"Who could have done it?" the guards asked, baffled. Xiao Zhen was no ordinary person; even if they wanted to kill him, it would come at a steep price.
"Whoever it was, they've done us a great favor!" Yao Ran chuckled, a smile gracing her lips. "With Xiao Zhen dead and Xiao Luo in Cloud City, the General's manor is vulnerable. Who will protect her then?"
The guards lowered their heads, not daring to meet Yao Ran's gaze. She paid them no mind, her long, dark hair cascading freely down her back. At this moment, the blue moon transformed Yao Ran, shedding her sharp edges and revealing the delicate allure of a woman.
"Prepare a generous gift. After all, he was an old friend of many years. I should go offer my condolences."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Xiao Man knelt in the mourning hall for an entire night, and Wen Mohan accompanied her. Seeing Xiao Man's haggard face and chapped lips, Wen Mohan's eyes were filled with heartache. "It's almost dawn. Once the sun rises, more people will come to pay their respects. You should rest for a while first, and then come out to receive guests."
Xiao Man shook her head, kneeling motionlessly. Her legs had lost all feeling, yet she didn't want to move. She remembered how her father had told her to wear more clothes when she left that morning, saying it was cold outside. He had even gotten a scarf for her to wear. She had laughed, calling him a worrywart, only to have him become a cold corpse by evening.
"Eldest Miss, please go and rest for a moment. If you collapse, you will truly have played into the murderer's hands," He Qingyi persuaded her. "The General doted on you the most. If he saw you ruining yourself like this, how could he rest in peace in the afterlife?"
"Eldest Sister, please go and rest. I'll stay here," Xiao Ling said, helping to support Xiao Man along with Wen Mohan. "Our eldest brother is far away in Cloud City, and the manor depends on you. The murderer has not yet been caught. You must take good care of yourself."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. She finally seemed to absorb some of their words. Supported by Xiao Ling and Wen Mohan, she went to the side hall to rest. When Wen Mohan emerged again, she saw that Prince Qin was still seated in the mourning hall. She bowed slightly in greeting, then burned some spirit money. After having hot water sent to wash her face, she regained her gentle, elegant demeanor of a refined scholar and went to receive the guests.
Nangong Yu rose and walked to Xiao Zhen's coffin. Looking at Xiao Zhen lying peacefully within, he closed his eyes. After a long moment, he turned and left.
Wen Ruyu, leaning against a pillar, dozed off. Si Chen nudged him, and he almost fell. Seeing that they were about to leave, he quickly followed. "Are we leaving?"
Nangong Yu remained silent. He left the General's manor, got into the carriage, and punched the seat. The fine golden silk nanmu wood cracked under his blow. Nangong Yu's hand was also injured, bleeding profusely.
Wen Ruyu flinched. "Your Highness, please do not be anxious. I have already sent people to investigate. I believe clues will be found soon."
Nangong Yu's hand trembled slightly. "I want Xiao Zhen's every movement from yesterday, without the slightest omission."
"Yes, Your Highness." Wen Ruyu knew Nangong Yu was not feeling well, especially seeing Xiao Man in such a state. He probably felt even worse. "However... Your Highness, will you not stay at the General's manor to accompany Princess Yongning?"
"She has company now. My task is to catch the murderer as quickly as possible." Killing intent emanated from Nangong Yu, paralyzing Wen Ruyu. He had made a mistake. He shouldn't have shared a carriage with Prince Qin. At this moment, Prince Qin was a walking weapon of mass destruction; one wrong move, and he could become a victim!
"The Great General has been murdered. His Majesty will likely reclaim the Divine Capital Camp. I wonder who will get control of it," Wen Ruyu sighed after a moment. "Once the Xiao family loses their military power, those who harbor resentment against them in secret might target the General's manor. The Xiao family's future looks bleak."
"Don't worry, Xiao Man is not someone to be trifled with!"
The Emperor personally came to the General's manor to pay his respects. He Qingyi had intended to go out to welcome him but saw Xiao Man approaching from the side hall.
"I will go and welcome His Majesty."
He Qingyi nodded and continued to guard the memorial tablet. Xiao Man, accompanied by her retinue, went to the main gate to greet the Emperor.
"This subject greets Your Majesty." The old Emperor quickly reached out to help Xiao Man up. Seeing her pale face but determined expression, he couldn't help but sigh. "Child Yongning, my condolences."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Please, Your Majesty." Xiao Man led him to the mourning hall. The old Emperor stood by the coffin, gazing at Xiao Zhen lying within, his heart filled with emotion.
"My loyal minister, how could you leave so soon?" The old Emperor's eyes reddened. "Leaving behind a widow and orphan, how could you bear it?"
Xiao Man stood silently, not uttering a word. After the Emperor finished paying his respects, she invited him to the side hall for tea.
"Yongning, I am deeply saddened by your father's passing. I have already ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Jingzhao Prefecture to apprehend the murderer as soon as possible. Do not grieve too much," the Emperor said after taking a sip of tea. "As for the Divine Capital Camp your father commanded..."
Xiao Man lifted her robes and knelt before the Emperor. "Your Majesty, please allow Yongning to represent her father and continue to serve Your Majesty."
The old Emperor was startled. "You... you wish to replace your father and continue to command the Divine Capital Camp?"
"Yes, Yongning was taught by my father from a young age, both in martial arts and scholarly pursuits, all for the purpose of serving the court one day," Xiao Man said, her back straight and her voice firm. "Yongning knows there is no precedent for women leading troops in the army, but please give Yongning an opportunity. Yongning will prove to Your Majesty that she will never betray Your Majesty's trust."
"It is not that I do not believe you, but your health is not good..."
"The children of the Xiao family are born for the battlefield!" Xiao Man declared resolutely. "Even in death, we shall die on the battlefield, taking our enemies with us!" Su Dan Novel Network
The old Emperor pondered. Xiao Zhen's sudden murder had upset the delicate balance of power in the court. If he were to reclaim the Divine Capital Camp, he wouldn't trust anyone to lead it. Handing it over to Xiao Man might resolve the current predicament, but he worried if a frail woman could manage the rough soldiers of the Divine Capital Camp!
"The soldiers of the Divine Capital Camp are all masters who can fight ten to one. Moreover, they are of noble birth. They obeyed your father, but they may not obey you. Are you psychologically prepared?"
Xiao Man understood that the Emperor was wavering, willing to entrust the Divine Capital Camp to her, but he doubted her ability to command it!
"In the army, strength is paramount. Yongning has her own ways to make them respect her."
"Very well. If that is the case, after your father is buried, you shall report to the Divine Capital Camp. In the meantime, I will appoint someone to temporarily act as the commander of the Divine Capital Camp until you arrive."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Don't thank me too soon. This position belongs to the capable. If you cannot make them wholeheartedly obey you, I will unhesitatingly remove you."
"Your subject obeys."
After seeing the Emperor off, Xiao Man continued to keep vigil at the mourning hall and ordered someone to send a letter to Xiao Luo in Cloud City.