"Do you know that killing a princess is a crime punishable by the extermination of one's clan," Ran Sheng said in a low voice.
"My lord, Princess Yongning was assassinated on her way to the Shendu Camp. It has nothing to do with you," Zeng Jia said, his eyes gleaming. "As long as you nod, I will surely resolve your worries for you!"
A smile crept onto Ran Sheng's lips. "In that case, I'll trouble you."
"I will handle this matter perfectly!"
"Go." Zeng Jia's face lit up with joy, and he turned to leave. He had to prepare quickly and eliminate Xiao Man as soon as possible.
Unexpectedly, after taking only two steps, a sword pierced him through. Zeng Jia turned back in disbelief. "My lord..."
"You have three crimes. First, instigating discord between the commander and me, intending to disrupt military morale; second, insubordination, offending your superior; third, intending to harm the princess, a heinous crime. Punished by all three, death is insufficient!"
"You... you are actually willing to let a woman lead you!"
"Whether male or female, as long as they are capable, I admire them. I detest treacherous villains like you the most!"
Ran Sheng drew his sword and sheathed it, then turned to leave. "The general owes me a great debt. How could I harm his beloved daughter! Drag the corpse away to feed the dogs!"
"Yes, my lord."
Nangong Yu escorted Xiao Man back to the General's Mansion before departing.
"Miss, His Highness the Prince of Qin truly worries about you. He even followed you to the Shendu Camp."
Xiao Man paused, glancing back at the departing carriage. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes. "He does worry about me, but he worries that I might act recklessly."
"Miss always has a sense of proportion, how could she act recklessly? His Highness the Prince of Qin worries too much," Ying Xue said with some dissatisfaction. "Does he not trust Miss?"
Xiao Man remained silent. Nangong Yu's actions today were rather strange. She didn't doubt his concern for her, but she found his behavior difficult to understand.
"Right, did you investigate who has purchased Ten Mile Fragrance recently?"
"Miss, since we have already traced the origin of Ten Mile Fragrance, why do we still need to investigate who purchased it?"
"Poisoning was done by one person, but harming my father involved more than one!" Xiao Man said softly. "I will not let anyone involved in my father's death go unpunished."
"Then what does that have to do with the person who bought Ten Mile Fragrance?"
"If that person purchased Ten Mile Fragrance, even if not the mastermind, they are undoubtedly an accomplice," Xiao Man said as she walked inside. "While I cannot deal with the mastermind now, it doesn't mean I can't deal with others."
"I will have people find them as quickly as possible."
"Eldest Sister." Xiao Ling waited at the entrance of Shuiyue Xiaozhu. "You are back."
Xiao Man frowned. "Why are you still in the mansion? You should have left the General's Mansion by now."
"I'm not leaving," Xiao Ling stepped forward. "I want to stay here and face whatever comes with Eldest Sister."
Xiao Man walked past her and into Shuiyue Xiaozhu. "If you stay, you will only be a burden."
"Then what about Grandmother? Will Grandmother not be a burden if she stays?" Xiao Ling was confused. If anyone should leave, it should be Grandmother, so why was she being asked to leave?
"She is, after all, a woman of noble rank, whom few dare to provoke lightly. But you are different. You are merely a young lady of the inner chambers, without power or influence. When Father was still alive, outsiders might have feared it a little, but now that Father is gone, and I have made many enemies, although I am now the commander of the Shendu Camp, the mansion is empty. Mother's foundation is shallow and cannot control the old servants. Only Grandmother can still exert some deterrence and manage things. Get ready, I will have someone escort you away."
"I won't leave! I must stay by your side!"
"Xiao Ling, how can one who disobeys orders be worthy of staying by my side?" Xiao Man glanced at her sideways. "If it weren't for our years of sisterhood, I would have killed you long ago for repeatedly defying my orders. Pack your things and get out!"
Xiao Ling stared at Xiao Man's retreating back in shock. She knew Xiao Man was always domineering, but she was particularly soft-hearted towards her family, always giving them a way out no matter what they did. She had forgotten that Xiao Man was inherently a ruthless person, especially now that her father's murderer had not yet been found, her patience was even thinner.
"Eldest Sister, I will listen to you. I will leave. Please don't abandon me!" Xiao Ling quickly took two steps forward. "I won't cause you trouble. I'll wait for you in Cangzhou."
Xiao Man's steps faltered slightly, and she continued to walk inside.
"Eldest Sister!"
"What are you still standing there for? Go pack your things!"
Xiao Ling's face lit up with joy. She quickly wiped the tears from her face and turned back. She had originally intended to face whatever came with Xiao Man, but since Xiao Man forbade it, and she had no ability, staying in the capital at this time would indeed be a burden to Xiao Man!
"Miss, you are clearly doing this for Third Miss's own good, why did you speak so harshly?" Yin Zhu took the cloak Xiao Man had removed and hung it on the rack. "If Third Miss becomes dissatisfied with Miss, what then?"
"If she becomes dissatisfied with me, and it keeps her from seeking death here, then so be it," Xiao Man said coldly. "Has the arrangements for the Old Madam been completed?"
"They have been made. The servants attending her are all trusted individuals," Yin Zhu replied. "Was your appointment at the Shendu Camp today smooth?"
Xiao Man smiled. "Those foolish brats in the army are relatively easy to deal with. The more difficult one is Ran Sheng. I can't quite figure out his intentions for the time being."
"Could he be an enemy?"
"I don't know."
After dinner, a guest arrived at the General's Mansion.
When Xiao Man saw Feng Tianlan appear in Shuiyue Xiaozhu, her hands instinctively clenched into fists. However, she greeted him with a face full of filial affection. "Master, why have you come so late?"
Xiao Man helped Feng Tianlan into the room and personally poured him tea. "Master, coming so late in person, have you found any clues about the murderer?"
Feng Tianlan pulled Xiao Man down to sit. "Not yet. I just heard that you took up your post at the Shendu Camp today. The Shendu Camp is full of rough, impulsive men. I fear they might offend you, or that you might be wronged and have nowhere to turn. When the General was still alive, I naturally didn't worry about you being bullied. But now that the General is gone, I fear you might suffer grievances with no one to turn to."
"So Master is worried that I won't be able to control those unruly boys!" Xiao Man snorted. "Who am I? I am the chaotic demon king that everyone in the capital fears! Even in the army, I am still the chaotic demon king. How can those brats be my match!"
"Did they truly not give you any trouble?"
"Master, don't you know me?" Xiao Man urged Feng Tianlan to drink tea. "I was personally taught by you. If I were truly bullied, wouldn't I complain to you? Those unruly brats in the army have already been thoroughly subdued by me!"