Man had arranged with the Dark Department long ago. Once Shou Kang Palace was in danger, everyone in the Dark Department was to go into hiding. They were not to emerge until the Wang Chuan Flower reappeared! Su Dan Novel Network
The Wang Chuan Flower she had sent to Murong Sheng Rui earlier, under the guise of Nangong Yu, was a signal to the people of the Dark Department: Dugu Man was still alive!
“Yes, Miss.”
“How is the investigation into the palace affairs coming along?”
“This matter is related to Consort Xian. It was a poisonous scheme set by Consort Xian’s people.”
Xiao Man narrowed her eyes. Consort Xian had been intent on winning over the Protector General’s Mansion, otherwise, she would not have arranged for Madam Yan to marry into the Protector General’s Mansion back then!
To Consort Xian, the Protector General’s Mansion was a backing. She would not act rashly.
If her assassination attempt on a prince led to the downfall of the Protector General’s Mansion, it would bring her no benefit. Consort Xian had likely been used!
However, this was not important. Since Consort Xian had made a move, she would certainly give her a lesson. “Grant her the Scarlet Wheel.”
Ying Xue immediately smiled. The Scarlet Wheel was a good thing. Consort Xian had intended to frame their Miss and take her life. Disfiguring her face was already showing great leniency.
“Yes, Miss.”
“Prince Qin… are there any movements?”
“Prince Qin impeached several ministers in court. These ministers all supported the Crown Prince.”
“The Crown Prince…” Xiao Man’s gaze flickered. It seemed the Crown Prince was also involved in this matter, or perhaps, the Crown Prince was the mastermind?
“Miss, does the Crown Prince have such cunning?” In Ying Xue’s impression, the Crown Prince was a simple-minded fool. The only reason he held the position of Crown Prince was his good fortune in being born to the Empress.
Xiao Man looked at Ying Xue. “Ying Xue, never underestimate anyone. Even if a person appears as foolish as a pig, the Crown Prince coming to instigate our grandmother to beat me was within my predictions, and likely within his as well. The fact that he can maintain his position as Crown Prince is not due to the Duke of Guo’s mansion, but his own abilities.”
“Then why did the Crown Prince still offend the Protector General’s Mansion? Isn’t he creating an enemy for himself?”
“To let people know that the Crown Prince is foolish.” Xiao Man’s eyes turned cold. If the Crown Prince had orchestrated this matter from behind the scenes, then who within the mansion was involved? Moreover, the Crown Prince had no reason to kill her; who was the one who wanted to kill her?
Xiao Man went through all the possible individuals, finally settling on Prince Qin.
Only Prince Qin had the ability and the motive. Yet, Prince Qin had had little interaction with the Protector General’s Mansion. The Protector General’s Mansion did not participate in factional disputes, nor did Prince Qin. Why would Prince Qin want to kill her?
If Prince Qin truly wanted to kill her, there would have been many opportunities; there was no need for such trouble!
What had she overlooked, or rather, whom had Xiao Man offended?