"Master, what shall we do next?"
"Slowly, one day, I will return and demand repayment for these countless blood debts!" Xiao Man gritted her teeth. "I can protect Yun Qi's empire, and I can destroy it. I will eradicate Yun Qi from this continent entirely!"
Qin Xue immediately knelt. "This subordinate obeys."
"Get up quickly," Xiao Man helped her up. "You've worked hard all these years."
"This subordinate has not worked hard. As long as you are alive, everything this subordinate has done is worth it!" Qin Xue choked back tears.
When the news of Empress Dowager Yun Qi's death in the deep palace reached her, she had almost collapsed. But she had always remembered her promise with Dugu Man and had not rashly gone to Yun Qi, otherwise, her master's years of effort would have been in vain.
"I need people by my side. You arrange for a few trustworthy maids to enter the General's mansion and serve me," Xiao Man instructed. "No one must find any trace. The Hundred Flower Pavilion cannot be exposed yet."
"This subordinate understands."
Xiao Man put away the Golden Feather Token and composed herself.
Qin Xue brought another box of incense and escorted Xiao Man downstairs. "This Maiden's Fragrance is not as good as the Soul Returning Incense, but it is still a rare and fine scent. Young Miss can try it first."
"In that case, thank you, Pavilion Master."
Xiao Man took the box and went downstairs. Qin Xue saw her off.
Zuo Yunfei, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, hurried forward. "Young Miss, have you found any incense you like?"
Xiao Man nodded slowly and turned to leave. Zuo Yunfei quickly followed. "Young Miss, are you planning to return to the mansion? Shall I escort you?"
"No need, I don't plan to return to the mansion for now."
"Then let me accompany you for a stroll. You haven't been out of the mansion for a while, and you don't know what's new outside. A new pastry shop has opened on the north street, and their pastries are excellent and very delicious. Shall I take you to try them?" Zuo Yunfei said very solicitously.
Xiao Man merely smiled and refused. "Young Master Zuo, you and I are not a suitable match..."
"I know you don't like me, but we are still friends," Zuo Yunfei interrupted Xiao Man. "I know, proposing marriage through my mother was rash. I'm sorry, I'll change. I won't act impulsively again. I won't do anything you don't like. What do you say?"
"Zuo Yunfei, do you have any backbone left?" a man's voice called out, followed by the sound of spitting. "She's already said she doesn't like you, and you're still clinging to her like a beggar. Do you know what this is called? Servitude!"
"Xue Kun, it's you again!" Zuo Yunfei immediately stood in front of Xiao Man. "What do you want?"
Xue Kun was the nephew of the Empress's maternal family. Everyone gave him a wide berth, but Xiao Man did not. Xue Kun had suffered countless losses at Xiao Man's hands. He couldn't beat her in a fight, nor could he out-argue her. Yet, every time he saw Xiao Man, he would hurl insults and cause trouble.
Xue Kun leaned past Zuo Yunfei to look at Xiao Man. After more than a month, not to mention Xiao Man's attire today, she was indeed as moving as an orchid in an empty valley. He couldn't help but swallow.
"I heard Granny Sheng praised you as possessing the beauty of an orchid and the talent of a celestial being. How much did you pay Granny Sheng to praise you so dishonestly?"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Yunfei became like an enraged lion, grabbing Xue Kun's collar.
"Xue Kun, how dare you spout nonsense! Who is Granny Sheng? How can she be bribed with money?"
Xue Kun pulled his collar free from Zuo Yunfei's grasp. "What can money not buy? If it can't be bought, it means your price wasn't high enough, right, Xiao Man."
Xiao Man actually smiled and agreed. "Indeed, after all, money makes the mare go."
"Did you hear that? Get out of the way," Xue Kun patted Zuo Yunfei's chest, making him step aside. He then approached Xiao Man and asked curiously, "Then how much did you pay Granny Sheng to speak falsely for you?"
Xiao Man thought carefully. "How much do you think I could afford?"
"Ten thousand taels?"
Xiao Man shook her head. She couldn't produce ten thousand taels. Although she was the eldest daughter of the General's mansion, she didn't have much money on hand, especially since Xiao Man had always been extravagant and had no savings.
"Could it be a hundred thousand taels? Granny Sheng really is a lion who asks for the moon!" Xue Kun crossed his arms and stroked his chin. "I really didn't realize that about her."
"Actually, I didn't bribe Granny Sheng."
"You didn't bribe Granny Sheng, then who did you bribe?" Xue Kun asked, his eyes full of curiosity. "Could it be you bribed Prince Qin?"
"Yes, how did you know I bribed Prince Qin?"
A playful smile flashed in Xiao Man's eyes.
Zuo Yunfei swallowed and blinked vigorously at Xiao Man.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Man ignored him and tugged at his sleeve.
Xiao Man pulled her sleeve back. Zuo Yunfei wanted to speak, but receiving Prince Qin's icy gaze, he swallowed the words back.
"Bah." Xue Kun spat. "Is Prince Qin someone who can be easily bribed?"
"Didn't you just say that if something can't be bought, it means the price wasn't high enough? Prince Qin is also human. If the price is right, money moves hearts. Prince Qin might agree."
"Then how much silver did you spend to bribe Prince Qin, to make Granny Sheng speak falsely for you?" Xue Kun asked curiously.
Prince Qin had always been cold-hearted and disliked associating with powerful court officials. However, Prince Qin was a formidable warrior and held military power. If Prince Qin could truly be bribed with money, then it would not be impossible for him to support the Crown Prince.
"Coincidentally, I also want to know how much money you spent to bribe me," Prince Qin's voice, Nangong Yu, came coolly. Xiao Man's scalp tingled. She glanced sideways and saw Nangong Yu sitting on horseback, looking down at them from above.
Xue Kun swallowed and subtly retreated backward.
For some reason, he always felt a chill whenever he saw Prince Qin. Yet, this person had an innocent face, inheriting all the good qualities of Consort Xue. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him peerlessly handsome. How many young ladies in the capital were captivated by his face, but it was precisely this face that made him tremble.
"When did I say I used money to bribe Your Highness?" Xiao Man asked with a shallow smile.
"You just said you didn't bribe Granny Sheng, but bribed the Prince, and that's why Granny Sheng helped you speak falsely!" Xue Kun immediately stabbed her.
Xiao Man glanced at Xue Kun. She realized there was a reason why Xiao Man used to beat this boy up. He was too deserving of a beating!
"I never said that. He's lying," Xiao Man said righteously. "Besides, why would I bribe the Prince?"
"You made the Prince force Granny Sheng to speak falsely for you!" Xue Kun gloated. "You're just an ignorant bumpkin who knows nothing. And Granny Sheng praised you as having the talent of a celestial being? The first half is true, but the second half is definitely false."