Xiao Man, disheveled, quietly returned to Shuiyue Xiaozhu.
Chu Xue, seeing her return, hurried to meet her.
"Miss, you're finally back. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Did anything happen in the manor?" Xiao Man asked while changing her clothes.
She had originally intended to take Qian Yi Han's head and present it to Mu Rong Sheng Rui as her first gift. Who would have thought she would encounter the Prince of Qin's encirclement? It was her carelessness.
She had deliberately leaked information to the Prince of Qin. With his methods and schemes, how could he be satisfied with just a few spies? He would surely uproot all the spies in the imperial capital.
"The boss sent a message. If Miss has returned, please let her know I am safe."
"Tell her I'm fine." Xiao Man finished changing. "Did you pay your respects to Grandmother?"
"I went first thing this morning. I was worried the Old Madam might see through my disguise, so I left after paying my respects," Chu Xue said while changing into her own clothes. "Also, this morning, Qiu Tong looked at me strangely and tried to help me change several times. I'm afraid she's suspicious of me."
Xiao Man was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "Qiu Tong grew up with me. While your disguise is impeccable, it's not easy to fool her. You can go rest now."
"Yes."
As Chu Xue opened the door to leave, she saw Qiu Tong bringing food. Seeing Chu Xue emerge from Xiao Man's room, she immediately reprimanded her, "Who allowed you to enter Miss's room?"
"Qiu Tong, I let her in," Xiao Man's voice came from inside the room. Qiu Tong was startled, and Chu Xue quickly excused herself and left.
Qiu Tong cast a suspicious glance at Chu Xue's retreating back, then entered the room. "Miss, breakfast is ready. Please eat first. I made your favorite bitter melon and lean pork congee."
Xiao Man looked as Qiu Tong eagerly scooped a bowl and handed it to her. "Miss, please try it."
Xiao Man was both amused and exasperated. "I detest bitter melon. Thank you for going to the trouble of making a bowl of bitter melon and lean pork congee to test me."
Qiu Tong was shocked and quickly knelt down. "Miss, I... I..."
Xiao Man helped her up. "I'm not blaming you. I'm glad you have such alertness. How did you discover the problem?"
Qiu Tong looked at Xiao Man in confusion. "Are you Miss?"
"I wasn't last night, but I am now." Xiao Man smiled. "I went out last night. Chu Xue impersonated me and stayed in the room."
"No wonder." Qiu Tong looked enlightened. "No wonder her habits have changed."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. Qiu Tong suspected it wasn't her because her habits had changed.
Then, had this girl suspected her after her rebirth as well?
"Ying Xue, Chu Xue, Xiang Xue – these three are my people. You can trust them without reservation. As for the others, keep an eye on them. You are my head maid and manage the entire courtyard. You must pay attention to any disturbances and watch this courtyard closely, lest anyone take advantage."
"Yes, Miss."
"Alright, bring me another bowl of congee and call Ying Xue in."
Qiu Tong answered and went down. She returned with a bowl of congee, and Ying Xue followed behind. "Miss."
Xiao Man ate and said, "Within three days, I want the information on everyone in this manor, especially the main masters and concubines."
"Yes, Miss."
"Also, tell Qin Xue to be careful. Prince Qin is meticulous. Don't reveal any clues." Xiao Man thought of how she and Nan Gong Yu had stayed in the trap all night, and she had slept carelessly leaning against Nan Gong Yu. She cursed herself for being foolish.
Who was Nan Gong Yu? Beautiful as an immortal on the outside, and a devil on the inside. He appeared detached and ethereal, but in reality, he was cunning and ruthless.
She had crossed swords with Nan Gong Yu back then. At that time, Nan Gong Yu was still young and his mind was not mature. After so many years, this person had become even more steady and unfathomable.
"Your subordinate understands."
"Eldest Miss, the steward is here."
Xiao Man heard this, put down her chopsticks, and told Ying Xue to step down. "Please invite the steward in."
Steward Lu entered and handed Xiao Man a wedding invitation. "Eldest Miss, this is an invitation to the flower viewing banquet at the Prime Minister's manor, inviting you to attend the banquet in three days."
Xiao Man was puzzled. The Protector General's manor and the Prime Minister's manor had always had little interaction. Why would the Prime Minister's manor send her an invitation?
Xiao Man took it and opened it. The sender was Wen Mo Yu!
Wen Mo Yu had always disliked her, yet she sent her an invitation to a flower viewing banquet. It felt like a trap.
"I understand. Please tell the Prime Minister's manor that I will be there on time." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Yes, Eldest Miss."
"Miss, why would Miss Wen invite you to a flower viewing banquet? For so many years, the Prime Minister's manor's small banquets have never invited you," Qiu Tong said worriedly. "Could it be that Miss Wen wants to trouble you?"
"What are you afraid of? Your Miss is not easily bullied," Xiao Man said with a smile. "If she wants to trouble me, she'll have to see if I give her the chance."
"But Miss Wen is Prime Minister Wen's beloved daughter..."
"I am also my father's precious darling. Am I any worse than her? She is the Prime Minister's daughter, and I am the General's daughter. If she wants to bully me, she'll have to ask me first," Xiao Man comforted her. "Don't worry, it will be fine."
"Miss, Third Concubine is here."
When Third Concubine entered, she saw Xiao Man reclining on the couch, casually flipping through a book. She immediately took a tray from her maid.
"Eldest Miss, this concubine made a pair of shoes for you. Please try them on to see if they fit." As she spoke, she stepped forward and prepared to help Xiao Man try them on.
Xiao Man glanced at Third Concubine. "Third Concubine, if you have something to say, please say it directly."
Third Concubine tried on the shoes for Xiao Man and said, "What could this concubine have to say? In the end, it's for Second Miss. Thank you, Eldest Miss, for saving Second Miss's life."
"Grandmother has always been soft-hearted. It wasn't my saving her. Even if I hadn't pleaded, Grandmother wouldn't have killed Second Sister," Xiao Man's voice was flat, as if stating a fact.
"Second Miss is still locked in the ancestral hall. I don't know when she'll be released. As her concubine, I'm always worried. Eldest Miss, could you please plead with the Old Madam on Second Miss's behalf and ask her to release Second Miss?"
Xiao Man looked at Third Concubine, then withdrew her gaze and continued flipping through her book. "Third Concubine, why the rush? Second Sister will be out soon."
Third Concubine was somewhat confused. "What does Eldest Miss mean..."
"Third Sister's coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. Mother will surely invite all the noble ladies then. If people find out Second Sister is locked in the ancestral hall, it will inevitably lead to questions about the reason. Therefore, for Third Sister's sake, Mother will let Second Sister out. Third Concubine, go back and await good news."