Nan Gongyu saw killing intent in Xiao Man's eyes. Her first thought upon being exposed wasn't fear, but a desire to silence the witness. This woman was indeed different from ordinary ladies of the boudoir!
Xiao Man pushed his elbow, but couldn't budge Nan Gongyu. She retreated slightly, then unleashed a rear-sweep kick, aiming directly for Nan Gongyu's head.
Nan Gongyu dodged Xiao Man's attack by tilting his head. Xiao Man seized the opportunity to break free from his grasp. But Nan Gongyu wouldn't let her escape so easily. He reached out, wrapped his arms around Xiao Man's waist, and pulled her back, pinning her against a crabapple tree in the courtyard.
"Hold on, Miss Xiao, do you want me to alert the entire General's mansion?"
Nan Gongyu had no intention of harming her, but Xiao Man genuinely wanted to kill him. He had no choice but to resort to this tactic. This person would even catch a falling tile, showing he didn't want to alert anyone.
Xiao Man gritted her teeth, thinking of how to at least teach him a lesson, so he wouldn't bother her again and again. Just as she was about to make a move, she heard the sound of patrolling guards. In her desperation, she reversed their positions, pinning Nan Gongyu against the tree, and hastily covered his mouth!
Nan Gongyu looked at her face, inches away. In the moonlight, Xiao Man's exquisite and beautiful profile was faintly visible – a full forehead, a high and delicate nose, tightly pressed lips, and a solemn expression. She tilted her head, listening for sounds outside the courtyard. The patrolling guards had not yet left.
The leader of the guards' rough voice was startlingly loud in the silent night.
"Be thorough, everyone! Especially around the eldest miss's courtyard. If any more thieves break in, you'll answer with your lives!"
"Yes!"
A group of people dispersed, patrolling Xiao Man's courtyard twice. Confident that there was no anomaly, they led their men away.
After the patrolling guards departed, the surroundings returned to silence.
Xiao Man's heart rate gradually calmed. She took a deep breath, her gaze sharp and fixed on Nan Gongyu's face.
In the darkness, the man's face was half in light, half in shadow, giving him an inscrutable aura.
She lowered her voice and gritted her teeth, "Who are you, and why did you break into my courtyard so late at night?"
In the darkness, Nan Gongyu watched her lips move, listening to her cool voice. He felt a vague sense of familiarity, and there was a faint, elusive scent about her that seemed familiar.
Just as Nan Gongyu was about to lean closer to get a better smell, Xiao Man pushed him away, maintaining a relatively safe distance.
"State your purpose."
Xiao Man's expression was icy. This man breaking into her courtyard late at night must have ulterior motives!
Nan Gongyu chuckled helplessly. He had never been forced to state his purpose by a woman before.
However, considering his trespassing into her private chambers, it was indeed rash. He quickly retreated as Xiao Man pulled back, vanishing into the night.
"We will meet again."
Xiao Man gazed towards the direction Nan Gongyu had left, her expression grave, her eyes deepening.
The people in this courtyard were not martial artists. It seemed she had to contact her own people soon.
But she couldn't act without the Old Madam's permission to leave the mansion. In the capital of Yushang, countless eyes were watching the Protector of the Nation's General's Mansion. Any misstep would not only lead to her death but also implicate others!
The next day, Granny Sheng arrived at Shuiyue Small House early. By the time she arrived, Xiao Man was already dressed and waiting.
Second Miss Xiao Xiang had also arrived early. Xiao Ting, being a late riser, woke up a bit late. As punishment, Granny Sheng made her hold a bowl of water on her head and another on each shoulder. If she dropped the bowls or spilled the water, Granny Sheng's teaching whip would fall upon her.
"Apart from zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, a woman's talents also include singing, dancing, and needlework. Today, your test will be the zither," Granny Sheng said slowly. "Fourth Miss, you may return to your seat."
"Thank you, Granny."
The maidservant quickly stepped forward, removed the water bowls from Fourth Miss, and let her sit down to continue her studies.
"The three young ladies should all have learned the zither, right?"
"Granny, my Fourth Sister and I have learned. As for Eldest Sister..." Xiao Xiang covered her mouth and giggled. "Granny may not know that Eldest Sister has always preferred to practice with swords and spears. When she first learned the zither, she only studied for a few days before quitting."
Granny Sheng looked at Xiao Man, who sat upright before the zither. Unperturbed by her stepsister's mockery, she exuded an air of dignity. "It doesn't matter. In that case, we'll start with Second Miss. Play your most proficient piece for everyone to appreciate." Su Dan Novel Network.
Xiao Xiang raised her hands, her slender fingers placed on the zither strings. A flick of her fingertips produced a melodious sound. The tune started slow and gradually became faster, with ups and downs. The piece flowed smoothly. Xiao Xiang looked triumphantly at Xiao Man, thinking, You may be good at feigning etiquette, but how will you feign this!
"Eldest Miss, Fourth Miss, what do you think of Second Miss's piece?" Granny Sheng inquired.
Fourth Miss bit her lip. "Second Sister's playing is very beautiful."
"You made three wrong notes and were off-key in two places. It sounds ethereal, but lacks emotion," Xiao Man replied calmly.
"Wrong notes? How is that possible? You never learned. How could you possibly hear my piece being off-key? Are you just talking nonsense?"
Xiao Xiang, who had been proud, as this was her most skillful piece and she was sure to outshine Xiao Man in front of Granny Sheng today, was taken aback when Xiao Man immediately declared her playing wasn't good.
Granny Sheng was also a little surprised. She had noticed wrong notes but hadn't detected any off-key playing. Her gaze involuntarily turned to Xiao Man.
Xiao Man raised her hands. The first notes were strong and resonant, followed by a cascade of notes that flowed like water as Xiao Man played, perfectly conveying the sorrow and longing within the melody. It was the same piece, yet it was played with a completely different style!
Xiao Xiang was stunned. Her pretty face turned pale. How was this possible? How could Xiao Man play the zither? She had never truly studied it!
"You are not Xiao Man!" Xiao Xiang slammed the table, rising to her feet. "Xiao Man never seriously studied the zither. She couldn't possibly play this well!"
Xiao Man's fingers brushed across the strings, producing a series of gentle notes. "I didn't study it seriously because it was too simple. There was no need for serious study."
Xiao Xiang felt as if something had struck her chest, and a mouthful of blood was stuck in her throat. Too simple?
Xiao Man had given up learning the zither after only a few days because it was too easy. How could this make her, who practiced diligently every day, feel?
"Second Miss, sit down," Granny Sheng reprimanded coldly. "As a concubine's daughter, shouting at your legitimate elder sister. Where are your manners?"
Xiao Xiang sat down with a pale face, her eyes fixed malevolently on Xiao Man.
This person was definitely not Xiao Man. How could the ignorant Xiao Man, who only knew how to fight, play the zither, and play it better than her? She refused to believe it!