"Miss, who attacked you this time?"
"I'm afraid no one present is innocent," Xiao Man said slowly. "Li Zhaoyao, Nangong Qin, Nangong Cheng, the Prime Minister's mansion, the maternal uncle's mansion, the Crown Prince's mansion—it seems these numerous forces are all involved."
"What? Are they trying to join forces to carve up the Protectorate General's mansion?"
"No, they are testing the waters, trying to see how much weight I carry in Father's heart. At the same time, they are forcing Father to take a stance. Unfortunately, they underestimate Father too much." Xiao Man's voice was soft and gentle. "The Protectorate General's mansion has stood tall not just because of outstanding military achievements."
"Does Miss mean that General Xiao... the Great General is not simple?"
"Qin Xue, never underestimate anyone, especially the heads of the various families that stand firm in the Imperial Capital," Xiao Man said slowly. "My father's ability to maintain imperial favor is quite remarkable."
"Miss, if Prince Qin knew your true identity, would he still cooperate with you?"
Xiao Man fell silent. If Nangong Yu knew she was Dugu Man, would he cooperate with her? Probably not. He might even declare an unending feud with her, even if they shared common enemies.
"No matter what identity I have, it doesn't change the fact that I am Xiao Man. Act with caution. You must not make any rash moves before he enters the capital," Xiao Man commanded coldly.
"Yes, Miss."
"Also, I asked you to investigate people around the old madam who are proficient in medicine. Did you find anyone?" Xiao Man inquired. Now that her eyes were injured, it was ultimately inconvenient. Although this poison was not a major issue for her, she definitely couldn't move freely for a while. Therefore, the first priority was to eliminate the person proficient in medicine around the old madam.
"We investigated everyone in the old madam's courtyard, and no one is proficient in medicine."
"No one?" Xiao Man frowned. Could it be that she guessed wrong? Were those things just coincidences for the old madam? No, absolutely not. There must be someone proficient in medicine advising the old madam. Otherwise, given Madam Yan's ruthlessness, she would have attacked the old madam long ago. But she didn't, or rather, she couldn't succeed!
"Yes, my subordinates carefully observed everyone around the old madam. There was no suspicious person. If there was anyone suspicious, it would be Granny Xu, who is close to the old madam, but my subordinates tested her, and Granny Xu does not understand medicine."
"Then it's strange. I didn't expect the people around the old madam to be so well hidden. In that case, we'll have to take a risk." Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. "I don't believe that even if the old madam is poisoned, that person can remain seated and unmoved."
"Does Miss want to use poison to force out the hidden person in the old madam's courtyard?"
"Yes." Xiao Man nodded slowly. "However, the person who will administer the poison needs to be carefully considered."
"Miss must not act personally."
"In my current state, even if I wanted to act, I would be powerless," Xiao Man sighed. "Don't worry, I have a better candidate. This person can not only approach the old madam but also make her drop her guard."
Qin Xue's mind raced, and she understood who Xiao Man was referring to. "Miss is wise."
"Also, please investigate the forces behind the Cen family for me." Xiao Man always felt that behind the Cen family, it shouldn't be the Prime Minister's mansion or the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince had vast financial support, he would have crushed the other princes long ago. But he didn't. Although the Crown Prince was the heir apparent, he was in a stalemate with several other princes. Even the weakest Tenth Prince had now gained the support of the Prime Minister's mansion.
"Does Miss suspect that a certain prince is behind the Cen family?"
"I suspect that the Prime Minister's mansion has made preparations on both sides. Wen Moyu could become a pawn at any moment. The truly important person in the Wen family has always been Wen Mohan, and Wen Mohan and Cen Yu are close brothers, inseparable. Even if Prime Minister Wen dotes on his daughter Wen Moyu, he wouldn't risk the lives of his entire clan to support Nangong Cheng!"
"Could the Prime Minister's mansion be supporting the Crown Prince?"
"No." Xiao Man slowly shook her head. "If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the greatest contributor to his reign would inevitably be the maternal uncle's mansion, and the position of Crown Princess Xue Ning'er would be unshakeable. Therefore, the Prime Minister's mansion definitely isn't supporting the Crown Prince."
"Then is it Prince Qin?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "If Prince Qin married Wen Moyu, then the Prime Minister's mansion would definitely support Prince Qin. Unfortunately, Prince Qin did not. Moreover, I see Wen Mohan and His Highness Prince Qin always being at odds; these two should be rivals."
"Then is it Prince Qi?" Qin Xue was quite familiar with Prince Qi, Nangong Yi, as he had harassed her countless times at the Hundred Flower Pavilion, making her extremely annoyed.
"Normally, these two have no interaction. Nangong Yi also likes to gamble with chickens and dogs, and frequent brothels. With Wen Mohan's disposition, he probably wouldn't think highly of Prince Qi."
"Could it be Prince Chu?" Qin Xue asked in surprise. Prince Chu had a frail constitution. Although he was incredibly talented, fate was unkind to genius. This Prince Chu suffered a serious illness at the age of ten and had been weak ever since. It was said that even walking was difficult, and he spent most of his time in a wheelchair, and was usually not in the Imperial Capital.
"I don't know," Xiao Man said slowly. "Sometimes, the least likely person is the most likely one. That's why we must investigate who the forces behind the Cen family are!"
Wen Ruyu's eyes were clear as he looked at Cen Yu, who was calmly drinking tea before him. His expression remained unchanged. "After a few days apart, Master Cen has become even more charming."
Cen Yu frowned displeasily, yet there was no trace of anger in his expression. Instead, he looked as if he were being coquettish. "Lord Wen, you didn't find me just to say this, did you?"
Wen Ruyu's smile remained unchanged. "There's something I'd like to confirm with you."
"I don't believe I have an obligation to cooperate with you." Cen Yu stood up, preparing to leave.
"Did you kill Li Zhaoyao?" Wen Ruyu asked immediately as Cen Yu was about to leave. Cen Yu's steps paused, and then he left without hesitation.
Wen Ruyu opened his folding fan, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared. The intelligence from the Heavenly Machine Pavilion indicated that Cen Yu had repeatedly sent people to assassinate Xiao Man, and Li Zhaoyao was likely killed by Cen Yu. Was the scheme against Xiao Man orchestrated by Cen Yu on behalf of Prince Han's mansion?
If so, was the Cen family cooperating with Prince Han, which was why Prince Han would assist him in scheming against Xiao Man? No, a mere Cen family could not compare to the status of the Protectorate General's mansion. If they angered the Protectorate General's mansion, Prince Han would be the one to suffer!
"Wen Moyu!" Wen Ruyu uttered a name, his heart filled with shock. Why would Wen Moyu deal with Xiao Man like this?
Could it be because of the incident at Gan'ye Temple? Wen Moyu had blamed all the wrongdoings on Xiao Man. But Xiao Man was also a victim in that incident. Then there was only one possibility!
"Alas, the sting in a scorpion's tail is the most venomous thing in a woman's heart."
Wen Ruyu left the tea house and turned towards Prince Qin's mansion.