"Who exactly killed your father?" the Fifth Princess asked, curious. Given Xiao Man's temperament, wouldn't she annihilate the killer's entire lineage?
"Feng Mo Ran," Xiao Man took a deep breath. "A man with celestial beauty but a heart of a devil. He has roamed between the four kingdoms for years, building an underground network. His ambition is to overturn this world, not just Lan Yue. Lan Ruo Yu was deceived by him, willing to be manipulated. But I cannot let Lan Yue fall into the hands of such a ruthless individual. I will protect Lan Yue. If any of you are displeased, you may come to me anytime! I await."
"It is you who wants to kill us now!" Lan Yin said dryly. "How can we cause you trouble?"
"Aren't you here at the Imperial Princess's mansion to cause trouble?" Xiao Man asked coldly. "You even fought my Head Guard. Were you here to spar with her?"
Lan Yin's lips moved, but she couldn't find a retort. She was straightforward by nature and didn't understand veiled meanings.
"Your Majesty, you do not wish to kill us," the Fourth Princess stated with certainty.
"I said, as long as you do nothing to harm the foundation of the Lan Yue kingdom, I will not kill you."
"Your Majesty needs us, so why do you make us choose between two options?"
"Must you two flirt and fight amongst yourselves in front of me? Do you not know I have just lost my husband and am a solitary figure?" Xiao Man's tone was melancholic. "If you push me too far, I will make you lose your beloved, the ones you care about, just as I have."
The Fourth Princess immediately smiled. "Your Majesty is hardly solitary. You still have us, your sisters. Of course, this is if Your Majesty acknowledges us as sisters. Even if you don't, it's fine. We acknowledge you as our younger sister."
"When did I become the younger sister? Shouldn't I be the elder sister?"
"Ah Yin, tell her your age."
"I am nineteen, Your Majesty's younger sister."
The First Princess had been keeping a close watch on everything concerning the Imperial Princess's mansion. Xiao Man had entered and not emerged, nor had Lan Yin. However, the mansion was heavily guarded, and spies could not get in. The hidden informants within had long been eradicated. For her to know what was happening inside the mansion was harder than ascending to heaven.
"Your Highness, it is late. You should rest early," Yun Jing served a steaming bowl of bird's nest soup. It was the First Princess's preference to drink a bowl of hot bird's nest soup before bed, as it was said to be beneficial for beauty and complexion.
The First Princess took the bird's nest soup from Yun Jing, stirred it with her spoon, but had no appetite for it.
Seeing this, Yun Jing immediately spoke, "Princess, the bridge will appear when we reach it. Worrying so much now is useless. The Second Princess has also returned to the capital. If anyone is dissatisfied with the Empress's ascension, the Second Princess is the first in line."
Upon hearing this, the First Princess, uncharacteristically, did not reply. She couldn't fathom the Second Princess's true intentions, or perhaps she had never truly understood her. The Second Princess never voiced her thoughts, nor did she reveal them on her face. She had even left Bian Jing voluntarily, as if she had no ambition for power. But the throne was such a seductive prize, who wouldn't desire it?
Yun Jing took the bird's nest soup from the First Princess's hand, stirred it a couple of times, and brought it to her lips. "This bird's nest must be eaten while hot. It's good for the complexion. Princess, please eat it while it's warm."
The First Princess took a bite and sighed again. "What is Xiao Man trying to do?"
"Whatever she is trying to do, she must have evidence. She imprisoned the Empress because the Empress harbored remnants of the former Qin, to appease the other three kingdoms and show Lan Yue's stance. But if she were to attack you without reason, she would have no grounds."
The First Princess nodded in agreement and continued to eat the bird's nest soup. After a few bites, she frowned. "This bird's nest doesn't taste the same as before."
"This is the latest batch of white swiftlet nests, all excellent tonics. The texture is better than the previous batch, with a faint floral scent. Smell it, isn't it lovely?" Yun Jing said with an obsequious smile. "What do you think, Princess?"
The First Princess inhaled and indeed detected a faint floral aroma. The taste was also better than before, and she immediately praised him. "You are always so thoughtful. By the way, how is the matter with Yao Chong?"
Yun Jing's smile remained unchanged. "I have already made contact with Yao Chong. He himself has not refused, and there is room for negotiation. However, now that the new Emperor has ascended, Prime Minister Yao is highly favored by the new Emperor. Coupled with the fact that the new Emperor has lost her husband, Prime Minister Yao is likely considering sending Yao Chong into the harem."
Upon hearing this, the First Princess's brow furrowed. Xiao Man was now the Emperor, and her harem was empty. Moreover, she had poured all her affection onto Wen Mo Han. It was likely that the scions of noble families would be clamoring to enter her harem, hoping to monopolize her favor.
"Is Yao Chong of the same mind?"
"Yao Chong has not shown such intent. I estimate Prime Minister Yao has this intention, otherwise, he would not be so diligently handling the court affairs for the Empress."
The First Princess slammed the table in anger. "That shortsighted fool! Xiao Man is the Empress now, but can she be the Empress forever? Given her forced abdication and rebellion, many ministers in court oppose her actions. Such an unjust and foolish ruler will eventually be overthrown."
"Your Highness!" Yun Jing looked around nervously, ensuring no one was nearby before sighing with relief. "Be careful of eavesdroppers!"
"Am I afraid of her?" Although she said this, the First Princess lowered her voice. She had initially thought that with the Second Princess's return, they could join forces to bring down Xiao Man. But the Second Princess's attitude was ambiguous, and the Fourth and Fifth Princesses were unwilling to get involved. In the end, no one was willing to be the first to make a move!
"Your Highness is naturally not afraid, but we must still be cautious. Your Highness has great prestige in court and is deeply trusted by the ministers. The Empress will undoubtedly be wary of you, so it is best to be careful."
"Do you also think I am afraid of her?"
"Your Highness, it is not fear, but rather a gentleman is open and aboveboard, while a petty person is always worried. She dared to openly scheme against the Empress in front of the ministers, accusing her of harboring former Qin remnants. Even the ministers could not exonerate the Empress. I fear she will use the same despicable methods against you. It is never wrong to be cautious."
The First Princess fell silent. After a moment, she slowly asked, "Yun Jing, what do you think the Second Princess truly means?"
"I estimate she wants others to act as the first mover, fighting to the death with the Empress, and then she will jump out to reap the benefits of being a bystander," Yun Jing said without hesitation. After all, the throne was alluring, and it was not surprising for the Second Princess to contend for it.
The First Princess pondered. Although she had considerable prestige in court, she lacked military power. However, the Second Princess possessed military authority and also held significant sway in court. Since her return, ministers had been flocking to visit her residence, while the First Princess's residence had become somewhat desolate.