In Shuiyue Xiao Zhu, the Second Miss and her mother were dining with Xiao Man.
"Eldest Sister, I heard the front hall is quite lively, with even His Highness Prince Qin and His Highness Prince Qi present," Xiao Xiang said, carefully observing Xiao Man's expression.
Xiao Man nodded, "Prince Qin spent several years in the army and commanded great prestige among the troops, earning the deep respect of many generals. Several generals from Yunzhong City have fought alongside him before, so his presence is normal."
"What about His Highness Prince Qi?"
"His Highness Prince Qi is like a dog, following wherever there's good food," Xiao Man said with a smile. "Eat more. You seem to have lost weight recently. Are you troubled by something?"
Xiao Xiang's hand paused, and she then placed a piece of steamed spare ribs on Xiao Man's plate. "Eldest Sister, how can I be thin? Clearly, you are the one who has lost weight. You've been ill recently, look at you, you're so thin a gust of wind could blow you away. You should eat more."
"Yes, the Eldest Miss is indeed too thin," the Third Concubine agreed. Xiao Man had been unconscious for a while, which had likely damaged her vitality, making her even more gaunt and her aura more formidable. Sometimes, when standing before this Eldest Miss, she dared not even breathe too heavily.
"Is that so? I don't feel it much, it's just that the weather is cold, and the food gets cold quickly, so I don't have much appetite," Xiao Man said calmly. "Yinzhu, instruct the kitchen to prepare two more hot dishes for the front hall and warm the wine before sending it up. In such cold weather, drinking cold wine would surely be uncomfortable."
"Yes, Miss," Yinzhu immediately went to the main kitchen and instructed the staff to add dishes and warm the wine for the front hall.
Xiao Ling had been lingering in the garden. She knew Prince Qin and Prince Qi had arrived and wanted to see Prince Qin. However, Prince Qin was in the front hall, which was filled with male guests. If she were to go out, it would inevitably leave a bad impression.
"Third Sister, what are you doing here?" The plum blossoms in the garden had bloomed, so Xiao Ting had asked Qiaoyun to bring her to pick them. Seeing Xiao Ling wandering in the garden, she asked curiously.
"I ate too much at dinner and am going for a walk to aid digestion," Xiao Ling replied gracefully. "Fourth Sister, why have you come out?"
"The plum blossoms in my courtyard have bloomed, so I wanted to pick a couple to put in a vase." Xiao Ting ordered Qiaoyun to pick the two best ones and handed one to Xiao Ling. "Third Sister, it's cold outside, I'll be going back now."
"Alright." Xiao Ling watched Xiao Ting leave, her gaze falling on the plum blossoms in her hand, a flicker of an unreadable light flashing in her eyes.
"Miss, isn't it a bit strange that the Third Miss is strolling in the garden at this hour?"
Xiao Ting took a deep breath of the plum blossoms in her hand, their faint fragrance pleasant. "Besides the flowers, there's only people in the garden, and Third Sister isn't interested in flowers."
Qiaoyun's eyes lit up. "Miss means, Third Miss is having a secret rendezvous with someone in the garden?"
"I didn't say anything," Xiao Ting shot Qiaoyun a look. "Perhaps Third Sister really is just going for a walk to aid digestion."
Qiaoyun pouted. Before Madam Yan was in charge, the Third Miss held the status of a legitimate daughter in the mansion, second only to the Eldest Miss. After Madam Yan was divorced and sent away, the Third Miss went to the Old Madam to vie for favor with the Fourth Miss. Now that the Old Madam had gone to Cangzhou, she didn't know what schemes she was hatching.
Xiao Ting knew that Xiao Ling must be plotting for someone in the front hall, but she wouldn't expose her. The General's mansion was now the Eldest Sister's domain. Xiao Ling was eager to leave the General's mansion, and her target was bound to be one of the two princes. However, neither of them was easy to deal with.
"Miss, should we tell Concubine Mother?"
"No need. Let her stir up trouble. If it leads to something, all the better."
Xiao Ling stopped the maidservant delivering wine. "Is this wine for the front hall?"
"Replying to Third Miss, yes. The Eldest Miss instructed the kitchen to warm the wine before sending it to the front hall, saying that drinking too much cold wine is not good for the body."
"Eldest Sister is indeed thoughtful." Xiao Ling lifted the lid of the wine pot, leaned in to smell it, "Give it to me, I'll take it."
"This..."
"What, do you think I'm no longer the legitimate daughter of the General's mansion just because Grandfather is gone?"
"This servant dares not."
Xiao Ling immediately took the tray from the maidservant and turned to leave. She called for Yunshang, whispered something in her ear, and then pointed to one of the wine pots. "Remember to place this pot of wine in front of Prince Qin."
"Yes, Miss."
Yunshang felt a little scared. She lowered her head and distributed the warmed wine to everyone. "The Eldest Miss is worried that the generals might feel uncomfortable drinking cold wine after eating, so she asked the kitchen to heat the wine and send it up."
"The Eldest Miss is truly thoughtful." Su Dan Novel Network.
Yunshang placed the pot of wine, mixed with medicine, before Prince Qin, then withdrew and left the front hall quickly.
Nangong Yu's gaze swept over the fleeing Yunshang, his expression serene. He recognized the maids by Xiao Man's side, and this maid was definitely not one of them.
"Fourth Brother, the Eldest Miss is truly thoughtful. Such a thoughtful person, I wonder who will end up with her," Nangong Yi picked up the wine pot in front of him, poured himself a drink, and downed it in one gulp. "This taste is indeed different. After drinking it, I immediately feel warm all over."
Nangong Yu's gaze fell on the wine pot in Nangong Yi's hand. Nangong Yi glanced at the wine pot in his hand. "Apologies, Fourth Brother, I took yours. You can drink from mine."
Nangong Yu said coldly, "It's alright, I prefer cold wine."
"Tsk tsk, you don't accept the kind offer of a beauty."
Nangong Yu drank a cup of cold wine and then looked at Du Guming Yu. "In the army, are you getting used to it?"
Du Guming Yu was somewhat flattered. "Thank you for your concern, Prince Qin. I am getting used to it."
"That's good." Nangong Yu nodded. "On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. Be careful."
Du Guming Yu nodded again. "This humble general remembers."
Nangong Yi looked at Nangong Yu, then at Du Guming Yu, with a puzzled expression. "Fourth Brother, are you very familiar with him?"
"Not bad, we've met a few times."
"When did you start caring about someone you've only met a few times, Fourth Brother?"
Nangong Yu's expression remained unchanged. "Are you implying that I am cold-blooded and heartless, and don't care about people?"
"No, no, no, that's not what I mean. I just feel that Fourth Brother you... you seem a bit strange." Nangong Yi couldn't pinpoint why, but Nangong Yu inquiring about Du Guming Yu was indeed strange.
"Do you have a place to stay?" Nangong Yu asked after a moment of silence.
"The Young General has arranged for me to stay at the General's mansion, and guest rooms have been prepared."
"Indeed, she would naturally arrange everything for you." Nangong Yu nodded with understanding.
Du Guming Yu understood this as Xiao Luo having arranged everything for him, and he was deeply grateful. Xiao Man had saved his life, and Xiao Luo had taken him in. This brother and sister pair had shown him such great kindness; he would repay them one day.