Yu Qianmo stole the military order and framed Xiao Man, not to kill her, but to teach her a lesson.
Now, learning that Xiao Man had a close relationship with the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion, Yu Qianmo decided to clear the slate with Xiao Man to avoid losing her sanctuary. Instead of returning the military order to Prince Qin's mansion, she sent it to Xiao Man's room, telling Xiao Man to use it to explain herself!
Xiao Man had only taken a bath when she came out to find a military order on her dressing table. Terrified, she grabbed it, intending to throw it away. Just then, Prince Qin, of all people, decided to break open the window and jump in. Xiao Man threw the military order, and it happened to hit Prince Qin squarely in the face.
Nangong Yu caught the flying object, and his sharp gaze fell upon Xiao Man. Xiao Man flinched, "Your Highness, I can explain. I can say this has nothing to do with me, would you believe me?"
"What do you think?"
Xiao Man wanted to cry but had no tears. She knew with her toes that this was Yu Qianmo's trick of framing and shifting blame. She was really up against her, was she not going to rest until she was dead? Well done, if she didn't beat him to the point where his own father wouldn't recognize him next time, she wouldn't be Xiao Man!
"Your Highness, really, this matter truly has nothing to do with me. I have no idea why this thing appeared in my room. I have no interest in this thing. You must believe me!" Xiao Man sidled over, "Your Highness, would you like a cup of hot tea?"
"Hmph." Nangong Yu flipped through the window and sat down at the table, waiting for Xiao Man to bring the tea.
Seeing Nangong Yu enter the room, Xiao Man thought there might be room for negotiation. If all else failed, she would capture Yu Qianmo and hand him over to Prince Qin for disposal!
Xiao Man brewed the tea and brought it in on a small tray, smiling, "Your Highness, please have some tea."
Nangong Yu took it and glanced at Xiao Man's wet long hair. With a wave of his long sleeve, Xiao Man felt a gust of wind. Her long hair was blown, and by the time the air current subsided, her wet hair was dry.
Xiao Man was instantly shocked. What did Prince Qin mean by this? "Your Highness, I..."
"This Prince knows you are not stupid, there's no need for you to steal this Prince's military order. As for why this Prince's military order is in your hands, have you thought of an explanation?"
"Someone framed me, it wasn't me who stole it, the purpose was to sow discord between the Protector General's Mansion and Prince Qin's Mansion!" Xiao Man said without hesitation.
Nangong Yu nodded, "This Prince thinks so too, but without catching the mastermind, there will always be unease. Until the mastermind is apprehended, you will be under this Prince's surveillance. Do you have any objections?"
Xiao Man's smile was forced. Why should she, who hadn't done anything wrong, have to live under Prince Qin's surveillance!
But did she have the right to refuse? Who told her to wander around late at night instead of sleeping, and even worse, to be caught red-handed by Prince Qin!
"This subject obeys." Xiao Man gritted her teeth, but her expression became increasingly docile.
Nangong Yu looked at the submissive Xiao Man, always feeling that Xiao Man was not that obedient. If this person were so obedient, she wouldn't be Xiao Man. Yet, every move Xiao Man made could not escape his eyes!
Xiao Man, no matter how many secrets you have, no matter how hidden or powerful the forces behind you are, if you provoke this Prince, you'll never escape from the palm of this Prince's hand in this lifetime! Su Dan Novel Network
After Nangong Yu left, Xiao Man sat dejectedly on the chair, looking as if she had lost the will to live. Living under Prince Qin's close surveillance, what freedom would she have? She couldn't even contact Qin Xue and the others freely, and her hidden forces could be exposed at any moment, thus implicating Yun Qi. At that time, she would likely be dealt with as Yun Qi's spy, and it might even implicate the people in the General's Mansion.
"Miss, the boss sent word that Young Master Mingyu has disappeared at the border and is being pursued. It is feared he is in grave danger." Ying Xue knocked and entered, reporting with a solemn expression.
Xiao Man immediately sprang up, "Mingyu is missing?"
Ying Xue nodded, "Our men were planning to contact Young Master Mingyu, but before we could reach him, he disappeared. There were no survivors at the inn where Young Master Mingyu was staying."
Xiao Man was anxious. She couldn't let Du Gu Mingyu be harmed. He was the only one left in the Du Gu family. She had to go to the border.
"Prepare yourselves. I plan to go to the border myself. Let Chu Xue impersonate me and stay in the mansion, maintaining her pretense of being weak. My good grandmother will never suspect. As for others, they will not be seen." Xiao Man commanded coldly, "We leave tonight."
"Miss, leaving the General's Mansion at this time, Third Concubine and the others might..."
"If they can't do anything without me, what use are they?" Xiao Man wanted to leave tonight, but she had concerns. Once under Prince Qin's close surveillance, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven to leave the imperial capital!
"Miss, let your maid..."
"I will have Qin Xue accompany me, you don't need to worry. The mansion will be entrusted to you all." Xiao Man changed into men's clothing, took some silver, and disappeared into the night. Ying Xue was quite worried, if her mistress went to the border and encountered Emperor Yun Qi's men and her identity was exposed, what would happen?
In the Ministry of War Minister's mansion, Xiao Man quietly sneaked into Chu Qingge's room and covered Chu Qingge's mouth. Chu Qingge was shocked, and just as she was about to struggle, she heard Xiao Man's voice, "Shush, don't speak, it's me."
"Sister Xiao!" Chu Qingge was a little surprised, "Why are you here at my house in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"
"Going to Yun Zhong City. Do you want to go? We leave now." Xiao Man asked in a low voice.
Chu Qingge immediately got out of bed, opened the cabinet, took out a bundle, and slung it over her shoulder, "Let's go!"
Xiao Man watched Chu Qingge nimbly climb out the window, a little surprised. Had this person been waiting for her to come find her?
"Do you want to leave a message for your family or something, so they don't worry?"
"That's right." Chu Qingge returned, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote on the paper, "I've gone out for some fresh air, don't look for me!"
Arrogant, simply too arrogant. If she dared to leave such a note and run off, her old madam would have her punished with the ten most severe family tortures, beating her to death or at least crippling her! Both were legitimate daughters, but the difference was so vast!
Chu Qingge watched Xiao Man nimbly crawl through the dog hole and out of the city. For a moment, she was stunned, but it was only for a moment. Then, she followed Xiao Man's example and crawled through the dog hole to get out of the city.
As soon as the two were out of the city, Qin Xue and the others were waiting outside. They handed the prepared horses to Xiao Man, while they themselves remained hidden in the shadows, providing protection.
Chu Qingge was overjoyed, "Sister Xiao, I thought you were unwell and would have to wait until you fully recovered to take me to Yun Zhong City. I didn't expect you to come so soon."
"Of course. Who am I? I am the top of the Imperial Capital Women's Rankings, how can others compare!" Xiao Man said loudly, "We can't go directly to Yun Zhong City, or your father will easily catch us and take us back. We'll find a place to disguise ourselves and then take a detour through Cangzhou to Yun Zhong City."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."