"His Highness jokes, this concubine is His Highness's woman, and is honored to be favored by His Highness." Wen Moyu steadied her mind. On the surface, she was still the Prime Minister's daughter, and Nangong Cheng dared not touch her.
Nangong Cheng looked at Wen Moyu with amusement, a meaningful smile curving the corners of his lips: "Oh, really? Are you sure it's not torture?"
"Of course, serving His Highness is this concubine's good fortune."
"If that's the case, take off your clothes." Nangong Cheng said lightly.
"What?"
"Take off your clothes." Nangong Cheng said slowly, "This Highness does not wish to repeat himself a third time."
Wen Moyu's gaze fell on the maid behind Nangong Cheng. She gestured for the two maids to leave, but they ignored her. Wen Moyu gritted her teeth and had no choice but to untie her belt and remove her clothes one by one, until only her undergarments remained.
Nangong Cheng glanced at her indifferently: "Naked."
"Can Your Highness let them leave? The pleasures of the boudoir..." Wen Moyu saw Nangong Cheng's impatient expression and immediately understood. Nangong Cheng had heard everything and knew she had lost the Prime Minister's support, and he wanted to regain his lost dignity from her.
Wen Moyu hardened her heart and removed her undergarments. At this moment, she felt deeply humiliated. However, Nangong Cheng had been shameless to marry her in the first place, so how could he let her off easily?
"Please His Highness," Nangong Cheng said softly, "Make this Highness believe that you truly feel marrying this Highness is your good fortune."
Wen Moyu was somewhat at a loss. After their marriage, Nangong Cheng had always been the one to initiate intimacy, and she hadn't even bothered to cooperate, letting Nangong Cheng do as he pleased. Now, she was asked to please Nangong Cheng, and a sense of humiliation welled up in her heart. Yet, Wen Moyu had no choice but to obey. She stepped forward and reached out to untie Nangong Cheng's robes.
Nangong Cheng maintained a smile that was neither a smile nor not a smile throughout. He married Wen Moyu for the support of the Prime Minister's mansion. If he lost that support, Wen Moyu would be worthless to him. The humiliation he had suffered at her hands, he would repay her a thousandfold.
Although Wen Moyu didn't know how to please others, she was, after all, a wife. She immediately sat on Nangong Cheng's lap, only to be thrown to the ground by him.
"What is Your Highness doing?"
"This Highness is tired of it, let's try another way!" Nangong Cheng grabbed Wen Moyu's hair, "Today, this Highness will teach you properly how to serve a man!"
"No... don't..."
"You have no say in this!"
After a period of torment, Nangong Cheng looked at Wen Moyu, who was sprawled on the ground like a puddle of mud, and said cruelly, "Your only value is the Prime Minister's mansion behind you. If you cannot win back the Prime Minister's mansion, Wen Moyu, heaven and hell are but a moment apart. This Highness cannot kill you, but can make your life worse than death. Think carefully about how to regain the Prime Minister's mansion's support."
Wen Moyu lay on the ground, sobbing softly, her hatred for Xiao Man only increasing. It was all Xiao Man's fault. She wanted Xiao Man to suffer and wish for death!
Because Xiao Man was ambushed in the capital, the Emperor was furious and ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate the matter thoroughly. To appease Xiao Zhen, he also sent many good things to the General's mansion.
"Hu Wan, what do you think the fourth prince wants to do?" the old Emperor asked while reviewing memorials.
"This servant does not know."
"You old fool." The old Emperor glared at Hu Wan and continued reviewing memorials, "To publicly ambush Xiao Zhen's beloved daughter, my sons are becoming more audacious. If they anger Xiao Zhen, they will suffer. The fourth prince is quite clever to be the first to step forward and save her."
"His Highness Prince Qin likely cannot stand to see people causing trouble in the capital, especially under the Emperor's nose."
The old Emperor smiled mysteriously: "What do you think of Wen Mohan, the Prime Minister's son?"
"Lord Wen is also an outstanding individual. He also won first place in this imperial examination, his future is limitless."
"You dog, I'm not asking you about that!" the old Emperor cursed with a laugh, "I'm asking you, what is the meaning of Wen Mohan going to save her? After all, Wen Chang and Xiao Zhen have always been at odds."
"This... this servant thinks, perhaps Lord Wen likes Miss Xiao?"
The old Emperor curved his lips and smiled: "Eldest Miss Xiao is now graceful and beautiful. A beautiful woman attracts a gentleman, it is only natural. Do you think the fourth prince might also have fallen for her?"
"This... this servant does not know." Hu Wan said cautiously, "After all, His Highness Prince Qin does not seem like someone who knows how to please women."
"Is that so?" The old Emperor smiled, "Someone as dense as him certainly wouldn't know how to please women. And Xiao Man doesn't seem like a girl who knows how to please men either. Never mind, let's wait and see."
Compared to the undercurrents outside, the General's mansion was quite peaceful.
Xiao Man sipped her tea slowly, her expression calm and composed. Xiao Ling also appeared composed and unyielding.
"Third sister, you have been managing the household recently. Is it going smoothly?" Xiao Man fiddled with the teacup lid and asked slowly.
"Although there are many matters in the mansion, this younger sister is managing them well. With Grandmother's help, it is quite satisfactory." Xiao Ling said subtly. Unfortunately, it was a pity that so many people were mobilized, yet they couldn't kill Xiao Man. Well, dying like that would be too easy for her.
"Third sister is truly capable. If I were to manage the household, I fear I would be overwhelmed. However, with the treasury depleted, I wonder how long the General's mansion's silver reserves will last." Xiao Man said with a worried expression.
Xiao Ling's face changed slightly. She had only recently started managing the household and realized how severely depleted the General's mansion's treasury was, with expenses exceeding income.
She had come today with a purpose: first, to inquire about Xiao Man's assassination, and second, regarding the household's expenses.
"Speaking of which, this younger sister has something to discuss with Eldest Sister today." Xiao Ling said gently. "The treasury is severely depleted, and several estates have been exempted from rent due to poor harvests, further reducing the General's mansion's income. Therefore, this younger sister plans to cut down on the General's mansion's expenses."
"Cut down on expenses?" Xiao Man asked curiously, "How will expenses be cut down?"
"Reduce the expenses of each courtyard. From Father and Grandmother above, down to the maids and servants. Eldest Sister's courtyard has always had the highest expenses. However, Eldest Sister need not worry. Although I say expenses will be reduced, I will not mistreat Eldest Sister. If Eldest Sister feels she doesn't have enough money, this younger sister will subsidize Eldest Sister herself."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man immediately smiled: "How can an elder sister need a younger sister to subsidize her? Younger sister is doing this for the good of the General's mansion, and as an elder sister, I will naturally support you. Have you spoken to Grandmother about this?"
"I have spoken to Grandmother, and she has agreed."
"Since Grandmother has already agreed, Third Sister, please proceed with confidence. My courtyard will remain as it is," Xiao Man said with a smile.
"Thank you, Eldest Sister."