The concubine's face changed dramatically, disbelief etched on her features: "It... it's Prince Qi!"
"Consort Xian, perhaps you should consider this: originally, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice were in Prince Qin's hands, and the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works were with the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince erred, the Ministry of Works fell into Prince Chu's possession. The Ministry of Revenue has always been Prince Qi's people. The Ministry of Rites supported Prince Han, and after Prince Han's death, who took control of the Ministry of Rites?"
Consort Xian shook her head repeatedly. Impossible, how could it be Prince Qi? "Prince Qi is just a rake; he has no interest in state affairs."
"If he truly had no interest in state affairs, why would he firmly control the Ministry of Revenue?" the voice from the shadows continued to provoke. "And why would he take over the Ministry of Rites? While you were all unaware, Prince Qi has grown to the point where he can stand against the Crown Prince and Prince Qin. You are looking for a scapegoat woman instead of your true enemy, don't you find that laughable?"
"What proof do you have?"
"Proof? If you go to Xingqing Palace, you will see the proof you desire."
Consort Xian hesitated for a moment, then headed towards Xingqing Palace. As soon as she left, a person emerged from the shadows. Dressed in a palace guard's uniform, they watched Consort Xian's departing figure, a smile curling at their lips. This scene was so familiar. In the Yunqi imperial palace back then, Emperor Yun had many sons, all of whom met inexplicable ends. Dugu Man was unjustly branded as vicious. Who would have thought that the Yunsheng court would soon witness a replay of fratricide?
"Power is truly a potent thing; it can turn a person into a ghost."
"Deputy Commander Jiang, the palace is overrun with poisonous insects, and the insect repellent has run out. We cannot use fire in densely populated areas for fear of causing a blaze. Furthermore, assassins have appeared in various palaces, and we are short on manpower..."
"Hold on a bit longer. The capital guard should have discovered the anomaly by now and will be here to rescue us soon." Jiang Yao looked towards Changle Palace. Xiao Zhen, Xiao Zhen, you must hurry, otherwise, no one can guarantee that your beloved will not be harmed.
"Yes, Deputy Commander."
"Until then, do not slack off. Instruct the brothers to be vigilant and careful. Those insects are poisonous; never touch them with your hands. Also, protect the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the masters in the palace."
"Yes, Deputy Commander."
"In addition, assign some men to Changle Palace. That master in Changle Palace must be protected well, or the Grand General will come after us... Never mind, I'll lead the men myself."
In Changle Palace, the assassins' target was Xiao Man, yet none of them could get close to her. Xiao Man was protected behind Zhong Qing, and blood splattered onto Zhong Qing's face and body, while Xiao Man remained spotlessly clean.
Xiao Man's emotions were complex. She suddenly remembered a sentence Feng Tianlan had once said: he told her he only had her as his disciple. It turned out that this was not just a platitude. In Feng Tianlan's eyes, Xiao Man was his only truly beloved disciple. At this moment, Xiao Man suddenly realized: she had found Feng Tianlan's weakness! Feng Tianlan's weakness was his beloved disciple!
Reaching this conclusion, Xiao Man didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A man who had gone to great lengths to scheme against her and her family, only to end up regarding her as someone important – this was simply a joke!
Just then, Xiao Man released Zhong Qing's hand, and in the blink of an eye, they were separated. Zhong Qing was startled, and when he came to his senses, an assassin had positioned himself between them. Zhong Qing frowned slightly, immediately turning to move closer to Xiao Man. Xiao Man, facing the assassin's relentless advance, retreated rapidly.
The assassin seemed to have found a vulnerability, a look of surprise flashing in their eyes as they lunged at Xiao Man. Who knew that Xiao Man's hand suddenly produced a dagger? With a flash of her figure, she plunged it into the assassin's neck, swift and accurate, as if she were still the arrogant and overbearing eldest daughter of the General's mansion, ruthless when necessary.
Xiao Man ignored the gushing blood, her wrist flicking as she flung the blood from the dagger away. Xiao Man coughed lightly, as if her breathing were a little labored.
"My body is indeed somewhat frail, but not so weak that I can be trampled upon at your will. None of my General's mansion people fear death." Xiao Man's gaze was sharp, her killing intent palpable. "Everyone, do not retreat. Kill one, and it's a tie; kill two, and it's a profit. Today, the only one trapped in Changle Palace is I, Xiao Man. My father and my elder brother are still alive and well. If we perish, I believe my father and brother will slaughter all those who have persecuted us and avenge us!"
Xiao Man, dagger in hand, charged forward first, her face devoid of fear, as if ready to perish with the enemy. When Jiang Yao arrived with his men, he saw Xiao Man fighting amidst the blood, like a Asura from hell. The sight made Jiang Yao freeze in place, too afraid to approach.
In that instant, he had a hallucination, as if Dugu Man had returned to life, crawling out of hell to drag all those who had wronged her into the abyss.
"Deputy Commander, what is wrong?" The Imperial Guards behind him immediately rushed forward to help. They all knew how much the Grand General doted on his daughter. If Miss Xiao met with misfortune under their watch, they would have no reason to live, and their families would also be implicated.
Jiang Yao blinked, then rushed forward, cutting down assassins while stealthily observing Xiao Man. Her casual smile, her ruthless and unforgiving methods, her unpredictable footwork – everything about her made his heart pound.
Zhong Qing also seemed startled by Xiao Man's fierce and decisive demeanor. After a moment, a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. This was right; this was the bearing a king should possess.
In Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager sat calmly on her throne, leisurely sipping tea. In the beginning, they had indeed been somewhat flustered, but they had quickly regained their composure.
"The situation at Changle Palace should be nearing its end, shouldn't it?"
"It should be about done."
"I was just looking for an opportunity, and Consort Xian obediently delivered one. What a good child," the Empress Dowager said as she drank her tea. "This way, even if she meets misfortune in the palace, it will be Consort Xian's responsibility, and it will have nothing to do with me."
"Empress Dowager, General Xiao does not seem like a reasonable man," Eunuch Li said with some hesitation. He did not approve of taking action against Duke Yongning. After all, Prince Qi's feelings for Princess Yongning were extraordinary. Others might not suspect, but Prince Qi would. If a rift developed with Prince Qi, it would ultimately not be good.
"What, will he disregard the evidence and blame me?"
"After all, it was you who kept Princess Yongning in the palace. If Princess Yongning had not been in the palace, she would not have suffered such unjust disaster. If the Grand General thinks this way, while it may not be a concern for you, it is still troublesome. After all, a starved camel is still larger than a horse, and Young General Xiao Luo is guarding the border. If the General's mansion becomes disheartened, it will harm the Yunsheng dynasty and its foundation. I implore the Empress Dowager to reconsider."