Three days remained until the eighth of the second lunar month. Xiao Man had not returned since she left, and Xiao Zhen spent most of his days in the military camp, rarely coming home. The household affairs were managed by the Third Madam and her daughters. Xiao Ling, since the New Year's banquet, had confined herself to her courtyard and had not stepped out.
"Miss, these are things needed for the wedding. This is the dowry list, please take a look," the maid Chun Xiang carefully handed the dowry list to Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling accepted it indifferently. Given her current predicament, the dowry was quite generous. Apart from the contribution from the general's mansion, Xiao Man had also added a portion. Despite all the mistakes she had made, Xiao Man treated her as consistently as ever.
"Has Eldest Sister returned?"
"Not yet."
"Not yet returned? Is she really that badly injured?" A trace of worry flickered in Xiao Ling's eyes. Previously, she had wished Xiao Man dead, but now she wished her alive, truly alive.
When this thought surfaced, Xiao Ling herself was startled. No, Xiao Man was the enemy who had caused her mother's death, how could she wish her enemy well?
No, that wasn't right! Xiao Man was not an enemy at all. They should have been loving sisters. Why were they fighting each other? For status, or for a man?
Foolish! Xiao Ling suddenly felt that all her previous convictions were utterly ridiculous. Helping outsiders and opposing her own sister, only to become a laughingstock for others. Were those people laughing at Xiao Man? No, they were laughing at everyone in the General's Mansion!
"Chun Xiang, do you think becoming a secondary consort to the Prince of Qi is a good thing?" Xiao Ling asked in a low voice.
"Miss is speaking nonsense again. The Prince of Qi is of noble status, and becoming his secondary consort is naturally immensely honorable. From now on, you will never be bullied again."
"But the Prince of Qi will have a primary consort, and other secondary consorts. As for beauties, the Prince of Qi's mansion has already kept countless beauties."
"Miss, a man having three wives and four concubines is the norm. Moreover, even a general has several concubines," Chun Xiang advised. "Miss, don't overthink it. The wedding is soon, you should just happily wait to be a bride."
"Bride? What kind of bride am I? Just a lowly concubine," Xiao Ling sneered. "Eldest Sister said that the daughters of the General's Mansion do not become concubines."
"Miss, Eldest Miss was just joking, don't take it to heart."
"If it were Eldest Sister, she would never become a concubine." Xiao Ling stood up and pushed open the window, looking out. The February wind was a bit cold, but she felt no fear. "As her sister, I must not disgrace the General's Mansion either."
"Miss… are you… alright?" Chun Xiang asked, worried. The General had ordered that the Third Miss be watched and not allowed to act rashly, but she felt that the Third Miss clearly intended to stir up trouble!
"I'm fine. I have never been so clear-headed. Chun Xiang, go to Shui Yue Small Pavilion and ask when Eldest Sister will return. I have an important matter and must see her." Xiao Ling's gaze fell on the trees in the courtyard that had begun to sprout. A slight smile curved her lips. Eldest Sister, I can't be too far behind you, can I? Sudan Novel Network
Prince Chu, Nangong Yan, glanced at Nangong Yi, who was drowning his sorrows in alcohol within his manor, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Getting married, isn't that something to look forward to? Moreover, that third young lady of the Xiao family is quite a beauty. Why are you hiding here with me every day?"
Nangong Yi took a sip of wine. "Third Brother, I like beautiful women, but I never thought of marrying them."
"Eventually, you will get married."
"I know, but I didn't plan to marry her!"
"You caused this trouble, are you planning to shirk responsibility? This doesn't fit your persona of a romantic and devoted prince." Nangong Yan said with a laugh. "Furthermore, if you don't marry her, will Xiao Man let it go?"
Mentioning Xiao Man, Nangong Yi's expression became somewhat indescribable. "I wonder how her injury is. The Xiao family sent her to Cangzhou to recuperate, and I don't know how she is."
Nangong Yan looked at Nangong Yi with surprise. "Speaking of which, you and Xiao Man were close from childhood, your feelings for each other are unusual."
"Yes, we grew up playing together," Nangong Yi said with a smile. "We caused trouble together, stirred up mischief together, and of course, she didn't hold back when hitting me."
"Recently, you seem to have drifted apart again."
Nangong Yi fell silent. Yes, they had drifted apart again. He vividly remembered when Xiao Zhen first brought Xiao Man into the palace. Back then, Xiao Man had two pigtails and smiled like a jade maiden beside Guanyin, exceptionally likable. He always chased after her, calling her 'Little Sister.' And Xiao Man always chased after Fourth Brother, calling him 'Big Brother.'
Fourth Brother went to war. At that time, he was very happy because Xiao Man finally stopped chasing him and instead became his playmate. They went hunting and caused trouble together. Later, Xue Kun, the son of the State Duke Xue, joined them. The three became the three overlords of the imperial capital.
But Fourth Brother returned. As soon as Fourth Brother returned, Xiao Man's attention shifted back to Fourth Brother. Nangong Yi gave a bitter smile. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he could never compare to Fourth Brother.
Seeing Nangong Yi's silence, Nangong Yan stopped talking. He had always thought that Nangong Yi and Xiao Man were birds of a feather, which was why they were often mischievous together. But now it seemed that his thirteenth brother clearly had feelings for Xiao Man.
However, he really couldn't understand Nangong Yi's thought process. If you like her, why did you take her to the pleasure houses and consort with courtesans? Were you afraid Xiao Man would like you?
"Don't worry, Xiao Man will be fine."
"Yes, she will be fine." Nangong Yi drank the wine in the pot in his hand in one go. "It's getting late, I should go back."
"Be careful on your way."
"Zhou Kang is accompanying me." Nangong Yi walked out the door, Zhou Kang following silently. As Nangong Yi's personal guard, he had to be by his master's side at all times.
Nangong Yi returned to the Prince of Qi's manor. The housekeeper hurried to greet him. "Your Highness, the Third Miss Xiao is here."
"What does she want?" Nangong Yi asked displeased.
"I don't know. She said she wants to see Your Highness."
Nangong Yi sneered and walked into the main hall. He saw Xiao Ling sitting there. "Oh, isn't this the Prince of Qi's secondary consort? The date to enter the manor hasn't arrived yet, and Consort Xiao is already eager to offer herself?"
Xiao Ling stared at Nangong Yi for a moment, feeling a wave of desolation. She had schemed and deliberated, but what she gained was not wealth and honor, nor a soulmate, but a man who despised her.
"Your Highness Prince of Qi, please rest assured, I am not here to offer myself. I am here to break off the engagement." Xiao Ling said word by word. "I know Your Highness Prince of Qi has no feelings for me, so I have come to break off the engagement. Please grant my wish."
"Do you know what you are saying? After breaking off the engagement, you will have no way out! In this imperial capital, no respectable family will seek to marry you."
"That is your concern, not mine. I only wish to break off the engagement!"
"Very well, I will grant your wish!"