After Xiao Ling left, Xiao Xiang slowly entered the Shui Yue Small Residence. "Big sister, yesterday's incident really frightened Auntie and me. Fortunately, you are safe."
"It's not a big deal, don't dwell on it."
"How is it not a big deal? In the Imperial City, under the Emperor's nose, someone actually assassinated Big sister. This is simply lawless!" Xiao Xiang said anxiously, "Who is so malicious that they want to take Big sister's life?"
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged. "It may not be to take my life."
"I heard that if it weren't for Prince Qin and Young Master Wen, by the time Father arrived, Big sister would have been in danger."
Xiao Man's smile did not change. There were people who wanted to kill her here, and there were also those who were testing. Nangong Yu wanted to test the forces behind her, and the mastermind also wanted to test Nangong Yu. She just didn't know what role the people in the General's Mansion played in this.
"Is Father back yet?"
"Not yet. Father is likely very displeased and will definitely ask His Majesty to preside over justice for you."
Xiao Man simply smiled and did not reply. Preside over justice? She feared that among the many forces that had attacked her, there were people from His Majesty. She just didn't understand why His Majesty's people would attack her, and who were they testing? Could it be Prince Qin?
Xiao Man's heart was filled with doubt. Had her cooperation with Prince Qin been exposed? It shouldn't be. The number of people who knew about her cooperation with Prince Qin could be counted on one hand, and they were all trustworthy individuals.
If they weren't testing Prince Qin, then who were they testing? Could it be testing Father?
Could it be that His Majesty suspected the loyalty of the General's Mansion?
At this thought, Xiao Man felt a chill run down her spine.
If His Majesty suspected the loyalty of the General's Mansion, then the General's Mansion would be in danger. After all, the General's Mansion held military power, and now Father was in charge of the Imperial City Guard, which protected the safety of the Imperial City!
"Big sister, Big sister." Xiao Xiang tugged at Xiao Man's sleeve. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, just a little confused," Xiao Man said with a smile. "By the way, I heard that Young Hero Dongfang has been sending you things recently?"
Xiao Xiang's expression changed slightly, and she stammered, "Big sister, you know, I... I and him... it's impossible, I..."
Xiao Man immediately understood. The past events had become a thorn in Xiao Xiang's heart, tormenting her and making her afraid to take another step, for fear of being hurt again.
"Let the past be the past. No one can predict the future," Xiao Man said gently. "Moreover, Young Hero Dongfang is not like those people outside."
Xiao Xiang lowered her eyebrows and remained silent. She was no longer pure. No man could accept that. She knew that Xiao Man was just comforting her.
"Big sister, there are two days left until the Duke of Chen's mansion's polo match. Will Big sister go?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I?" A hint of an unreadable light flickered in Xiao Man's eyes. "If I don't go, everyone outside will probably think I've been scared witless."
"But the mastermind hasn't been caught yet, and people in the Imperial City are in a state of panic. If you go out at this time, will people outside attack you again?" Xiao Xiang asked with concern. She was now one with Xiao Man, and if Xiao Man died, she wouldn't survive either.
"I'm not afraid of them attacking, I'm afraid of them being stable and inactive," Xiao Man said, picking up a crystal-clear candied fruit and biting into it. The sour and sweet taste filled her mouth. "If they don't make a move, how can I kill them?"
Xiao Xiang's spine chilled. After a moment, she calmed down. How could she forget that the eldest daughter of the Protector General's Mansion was never one to swallow her pride? No matter who was attacking her from behind, they would not have a good end.
"Does Big sister already have a plan?"
Xiao Man glanced at Xiao Xiang. "Although there is no evidence, it is almost certain. Besides, I don't need evidence."
"What if you kill the wrong person?" Xiao Xiang lowered her voice and asked. After all, she was just a lady of the boudoir. In the past, she only thought about fighting for favor, rising in status, and ruining others' reputations. But Xiao Man's constant talk of killing made her feel a little scared.
"Then they can only blame themselves for being unlucky."
Xiao Xiang didn't know whether to cry or laugh. But she quickly thought of a question: "What if someone in the General's Mansion opposes Big sister, what will Big sister do?"
Xiao Man gave Xiao Xiang a meaningful look. "Everyone in our General's Mansion is united. We prosper together and suffer together. Behind closed doors, we can do whatever we want, but when we go out, we must present a united front. Anyone who dares to betray us, I will skin them alive."
The Duke of Chen's mansion's polo match invited countless unmarried young ladies and gentlemen from the capital. The so-called polo match was, in fact, a form of matchmaking.
The Duke of Chen's daughter, Fanghua, was in her prime and not yet engaged. Many people broke their heads to get an invitation, just to catch the eye of the Duchess of Chen. If the Duchess of Chen was satisfied, their status as a son-in-law would be secured.
Xiao Man sat calmly in her seat, with Ying Xue serving her. On the field, someone was already playing polo, and leading the game was the Duke of Chen's daughter, Pei Qianyun.
Pei Qianyun was dressed in riding attire, looking heroic and valiant, quite resembling her father. However, the Duke of Chen always felt that daughters were not suited for fighting, so he tried his best to cultivate his daughter into a noble lady. Miss Pei was also a credit to him. She was skilled in poetry and painting, singing and playing music, and even excelled at the games played by young ladies. Polo was also one of her strong suits.
"I heard that for this match, the Duchess of Chen has offered a prize of a high-quality jade hairpin. Will Big sister participate?" Xiao Ling asked gently.
"I'm not interested in hairpins. I'll watch for a while longer," Xiao Man said, her gaze fixed on the field. It was a mixed-gender match, and polo required all sorts of coordination. Miss Pei was truly excellent.
Xiao Ling smiled and looked towards the front, where the princes were seated. The Duke of Chen's mansion had invited several princes; all but the Crown Prince were present.
At this moment, a figure slowly approached Xiao Man. Seeing him, the eyes of those young ladies seemed to reflect the entire starry sky.
"Man'er."
"Mo Han, how is your injury recovering?" Xiao Man stood up to ask as Wen Mo Han approached.
Gui Yi supported Wen Mo Han as he stood outside. "It's recovering well. I remembered we had arranged to come to the polo match, so I came."
Xiao Man walked out and stood with Wen Mo Han. "You're here, but you can only watch. You can't play in your condition."
"I won't play, but you can," Wen Mo Han said gently. "The prize for the winner of the next match is a jade pendant carved from black jade. Man'er, will you play and win it back for me as my birthday gift?"