Bai Linglong ate in silence. Princess Jiu was truly pitiful. She had meant well by warning Xiao Man that the Empress Dowager intended to bestow Dan Yuyan in marriage to the Prince of Qin. Although it carried a hint of instigation, it was all factually true. Yet, Xiao Man had gifted her an earth-shattering piece of news in return, leaving her stunned.
"That's why I'm worried," Xiao Man sighed. "But I am a princess bestowed by His Majesty. Perhaps I can stand in for you, Princess Jiu, in a marriage alliance. After all, my health is not good, and I don't know how long I can live. It might as well be a contribution to the court."
"The Young Emperor Yun Qi desires a direct descendant princess, and moreover, for the position of Empress. How would he be willing to accept a sickly person?" Xiang Huan'er shook her head. "The choice will likely be Princess Jiu."
Ling Xuan lowered his head, a faint smile touching his lips. Xiao Man's way of causing annoyance had become so circuitous. He wondered what Princess Jiu had done to offend her.
"If a marriage alliance is necessary, as a princess, I am naturally without obligation. How can I let you take my place?" Nangong Wu forced a smile.
"Don't worry too much. This matter is not yet finalized. Perhaps Yun Qi has changed his mind. That Young Emperor Yun Qi is unpredictable, his decrees changing by the day. Until you receive the marriage alliance document, there's no need to worry," Xiao Man consoled her. "I originally wanted to invite you all over to enjoy the flowers. Let's not talk about this. Let's discuss something simple and pleasant. Drinking. We won't go home until we're drunk today!"
"We don't mind, but can your body withstand such indulgence?" Xiang Huan'er asked playfully.
"Since I've invited you to enjoy the flowers, naturally I must accompany you wholeheartedly."
"Alright, let's play drum-and-flower. Whoever receives the flower must tell a joke. If everyone laughs, they are pardoned. If anyone fails to laugh, they must drink a penalty cup of wine."
"This is good." The few of them busied themselves with the drum and flower game. Ling Xuan seized an opportunity and slipped out of Shuiyue Xiaozhu, heading straight for Xiao Xiang's courtyard. He had been to the General's mansion before and knew the approximate location of Xiao Xiang's courtyard, so he went in search of it. He had to find evidence in Xiao Xiang's courtyard. Xiao Xiang might not have committed murder, but her presence at the scene was suspicious!
"Have someone lead him. He can't even find the Second Young Lady's courtyard," Yin Zhu said with disdain. This Constable Ling didn't even know where the Second Young Lady's courtyard was, yet he dared to wander around the General's mansion. Truly fearless!
Just as Ling Xuan was struggling to find Xiao Xiang's courtyard, he overheard two maids talking: "Yuanyuan, are you taking bird's nest soup to the Second Young Lady?"
"Yes, while the young lady is paying respects to the Madam, I'll quickly fetch the bird's nest soup so that the young lady can eat it when she returns." Yuanyuan then left with the bird's nest soup.
Ling Xuan quickly followed. It was truly as if fate had sent a pillow when one was sleepy. He followed Yuanyuan into Xiao Xiang's courtyard. Xiao Xiang was a庶女 (daughter born of a concubine) in the mansion, and the staffing in her courtyard was far inferior to Xiao Man's. For Ling Xuan to sneak in was as easy as flipping his hand.
However, Ling Xuan searched Xiao Xiang's room thoroughly but found no useful information. He was also worried about Xiao Xiang returning, so he had to leave in a hurry.
As soon as Ling Xuan came out of Xiao Xiang's courtyard, Xiao Xiang returned. The two narrowly missed each other. Ling Xuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed he could only find a breakthrough from Xiao Man. But Xiao Man was as cunning as a fox and ruthless. It wouldn't be easy to find an opening with her!
Ling Xuan prepared to return to Shuiyue Xiaozhu, but as soon as he turned around, something was sprinkled on him. Ling Xuan, caught off guard, was doused. He struggled in vain and then passed out.
"Tie him up and take him away."
When Ling Xuan woke up, it was already dark. He struggled and found himself bound tightly and lying on the ground. The first thing he saw was a pair of embroidered shoes.
Looking up from the embroidered shoes, he saw that the person sitting before him was Xiao Man. Xiao Man held a chess manual, making moves while reading, her posture extremely relaxed.
Ling Xuan understood that Xiao Man had seen through his disguise. It was dark, and he was still here. Xiang Huan'er, that wretched girl, had heartlessly abandoned him and run off. How disloyal.
"Princess Yongning."
"You're awake," Xiao Man asked without looking up, as if her attention was completely absorbed by the chess pieces on the board.
"Why has Princess Yongning captured me?" Ling Xuan asked calmly.
Xiao Man picked up a chess piece and slowly placed it down. "What do you think I captured you for?"
Ling Xuan gritted his teeth. "I did not intend to offend. It's just that the General's mansion is involved in a murder case. To preserve the General's mansion's reputation, I had to enter the mansion to investigate in this manner."
Xiao Man frowned, pondered for a moment, and picked up another chess piece, but hesitated to place it. "Does this mean I should thank you?"
"That's not it. My trespassing into the General's mansion was wrong in itself. Please forgive me, Princess Yongning."
"You say the General's mansion is involved in a murder case. What case?"
"The murder case at the Longsheng Merchant House. Your Second Young Lady was present at the scene of the crime at the time."
"Perhaps she went there out of curiosity. Being present at the time of the crime doesn't mean she's the killer."
"Her footprints were left at the scene."
"How can you be sure those are her footprints?" Xiao Man finally looked at Ling Xuan. "My second sister wears the same shoe size as many young ladies. Do you have any evidence to prove they are her footprints?"
"This..." Ling Xuan was quite embarrassed. "No."
"Without evidence, you trespassed into the General's mansion and slandered my young lady for murder. Ling Xuan, even though you are an official of the court, slandering the family of a first-rank minister carries a significant charge, and it could even implicate Lord Ling. You should think carefully."
Sweat dripped from Ling Xuan's forehead onto the ground. The weather was already very cold. Ling Xuan struggled to sit up, his posture extremely awkward. "This matter is not trivial. After my investigation, the murder case at the Longsheng Merchant House involves the Blue Moon Kingdom."
"Are you implying that the Protector General's mansion is colluding with the enemy and betraying the country?"
"Princess Yongning, that's not what I meant." Ling Xuan was anxious. If Xiao Man twisted his words like this, he feared he wouldn't survive the night!
"Then what do you mean?"
"I suspect your Second Young Lady was used by someone with malicious intent. Someone wants to frame the Protector General's mansion. Currently, General Xiao is defending Yunzhong City, and the Great General is defending the Imperial Capital. These two are pillars of Yushang. I naturally believe in their loyalty to Yushang. However, since this matter involves Blue Moon, I must be cautious. I ask for Princess Yongning's assistance."
"Why should I help you?" Xiao Man asked slowly. "How do I know that you're not holding a grudge because I hit you and then canceled your engagement with my second sister, and you're seeking revenge?"
"Princess Yongning, I admit I dislike you, but in matters of great importance, I still have my principles. This matter is truly not trivial. If this is a ploy by Blue Moon to sow discord, Yushang will face a pincer attack from three nations, and Yushang will be in danger!"