Xiao Ling remained silent, her dark eyes like still water. Could she interpret it as the King of Qin intending to propose to the General's daughter to solidify his position? As the eldest legitimate daughter, her eldest sister was the prime candidate. If her eldest sister were to meet an untimely end, the benefits of this alliance would fall to her.
"Consort Han, what exactly do you wish to tell me?"
"You and I cooperate to eliminate Xiao Man. I get my revenge, and you get your marriage. It's a win-win situation, why not?"
Xiao Ling was silent. This was a huge temptation for her. However, she had just returned to the General's mansion. If Xiao Man were to 'coincidentally' die suddenly during this time, it would only confirm what Daoist Master Tian Yi had said earlier. Her father might not let her off then.
"I have just returned to the General's mansion. If my eldest sister has the slightest mishap, do you think my father will let me off?" Xiao Ling analyzed calmly. "Moreover, Your Highness the Consort, do you think my eldest sister is easy to deal with?"
"If she were easy to deal with, your mother wouldn't have been forced to die. The reason your mother was divorced is unknown to outsiders, but you know it all too well. Once Xiao Man spreads this matter, no one in this vast capital will be willing to marry you! Will you continue to tolerate it?" Wen Moyu asked with a soft chuckle. "By the time Xiao Man makes a move against you, it will be too late to realize."
Xiao Ling calmly looked at Wen Moyu. The Wen family and the General's mansion had always been at odds, and there had always been considerable friction between the two households. Even if Wen Moyu spoke eloquently, she wouldn't dare to believe her easily.
"How do I know if Your Highness the Consort is telling the truth or if you've colluded with my eldest sister to set a trap for me?"
"Hmph." Wen Moyu snorted coldly. "Me colluding with her? How naive. I blinded her and almost ruined her chastity. You think she can collude with me?"
Shock flashed in Xiao Ling's eyes. Xiao Man's blindness was caused by this new Consort. That made sense. In the Han King's mansion, there weren't many people capable of harming Xiao Man, and this new Consort was one of them!
"Xiao Ling, if you are unwilling to cooperate with me, I suffer no loss. But it's different for you. You will be suppressed by Xiao Man your entire life, unable to lift your head. You will watch Xiao Man marry into the Qin King's mansion and become the Qin King's Consort, while you will be trampled into the mud by her!"
After saying this, Wen Moyu stood up and walked out. "Third Miss, think carefully whether you want to cooperate with me. If you make up your mind, send someone to find me."
After Wen Moyu left, Xiao Ling did not rush to leave. Instead, she pondered deeply, her mind replaying Wen Moyu's words: the King of Qin intended to propose to Xiao Man as his consort. How could this be!
"Miss, this Han Consort has ill intentions. You must not fall into her scheme," the maid said nervously, fearing her mistress would be used.
"I certainly won't believe her easily," Xiao Ling said, getting up to leave. "Go and inquire if the King of Qin truly intends to propose to Xiao Man as his consort!"
"Yes, Miss."
After everyone had left, Xiao Man's face still bore a thoughtful expression. "The Prime Minister Wen's daughter is truly formidable. With just a few words, she has ignited my sister's hatred for me. Now that she has returned to the mansion, I fear she will do her utmost to kill me."
"Miss, do you want to..."
"No need. Wen Moyu married into the Han King's mansion, but not willingly. She is not entirely devoted to the Han King. What she desires is likely more than just destroying me," Xiao Man mused for a moment. "I fear her goal is to destroy the entire General's mansion."
"Miss, what happened to Miss Wen, it cannot be entirely blamed on you. Why did she..."
"What happened to her was indirectly caused by me. It's reasonable for her to blame me, but I never expected her to be so venomous. Both the elder and younger siblings are born of the same mother, yet their differences are quite significant."
"Miss Wen used to appear gentle and virtuous, kind to others. Who knew she had such a wicked heart? One can know a person's face but not their heart. Her full sibling, her brother, might not be a good person either!" Qin Xue, disliking Wen Moyu, also disliked Wen Mohan.
"Wen Moyu is Wen Moyu, and Wen Mohan is Wen Mohan. However, the two households have never been on good terms. It's best to interact as little as possible in the future."
"Miss, that Wen Moyu said the King of Qin intends to propose to you as his consort..."
"A lie!" Xiao Man said without hesitation. "This is a fabrication she wove to provoke my third sister. I suspect she saw through my third sister's infatuation with the King of Qin long ago, which is why she told such a lie to instigate my third sister to deal with me."
"Will Third Miss fall for it?"
"This is not falling for it; this is conspiring together." Xiao Man sighed. "What does the King of Qin marrying a consort have to do with me? Why am I always hurt because of the King of Qin? I don't like the King of Qin, yet the women who like him always fight me to the death. Do you think I'm wronged?"
Qin Xue glanced at Xiao Man, wanting to say, 'You are not wronged,' but fearing Xiao Man would get angry with her. "Perhaps the King of Qin likes you."
Xiao Man spat out a mouthful of tea, coughing uncontrollably. "Qin Xue, let me tell you, that is absolutely impossible! You haven't seen his expression every time he sees me. He has a deathly pale face, as if he wants to kill me. How could he possibly like me?" Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing Xiao Man's disgusted expression, Qin Xue said no more.
In her eyes, the King of Qin pursued Miss to Yunzhong City, risked his life to save her, and later, because of Miss, ordered the encirclement and annihilation of Jiuyulou. He saved Miss from the hands of Pojun and meticulously cared for her. If it weren't for liking her, why would he do all this?
Alas, the bystander is often blind.
Several days had passed since Third Miss returned from Baihua Tower, but there was no movement from Xiao Ling's side. Xiao Man also had the patience to wait. Since she couldn't see, she played the zither in her courtyard every day, entertaining herself.
Adding to that, the Old Madam, concerned about her injured eyes, exempted her from morning and evening greetings, making Xiao Man even lazier.
Although autumn had arrived, the lingering heat of the summer sun was still intense, making the weather unbearably hot. Xiao Man, seeking coolness, ate two bowls of ice lotus seed soup. Qiu Tong then had it hidden away, forbidding her from eating any more.
"Keep fanning me. It's unbearably hot. Otherwise, I'll go lie in the ice cellar. It must be cool in there," Xiao Man muttered.
"My dear Miss, please don't do that," Qiu Tong quickly fanned her. "Eating too much ice lotus seed soup can cause an upset stomach. The ice cellar is cold, and the cold entering the body will damage your health even more. Sister Ying Xue always indulges you."
Ying Xue shrunk her neck. If Miss wanted to eat it, she didn't dare to stop her.
"Alright Qiu Tong, please spare her. She can barely hold her head up under your scolding. She just gave me another bowl because she saw how hot I was. Please don't be angry."
Qiu Tong looked at Ying Xue, who was standing aside, shrinking her neck and looking like she had made a mistake. Her anger immediately subsided. "Miss, you always indulge them."
"I don't just indulge them; I indulge you too," Xiao Man said with a smile. "You are all my darlings."