"All sisters, why the animosity from the moment we meet?" The Fourth Princess stepped forward to mediate. "This is your first time meeting our Fifth Sister, Your Highness. Fifth Sister has a straightforward personality, being a military general; please don't take her words to heart. And Fifth Sister, Your Highness has only recently returned to Bianjing. We are all sisters, we should get along well."
The Fifth Princess shot a glance at the Fourth Princess and snorted, "I'm not like some people, two-faced and deceitful. I'm direct about my dislikes, unlike certain individuals who smile to your face and stab you in the back."
The Fourth Princess's expression shifted, knowing she was being mocked by the Fifth Princess. However, she was accustomed to enduring, and remained silent, allowing the Fifth Princess to face rejection from Xiao Man, preferably to the point of serious injury.
Seeing that the arguing below had ceased, the Empress slowly spoke, "Prime Minister Yao, in the Imperial City, under the Emperor's very nose, someone has attacked the Imperial Princess's residence. This is a blatant disregard for my authority. I entrust this matter to you. You must provide an explanation to the Imperial Princess."
"Your subject accepts the command."
"Xiao Man."
"What is Your Majesty's command?" Xiao Man stepped forward and asked calmly.
"Since the wedding date has been set, it's time to discuss the arrangements," the Empress announced loudly. "The wedding ceremony will be organized by the Ministry of Rites, with the Fourth Princess overseeing it. The wedding of our Blue Moon Imperial Princess cannot be taken lightly. If any funds or items are needed, request them from the Ministry of Revenue. It must be perfect."
"Your subject obeys."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress's gaze swept over the assembled officials. Feeling a sense of weariness, she waved her hand, signaling the end of the court session.
As the Empress departed, the others followed. The Fifth Princess deliberately walked alongside Xiao Man. As Xiao Man exited, she abruptly stuck out her foot, intending to trip Xiao Man in front of the officials and humiliate her.
To her surprise, Xiao Man immediately kicked the back of her other knee. Off-balance, the Fifth Princess stumbled and fell, rolling down the stairs in a most undignified manner.
The assembled civil and military officials, witnessing the Fifth Princess's complete loss of composure as she tumbled down the steps, stifled their laughter and averted their eyes, pretending not to have seen. They were all familiar with Lan Bing's temperament and did not wish to be publicly disgraced.
Xiao Man walked down slowly, "Princess, be careful of your footing. Don't sprain your other ankle now that your hand is still injured."
The Fifth Princess gritted her teeth, "Xiao Man, how dare you kick this Princess!"
"Fifth Princess, it's one thing to be illiterate, but another to lie with your eyes open. How do you lead troops with such a temperament?" Xiao Man taunted. As she passed by the Fifth Princess, she kicked again, forcing the Fifth Princess to her knees. Enraged, the Fifth Princess was about to retaliate when a sharp dagger was pressed against her throat. As she struggled, a bloodstain appeared on her neck. The Fifth Princess immediately stopped moving.
"Xiao Man, I am a royal princess. If you dare to harm me, you will pay the price."
A mocking smile played on Xiao Man's lips, "You are a royal princess, and I am the Imperial Princess of Blue Moon, of true royal blood. Even if I killed you, no one would dare do anything to me. From now on, when you see me, do you know what to do?"
Lan Bing remained silent, glaring fiercely at Xiao Man. Xiao Man slightly increased the pressure of her foot on Lan Bing's leg. Lan Bing's face contorted in pain, but she bit her lip tightly, refusing to utter a sound, as if to deny her defeat.
Seeing this, Xiao Man's smile deepened. The Fourth Princess, fearing Xiao Man might injure the Fifth Princess, quickly stepped forward, intending to stop her. Her original intent was to grab Xiao Man's hand and make her lower the dagger. However, as her hand extended, Xiao Man raised her arm, colliding with the Fourth Princess's arm. The dagger flew directly towards the Fifth Princess's throat.
Xiao Man's expression changed. With swift decisiveness, she used her other hand to shield the Fifth Princess's neck. The dagger plunged into her palm. Xiao Man let out a muffled groan, then withdrew her hand, pushing the Fourth Princess aside.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to stop..."
"Fourth Sister truly wishes for my death at every moment!" Lan Bing had seen this clearly. If Xiao Man hadn't used her own hand to block the dagger, she would have bled out on the spot!
Xiao Man released Lan Bing, who immediately got up from the ground. The Fourth Princess stepped forward, "Imperial Princess, Fifth Sister, I truly didn't mean to..."
"Fourth Princess, there's no need to explain. I understand perfectly," Xiao Man said coldly, looking at her pierced palm.
"Yes, Fourth Sister, there's no need to explain. I understand perfectly too!" Lan Bing said through gritted teeth. Xiao Man bullying her was one thing, but to have a sister she grew up with try to kill her multiple times made her teeth itch with hatred!
"This is a misunderstanding. I just wanted to stop..."
Prime Minister Yao took out a handkerchief and stepped forward to bandage Xiao Man's wound. "Imperial Princess, the wound is deep. You should return to have it treated."
Xiao Man turned and left, leaving the Fourth and Fifth Princesses to glare at each other. The officials hastily moved away. It was evident to all that the Fourth Princess had intended to use the Imperial Princess to kill the Fifth Princess. Had it not been for the Imperial Princess's quick reflexes, she would have been accused of murdering a princess today.
If the Fifth Princess were to die at the Imperial Princess's hands, her soldiers would undoubtedly revolt. In such a scenario, even with all her skills, the Imperial Princess would have to bear responsibility. Meanwhile, the Fourth Princess would have eliminated two strong rivals without lifting a finger, a truly venomous scheme!
The Fourth Princess watched the retreating figures, a surge of blood caught in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out. She truly had not intended to kill Lan Bing; it had been a genuine misunderstanding. Why would no one believe her?
The First Princess had witnessed the entire farce from beginning to end.
The Fifth Princess's hatred, the Fourth Princess's anger, and Xiao Man's composure formed a stark contrast. It seemed there were no winners in this exchange, yet the First Princess saw clearly that Xiao Man had won this farce!
The First Princess lowered her carriage curtain. "Let's go. Return to the residence."
"This Imperial Princess is quite cunning," remarked Prince Consort Yun Jing after a moment of silence. "Eldest Princess, we cannot allow her to continue growing. If we let her proceed like this, it will be detrimental to us."
"Her foundation is ultimately unstable," the First Princess said slowly. She had initially worried that Xiao Man would not be a match for Lan Yuan. Now, Xiao Man had used Lan Bing to deal with Lan Yuan, a clever tactic. However, Lan Bing was truly heartless. She showed no mercy to the sister she grew up with. It seemed it wasn't that the royal family was inherently cold-blooded, but that only those with cold-blooded natures could become royalty.
"But this person..."
"Yun Jing, if Xiao Man falls at this moment, who do you think they will turn their attention to?" the First Princess asked, her voice soft.