Xiao Zhen returned from the army and heard that Xiao Man had gone out and encountered assassins. He was worried and came to see Xiao Man. He stayed for dinner with her before leaving.
After bathing and changing, Xiao Man sat by the window, drying her long wet hair. Autumn had arrived, and the ground heat had dissipated. It was no longer so hot at night, and a cool breeze occasionally blew, bringing a sense of comfort.
Just then, the wind rustled, lifting her cascading hair. A hand reached out and grabbed her dark, silken hair, but it merely slipped through his fingertips.
The handkerchief in Xiao Man's hand was taken away. Xiao Man smiled, "Qiutong, you can go rest. I don't need anyone to take care of me. I'm very familiar with the layout of this room; I won't bump into anything."
The person beside her meticulously dried her hair, stroke after stroke, with exceptional patience. Xiao Man felt a hint of suspicion and reached out, grabbing the arm beside her. It wasn't Qiutong's arm. This arm was strong and powerful, clearly belonging to a man.
"Your Highness, the Prince of Qin?"
"Mm," Nangong Yu replied faintly, continuing to dry Xiao Man's hair.
Xiao Man felt a shiver. The Prince of Qin drying her hair so intimately made her scalp tingle. "Your Highness, this trivial matter of drying hair, I can do it myself."
Xiao Man snatched the handkerchief from Nangong Yu's hand and began to dry her hair herself. Nangong Yu didn't contend with her but sat down beside her. "Today, you played a piece called 'Green Waist' at Xianle Pavilion. Can you play it again?"
"I don't have a pipa here."
"I brought one." Nangong Yu placed a pipa into Xiao Man's hands while taking the handkerchief from her.
Xiao Man touched the pipa in her hands, tested its tuning, and finding it correct, her fingers moved nimbly, plucking the strings. The familiar melody began. Many years ago, he had heard someone play this tune. At that time, he was surrounded by enemies, and even though the opponent was an enemy, he couldn't muster the slightest bit of hatred.
"Xiao Man, have I ever told you that I was once defeated by someone on the battlefield?" Nangong Yu said slowly after Xiao Man finished playing.
"No."
"Then I will tell you about it." Nangong Yu's gaze was fixed on Xiao Man. "My birth mother died early, and I was of foreign descent, so my life in the palace was very difficult. I moved out of the palace to live independently at the age of twelve and joined the army at thirteen. On the battlefield, I was always the bravest and most fearless, achieving many military exploits and earning the respect of the generals. However, it also made some people fearful.
Xiao Man unintentionally brushed a string, producing a soft melody. "When I was sixteen, I met her. Empress Dowager Yunqi, Dugu Man. I suffered a crushing defeat against her, yet I felt no resentment. I lost willingly and even greatly admired her."
Xiao Man's fingers that were plucking the strings paused for a moment, then, as if nothing had happened, she continued.
"I thought she was an enemy, but little did I know that those closest to me were the real enemies. On the bloody battlefield, she spared my life, and when I was ambushed by those around me, she lent me a helping hand. I couldn't understand why she did this. I was an enemy general; her showing mercy was already the limit, why did she have to save me from danger?"
"Perhaps, she wasn't saving you, but herself," Xiao Man said slowly.
Back then, when she saw Nangong Yu, she felt as if she saw her younger self, supporting a young emperor, surrounded by peril, with only the option to charge forward and fight her way out. They were kindred spirits, which was why she lent a hand.
A flicker of doubt crossed Nangong Yu's eyes. Dugu Man was the Empress Dowager, who ruled from behind the curtain and held immense power. Her situation was very different from his, so he didn't believe Xiao Man's explanation.
"So, when she was returning to the capital, I secretly followed her, wanting to ask her why she helped me. It was then that I heard this piece of music, played by her."
A smile appeared on Xiao Man's face. "I suppose she wasn't the only one who knew this piece. Perhaps someone else taught it to her."
"Yes, she must have been taught by someone else too." Nangong Yu nodded in agreement. "I always feel that if she were still alive, she would surely become good friends with you." Soudan Novels
"It's a pity, though. The dead cannot return to life," Xiao Man said slowly. Dugu Man was dead; that was an undeniable fact. Even if she knew she was still alive, no one would believe her if she said it. Instead, they would consider her a monster!
"Yes, the dead cannot return to life." Nangong Yu's voice carried an ambiguous tone.
"By the way, for the palace banquet on the fifteenth of August, if you can avoid it, don't go to the palace," Nangong Yu reminded Xiao Man. Xiao Man was currently blind, and today she had caused quite a stir at Xianle Pavilion. Now, countless more eyes would be on her.
"I'm afraid this matter is beyond my control. Your Highness, you have broad sources of information. Can you find out who is behind Jiuyu Tower?" Xiao Man asked gently. Someone in the General's mansion had ties to Xianle Pavilion and knew her every move. She had just learned that her Fourth Concubine came from Xianle Pavilion, and someone was already waiting for her there.
"The master of Jiuyu Tower escaped, and most of the assassins in the tower were killed or injured. Even Li Sanniang, who escaped, died by your hand today. However, the people of Jiuyu Tower destroyed all their account books, making it difficult to investigate their behind-the-scenes mastermind."
"It seems I can only start with the people in the mansion." Xiao Man's brows furrowed slightly, but she couldn't be sure who in the mansion was connected to Jiuyu Tower. It had to be either Xiao Ling or Fourth Concubine!
"Do you know who in the General's mansion is connected to Jiuyu Tower?"
"Not yet certain." Xiao Man thought carefully. "However, I've narrowed it down to two people: one is my third sister, Xiao Ling, and the other is Fourth Concubine, who has always been unremarkable."
"The concubine the Emperor bestowed upon your father."
Xiao Man nodded. "Today, when the people from Xianle Pavilion came, I had an unexpected gain."
"This Fourth Concubine has a problem." Nangong Yu guessed immediately. Xiao Man always had her own plans for everything she did. Going to Xianle Pavilion for a musical performance for no apparent reason must have been with a purpose. And it wasn't a secret that the Fourth Concubine of the General's mansion came from Xianle Pavilion; it could be easily found out with a little investigation.
Xiao Man nodded. "My Fourth Concubine in the mansion actually doesn't recognize Mother Li, who has been at Xianle Pavilion for many years. Your Highness, isn't that laughable?"
"As far as I know, this concubine in your mansion has always been indifferent to disputes and kept a low profile. She never made a move against you. Why do you suddenly suspect her?"
Xiao Man's expression became serious. "She was too low-key. When she suddenly spoke up, it seemed extremely abrupt, drawing my attention. This little trick actually managed to expose her."
"Are there any clues?"
"I suspect she didn't not make a move against me, but rather she did, and I simply didn't notice it!"