The old madam sat in the main seat, her face ashen. Looking at the two disheveled figures, her heart ached. She had thought this second daughter was sensible, never expecting her to commit such a scandalous act in a holy place of Buddhism!
"Drag this girl out and beat her to death."
Bilian turned pale with fright and quickly tugged at the second young lady's sleeve, trying to plead. But the servants were swift. They covered her mouth and dragged her out. The sound of the beating outside, each stroke, felt like it landed on Xiao Xiang's heart.
The third concubine was terrified by the old madam's ruthless methods and quickly knelt down. "Old madam, there must be a misunderstanding. The second young lady was framed. She is absolutely not that kind of person."
"Third concubine, that paramour is your maternal nephew," Concubine Lin said sarcastically. "I understand that cousins can't help themselves with their affections, but what kind of place is this? It's a temple, a holy place of Buddhism. It's bad enough for the second young lady, but she even dragged a maid into such shameless acts. It truly disgraces the General's Mansion."
"You're spouting nonsense! The second young lady is not like that. Someone framed her!"
The old madam glared fiercely at Xiao Xiang. "You committed such a shameless act. Do you have anything to say?"
Xiao Xiang's unfocused gaze finally found its mark, landing on Xiao Man, who stood beside the old madam. Her eyes blazed with intense hatred. It was Xiao Man! It was Xiao Man who ruined her! Bai Shun should have defiled her!
"Grandmother, your granddaughter doesn't know what happened. Someone framed your granddaughter, Grandmother..."
Xiao Xiang knew that at this moment, she couldn't admit to anything, nor could she falsely accuse anyone. Otherwise, for the sake of the General's Mansion's reputation, the old madam would surely have her secretly killed!
"Mother, the second young lady has committed such a scandal. It absolutely cannot be spread. If we punish her here, and people find out, it will inevitably lead to wild speculation. This matter should be handled after we return to the mansion," Yan Shi said.
The old madam was filled with hatred, but she knew Yan Shi was right. Punishing Xiao Xiang on the spot would undoubtedly arouse suspicion. Moreover, with so many dignitaries at Gan Ye Temple, if word leaked out, it would affect the future of other young ladies in the mansion!
And then there was Xiao Man, the "daughter of destiny." The old madam would never allow anyone to tarnish the General's Mansion's reputation or allow anyone to slander it!
"Dispose of the bodies outside cleanly. Don't let anyone discover anything." The old madam rose and walked out. Passing by Xiao Xiang, she said, "You stay put. I'll deal with you when we get back. If you do anything out of line again, don't blame your grandmother for being heartless!"
After everyone had left, Xiao Xiang collapsed onto the ground and wept uncontrollably for a long time. It shouldn't be like this! It should have been Xiao Man who was treated like this!
"Xiang'er..." The third concubine hugged the second young lady, her heart aching.
"It was Xiao Man! Xiao Man framed me!" Xiao Xiang said through gritted teeth. "She framed me!"
"Your concubine knows!" The third concubine certainly knew Xiao Man had plotted against them, but she couldn't say it. After all, they had plotted against Xiao Man first. If the old madam found out they had secretly tried to harm the legitimate eldest daughter, even with her concern for the mansion's reputation, she would likely have them killed on the spot!
Xiao Man returned to her room and found Nangong Yu still there. "Qin Pavilion Master, you haven't left yet?"
"You truly are heartless, woman. This Pavilion Master has done you such a great favor, and you're rushing me off without even a sip of water." Nangong Yu picked up the teapot, only to find it empty.
"The show is over. Are you happy now?"
"What is there to be happy about?" Xiao Man turned on the small brazier nearby and started boiling water. "I can't be happy about being harmed by my own sister."
"Such things are not uncommon in noble families," Nangong Yu said mockingly. "Since you were little, haven't you been schemed against by them often enough?"
Xiao Man took out some tea leaves and slowly began to brew tea, not rushing to answer Nangong Yu.
"I naturally know there are many unsavory things in the deep compounds and back courtyards. But as the legitimate eldest daughter, why should I bother with a concubine's daughter? As long as I don't make mistakes, she can never surpass me."
"But she wants you to make a big mistake so she can surpass you," Nangong Yu took the tea Xiao Man brewed and smelled it. "Your tea brewing skills are quite good."
"Given my old madam's temperament, with the mistake she made, there's no hope for her anymore," Xiao Man sighed. "If she had come to her senses and been content to be the second young lady, Grandmother would have found her a good match. Now, she's ruined it all herself."
Nangong Yu was puzzled. Even though Xiao Man's concubine sister had harmed her so much, why didn't she feel any pity for her? "Don't you hate her?"
"There's no need." Xiao Man took small sips of the hot tea, warming her body. "My enemies have never been her."
Nangong Yu's eyes flickered. "Who is your enemy?"
"Naturally, it is the one who caused my family to be separated."
"The current Emperor?" Nangong Yu asked teasingly.
Xiao Man gave Nangong Yu a sidelong glance. "Qin Pavilion Master, you've had your tea, and it's getting late. You should..."
*Knock, knock, knock.* There was a knock at the door. Xiao Man's expression changed.
Xiao Man immediately threw off the quilt, making Nangong Yu hide on the bed. She then collected the teacup Nangong Yu had used and took off her outer robe, lying down on the bed.
"Who is it?"
"Eldest Young Lady, Granny Xu is here."
Xiao Man glanced at Nangong Yu under the covers and bit her lip. "Granny Xu, is Grandmother looking for me? I am already asleep."
Then, Granny Xu pushed the door open as if she hadn't heard anything. She saw Xiao Man lying on the bed with her back to her and immediately said, "Reporting to the Eldest Young Lady, the old madam said she will be descending the mountain early tomorrow morning and asked the Eldest Young Lady to wake up early not to delay their departure."
"Alright, I understand."
"This servant takes her leave."
After Granny Xu left, Qiu Tong closed the door. Xiao Man finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Nangong Yu lay under the quilt, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man.
So close, he could smell the faint scent on Xiao Man, different from what he smelled when his poison acted up. No wonder he couldn't find any trace of her. This woman truly had many tricks. The teeth marks on her shoulder indicated that the virginity mark on her arm must be fake.
Xiao Man lifted the quilt. "Aren't you going to leave quickly? If someone catches you, and you make my old madam so angry that she dies, my father will beat me to death when he returns."
Nangong Yu got out of bed, a smile playing on his lips. "If the old madam finds out, I will marry you."
"I'm afraid my old madam won't agree. Hurry up and leave, or I won't be polite."
Seeing Nangong Yu leap out the window, Xiao Man immediately closed the window, blew out the lamp, and went to sleep!