Xiao Man changed into men's clothing and secretly left the General's mansion, heading straight for the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
Qin Xue brewed tea while looking at Xiao Man with resentment, "Mistress, it's not that I want to say anything, but look at you. How long has it been, and how many injuries have you sustained? You never cease to worry us."
"I don't want to get hurt either, but the enemy never lets me be," Xiao Man's lips curved into a cold smile, "However, let them be smug for a while. This young lady will eventually catch that mastermind and chop him up!"
"Any leads?"
"Based on my recent observations, the other party is targeting me. Not only have they repeatedly plotted to ruin my reputation, but they even went so far as to assassinate a prince and frame me. Tell me, what kind of deep-seated hatred could lead to such animosity?"
"I'm afraid the other party hates the original Xiao Man."
"Did Xiao Man have many enemies in the capital?" Xiao Man was genuinely curious. Did the former Xiao Man have many enemies in the capital?
Qin Xue looked at the person before her with a complex gaze. "Don't you have any self-awareness? The people you've offended could probably form a line from the palace gates to the city gates. If you go out, one out of every three people you meet is likely someone you've offended!"
"Really many?"
"It can be said to be countless."
"Any deep hatred, like killing parents or stealing a spouse?"
Three black lines appeared on Qin Xue's forehead. "Although the former Xiao Man was arrogant, she wouldn't commit heinous crimes. I'll go and investigate."
Xiao Man tapped the table with her fingers, "Qin Xue, do we have any other businesses besides the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"
"Of course, we do. I haven't been lazy these past ten years. Our businesses cover all industries, and the monthly profits are in the tens of millions."
Xiao Man's eyes sparkled, "So, I'm still a wealthy person?"
"When were you ever not wealthy?" Qin Xue said helplessly. Then she remembered that Xiao Man was now the eldest daughter of the Protector General's mansion, not the young lady of the Du Gu family from Yun Qi, nor the Empress Dowager Du Gu. She naturally didn't have that much money on hand. Thus, she informed Xiao Man of their various businesses and gave her a large sum of silver, just in case she ran out of money.
"Oh right, young lady, the Phoenix Bead has appeared in the capital."
Xiao Man's expression flickered. The Phoenix Bead had actually appeared in the capital? Shouldn't this item be in the Yun Qi imperial palace?
"Where?"
"Yao Yue Tower, the Treasure Seizing Competition." Qin Xue produced an invitation. "Are you going, young lady?"
"Go, of course, I'm going."
Xiao Man left the Hundred Flowers Pavilion but happened to encounter Wen Mohan on the street. However, it wasn't Wen Mohan who caught her eye, but the man beside Wen Mohan.
This man was dressed in a blue robe, with a face as beautiful as a painting, exuding a natural charm. He held a golden abacus, yet it didn't make him appear vulgar in the slightest.
Xiao Man had intended to pretend not to see them, but Wen Mohan, with her sharp eyes, spotted her and hurried over, "Out alone again?"
"I think you're talking about yourself," Xiao Man's gaze shifted to the man beside Wen Mohan. For some reason, she saw deep disgust in this man's eyes.
"This is my friend, Cen Yu."
Cen Yu, the patriarch of the Cen family, one of the four major families in the capital. He was young but quite cunning.
For some unknown reason, when Cen Yu's gaze fell upon her, Xiao Man felt a chill.
By intuition, Xiao Man felt that this person disliked her immensely.
Yet, in her memory, she couldn't recall having offended anyone by this name.
"Farewell." Xiao Man didn't want any further interaction with the two and walked past them. Wen Mohan's eyes flickered with reluctance, and she reached out to tug at her sleeve.
"Yao Yue Tower is holding a Treasure Seizing Competition tonight. Are you interested in participating?"
"Treasure Seizing Competition?" Xiao Man's heart leaped with joy. She couldn't reveal the connection between the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and herself yet. If she could enter under Wen Mohan's name, it would be a good thing. "What kind of Treasure Seizing Competition is it?"
"Naturally, all sorts of treasures. Perhaps there will be something you like." Su Dan Fiction Network.
"Mo Han, one needs an invitation to enter the Yao Yue Tower's Treasure Seizing Competition, and she doesn't have one."
Cen Yu's voice was gentle but carried a cold edge.
Hearing this, Xiao Man's face filled with disappointment, "I can't go?"
"You can, but you'll have to condescend to pretend to be my attendant."
"No problem."
Yao Yue Tower was not a building, but a three-story pleasure boat. Under the night sky, a continuous stream of people, holding invitations, boarded the ship.
However, everyone who boarded the ship wore a mask. Most of the items auctioned by Yao Yue Tower were unsavory, and participants did not want their true identities known.
Cen Yu's already cold and beautiful face grew even colder as he saw Xiao Man shamelessly following him, exuding an aura of unwelcomeness.
Wen Mohan felt a bit awkward and tugged at Cen Yu's hem, but Cen Yu ignored her.
As for Xiao Man, since entering Yao Yue Tower, her eyes had been curiously scanning everything. Most people were wearing cloaks that covered them from head to toe. Only a few had simply donned masks to cover their faces.
When she saw the master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, she indifferently turned away, pretending not to know him.
Nan Gong Yu recognized Xiao Man at a glance. At the same time, seeing Xiao Man sitting next to another man, he instinctively tightened his grip on his wine cup. Especially when he saw the man lean in and whisper something to Xiao Man, and Xiao Man smiled and nodded, appearing gentle and demure, his cold gaze grew even more chilling.
"This is the list of treasures to be auctioned by Yao Yue Tower this time." Wen Mohan solicitously handed the list to Xiao Man. Xiao Man casually flipped through it, and when her gaze fell upon an item, her expression subtly changed. The Phoenix Bead was indeed at Yao Yue Tower!
Seeing Xiao Man's gaze fixed on the Phoenix Bead, Wen Mohan explained in a gentle voice, "It is rumored that this Phoenix Bead belonged to Empress Dowager Du Gu Man of Yun Qi. After Du Gu Man died, the Phoenix Bead fell into the hands of Yao Yue Tower. Do you like it?"
Xiao Man smiled, "I just think the bead is quite beautiful."
"If you like it, I'll buy it for you later," Wen Mohan said immediately.
Cen Yu looked at Wen Mohan in surprise. Did Wen Mohan know what she was saying? She was actually going to buy something for Xiao Man? Didn't she always dislike Xiao Man?
"I'm afraid this Phoenix Bead won't be easy to obtain," Xiao Man said slowly.
The Phoenix Bead wasn't just her possession; the secrets hidden within it were what drove people to covet it!
However, since the Phoenix Bead had appeared, she was determined to get it back.
"As long as one can afford the price, they can obtain it."
Xiao Man glanced at Cen Yu and didn't refute. One could obtain it if they could afford the price. The key was whether they could take it away alive!
Nan Gong Yu's gaze was constantly fixed on Xiao Man, yet Xiao Man seemed oblivious, showing no signs of guilt. Instead, she calmly stood up and observed her surroundings. There were many experts present, and with her current skills, if she tried to snatch the Phoenix Bead, she wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.
But if someone else were involved, it would be different.
Xiao Man offered a silent prayer for the Heavenly Secret Pavilion in her heart.
The Heavenly Secret Pavilion shouldn't fear Yao Yue Tower, right? Perhaps she should be more considerate and wait for someone to bid for the Phoenix Bead before attempting to snatch it. Offending a powerful force like Yao Yue Tower was not a wise move.