Chu Qingge grinned, resisting the urge to slam the table. Everyone knew that the great General Xiao Zhen doted on Xiao Man, giving her the moon and stars, and that all the other young ladies in the household had to take a backseat to her.
Yan Mengyao’s face changed, and just as she was about to retort, Xiao Ling tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stop.
Xiao Man held a unique position in the household, and this was common knowledge. If she clashed with Xiao Man here, she would be the one to suffer, as her father always protected her without question.
“Big Sister, please don’t be angry. Mengyao cousin meant that the Yan family is also Big Sister’s maternal family and always welcomes Big Sister.”
Xiao Ling’s smile seemed fragile, as if she had suffered great injustice, causing the surrounding young ladies to frown.
“Miss Xiao throws her weight around a lot. I presume you bully your sisters in the household like this every day?” another voice chimed in.
Xiao Man looked in the direction of the voice. The speaker was none other than the Princess Zhaoyao, personally enfeoffed by the Emperor. However, her status was rather awkward, as she was orphaned and fostered by others. While she was called a princess, she was, in essence, a pathetic creature living under someone else’s roof.
Xiao Man picked up the teacup on the table and slowly took a sip, not bothering to look at Princess Zhaoyao.
Princess Zhaoyao, clad in a goose-yellow, wide-sleeved, floor-length gown, glided over and stopped before Xiao Man, looking down at her. “Xiao Man, how dare you! Not kneel and pay your respects when you see this princess!”
Xiao Man had no intention of engaging with her, but since the woman was seeking trouble, Xiao Man gently blew on the tea foam on the surface, her voice neither hurried nor slow. “His Majesty’s grace permits me to see him without kneeling. Princess Zhaoyao, you have such great airs, as if you are more noble than His Majesty. I don’t even need to kneel before His Majesty, yet you expect me to prostrate myself before you now.”
Princess Zhaoyao’s face changed, and she bit her red lips. She had almost forgotten about that. Because the Xiao family had made significant contributions in battle and were loyal to the throne, and General Xiao doted on Xiao Man, the Emperor had granted her the privilege of not kneeling when meeting him. However, the words had already been spoken, and retracting them now would be losing face. Before she could speak, Xiao Man continued.
“Princess Zhaoyao’s father died saving the Emperor. His Majesty, remembering your biological father’s meritorious service and pitying you as an orphan, bestowed upon you the title of princess and placed you under the care of Old Prince Zhao. Today, Princess Zhaoyao, are you expecting this humble girl to kneel because of your father’s meritorious service in saving the Emperor, or because of Old Prince Zhao’s high position and power?”
“Li Zhaoyao!” a furious roar echoed. “Return to your seat.”
Xiao Man looked in the direction of the voice and nodded slightly in greeting. “Greetings to Princess He An.”
“Miss Xiao, there’s no need for excessive courtesy. Zhaoyao was impolite; I hope Miss Xiao can forgive her.”
“Princess He An is too kind.” After speaking, Xiao Man turned her head to converse with Chu Qingge, no longer paying attention to Li Zhaoyao.
Li Zhaoyao’s face turned pale, then green. She dared to challenge Xiao Man but not Princess He An. Princess He An was the legitimate daughter of Old Prince Zhao, of noble status, and she, a princess of a different lineage, could not compare. Unwillingly, she turned and returned to her seat.
Xiao Ling’s gaze had been fixed on Xiao Man. If Yan Mengyao had provoked Xiao Man like this in the past, Xiao Man would have already acted. But today, not only did Xiao Man not resort to physical action, but she also silenced her with just a few words. When had Xiao Man become so sharp-tongued?
“Third Sister, why are you still standing here?” Xiao Man asked with a smile, seeing Xiao Ling still standing motionlessly. “Does Third Sister want to sit with Miss Yan, or sit with us?”
Xiao Ling smiled faintly. “I will sit with cousin Mengyao. The seats have already been arranged there, so there’s no need to rearrange them.”
“Very well.” After saying this, Xiao Man no longer paid attention to Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling felt suspicious, but her face showed no emotion as she pulled the displeased Yan Mengyao away.
“You’re just going to let her bully you like this?” Yan Mengyao was full of anger. Xiao Man’s arrogance and overbearing nature were well-known in the capital. Her parents had called her to the Minister’s mansion because they were worried she would be bullied by Xiao Man, yet this person showed no restraint.
“Cousin, I’m fine, I’m used to it. Big Sister is actually quite well today; she didn’t resort to physical action. You should avoid conflicts with Big Sister in the future. Big Sister is skilled in martial arts, so it’s best to avoid getting hurt.” Xiao Ling said in a low voice.
Yan Mengyao’s face changed upon hearing this. She glanced at Xiao Man and gritted her teeth, enduring it. If she were to fight with Xiao Man, she would be the one to suffer in the end.
This little drama was observed by the Crown Prince and Prince Qin. The Crown Prince invited Prince Qin to play chess, saying as they played, “The eldest daughter of the Protector General’s mansion has changed a lot. It seems Madam Sheng’s efforts as her governess have had some effect.”
Nangong Yu placed a chess piece. “Boring.”
“Don’t be impatient. The banquet is about to begin. Today’s flower-viewing banquet is not just a simple flower-viewing banquet,” the Crown Prince said mysteriously. “You, coming here for the rare occasion, why not patiently stay until the end?”
Nangong Yu was absent-minded, playing chess casually. Watching the Crown Prince’s slow moves, he thought of Xiao Man playing chess: quick moves, sharp eyes, a cunning mind, always subtly digging traps for her opponents, then casually stirring their hearts, waiting for them to make mistakes and deliver themselves into her hands.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness Prince Qin, the banquet is about to begin. Please proceed.”
The Crown Prince immediately put his chess piece back into the jar. “It seems this game of chess won’t be finished. Let’s go, Fourth Brother.”
The Prime Minister’s flower-viewing banquet was held in a lake pavilion shaped like a Chinese character "回" (huí). Banquet tables were set up on both sides, with various fresh flowers displayed in the center to create partitions, allowing guests to admire the flowers while also catching glimpses of the scenery opposite.
Wen Mohan led the male guests to be seated on the right side, while Wen Moyu led the young ladies to the left. A group of young ladies, chatting and laughing, headed towards the lake pavilion.
Xiao Man and Chu Qingge walked hand in hand at the front, followed by Xiao Ling and the Yan family ladies. Xiao Xiang walked silently beside Xiao Man.
Suddenly, a hand reached out towards Xiao Man, clearly intending to push her into the lake. However, Xiao Man shifted to the side, and the hand pushed Xiao Xiang, who was standing beside her, into the lake instead.
With a splash, everyone saw Xiao Xiang struggling in the water. The person closest to Xiao Xiang was, of course, Xiao Man.
“What are you all standing around for? Hurry and save her!” Wen Moyu repeatedly ordered, but all the young ladies who had come to the lake pavilion couldn’t swim, and not even a single accompanying maid could swim.
The male guests on the other side noticed someone had fallen into the water, but no one ventured in to rescue them.
Suddenly, a figure leaped into the water and swam vigorously towards the drowning Xiao Xiang, grabbed her, and began dragging her towards the shore.