"Doctor Ye, this way, please. Your courtyard has been arranged at Nanxing Pavilion." Steward Lu, always meticulous in his work, had the courtyard previously occupied by the mansion's physician renovated and assigned to Ye Qing.
"I've heard that most people in the Protector General's Estate followed the Protector General onto the battlefield. Have you also been to war, Steward Lu?" Ye Qing asked gently. As they walked, the patrolling guards and the laborers all carried a steady demeanor, unlike ordinary people.
"I was originally the general's second-in-command. Due to an injury, I retired. The general, being kind, feared I would have nowhere to go as a lonely widower, so he allowed me to remain in the estate as steward," Steward Lu said with a smile. "The guards in this estate are all veterans of the battlefield. Everyone bears some scars. The general, in his compassion, provides everyone with a place to stay."
Ye Qing nodded. No wonder. The steward’s steps were light and his breathing almost imperceptible; he was clearly a master! She hadn't expected him to be General Xiao's second-in-command. Why, then, did such a person show more respect to Eldest Young Lady Xiao Man than to Mistress Yan? Xiao Man's reputation outside was that of arrogance and high martial arts skill. Could it be that the General's Estate ran on brute force, and these former soldiers obeyed whoever had the stronger fist?
"Steward Lu must have watched Eldest Young Lady grow up, right? I heard Eldest Young Lady's mother was also a heroine who was second to none. Eldest Young Lady's martial arts skills are also very impressive."
Steward Lu's gaze softened for a moment before he smiled, "Yes, I watched Eldest Young Lady grow up. Her mother passed away early, and Eldest Young Lady, lacking a mother's love since childhood, became a bit spoiled, but her heart is truly good."
Ye Qing nodded, agreeing with the steward's words. The world said Xiao Man was arrogant, overbearing, and incredibly foolish, but seeing her today, she was articulate, logical, and handled accusations with ease, even completely distancing herself from the General's Estate. How could someone with such composure be foolish?
"We've arrived. This is Nanxing Pavilion. Nanxing Pavilion has a dedicated pharmacy. If you need any medicinal herbs prepared, Doctor Ye, just list them, and I'll have someone procure them."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Xiao Man went to the main courtyard to report the events outside to the Old Madam. Upon hearing it, the Old Madam was very satisfied with Xiao Man's handling of the situation. Now, she finally believed that Xiao Man had truly changed.
"Man'er, you are the legitimate eldest daughter of the estate. Your second sister has become what she is; I don't expect her to bring glory to the family, just that she doesn't disgrace us. Your third sister will also reach maturity soon. This estate relies on you sisters," the Old Madam said, holding Xiao Man's hand earnestly.
Xiao Man merely smiled obediently, not replying. The Old Madam's attitude towards her had changed since her return from Ganye Temple. She disliked her, yet she endured it. Had something happened at Ganye Temple that she didn't know about?
"What do you think of the Crown Prince?"
Xiao Man's heart sounded an alarm. The Old Madam would never mention the Crown Prince without reason. The Crown Prince was already married, and the Crown Princess was the Empress's niece. What did the Old Madam mean by mentioning the Crown Prince? Did she want her to become a concubine in the Crown Prince's mansion, or did she want Xiao Ling to become a concubine?
"As the Crown Prince, he is naturally excellent," Xiao Man replied flawlessly.
"Yes, as the Crown Prince, he is excellent. He will be immensely honored upon ascending the throne in the future," the Old Madam patted Xiao Man's hand. "Have you had any contact with the Crown Prince?"
"Grandmother, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. Although he doesn't handle state affairs as much as His Majesty, his schedule is still very busy. How could I possibly have contact with him?"
The Old Madam listened and thought carefully. "I heard you have some dealings with Xue Kun, the Empress's nephew?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man felt a moment of awkwardness. "Grandmother, I do have some dealings with Xue Kun. It's mainly in terms of martial arts. I was ignorant in the past and often sparred with Xue Kun. Each time, I would beat him soundly, so we can be said to have a deep enmity."
The Old Madam's expression shifted several times, and she swallowed the reprimand she was about to utter. She knew about Xiao Man's past recklessness. As long as Xiao Man didn't cause any serious trouble, she had turned a blind eye. But now that she had enmity with the Xue family, and the young lady from the Xue family was the Crown Princess, it would be difficult for any young lady in the estate to enter the Crown Prince's mansion!
"Forget it, you may go. I am a bit tired."
"Then Grandmother, please rest well. Man'er takes her leave." Xiao Man slowly left the main courtyard, still wearing a gentle smile, but her mind was churning. Why did the Old Madam suddenly mention the Crown Prince? What was she trying to do?
Upon returning to Shuiyue Xiaozhu, Qiutong brought four new maids to pay their respects. "Miss, these maids are Yingxue, Xiangxue, Chuxue, and Nongyue." Xiao Man nodded. "All of you, rise."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. The first three were her people. Who was this Nongyue?
"Nongyue, stay. The rest of you may leave." After everyone else left, Nongyue quickly bowed. "Nongyue pays her respects to Miss. Nongyue is from Tianji Pavilion. The Pavilion Master has ordered Nongyue to come to the General's Estate and obey Miss's commands."
Xiao Man narrowed her eyes. Qin Yu actually sent someone to the General's Estate to obey her orders? What did that mean? "Your master and I don't seem to be familiar."
"The Pavilion Master said that Miss is a wise person and will surely have need of the Pavilion Master. If Miss needs the Pavilion Master's help, you only need to tell Nongyue, and the Pavilion Master will come to meet you."
Xiao Man was suspicious but nodded. Tianji Pavilion was quite famous in Yusheng. Baihua Pavilion was her influence, and this matter could not be exposed yet. Having Tianji Pavilion handle some matters would be more secure than having Qin Xue and the others do it.
"I understand. You may go."
As soon as Nongyue left, Yingxue entered. "Your subordinate greets Master."
"Rise. From now on, you must address me as Miss."
"Yes, Miss." Yingxue said joyfully, looking up and scrutinizing Xiao Man several times. "I still can't believe it. You are actually Miss. When Sister Qin Xue told me, I thought she was hallucinating from excessive grief over Miss's situation."
Xiao Man poked Yingxue's forehead. "As mischievous as ever. Did you leak the information I asked you to?"
"Miss, rest assured, Prince Qin has received the message and will likely act against those people soon," Yingxue said quickly. "But why should we reveal these matters to Prince Qin? We can handle them ourselves."
"I cannot expose myself yet, so having Prince Qin handle the external spies will be more secure. As for me, I only need to kill one person! Also, go and ask Wuyou what he said to the Old Madam. I feel a shiver whenever the Old Madam looks at me."
"Yes."