After much deliberation, I still believe we cannot reveal ourselves at this time. I have paid a hefty sum to the Tianji Pavilion for their assistance; I am uncertain if they will accept this task. Our forces in Shengjing have been nearly eradicated, making it difficult to infiltrate the imperial palace and destroy the corpse. Only they might succeed.
Tianji Pavilion...
If it weren't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't want to involve the Tianji Pavilion. Xiao Man leaned back in her chair, "The Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion is Nangong Yu."
Prince Qin!
Xiao Man nodded. It was during that attack that she discovered Nangong Yu was the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion, Qin Yu. Given Nangong Yu's character, and that he viewed Du Gu Man as a formidable opponent and treated her with respect, he might not be willing to destroy Du Gu Man's corpse.
"Does the young lady speak the truth?"
"I don't want him to know that the opponent he respected met such a tragic end after death," Xiao Man took a deep breath. "If Tianji Pavilion refuses, we'll find another way. You mustn't act rashly."
"Yes, Young Lady." Qin Xue picked up a box of calming incense. "Ying Xue said you haven't been sleeping well these past two days. This calming incense has the effect of focusing the mind and soothing the spirit. Take it back, and have Ying Xue light it before you sleep each night."
"Alright."
Nangong Yu stood by the window, silent for a long time. Wen Ruyu's figure appeared beside him as if on silent wings.
"Have we investigated who wants to destroy Du Gu Man's corpse?"
"We have. It's Xiao Man."
Nangong Yu turned his head, astonished, and looked at Wen Ruyu. "Xiao Man? Are you certain?"
"Absolutely certain. Although she disguised herself, our informants did not miss her," Wen Ruyu stated. "Furthermore, Shangguan Jin has opened gambling houses and restaurants in the capital, seemingly aiming to become the third wealthiest family."
"This is a good thing. Previously, the Jin and Cen families dominated, but with the addition of Shangguan Jin, these two families should temper themselves. Secretly assist Shangguan Jin and help him establish a foothold in the capital."
"Yes."
"Also, investigate why Xiao Man wants to destroy Du Gu Man's corpse."
Wen Ruyu raised an eyebrow. "Your Highness, so, will we accept this business?"
Nangong Yu fell silent. Should he accept? One was a woman who had shown him immense kindness, and the other was the woman he loved. He was unsure of what to do. However, he knew that if Xiao Man destroyed Du Gu Man's corpse, Murong Sheng Rui would kill Xiao Man at any cost, and he did not want Xiao Man to be harmed.
"Accept it. Stall for time and find out clearly why Xiao Man is so insistent on destroying Du Gu Man's corpse. From what I know of her, she is not a cruel or heartless person. Moreover, her relationship with Du Gu Man was significant, at least closer than we imagine."
"Understood." Wen Ruyu fanned himself lazily and walked away.
Nangong Yu then turned and went to his resting room. He had frequented this place often. The events of that night felt like they had happened just yesterday. At first, he hated that someone dared to humiliate him so, but later, he became addicted to her scent, unable to extricate himself.
"Xiao Man, what exactly do you want to do?"
Upon returning to the General's mansion, Xiao Man was summoned by the Old Madam to the upper court. She was lectured sternly for showing her face and flaunting herself outside all day, and was punished to kneel in the ancestral hall for reflection. It was not until Xiao Zhen returned from court that she was rescued.
Qiu Tong massaged Xiao Man's knees with medicated wine, saying, "Young Lady, the Old Madam always punishes you. You're punished to kneel every other day. Your knees haven't healed from the bruises, and now they're bruised again."
Xiao Man flipped through the medical book in her hands, her expression indifferent. "It's just kneeling as a punishment; I'm used to it."
"Today, the Old Madam reprimanded the Third Concubine again and handed over the household procurement matters to the Third Young Lady," Qiu Tong whispered. "Now, most affairs in the mansion are managed by the Third Young Lady."
Xiao Man nodded. "It's only right that Third Sister learns more about managing the household. Don't you agree, Second Sister?"
Xiao Xiang sat nearby, embroidering a handkerchief. "Eldest Sister is quite composed. If Third Sister hadn't complained to Grandmother, you wouldn't have been punished to kneel."
Xiao Man did not get angry upon hearing this. "We are sisters of the same family; we rise and fall together. If she wants the authority to manage the household, let her have it. I only fear she cannot handle it and burns her hands."
"Eldest Sister means..."
"The winds are about to change," Xiao Man said softly. "Whatever Third Sister wants, you don't need to stop her. Let Third Concubine give it to her. At this time, whoever holds the power of the General's mansion becomes a target."
Xiao Xiang's expression shifted. "Eldest Sister, have outsiders finally lost their patience and decided to make a move on the General's mansion?"
Xiao Man raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Xiang. "Outsiders have been making moves on the General's mansion for a long time. It was just minor skirmishes before. From now on, it might be different. With the King of Chu returning to the capital, the power dynamics in the capital are likely to shift again."
"Sister does not understand."
"It's alright if you don't understand. Just don't act rashly," Xiao Man said with a smile. "It's getting late, you should go back too, lest Third Concubine worry."
"Yes, Eldest Sister."
"Dongfang Wei, escort Second Sister back," Xiao Man instructed. Dongfang Wei, who had been hidden in the shadows, hesitated for a moment before leaping to follow Xiao Xiang's retreating figure.
"Young Lady, why did you ask Young Master Dongfang to escort Second Miss back?" Qiu Tong asked, puzzled. Second Miss is a young lady of the General's mansion, and although Young Master Dongfang is your guard, he is still an outsider."
"A secret," Xiao Man said slowly. "Ying Xue, have there been any messages from Yun Zhong City?"
"The Young General will return to the capital by the end of the year. Miss Chu will return with him."
Xiao Man heard this and said, "It seems our General's mansion will have joyous news."
"There is also one more matter..."
"Is it concerning my father?" Xiao Man inquired. Madam Yan was divorced, leaving the position of the General's wife vacant. The Old Madam had not been idle, and had been unusually close to her old friends recently, likely having already chosen someone.
"Young Lady is truly remarkable; you guessed correctly," Ying Xue quickly replied. "The Old Madam has chosen a young lady from the He family."
"The He family? Imperial Physician He's daughter?" Xiao Man was somewhat surprised. Imperial Physician He's daughter was only a year older than her. The thought of calling a young lady only a year older than herself 'mother' truly made her unable to utter the word!
Then Xiao Man realized. With Granny Shen gone, the Old Madam had no one skilled in medicine by her side. The Old Madam of the He family was the Old Madam's close confidante, and they had always been on good terms. Thus, the young lady sent to the General's mansion was likely skilled in medicine and easy to control. The Old Madam intended to firmly control the General's mansion.
"It's not Imperial Physician He's daughter, but the eldest daughter of the He family."
"The eldest daughter of the He family?" Xiao Man thought carefully and suddenly remembered. The eldest daughter of the He family was the daughter of Old Master He, named He Qingyi, who was now thirty years old and unmarried.