Xiao Xiang clutched the sachet in her hand so tightly her fingers turned white. Status, it was always about status!
Just because Xiao Man was the legitimate daughter, she could take everything from her?
What was so great about Xiao Man that Young Master Wen liked her?
It was merely because of her status as the legitimate daughter. Without that status, Xiao Man was nothing!
"Second Sister, Second Sister." Xiao Ting tugged at Xiao Xiang's sleeve. "Your flowers are so beautiful. Where did you pick them?"
"I picked them outside the temple. If you like them, I'll take you another day." Xiao Xiang's face immediately broke into a smile, as if the person who had been contorted with hatred moments ago wasn't her. "You should go back quickly, or your concubine mother will be looking for you."
"Okay."
As soon as Xiao Ting left, the smile vanished from Xiao Xiang's face, replaced by a gloomy expression. She looked at the bouquet in her arms with cold eyes, and after a long while, a sinister smile curved her lips. She reached out and caressed the blue petals.
"Bi Lian, find a vase and arrange these flowers. Take them to Big Sister," Xiao Xiang thrust the bouquet into Bi Lian's hand. "Make sure they reach Big Sister's hands, understand?"
"Yes, Miss." Bi Lian quickly replied. She went back to her room, found a vase, arranged the flowers, and sent them to Xiao Man.
When Xiao Man returned, she was summoned to the Old Madam's presence to copy Buddhist scriptures. It wasn't until after dinner that the Old Madam allowed her to return. Upon returning, she saw a bouquet of flowers in her room.
"These flowers are quite pretty. Where did they come from?" Xiao Man inquired.
"They were sent by the Second Miss's maid, Bi Lian. She said the Second Miss picked them and sent a bunch to Miss," Qiu Tong said as she saw Xiao Man slump wearily onto a nearby chair, and quickly went to massage Xiao Man's legs. "Shall I go fetch a basin of hot water for Miss to soak her feet?"
"That would be good."
Xiao Man stared at the bouquet for a long time. She knew Xiao Xiang would never kindly send her flowers.
Qiu Tong returned with hot water and helped Xiao Man soak her feet. Xiao Man rubbed her temples, feeling a bit dry and thirsty. "Pour me a cup of tea. Tonight's vegetarian meal, I don't know why, was a bit salty."
Qiu Tong poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Xiao Man. Xiao Man held the teacup and drank it slowly.
However, in a short while, she broke out in a sweat and felt extremely uncomfortable. She then asked Qiu Tong to prepare hot soup for a bath.
Nangong Yu received news from his hidden guards that a bunch of Xue Jialuo flowers had appeared in Xiao Man's room. This flower was not common, and the flower itself was not poisonous. However, the presence of Xue Jialuo in Xiao Man's room was definitely problematic!
As Nangong Yu infiltrated the room, he happened to see Xiao Man bathing. Nangong Yu was surprised. Just as he was about to turn away, his gaze inadvertently swept across Xiao Man's shoulder.
On Xiao Man's right shoulder, two distinct teeth marks were clearly visible. Yet last night, he had clearly seen no teeth marks on Xiao Man's shoulder!
Nangong Yu carefully recalled the events of last night and couldn't help but feel annoyed. Xiao Man must have used some method to temporarily conceal the teeth marks on her shoulder. Everything she did last night was likely to evade detection. Both Wen Mohan and he had been deceived by her!
Nangong Yu gritted his teeth. This little fox was truly not to be underestimated!
If it was her last night, then she was also the one who broke into Qingfeng Courtyard on the fifteenth of the third month!
That bald monk Wuyou was indeed lying. Xiao Man could not be at Gan'ye Temple!
But the virginity mark on Xiao Man's arm was intact. If it was her that night, her arm shouldn't still have the virginity mark. Nangong Yu was once again confused.
Xiao Man also sensed something was wrong at this moment.
Her body temperature kept rising, and the burning sensation was very similar to the night she was reborn. However, she had been very careful about what she ate, so she shouldn't have been poisoned!
Xiao Man's gaze fell on the flowers on the table. They were the only new item in her room, and they were sent by Xiao Xiang.
Xiao Man gritted her teeth, immediately got up, put on the clothes beside her, and opened the door. A figure darted in. Xiao Man was startled and immediately attacked, but her wrist was caught. "Seeing you full of energy, it seems you don't need my help."
Xiao Man finally saw the person clearly. Although this person was wearing a mask, she couldn't see their face, but it didn't prevent her from recognizing who it was. After all, they had clashed twice, and this person was carrying a man in his hand.
The man she recognized was the nephew of the Third Concubine's family, a good-for-nothing scoundrel!
Xiao Man let the person in and blocked the door, trying to appear as usual. "May I ask why you are visiting so late at night?"
Nangong Yu looked at the Xue Jialuo on the table. "This flower is rare, the Xue Jialuo unique to the Western Regions. It's harmless on its own. But if mixed with Su He Xiang, it becomes very problematic. If I'm not mistaken, your evening meal must have been laced with Su He Xiang. When I arrived, I saw this person lurking suspiciously outside your door, so I knocked him out and brought him in. What do you want to do with him?" Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Man looked at the unconscious Bai Shun, a flash of anger crossing her face. "I didn't want to pursue past matters, but my forbearance has become a sign of weakness. Since that's the case, I'll give them a taste of their own medicine."
"Do you know who plotted against you?"
"Naturally, it's my good Second Sister!" Xiao Man said coldly. "Please help me with this favor."
"How will you repay me?" Nangong Yu leaned close to Xiao Man and asked softly.
"Within my abilities, I will grant you one wish."
"Deal!"
Nangong Yu handed the man over to the hidden guards and instructed them to do as Xiao Man said. Then, he put his arm around Xiao Man's waist. Xiao Man was startled and immediately pushed Nangong Yu away.
"What are you doing?"
"Xue Jialuo mixed with Su He Xiang has an effect comparable to the Fire Charm Poison. Are you sure you want to wait here for the medicine to wear off?" Nangong Yu asked.
"Do you have a solution?"
"There is a cold pond on the summit of Gan'ye Temple. If you soak in it for an hour, you'll be rid of this medicine. Of course, there's also an instant antidote right in front of you. Do you dare to take it?" Nangong Yu asked, looking at Xiao Man's flushed face with a half-smile.
Xiao Man choked for a moment, then pushed Nangong Yu away. However, her body was weak, and the push seemed more like a coy resistance. Nangong Yu's smile grew more unrestrained.
Xiao Man gnawed her lip in annoyance. "I cannot leave my room. If Grandmother discovers I'm gone later, it will surely cause a stir."
Nangong Yu snapped his fingers, and a woman emerged from the darkness. Her face was identical to Xiao Man's. "Master."
"Now you can rest assured, can't you?" Nangong Yu said, then wrapped his arm around Xiao Man and leaped out.
The woman impersonating Xiao Man lay down fully clothed, waiting for the person behind the scenes to reveal themselves.