"Granny Xu, how is it? Did Eldest Miss cause any trouble?"
"Old Madam, the Eldest Miss is doing very well. She didn't throw a tantrum or cause any problems today. On the contrary, she performed exceptionally. When Granny Sheng left today, she even praised Eldest Miss, saying she understood things at the first hint."
The Old Madam looked as if she had seen a ghost. "Really?"
"Absolutely true!" Granny Xu nodded. "Eldest Miss has learned her etiquette and manners thoroughly. I, for one, can't find any fault with her. Every move she makes, mind you, even noble daughters from prominent families can't compare. She's like a concubine from the palace."
The Old Madam cast a suspicious glance at Granny Xu. Granny Xu was an old servant by her side; there was no reason for her to lie about Xiao Man. Could Xiao Man truly have changed her ways?
"Then what about Second Miss and Fourth Miss?"
"They were unsatisfactory. They received quite a few lashes from Granny Sheng. Fourth Miss left in tears."
"Let's see again tomorrow. I still feel that this girl isn't that well-behaved!"
Xiao Ting had been punished and spanked. She was in pain and felt wronged. Although she was young, she wasn't foolish. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to win over the Old Madam and gain her favoritism.
"Aunt, today Eldest Sister's demeanor and etiquette were learned so well, as if she had practiced before. But she usually plays with swords and spears; where did she find the time to learn etiquette and manners? Could it be that Father secretly hired a governess for Eldest Sister?"
"If anyone in this manor taught Eldest Miss etiquette, I would know. Perhaps it's a coincidence. After all, she usually plays with those young ladies and gentlemen outside, so she probably learned by imitating them."
Consort Lin, who came from a brothel, was skilled at gathering information. Coupled with the fact that money could make the devil spin, she had accumulated considerable savings when she was at the brothel.
"Is that so? Today, I thought Eldest Sister's every move was so graceful." Xiao Ting's whole body ached. "Aunt, wasn't Granny Sheng deliberately targeting me? Always hitting me."
"If you were impeccable, how could she target you? You're overthinking it. Tomorrow, perform well. My daughter is so well-behaved and sensible, Granny Sheng will surely like you."
After Consort Lin comforted Fourth Miss, she secretly sent a generous gift to Granny Sheng, hoping that Granny Sheng would be more lenient with Xiao Ting. Granny Sheng accepted it but said nothing.
"Your Highness, I have inspected them. The hymen of the three young ladies in the manor are all intact," Granny Sheng reported.
Nangong Yu's brows furrowed. Xiao Ling's had also been checked, and her hymen was still there. That night felt like a dream; upon waking, there were no traces left.
"However, there was a special find today."
"A special find?" Nangong Yu was about to leave when he heard Granny Sheng say this and waited for her to continue.
"The Eldest Miss of the General's manor, Xiao Man, is not as rumored," Granny Sheng chose her words carefully.
"Why?"
"The rumor is that this Eldest Miss is arrogant, willful, and unlearned. But after seeing her today, it's not the case." Granny Sheng recalled Xiao Man's every move in detail. "Her etiquette and manners, although she made some minor mistakes, in my opinion, were intentional. Her palace etiquette and manners are likely learned very well."
Nangong Yu frowned. "If she learned so well, why did she need you to be her governess? What game is the Old Madam of the Xiao family playing?"
"I heard that the one who proposed finding a governess for Eldest Miss was the General's manor's new wife," Granny Sheng said slowly. "But in my opinion, that new wife is not to be trifled with; her intentions may not be sincere."
"There are many unsavory things within the deep courtyards," Nangong Yu sneered. That new wife likely intended to use Granny Sheng's hand to deal with Xiao Man, but who knew Xiao Man was already prepared.
"Granny, are you certain she studied palace etiquette and manners?"
"I am not certain, but her every move, her every word and deed, are very restrained. She is more standard than the palace concubines. However, there is too little to discern in just one day. Perhaps, after a few more days of interaction, we will know." Granny Sheng looked at Nangong Yu with a fond gaze. "Your Highness, are you perhaps harboring feelings for that Eldest Miss?"
Nangong Yu's gaze suddenly turned cold. Granny Sheng couldn't help but curse inwardly. Her young master disliked others prying into his thoughts the most. "It is I who have overstepped."
"Regarding the General's manor, whether Xiao Man truly needs a governess or pretends to, you must teach her well. Do not come into conflict with her, lest you be used. The entire Protector General's manor, Xiao Zhen values only this legitimate eldest daughter. If she had no real abilities, how could Xiao Zhen continue to dote on her? I shall see what game this family is playing!"
"Your servant obeys."
After Nangong Yu left Granny Sheng, he went directly to find Wen Ruyu.
Wen Ruyu was indulging in pleasures at a brothel when he was suddenly summoned by Nangong Yu. Reluctantly, he went to Nangong Yu's private room.
"My lord, when else could you not find me, but you had to find me now." Wen Ruyu waved his fan and approached Nangong Yu. "Looking at your dejected appearance, you must not have found the person you were looking for."
Nangong Yu tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. "Besides the Snow Lotus Dew, are there any other clues? If you can't find the person, the matter I promised you will be void."
"Your Highness, are you going back on your word?" Wen Ruyu was anxious. It was rare for Nangong Yu to owe him a favor, how could he let it slip away?
"I stand by my word. If you find this person for me, I will grant you one favor. But the person has not been found yet." Nangong Yu's voice sounded somewhat indistinct. He still suspected if that night was a dream, but the banknote he held in his arms told him it was not a dream.
"Besides the banknote, are there any other clues? Tell me all the clues, and I'll see if I can find any threads."
Nangong Yu thought carefully before slowly saying, "Firstly, it was a woman, likely around fifteen or sixteen years old. She knows martial arts, her voice... her voice was likely disguised, and that night, when the poison attacked, I couldn't hear clearly."
A glint of gossip flashed in Wen Ruyu's eyes. He only knew that on the night Prince Qin's poison attacked, a woman had entered his villa and left a banknote. What valuable item had she taken from Prince Qin? Sudancn.com
"The banknote was left by that woman."
"Yes."
"May I ask what the woman took from Your Highness that makes Your Highness search for her with such effort?"
Wen Ruyu stared intently at Nangong Yu's face, not missing the fleeting blush that appeared. A thought exploded in his mind. Wen Ruyu felt he had discovered something astonishing!
"I asked you to find her because she might be able to suppress the poison in my body."
Upon hearing this, Wen Ruyu immediately sat up straight. If that were the case, this matter could not be taken lightly.