As Xiao Ling left, the Tenth Prince’s gaze, sharp as a sword, fell upon Xiao Man.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Man turned and walked towards her residence, completely ignoring the Tenth Prince. How could the Tenth Prince allow that? He grabbed Xiao Man’s arm.
“Xiao Man, why do you always bully Ling’er?”
Xiao Man glanced back at the Tenth Prince, her arm exerting a slight force, and shook him off.
The Tenth Prince hadn't expected Xiao Man to throw him off. Unprepared, he stumbled towards the steps. Madam Yan quickly supported him, otherwise, the Tenth Prince would have likely fallen and broken his head.
“Eldest Young Lady, you are too presumptuous! How dare you push the Tenth Prince?”
Xiao Man stopped, turned around, and looked at the Tenth Prince, whose face had turned ashen. A slight smile curved her lips. “Madam, when did I push the Tenth Prince? Are your eyes failing you? Clearly, the Tenth Prince lost his footing and almost fell. What does that have to do with me?”
“You… Your Highness the Tenth Prince, did Xiao Man push you?” Madam Yan was furious. Xiao Man’s arrogance was nothing new, but this was the first time she found Xiao Man’s haughtiness so unbearable! She wished she could drag Xiao Man over and beat her severely.
“Of course…”
“Your Highness the Tenth Prince, you should think carefully before you speak.” Xiao Man descended the steps and faced the Tenth Prince. Head held high, she said proudly, “Instead of trying to curry favor with your aunt and cousin, why doesn’t Your Highness try to befriend me? After all, I have more say in Father’s eyes than they do.”
The Tenth Prince felt as if a fishbone were stuck in his throat. He knew very well that Xiao Man had more influence with Xiao Zhen, but Madam Yan and Xiao Ling were closer to him!
Madam Yan’s face turned ashen. She had never imagined Xiao Man would be so brazen, daring to slap her face in front of the Tenth Prince. Her nails dug into her flesh, her palm bleeding profusely, yet Madam Yan felt no pain. She didn’t hate Xiao Zhen for betraying her, nor the old madam for suppressing her. She didn’t even hate the concubines in the manor who vied for favor. Only Xiao Man ignited a hatred that ran bone-deep.
“Madam, didn’t I speak the truth? Father does dote on me, and it’s common knowledge. As long as I act cute in front of Father, he’ll agree to anything I ask,” Xiao Man said, looking at Madam Yan and ignoring the venomous hatred in her eyes.
Then, she smiled charmingly and leaned closer to the Tenth Prince. She blew a warm breath into his ear, making him tremble. In a voice only they could hear, she whispered, “Your Highness the Tenth Prince, Daoist Tianyi said I am the Phoenix of Destiny, immeasurably noble. It’s not too late for Your Highness to change your mind now.” With a silver bell-like laugh, Xiao Man turned and returned to the general’s manor.
Madam Yan and the Tenth Prince were left standing at the entrance, silent for a long time.
Madam Yan strictly ordered the household servants not to spread the word about Xiao Man being the Phoenix of Destiny.
Because she knew that once this news got out, Xiao Ling’s position in the Tenth Prince’s heart would be shaken. But she didn’t know that Xiao Man had secretly told this to the Tenth Prince!
“Tenth Prince, no matter what Xiao Man says, don’t believe her. She’s trying to sow discord.”
“Aunt, please rest assured, I won’t believe her. I have urgent matters, so I’ll take my leave.” The Tenth Prince mounted his horse and rode away in haste. The redness at the tips of his ears hadn’t faded, and the tingling sensation lingered. However, what occupied his mind were Xiao Man’s words.
Daoist Tianyi called her the Phoenix of Destiny. He understood perfectly what this meant.
It seemed he had to change his strategy.
Upon returning to Shuiyue Xiaozhu, Xiao Man saw Qiu Tong standing anxiously by the door, her expression flustered, as if unsure how to react.
“Qiu Tong, what’s wrong?” Xiao Man asked, seeing Qiu Tong quickly approach her.
Qiu Tong followed Xiao Man towards the courtyard. “Miss, this is bad! His Highness Prince Qin is here, and he’s in your room right now.”
Xiao Man froze, looking up at the bright sun. In broad daylight, why would Prince Qin come to her courtyard? Wasn’t he afraid of being seen?
Qiu Tong was also extremely fearful. She feared Prince Qin’s power and was afraid he would bring harm to Xiao Man. However, she was merely a humble maid. Facing a noble and powerful figure like Prince Qin, she was less than an ant.
Xiao Man immediately ordered the courtyard to be guarded, allowing no one to enter.
As she stepped inside, she saw Nangong Yu sitting on a soft couch, his fingers idly playing with the chess pieces in a container, creating crisp clacking sounds.
“Why has Your Highness come at this hour?” Xiao Man walked over slowly and sat opposite Prince Qin. Yingxue brought hot tea and then went to stand guard outside. If anyone in the manor found out about Prince Qin’s presence in broad daylight, it would be a grave matter.
“I was thinking that this King still owes you a favor. Did you asking this King to resolve Daoist Tianyi for you mean you’ve accepted this King’s terms?” Nangong Yu looked up at Xiao Man, his mind replaying the scene of Xiao Man whispering intimately in the Tenth Prince’s ear. His heart felt as if ants were gnawing at it. His fingers subconsciously tightened, and a chess piece turned to powder in his hand.
Xiao Man winced as she watched the chess piece crumble into dust. She snatched the container from him. “Your Highness, please don’t take your anger out on my white jade chess pieces! I worked so hard to get this set, and you’ve ruined one.”
Nangong Yu composed himself. “At worst, this King will compensate you with a new set.”
“Then I want your warm jade chess set.”
“Alright.” Nangong Yu agreed without hesitation. “What did you say to Nangong Cheng?”
Hearing this, Xiao Man leaned closer to Nangong Yu, observing him intently. Up close, she felt that the man before her was truly blessed. Despite being a man and a veteran of battle, his face was so perfect it inspired worship, even giving her a sense of unreality.
So, Xiao Man reached out and pinched Nangong Yu’s face.
Xiao Man’s sudden action startled not only Nangong Yu but also herself. When she felt the smooth skin under her hand, her fingers had already grasped the flesh of Nangong Yu’s cheek. Nangong Yu’s expression was unutterable.
“Ha…” Xiao Man let out an awkward laugh and quickly withdrew her hand. “Your Highness has really good skin. May I ask how you maintain it?”
Nangong Yu’s expression grew colder. Xiao Man shivered, regretting her impulsive act of pinching the Prince’s face. Would Prince Qin, in his anger, chop off her hand? Then, in a moment of madness, Xiao Man thrust her own face forward. “Your Highness, don’t be angry. How about you pinch me too?”
Xiao Man had intended to brush it off with shameless persistence. To her surprise, Nangong Yu nodded with a solemn expression and unhesitatingly reached out, pinching her cheek. Then, as if shocked by electricity, both of them quickly pulled away.
Nangong Yu’s heart stirred, while Xiao Man’s heart raced. What were they doing?