To show her favor towards Xiao Man, the Empress Dowager invited her to dine with her. Having not slept well the previous night, Xiao Man still felt drowsy despite sleeping for a long time during the day, but she mustered her spirits.
"Now that you are living in the palace, if you lack anything or want to eat something, just tell the palace staff. If anyone dares to mistreat you, tell me, and I will flay their skin."
"Yes, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager watched Xiao Man's elegant dining posture, a sharp glint in her eyes. In the capital, everyone knew Xiao Man was a dissolute noble, indulging in eating, drinking, gambling, and all sorts of pastimes. She, along with Nangong Yi and Xue Kun, were the "Three Poisons" of the capital, capable of causing chaos throughout the city.
However, who would have known that beneath Xiao Man's superficial persona as a noble scion, she had learned everything she should and shouldn't have. "Your dining etiquette is truly pleasing to the eye."
Xiao Man put down her chopsticks. "Last year, my family hired a governess to teach me specifically. I fear I haven't learned well enough and have made Your Highness laugh."
The Empress Dowager gestured for Xiao Man to continue eating. A palace maid stood by, serving dishes to Xiao Man. "In the past, you and the Thirteenth Prince were inseparable, causing a lot of trouble together. Now that the Thirteenth Prince is about to get married, what are your thoughts?"
"Miss Du is gentle and virtuous, and also graceful and beautiful; truly a good woman," Xiao Man replied softly. "I believe Your Highness will be able to hold a great-grandchild next year."
The Empress Dowager smiled heartily. "Then when do you plan to get married?"
A look of helplessness appeared on Xiao Man's face. "Empress Dowager, with my current condition, wouldn't marriage be harming someone? The doctors say I don't have much time left, and I could pass away at any moment. Why should I bring misfortune upon others? I only wish to stay by my family's side."
"A lifetime, if one doesn't get married and have children, it is not complete," the Empress Dowager said slowly. "As the eldest daughter of the General Who Guards the Nation's Manor and a princess personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, your status is noble. What man would dare to disdain you? Tell me, do you have someone you favor? If so, I will grant you a marriage."
Xiao Man smiled and shook her head, picking up a meatball the palace maid had served her. As she took the first bite, Xiao Man felt something was wrong. A flicker of light flashed in her eyes, but without hesitation, she swallowed the entire meatball.
"Child, your grandmother and I were good sisters. You are like my own granddaughter. Seeing you like this, my heart is truly pained..."
The chopsticks in Xiao Man's hand fell, the cup was overturned, and her breathing became rapid. She clutched her chest, appearing to be in great distress. The Empress Dowager's expression changed. "What is wrong?"
Xiao Man collapsed onto the ground, grasping her neck, her breathing fast and shallow, as if she could barely catch her breath. Her already sickly complexion instantly turned as pale as white paper!
"Miss, Miss, what's wrong?" Yin Zhu knelt beside Xiao Man, calling out anxiously. "Miss, you absolutely cannot have anything happen, otherwise, the General will go mad."
"Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician. And immediately send for Master Zhong," the Empress Dowager said with urgency. She was eating fine, how could something like this happen? Her gaze fell on the food on the table. Everything from Cien Palace was tested for poison before being sent. How could Xiao Man have ended up like this?
Master Zhong arrived in a hurry. Upon learning that Xiao Man had become like this after eating, he immediately induced vomiting and administered medicine, but it only alleviated Xiao Man's suffering.
Imperial physicians bustled in and out, and the entire Cien Palace was in an uproar. The Empress Dowager sat in a side hall, fiddling with her prayer beads, feeling her temples throb. She knew Xiao Man's health was poor, but she hadn't expected her to be so frail. The Empress Dowager regretted keeping Xiao Man in the palace.
If Xiao Man were to suddenly fall ill in the palace and die, the General Who Guards the Nation's Manor would surely hold her accountable. But if she were to let Xiao Man leave, she was worried it would ruin her plans!
"Empress Dowager."
"Master Zhong, how is she?"
"We have induced vomiting of everything she ate. There is no poison. It turns out Princess Yongning is severely allergic to jasmine pollen, and one of the dishes contained jasmine pollen, nearly endangering her life. She has been given medicine and is temporarily stable," Master Zhong said calmly. "For Princess Yongning's safety, I will remain in Changle Palace tonight."
"Thank you, Master. Please ensure she is alright." The Empress Dowager looked at Li Lin. "Little Li Zi, go, give the imperial chefs who prepared tonight's dinner thirty lashes."
"Yes."
"Empress Dowager, shall we return to your palace to rest?"
"Let's go see that girl first." Supported by Eunuch Li, the Empress Dowager went to see Xiao Man. Xiao Man was already asleep, her breathing weak, as if the last breath in her chest could snap at any moment, causing a sense of unease.
"Take good care of her. If anything happens, send someone to inform me."
"This servant obeys."
News of Xiao Man falling ill in the palace spread outside. In the middle of the night, Xiao Zhen stormed into the palace. The Empress Dowager had just retired but had to get up upon hearing that Xiao Zhen had forced his way in. "This Xiao Zhen is truly lawless! This is the inner palace, how dare he, a man, barge in so casually?"
"Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. The General is worried about Princess Yongning's health and is anxious, which is why he acted this way."
"Is he afraid I will kill his precious daughter?" The Empress Dowager's face darkened. She hadn't slept well last night, and now this tonight. Was she not going to get any sleep? "Let the Emperor handle him; I can't be bothered!"
"Yes."
The Emperor was still reviewing memorials when he heard about Xiao Zhen forcing his way into the palace, and he also felt a headache. "Hu Wan."
"This servant is here."
"Take the General to Changle Palace to visit her. Given his temperament, he will not leave the palace until he sees his daughter safe and sound."
"This servant accepts the order."
Hu Wan led Xiao Zhen to Changle Palace to visit her. There were many servants in Changle Palace, but the only one truly trusted by Xiao Man was Yin Zhu, whom she had brought with her.
"General." Yin Zhu's eyes reddened, and she almost shed tears.
Xiao Zhen's gaze fell on Xiao Man, and seeing her lying weakly in bed, he felt a pang of unease. "What exactly happened?"
"Jasmine pollen was mixed into the dinner," Yin Zhu choked out.
Xiao Zhen's fierce eyes widened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him, as if he were about to devour someone. The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs timidly lowered their heads, afraid of displeasing Xiao Zhen and facing the fate of being beheaded.
"General, it was the servants' negligence. We didn't know Princess Yongning was allergic to jasmine pollen. We have already given instructions that any food for Princess Yongning must not contain jasmine pollen," Hu Wan said with a smile. "There are dedicated imperial physicians here to attend to her, so General, please rest assured."
"Rest assured? My daughter is like this, how can I rest assured?" Xiao Zhen was furious but tried his best to lower his voice, for fear of disturbing Xiao Man's rest.
Hu Wan smiled apologetically. "General, this was an accident. Please rest assured, such an accident will not happen again. General, it is late, and this is the inner palace. General should return now."