"Sister has not been well, and I have been truly worried. Now that Sister has recovered, I am relieved," Xiao Xiang's gaze swept over Xiao Man's room. The room's furnishings were unchanged, still the same as before. As she withdrew her gaze, her eyes inadvertently fell on a small object on the desk by the window, resting on top of a miscellaneous book. It wasn't the book that caught her attention, but the trinket.
"Thank you for your concern, sister. I am much better now."
Xiao Xiang's pupils contracted, but she concealed it well. "Mother's medical skills are truly remarkable. Sister has recovered so quickly under Mother's care."
"Mother is a renowned physician, and is now well-known in the Imperial Capital. Her medical skills are naturally not inferior," Xiao Man said gently. "I heard that during my unconsciousness, you often visited me at Gan Ye Temple. You are so thoughtful."
Xiao Xiang smiled shyly. "Sister and I are sisters, naturally I wish for you to recover soon."
"I heard that Third Concubine has been helping you look for a suitable match. Have you found anyone you like?"
A hint of disappointment flickered in Xiao Xiang's eyes. He had clearly said he would come to propose, but she had searched the entire Imperial Capital without finding any trace of him. She wondered where he had gone. Had he returned to Yun Zhong City? If so, why hadn't he said goodbye?
"Looking at your expression, you must have someone you like. Tell me quickly, which young master is it?" Xiao Man teased with a smile.
Xiao Xiang twisted the handkerchief in her hand. "Sister is joking. I don't have anyone I like. I haven't thought about marriage. But you, Sister, I heard that His Highness Prince Qin declared he would marry you, and then immediately brought another woman back to his residence. What do you think about that?"
"That is his business, it has nothing to do with me," Xiao Man said softly. "His Majesty has granted me autonomy in marriage, so my marriage will only be considered valid with my consent."
"I envy you, Sister."
"What is there to envy? Look at my current frail appearance. There is nothing to envy." Xiao Man noticed Xiao Xiang's gaze frequently drifting towards her desk, a hint of an unreadable light flashing in her eyes.
"What have you been doing lately, Sister?"
"Nothing much, just embroidering handkerchiefs and reading. I see you have a book on your desk. May I ask what book it is?"
"It's a miscellaneous record, filled with interesting anecdotes from the Four Kingdoms. I'm just reading it to pass the time." Xiao Man stood up, picked up the book, and handed it to Xiao Xiang.
Xiao Xiang flipped through a couple of pages. "I don't enjoy reading these. I find storybooks more interesting. I have some storybooks. Would you like to read them? If so, I can send them over later."
"That's not necessary. I have many storybooks here as well. Would you like to choose a few you like to take back and read?"
"May I?"
Xiao Man nodded and took Xiao Xiang to pick out books. In a large chest in the corner, there was a full box of storybooks. Xiao Xiang chose a few. "Grandmother dislikes us reading these very much. Sister, please keep this a secret for me."
"Don't worry, Grandmother won't find out."
"Then I won't disturb Sister's rest. I'll come see you again tomorrow."
"Alright."
Yin Zhu immediately escorted Xiao Xiang out of the courtyard. Xiao Xiang, clutching the books, with a smile on her face, returned directly to her own courtyard. As soon as she entered her room, she quickly closed the door, her expression turning extremely ferocious.
She had clearly seen that the small trinket Xiao Man used to weigh down the book was familiar. When she got closer and saw it clearly, she realized it was Feng Xi! Feng Xi was actually in Xiao Man's possession!
Xiao Xiang paced back and forth in her room, feeling quite hesitant. Should she spread the news that Feng Xi had appeared? But if she did, her peaceful days would be over. If Master Sheng came to the General's mansion looking for her then, wouldn't he be unable to find her?
Xiao Xiang pondered for a long time and finally decided not to spread the news. Instead, she would find a way to secretly take Feng Xi. Xiao Man was not easy to fool, but the way she casually left Feng Xi on the table indicated that she didn't know what the item was for. She couldn't ask for it directly, so she had to find a way to steal it.
Having made up her mind, Xiao Xiang immediately calmed down. At this moment, a knock came from outside the door. "Who is it?"
"It's me," Third Concubine's voice sounded from outside. "Why are you closing the door in broad daylight?"
Xiao Xiang opened the door and let Third Concubine in. "I was feeling a bit sleepy and wanted to take a nap. Does Concubine have something?"
"You just returned from Shui Yue Xia Zhu. How is Eldest Miss?"
"She looks much better. It seems she has recovered quickly under Madam's care," Xiao Xiang said softly. "Don't provoke her. If you anger Eldest Sister, I won't be able to save you."
"Why would I provoke her?" Third Concubine said indignantly. "Do I dare provoke her? My life is still in her hands."
"It's good that Concubine knows that," Xiao Xiang picked up the embroidery basket beside her and continued embroidering the unfinished handkerchief. "You should interact less with Concubine Lin."
"I'm just talking to her. In this mansion now, she's the only one who can talk to me," Third Concubine sighed. "Why did Fourth Concubine go mad?"
"How would I know? You'd have to ask the doctor." Xiao Xiang was contemplating in her mind that Fourth Concubine's madness must be related to Xiao Zhen, but this was something that couldn't be said aloud. "As long as Concubine is cautious with her words and actions, I don't think you'll end up the same way as Fourth Concubine."
Third Concubine shivered. "What... what do you mean? Are you saying Fourth Concubine was driven mad by someone?"
"I didn't say anything," Xiao Xiang replied without looking up. "You, Concubine, should go to Concubine Lin's courtyard less. She's not easy to deal with. Be careful she doesn't use you as a pawn."
"If she uses me as a pawn, who will she be dealing with?"
"No matter who it is, it's someone who can lead you to eternal damnation." Xiao Xiang gave her a side-eye. In this mansion, besides herself, who didn't have a backer? Even Concubine Lin had the Old Madam protecting her!
Nan Gong Yu returned to the General's mansion in high spirits. Seeing Nan Gong Yu smiling, Si Feng breathed a sigh of relief and emerged from the shadows.
"Master."
Nan Gong Yu glanced at him. "Tell me, what are you planning to do?"
"This subordinate also doesn't know what to do," Si Feng said with a hint of a sob. He thought this matter would be like visiting a brothel, something that would pass. Who knew Luo Bing Qing would suddenly appear, and even be pregnant? Now he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
"What, has your heart softened?"
"After all, she is carrying my child," Si Feng said cautiously.
Nan Gong Yu walked towards the study. "Think it through yourself. You know Luo Bing Qing's personality. If she doesn't get her way, who knows what she will do."
Si Feng hesitated. "Master, can I handle this matter myself?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Master," Si Feng said repeatedly. He watched Nan Gong Yu enter the study before disappearing.