Du Qiu Ruo's heart sank upon hearing this. Even if she had misspoke, Xiao Man resorting to violence was clearly wrong!
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this humble lady did no such thing! I merely commented that Xiao Man lacks upbringing. She ordered a concubine's daughter to be thrown into the lake publicly, threatening to kill Second Miss Xiao without anyone daring to object. She also insulted His Highness Prince Qin for favoritism. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I argued with her. Who knew she would attack me? Your Highness the Crown Prince, you must seek justice for this humble lady." Du Qiu Ruo's voice trembled as if she were about to cry, eliciting a hint of pity from onlookers.
"I insulted Prince Qin?" Xiao Man found it amusing. "If I recall correctly, Miss Du's exact words were that I set the same questions as His Highness Prince Qin, answered them collaboratively, and even had His Highness Prince Qin order Madam Sheng to lie for me. She asked what means I used to bribe His Highness Prince Qin?"
The Crown Prince's heart churned with annoyance, never expecting the matter to involve Prince Qin. His gaze shifted to Prince Qin.
Prince Qin, Nangong Yu, maintained a stern expression, his emotions unreadable. He toyed with his wine cup, appearing as detached as a spectator.
"Then why did you two start fighting?" Just as everyone assumed Prince Qin wouldn't care, he broke the silence, asking why they had come to blows.
"His Highness Prince Qin has rendered invaluable service to the Yongsheng Empire, repelling countless enemies who coveted Yongsheng's territory. This humble lady is deeply impressed and cannot tolerate anyone slandering His Highness. Therefore, I retorted to Miss Du, saying that Elder Du is skilled at winning people over, and Miss Du must have inherited this talent well. I asked Miss Du to teach me how to win over Prince Qin. Unexpectedly, Miss Du uttered malicious words and insulted my father, which led to this scene of me publicly assaulting her."
"You're spouting nonsense, I didn't!" Du Qiu Ruo, though she disdained Prince Qin, was not fearless of him.
"Whether it's true or not, we can ask the young ladies present," Xiao Man stepped aside, gesturing for the other female guests to come forward.
A flicker of smugness crossed Du Qiu Ruo's eyes.
Xiao Man had always been unpopular. These ladies would surely not speak in her favor. Today, Xiao Man would surely pay dearly!
Wen Mohan looked at his sister. "Yu'er, is that what happened?"
Wen Mo Yu nodded slowly. "Indeed, that is the case."
Du Qiu Ruo's face was filled with shock. "Miss Wen, you..."
"The situation is precisely as Miss Xiao described. Miss Du suspected His Highness Prince Qin of helping Miss Xiao cheat, and then slandered the Protector of the Nation. It was then that Miss Xiao resorted to physical assault."
The Crown Prince's gentle demeanor turned cold instantly. "Miss Du, do you have anything else to say?"
"This humble lady... this humble lady has been wronged."
"Wronged? So you mean to say that the young ladies present have conspired to slander you?" Nangong Yu asked softly.
"This humble lady... this humble lady dare not."
Du Qiu Ruo never imagined that the noble young ladies, who usually looked down upon Xiao Man, would unite today to aid her. Her heart pounded with panic, and she knelt on the ground, unsure of what to do.
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged. Foolish.
If Du Qiu Ruo had only insulted her, the young ladies present might have sided with her. But she had made a grave mistake by involving Prince Qin.
After all, Prince Qin was admired by many young ladies, though his cold nature, like a snow lotus on a high mountain, kept their affections hidden deep within their hearts.
"So young, yet so full of lies, trying to deceive me. Guards, escort Miss Du back to the Du manor and instruct Elder Du to educate her properly!"
Two guards immediately stepped forward, about to drag Du Qiu Ruo away.
"Wait." Nangong Yu finally spoke, his dark, emotionless eyes fixed on Du Qiu Ruo. "To slander me, what is the penalty?"
Du Qiu Ruo flinched. In the past, her father had often expressed disdain for Prince Qin, and by extension, she hadn't held his status in high regard.
But the Du family had forgotten, that even with half foreign blood, Prince Qin was still of imperial lineage, the Emperor's own son, and a man who killed without batting an eye!
"This humble lady knows her mistake, I beg His Highness Prince Qin for forgiveness."
"So young, and lacking in proper speech. Your tongue seems quite useless. Perhaps it should be removed."
Nangong Yu's voice was gentle and unhurried.
The Crown Prince's expression changed. Elder Du was his man. If Nangong Yu were to rip out Elder Du's daughter's tongue in front of him, how could he explain it to Elder Du?
"Wait!" the Crown Prince interjected. "Fourth Brother, isn't this punishment a bit excessive?"
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yu calmly replied, "According to the laws of our Yongsheng Dynasty, spreading rumors about royalty is punishable by having one's tongue removed. Is someone trying to disregard our imperial laws?"
The Crown Prince choked, his fingers clenching into fists.
What he disliked most about Nangong Yu was his ability to deliver the most brutal words in the gentlest tone, yet leave one with no room for rebuttal.
Du Qiu Ruo's face turned ashen with fear. She struggled frantically, but who dared to stop Prince Qin from removing her tongue?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince... save me..."
The ladies present, unable to bear witnessing such a bloody scene, turned their heads away.
Nangong Yu's gaze briefly fell on Xiao Man before moving away. Su Dan Novel Network
Shortly after, a bloody tongue was placed before Prince Qin. He glanced at it indifferently. "If I ever hear anyone spreading rumors again, this will be their fate."
Prince Qin rose and departed with an air of elegance.
Xiao Man glanced at the unconscious Du Qiu Ruo, then at the grim-faced Crown Prince, and curtsied.
"This humble lady takes her leave."
As soon as Xiao Man left, Xiao Ling quickly followed.
This small banquet at the Prime Minister's manor had ended in such a manner. Xiao Man truly brought trouble wherever she went!
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Miss Du..."
"I will have Miss Du escorted back to the Elder's manor, and I will inform Elder Du of everything that happened today, without implicating the Prime Minister's manor." The Crown Prince finished, flicking his sleeve, and ordered Du Qiu Ruo to be taken away.
When Xiao Ling caught up with Xiao Man, she discovered that Xiao Man's eight-treasure carriage was nowhere in sight, showing no intention of waiting for her. Enraged and vexed, she had no choice but to beg Yan Meng Yao to take her back to the General's manor.
As soon as Xiao Man returned to the General's manor, Steward Lu greeted her.
"Young Miss has returned. His Highness the Crown Prince is here."
Xiao Man's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
She knew very well why the Crown Prince had come to the General's manor. This incident was instigated by her. The Crown Prince dared not confront Prince Qin, but causing trouble for her was certainly within his grasp. As for her dear grandmother, she cared only about the honor of the General's manor, using others as pawns in her schemes.
Xiao Man nodded, acknowledging the information, and walked inside.
She happened to encounter the Old Madam escorting the Crown Prince out, her face plastered with smiles. Upon seeing Xiao Man return, she paid her no mind.
Xiao Man stood to the side and bowed. The Crown Prince paused beside Xiao Man, glanced at her, and then continued on his way.
The Old Madam watched the Crown Prince ride away, her smile vanishing from her face.
"Close the gates. No one is to leave the manor. Xiao Man, you, get in here."