He Qingyi, seeing Ye Qing change his words, was satisfied: "You should know that the medicine to save you was also painstakingly obtained by the young lady. It requires the stamen and dew of the Silver Frost Flower. Silver Frost Flower is not easy to find, let alone its stamen and dew, which makes it even harder."
"Silver Frost Flower!" Ye Qing sat up straight, grabbed He Qingyi's arm, and asked nervously, "Xiao Man used Silver Frost Flower to save me?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
Ye Qing's eyes were full of worry. How could Xiao Man be so careless? She dared to touch the Silver Frost Flower, wasn't that telling Feng Mo Ran that she had a connection with Du Gu Man? If Feng Mo Ran discovered her true identity, wouldn't she be very dangerous?
Foolish, so foolish! Nangong Yu, why didn't you stop her? You must know that if Xiao Man's identity is exposed, it won't be just one person who dies!
As night fell and all was silent, Lan Bing thought she could easily infiltrate the Imperial Consort's mansion. However, before she could even touch the mansion's walls, she was apprehended.
When Lan Bing was thrown in front of Xiao Man, bound and gagged, Xiao Man merely glanced at her indifferently: "How little do you think of me, to dare to come to my Imperial Consort's mansion alone?"
"Mmmph mmmph..." Lan Bing struggled, but could only make muffled sounds.
Xiao Man looked at Fu Dan: "Untie her."
"Yes, Imperial Consort." Fu Dan unbound Lan Bing. Lan Bing got up from the ground, rubbing her sore wrists. "Is this how you entertain guests?"
"Guest treatment is for guests. Are you a guest?" Xiao Man continued to review memorials, showing no sign of disturbance even in front of the Fifth Princess of Lan Yue.
"Aren't all who come expected to be guests?"
"Uninvited guests are thieves," Xiao Man said without politeness. "Moreover, the last time you came, my Imperial Consort's mansion was shot riddled with holes, and several people were lost."
Lan Bing's expression stiffened. The moment she returned to Bianjing, she immediately launched a night raid on the Imperial Consort's mansion. She had expected that even if not all the people inside the mansion were killed, they would have suffered heavy losses. In the end, only a few low-level guards were killed.
"I want to kill you."
"Yes, I know. After all, there are countless people who want to kill me, and you are just one of them." Xiao Man said nonchalantly. "Tonight, you trespassed into the Imperial Consort's mansion. Are you perhaps just here to test the defenses of my mansion?"
Lan Bing walked to the table: "I want to cooperate with you."
"I don't need to cooperate with you," Xiao Man said calmly. "Your military power has been seized, your personal guards have suffered heavy losses, and your influence in Bianjing has been completely eradicated. What capital do you have to cooperate with me?"
"I am a princess of Lan Yue. Even if I am not of royal blood, I am more popular than you. If I support you, your chances of winning will increase by two points."
"Is that so?" Xiao Man smiled. "Lan Bing, you have been away from Bianjing for too long. You understand neither the cruelty of the royal family nor the fickleness of the common people."
"You probably forgot that I climbed up from the bottom." Lan Bing pulled over a chair and sat down in front of Xiao Man. "The common people don't care who the emperor is, as long as they have food. But you have only recently returned to Lan Yue, and your foundation is still unstable. You need my help. Even if my military power has been transferred, it doesn't mean I have completely lost control of the army."
Xiao Man just smiled, reviewing the memorials in her hand and said, "When a person leaves, the tea grows cold. I believe you are familiar with this saying."
"I know the people I brought with me best," Lan Bing said softly. "Moreover, I also know Lan Yuan."
"Sisters turning against each other?"
A flicker of hatred flashed in Lan Bing's eyes: "Sisters, we were never sisters. From the moment the Empress picked us up from the slums, we were not sisters."
"Some people, once they taste the benefits of power, can never let go," Xiao Man looked at Lan Bing. "Are you willing to let go?"
"At worst, I will have nothing. And I had nothing from the very beginning." Lan Bing raised her head. "Xiao Man, I know you are aiming for the throne, and to be honest, I want it too. But I know I don't have the ability. However, I am unwilling to be a pawn in someone else's hands, to be ruthlessly discarded after being used."
"Seeking my cooperation is like seeking a tiger for its skin," Xiao Man said softly. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, she was more terrifying. Compared to the other princesses, Lan Bing should be more familiar with her.
"No, you are different from them." Lan Bing straightened up and leaned towards Xiao Man. "From the moment you could tolerate Lan Qin, I knew you were not a narrow-minded person. Even if, one day, you no longer need us, you will not hunt us down to the death!"
Xiao Man put down her brush: "What do you want?"
"I want Lan Yuan to have nothing!"
A smile curved Xiao Man's lips: "As you wish."
Lan Bing couldn't quite believe it. She agreed so easily now?
"Frank and straightforward, the Imperial Consort is indeed a straightforward person. I like cooperating with straightforward people like you!" Lan Bing stood up straight. "We'll settle our past grievances. From now on, we are in the same boat."
"Since that's the case, I would like to ask the Fifth Princess to do something for me," Xiao Man said softly.
"What is it?"
"My master has been living in Tantai Palace for some time now. He cannot continue to live in the palace without a proper title. I think His Majesty should give my master a title, such as the position of Imperial Husband." Xiao Man looked at Lan Bing. "What do you think, Fifth Princess?"
"You want to ask for the position of Imperial Husband for your master?" Lan Bing was a little confused. Given the Empress's affection for Feng Mo Ran, it was only a matter of time before he was enfeoffed as Imperial Husband. Why the hurry?
"I don't want my master to be slandered," Xiao Man said sincerely. "I want the Empress to give him the title he deserves as soon as possible."
Although Lan Bing did not understand Xiao Man's intentions, she did not refuse. Since they were going to cooperate, she naturally had to show sincerity, especially since she had no other choice now.
"Don't worry, I will handle this matter properly."
"Thank you for your trouble." Xiao Man picked up her brush and continued to review the memorials, while Lan Bing climbed over the wall and left. She had come in secret, so she had to leave in secret as well, without being discovered.
In Tantai Palace, Feng Mo Ran was reading a book, page after page, as if the content was extremely interesting. However, only Feng Mo Ran knew that he hadn't read a single page.
"Master."
"How?" Feng Mo Ran inquired.
"The person was sent to the Imperial Consort's mansion and has not come out yet."
Feng Mo Ran's hand, which was turning the page, paused for a moment, then turned another page. "Who brought her in?"
"He Qingyi."
"Have you found out about He Qingyi?"
Tian Hao was silent for a moment, then replied, "He Qingyi has been by the Imperial Consort's side. Her medical skills are said to have been taught by the Imperial Consort. As for her connection with Ye Qing, it has not yet been discovered."