"Isn't there still one person who can enter the Protector General's mansion?" Wen Moyu's smile was sinister and terrifying. "If I remember correctly, the third daughter of the General's mansion has a close relationship with the Prince."
"Er'er, she and I are only cousins. We have no other relationship!" Nangong Cheng stated immediately.
"I know," Wen Moyu said slowly. "I mean, she can help me. The easiest and most effective way to break through a fortress is from the inside."
"You mean, ally with Xiao Ling? Will she agree?"
"She will. After all, Xiao Man is not only our enemy, but hers too." Wen Moyu curved her lips and smiled. "Don't forget, Yan's death is more or less related to Xiao Man. Xiao Ling has fallen from a legitimate daughter to someone everyone mocks. You don't think Xiao Ling still considers her a sister, do you?"
Nangong Cheng thought about it carefully. It seemed feasible. "Then I'll go see her."
"No need. You just need to arrange a meeting, and I'll personally deal with her," Wen Moyu said slowly.
Since the Qixi Festival, she had declared war on Xiao Man. It was Xiao Man who had destroyed her dreams, destroyed everything she had. She swore she would take everything Xiao Man cherished, then destroy it bit by bit, and watch Xiao Man grovel at her feet, begging for mercy.
Protector General's Mansion.
Ying Xue rushed in and whispered a few words into Xiao Man's ear. A mocking smile flickered on Xiao Man's lips. "The fox's tail can finally be seen."
"Miss, the subordinates have already had people follow."
"Don't get too close, lest you startle the snake. That way, I can also see if the person behind this is as I suspected." Xiao Man's expression was calm. These past few days, under Ye Qing's care, her eyes no longer hurt, but she still couldn't see.
"Miss is going in person?"
"Yes, I have to make this trip myself. I also want to know how stupid our dear sister is."
To avoid attracting attention, Wen Moyu arranged to meet at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
The Hundred Flowers Pavilion had always been a favorite place for young ladies. The rouge, powder, perfumes, and jewelry here were unique. Su Dan Novel Network.
It was perfectly normal for young ladies to visit the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, and it wouldn't arouse suspicion. This was convenient for Xiao Man, so Qin Xue had arranged a private room for Wen Moyu early on. In the adjacent room, Qin Xue was leisurely brewing tea.
"She's here."
As expected, the sound of the door opening was heard. After the maid led someone in, she left. Wen Moyu waited alone in the private room, only to hear the maid cautiously ask, "Miss, will she come?"
"She will!" Wen Moyu said with certainty. Xiao Ling was never someone who was content to be beneath others. And Xiao Man, as the legitimate and eldest daughter of the Protector General's mansion, had every advantage. For Xiao Ling to surpass Xiao Man, she could only seek external help.
Indeed, a moment later, there was a knock on the door. The maid stepped forward to open it, and Xiao Ling, dressed in plain clothes, walked in with composure. "Greetings to the Han Princess Consort."
"Third Miss, there's no need for formalities. Please sit." Although Wen Moyu was married, she still dressed like a young lady. Her cascading dark hair was not yet pinned up, and her beautiful face, lightly powdered, made her appear even more noble and elegant. Compared to Xiao Ling's gentle and charming demeanor, they each had their own distinct charm.
"May I know why the Han Princess Consort has summoned this humble maiden?" Xiao Ling was sharp-minded, yet she couldn't fathom what this new Princess Consort intended.
Wen Moyu personally poured a cup of tea and offered it to Xiao Ling. "Third Miss, you are exceptionally talented and beautiful, and you are quite renowned in the capital. You are also ranked among the top of the Women's Popularity List. In the capital, how many people have fallen for you? Yet, there is someone who constantly suppresses you. Can you endure this?"
Xiao Ling's eyes flickered. She didn't know where her elder sister had offended this new Princess Consort to make her seek her out.
"This humble maiden does not understand the Princess Consort's meaning." Xiao Ling lowered her gaze, her expression unreadable.
Wen Moyu's smile remained unchanged. "Your household's eldest daughter has always held the top spot on the Popularity List and is favored by the Protector General. Aren't you jealous?"
"We are sisters. What is there to be jealous of? If my elder sister is well, I, as her sister, should be happy for her." Xiao Ling's reply was flawless. Who knew what this new Princess Consort was plotting? If she was digging a pit for her to fall into, she would regret it too late.
"Third Miss is indeed broad-minded." Wen Moyu thought to herself, the young ladies of the Protector General's mansion were not foolish. Perhaps only the second daughter was easy to manipulate. Unfortunately, although that second daughter was foolish, she had already allied with Xiao Man. Otherwise, she would have preferred to cooperate with the second daughter. "If it were me, I would have found ways to kill her long ago."
Xiao Ling's expression flickered. "From the Han Princess Consort's words, it seems you have a grievance with my elder sister?"
"Grievance?" Wen Moyu said coldly. "If it weren't for her, would I have had to marry Nangong Cheng? Do you think it's just a simple grievance?"
Xiao Ling looked defensive. Did this Han Princess Consort summon her not to deal with her, but to intimidate Xiao Man?
Seeing Xiao Ling's defensive look, Wen Moyu chuckled. "Third Miss need not be afraid. I've come to find you because I wish to cooperate with you. After all, you and I have a common enemy."
Xiao Ling remained wary in her heart. She couldn't discern whether Wen Moyu's words were true or false.
"Your Highness Princess Consort is joking. How could we sisters be enemies?"
"Third Miss, this is an opportunity, an opportunity to distinguish yourself!" There was a hint of disdain in Wen Moyu's eyes. "If you miss this, you will never be able to surpass Xiao Man in this lifetime."
Xiao Ling remained silent, thinking to herself: That's not necessarily true.
Xiao Man was arrogant and domineering, with a terrible reputation. Young gentlemen from good families would not seek to marry her. As long as she married the man she adored, she would have honor and wealth, and then she wouldn't be afraid of being surpassed by Xiao Man.
"Are you thinking that by marrying into a noble family in the future, you will have a chance to surpass Xiao Man?" Wen Moyu sneered. "However, looking at the unmarried men in the capital, how much higher can their status be than royalty, or higher than the Prince of Qin, who holds military power?"
Xiao Ling's eyelids twitched. It was as if her thoughts had been spied upon. She looked at Wen Moyu guiltily. "I don't know what the Han Princess Consort is talking about."
"Do you know that the Prince of Qin intends to marry Xiao Man as his consort?"
Xiao Man, who was eavesdropping in the next room, scoffed dismissively upon hearing this.
The Prince of Qin intended to marry her as his consort? What utter nonsense!
How could the Prince of Qin marry her? After all, if the Prince of Qin married her, it would be like adding fuel to the fire, and he could fall into a vortex at any moment. The Prince of Qin wasn't that foolish!
"Impossible!" Xiao Ling said excitedly.
"Impossible?" Wen Moyu sneered. "Although I don't know what wily methods your elder sister used to seduce the Prince of Qin, I do know that the Prince of Qin does intend to propose marriage to Xiao Man. After all, Xiao Man is the legitimate daughter of the Protector General's mansion and is highly favored by the General. Do you think the Prince of Qin would give up the precious and noble legitimate eldest daughter to choose you?"