Xiao Man did not interrupt He Qingyi's words, and after feeding Xiao Zhen a pill, she gestured for her to continue.
"Third Concubine secretly kept in touch with her maternal family. It's said that her father offended a powerful noble and had his legs broken. She couldn't bear it and offered some financial assistance."
"Is second sister acting unusually?"
"Second Miss often leaves the mansion, always going to Gan Ye Temple. It seems she's looking for someone."
Xiao Man understood. Xiao Xiang was likely searching for Murong Sheng Rui. However, Murong Sheng Rui had now been expelled from Yusheng, and even if she searched the imperial capital from top to bottom, she wouldn't find him.
"Are others acting unusually?"
"No."
"Are the Old Madam and Fourth Concubine not acting unusually?" Xiao Man asked, puzzled. These two were the ones she worried about the most, yet they showed no signs of activity.
"No, the Old Madam spends her days reciting Buddhist scriptures, claiming to pray for the General. Fourth Concubine rarely leaves her chambers, having her maids handle any matters. It's truly impossible to find any issues."
"Are there any problems with the maids?"
"I've had people record everyone that maid has interacted with. Please take a look to see if there are any issues." He Qingyi handed the notebook to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man carefully flipped through it, her expression unchanged, showing no abnormalities. However, a cold smile touched her lips. Fourth Concubine was truly watertight, but secrets are meant to be kept, and there's no wall so tightly sealed that no wind can get through!
Xiao Man's gaze fell upon one of the names, and a smile curved her lips. The fox's tail had finally been revealed!
When Xiao Zhen groggily woke up, the surroundings were pitch black, and the room seemed empty. He immediately tried to sit up but found his body weak and unable to do so.
Suddenly, a sigh came from beside him. Xiao Zhen was startled. Who was in his room that he hadn't even sensed?
"Who's there?"
No one answered. Xiao Zhen felt someone approach the bed. He laboriously turned his head to look but couldn't clearly see who was standing by the bed, only vaguely discerning it was a woman.
"Qingyi?"
"General is truly heartless, only remembering the new wife and forgetting your concubine?" a voice whispered in his ear. Xiao Zhen's eyes shifted slightly, but he remained composed.
"Fourth Concubine."
"General finally recognizes your concubine?" Fourth Concubine sat by the bedside, but did not light a lamp.
"Why not light the lamp?" Xiao Zhen asked in a steady voice.
Fourth Concubine chuckled softly, "General, if we light the lamp, what if others are attracted? What then?"
Xiao Zhen finally understood. Fourth Concubine was here with ill intentions. "Who do you belong to?"
"General, your concubine doesn't wish to harm you, but merely wants to borrow the Divine Capital Army's military token from you." Even at this moment, Fourth Concubine's voice was soft and gentle, like lovers whispering intimately.
Xiao Zhen snorted upon hearing this. "His Majesty entrusted the Divine Capital Army to me, which is His Majesty's trust. How could I possibly betray His Majesty's trust?"
Fourth Concubine did not get angry. She lowered her head and whispered softly into Xiao Zhen's ear, "General, don't you want to know who gravely injured Eldest Miss to this extent?"
Xiao Zhen did not answer, but his tensed body clearly indicated his intense interest in the matter.
"Eldest Miss's serious injuries are thanks to His Majesty," Fourth Concubine said with a smile. "If it weren't for His Majesty's people infiltrating the assassins and attempting to kill Eldest Miss, she wouldn't have almost lost her life. Of course, she's no different from having lost her life now. However, Eldest Miss is indeed formidable, having eliminated all the experts His Majesty dispatched."
"Sowing discord!"
"Whether it's sowing discord or not, General knows in his heart." Fourth Concubine sat up straight. "If General had married Eldest Miss earlier, His Majesty wouldn't have been so restless. Of course, if General hadn't valued Eldest Miss so highly, His Majesty wouldn't have insisted on killing her."
"You think I'll believe you?"
"It doesn't matter if General doesn't believe your concubine." Fourth Concubine spoke slowly. "What about the Old Madam? General, why do you think the Old Madam must target Eldest Miss? She even went so far as to help Yan Shi to ruin Eldest Miss's reputation and marry her off. For what reason?"
"Do not slander my mother!"
"General, is your concubine slandering her?" Fourth Concubine scoffed. "Initially, the Old Madam didn't intend to kill her, only to ruin her reputation and marry her off quickly, to prevent her from bringing disaster to the General's mansion. However, Eldest Miss is not to be trifled with and foiled the Old Madam's schemes time and again, even cutting off the sword in the Old Madam's hand. Out of desperation, the Old Madam had to resort to a deadly blow."
Xiao Zhen fell silent. He was aware that the Old Madam had targeted Xiao Man repeatedly, but he hadn't realized there were so many things he didn't know.
"It can be said that Eldest Miss is capable. Not only did she escape danger, but she also successfully drove the Old Madam out of the imperial capital," Fourth Concubine chuckled softly. "In this vast General's mansion, the only one your concubine truly admires is Eldest Miss. It's a pity that Eldest Miss and your concubine have different allegiances."
"You've said so much, what exactly do you want?"
"General, exchanging the Divine Capital Army's military token for Eldest Miss's life. This deal should be very worthwhile, shouldn't it?" Fourth Concubine's laughter ceased, and she said gently, "Even if Eldest Miss is in Gan Ye Temple, if my master wants to harm her, with her current condition, I fear she won't have a chance to survive."
"Who is the master behind you?"
"General needn't try to trick your concubine. Your concubine is only here today to retrieve the military token. If General gives me the token, I have a pill here that can help Eldest Miss recover soon. If General refuses, then tomorrow, General will receive news of Eldest Miss's death from an incurable illness."
"You're threatening me, General?"
"General has been poisoned, and only your concubine has the antidote." Fourth Concubine swayed her fan. The weather was so hot; she was sweating with the slightest movement. "General has been poisoned for a long time. If you don't take the antidote soon, your life may be in danger. Your concubine knows General isn't afraid of death, but I don't know if General cares about the lives of Eldest Young Master and Eldest Miss."
"Your reach is quite long," Xiao Zhen said faintly. "If you want me to hand over the military token, you should at least let me know who your master is."
"That won't do," Fourth Concubine said with a smile. "If General knows who my master is, then your concubine will have no choice but to kill General."
Xiao Zhen sneered incessantly. "Normally, you seem gentle and kind, but I didn't expect you to have such a vicious heart."
Fourth Concubine merely smiled upon hearing this. "General, do we have a deal?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Whether it's a deal or not, you have to ask her." Xiao Zhen said faintly.
"Her? Who is she?"
"She means me," another voice echoed in the room.