"You're not just brain-damaged, you've been kicked by a donkey!"
"Your Majesty, Xiao Zhen is insulting!"
"Your Majesty, your subordinate is merely speaking the truth."
"Enough! I've overlooked your bickering before, but now you've resorted to fisticuffs. Do you still have any respect for me?"
"Your Majesty, it was Chancellor Wen who started it by scratching my face!" Xiao Zhen bared his face to the Emperor. "It's my first time seeing men fight like women, scratching faces!"
The old Emperor almost burst into laughter but managed to stifle it. He turned his gaze to Chancellor Wen, who straightened his back. "Who are you calling a woman? Do you think everyone is a roughneck like you? Look at your daughter; she was a proper young lady, and you've turned her into a tomboy!"
"If you insult my daughter again, I'll have your hide!"
Chancellor Wen flinched. Xiao Man was Xiao Zhen's sore spot, and everyone knew it. Moreover, his son's lifelong happiness and even his life were tied to Xiao Man. Chancellor Wen gritted his teeth and endured.
"You both are at fault today. Each of you will be fined a month's salary," the old Emperor decreed immediately. "Chancellor Wen, Lord Xiao has just recovered from a serious illness; show him some consideration."
"Your humble servant obeys."
"You may withdraw. If there is a next time, you will be severely punished."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. We take our leave."
The two exited the imperial study and immediately glared at each other. Hu Wan sighed helplessly, watching the two of them, who looked like fighting cocks. They were like sworn enemies, always clashing whenever they met. After serving in the same court for so many years, shouldn't they have resolved their grievances?
Yet, the more these two argued, the fiercer they became. Now that it had escalated to physical altercations, would they resort to weapons next time?
"My lords, you serve in the same court; harmony brings prosperity."
"Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Hu." The two smiled and took their leave, turning away to snort at each other before parting ways.
In a secret chamber of the General's manor, Xiao Man toyed with a jade pendant in her hand. In the candlelight, her expression was somewhat inscrutable.
Fourth Concubine was tied to a chair, having not slept all night. Though weary, she showed no sign of surrender, her eyes remaining vigilant.
Xiao Man, playing with the jade pendant with one hand and tapping the table with the other, spoke in a remarkably gentle tone. Fourth Concubine felt her eyelids grow heavy, as if she could no longer keep them open.
Xiao Man stopped tapping the table. Fourth Concubine had fallen into a deep slumber, completely unaware that she had unknowingly walked into the trap Xiao Man had meticulously set for her.
"Where are you from?" Xiao Man asked softly.
"Jizhou."
"What is your name?"
Fourth Concubine frowned, pondered for a moment, and then slowly replied, "Shu Yao."
"The moon rises, bright and clear; oh, the lovely maiden. Shu Yao, graceful and flowing; my heart is restless, yearning." Xiao Man smiled slightly. "That's a beautiful name."
"He said the name Shu Yao suited me best." A shy smile appeared on Fourth Concubine's face.
Xiao Man's gaze deepened. "Is he the one you love?"
Fourth Concubine's face flushed with affection, and she shyly nodded.
"Who is he?"
Fourth Concubine knitted her brows, a flicker of struggle crossing her face as if she was debating whether to reveal his identity.
Seeing Fourth Concubine's fierce resistance to revealing the man's identity, Xiao Man couldn't help but sigh. Even now, Fourth Concubine wanted to protect the person behind her.
"He is within the capital, isn't he?"
Fourth Concubine nodded hesitantly, but when asked to reveal his identity, she would grit her teeth and remain silent.
"His status is distinguished; he is of royal blood."
Fourth Concubine gritted her teeth, unwilling to speak, but Xiao Man had already figured it out. The person behind Fourth Concubine must be one of the princes. Nangong Yu had said Fourth Concubine was not his person, so she had to be one of the remaining three.
Xiao Man narrowed her focus to Nangong Yan and Nangong Yi. Nangong Yan was handsome and gentle, easily winning a woman's heart, while Nangong Yi was a master of seduction, captivating many women who sought only a brief encounter.
"Nangong Yi." When Xiao Man uttered Nangong Yi's name, Fourth Concubine's expression remained unchanged.
Xiao Man chuckled softly, her red lips parting. "The Prince of Chu has arrived."
Fourth Concubine subconsciously touched her hair, feeling somewhat flustered, as if to ensure her makeup was perfect.
Xiao Man narrowed her eyes. Was Fourth Concubine aligned with Nangong Yan? No, that was incorrect. She had already analyzed the situation in the General's manor with Nangong Yan, and Nangong Yan would never take the risk of having Fourth Concubine poison her father!
Xiao Man took out a silver needle and pricked Fourth Concubine's Lingtai acupoint. Fourth Concubine cried out in pain and struggled fiercely. He Qingyi entered from outside.
"The General has returned."
Xiao Man nodded, looking indifferently at the struggling Third Concubine, as if appreciating her pathetic struggle. He Qingyi looked confused.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Someone has sealed her memories, and she herself refuses to access them," Xiao Man said slowly. "The person behind Fourth Concubine is truly well-hidden."
"You haven't found out?"
"She claims to be someone from the Prince of Chu."
"The Prince of Chu?" He Qingyi looked shocked. "I never expected the Prince of Chu, who resides in Jiangnan, to extend his influence all the way to the General's manor. He is truly not to be underestimated."
"Indeed, the Prince of Chu, residing in Jiangnan, can still reach the General's manor." Xiao Man repeated, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "There are many powerful figures in the capital. Few possess high status and can win a maiden's heart."
"Miss means that the person behind Fourth Concubine is not the Prince of Chu at all?"
"Who knows? We'll find out if we test it." Xiao Man snapped her fingers. The look of pain on Fourth Concubine's face eased slightly, and she slowly calmed down. However, her expression then shifted to one of seeming joy mixed with pain, astonishing He Qingyi.
"What is happening to her?"
"I've given her a beautiful dream, but judging by her reaction, she doesn't seem to like it much," Xiao Man said softly.
"You can do that with just a snap of your fingers?"
"A friend taught me this long ago. It's not very effective on people with strong willpower," Xiao Man said with a smile. "However, Fourth Concubine has been up all night, and her defenses are weakened, giving me an opening."
"What kind of person would not be affected?"
"The only one I've encountered so far is Prince Qin, Nangong Yu," Xiao Man said gently. "The first time I used it on him, he was briefly disoriented but quickly recovered. Later, it had no effect on him."
"That sounds like a cultivation technique."
"Something like that," Xiao Man said slowly. "What I'm curious about now is, who is the person Fourth Concubine is hiding in her heart?"
"Do you have any suspects?"
"That person must have appeared at the Xiao family's banquet," Xiao Man said slowly. "There aren't many people with high status who can make a woman devoted to them."