Xiao Man returned from outside, and as the carriage stopped at the General's mansion gate, the butler rushed to greet her. "Eldest Miss, Minister Wen has arrived."
"Where is he?"
"He has been invited to Shui Yue Xiao Zhu."
Xiao Man nodded, acknowledging the information. "Has my father returned?"
"The General is in his study."
"I'll see Father first." Xiao Man went to Xiao Zhen's study and informed him about Xiao Xiang. After hearing it, Xiao Zhen sighed deeply. He had never imagined that the third princess of Lan Yue would have been hidden in the General's mansion for so many years without anyone noticing!
"Leave this matter to me. Go back and deal with the people in your courtyard."
"Yes, daughter takes her leave."
As Xiao Man left, Xiao Zhen's expression changed. The princess of Lan Yue nation hiding in the General's mansion, was it a coincidence or intentional?
If it were a coincidence, it would be fine. But if it were intentional... Xiao Zhen felt a growing unease. The empress of Lan Yue was cruel and venomous. If she intended to kill Man'er, Man'er might not be her match. It seemed he should have a good talk with the National Master.
Xiao Man emerged from the main courtyard and headed directly towards Shui Yue Xiao Zhu. Steward Lu stared suspiciously at Xiao Man's retreating back for a long time. "Is Eldest Miss in a bad mood?"
"Steward Lu, isn't Eldest Miss unhappy?"
"She looks quite unhappy."
"Then should we be more careful?" the young servant asked cautiously. When Eldest Miss was angry, someone in the mansion was bound to suffer!
"You dog slave, regardless of whether Eldest Miss is in a good mood or not, you must serve her with care."
"Yes, this subordinate obeys."
At Shui Yue Xiao Zhu, Wen Mohan sat in the courtyard, gazing at the sole plum blossom tree. It wasn't even the winter solstice, and this plum tree had already withered. Only a few sparse blossoms remained on the branches, and the ground was covered with fallen petals. It was said that Xiao Man had forced the plum blossoms to bloom early for a flower appreciation banquet. He wondered how she had managed it.
A peripheral glance at the entrance indicated someone's arrival. Wen Mohan immediately rose to greet her. "You're back."
Xiao Man nodded. "It's so cold outside, why didn't you wait inside?"
"I heard that a few days ago, you invited some young ladies to admire the plum blossoms. I thought it wasn't yet the season for plum blossoms to bloom, so I was very curious about your early-blooming plum blossoms. Who knew they would wither so quickly." Wen Mohan's gaze shifted to the plum blossom tree. "Why did the plum blossoms in your courtyard bloom so early?"
"Naturally, I have my methods. If you also wish for the plum blossoms in your courtyard to bloom earlier, I can teach you."
Wen Mohan shook his head. "I prefer things to take their natural course."
Just then, snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Xiao Man looked up. The sparkling snowflakes drifted down, landing on her face and instantly melting into water.
"It's snowing."
"The first snow of this year has come rather early. In previous years, it only snowed after the winter solstice." Wen Mohan's gaze fell on Xiao Man's face. Although her expression was calm, he could clearly sense her unhappiness. "Let's go inside. Your health isn't good; you can't catch a cold."
Xiao Man stood still, extending her hand to catch the falling snowflakes. "Mohan, can you forgive betrayal?"
"That depends on who betrayed me."
Xiao Man looked puzzled. "It varies from person to person?"
"Of course, it varies from person to person. Some betrayals, in my eyes, are not betrayals." Wen Mohan took the umbrella Yin Zhu brought out and held it over Xiao Man's head. "As long as the person concerned doesn't consider it a betrayal, it's not a betrayal."
"Then what would you do to someone who betrayed you?"
"Man'er is very unhappy today," Wen Mohan asked softly. "Is it because of someone?"
Xiao Man nodded. "Someone I trusted deeply has betrayed me, or rather, it can't be called a betrayal because she was never loyal to me from the beginning."
"Kill," Wen Mohan decisively gave a single word. If she wasn't loyal, she was a spy. A spy lurking beside Xiao Man was no trivial matter and must be eliminated.
Xiao Man lowered her gaze, remaining silent. Killing someone was easy, but she didn't want the other party to die too easily.
"If Man'er finds it difficult to make the move, leave it to me."
Xiao Man shook her head and refused. "Today, I have some matters to attend to and cannot accompany you."
Wen Mohan understood. Xiao Man must have caught the spy among her attendants. Regardless of who the spy was, it was a great harm to Xiao Man.
"Remember, no matter when, I am here."
Xiao Man managed a reluctant smile. Wen Mohan reached out and patted Xiao Man's head. "Don't force a smile when you don't feel like it. Your smile makes me uncomfortable. If you really feel unwell, send for me anytime." Su Dan Novel Network.
"Okay."
"I will leave today and come to see you again tomorrow." Wen Mohan turned to leave but was stopped by Xiao Man.
Xiao Man pressed a delicate box into Wen Mohan's hand. "Happy birthday. Please forgive me for not being able to spend your birthday with you today."
"The fact that you remembered my birthday is enough. I am very happy."
Wen Mohan had initially thought Xiao Man had forgotten his birthday and had come personally, just wanting Xiao Man to accompany him today. He never expected Xiao Man to remember his birthday and even prepare a birthday gift for him. He left the General's mansion with a warm smile on his face.
As soon as Wen Mohan left, the door to Shui Yue Xiao Zhu was closed, as if sealing off the world within.
Qiu Tong brought over steaming bird's nest soup. "Miss, your servant has brewed imperial bird's nest. It's just right. Miss, drink it while it's hot."
Xiao Man looked at the bowl handed to her but didn't reach for it. Her gaze fell on Qiu Tong's solicitous smiling face, her eyes misting over. "Qiu Tong, second sister, she is dead."
The tray in Qiu Tong's hand almost slipped. Although she managed to steady it, the bird's nest soup spilled out, its light red color looking somewhat glaring.
"Second Miss... wasn't she perfectly fine? How could she be gone?" Qiu Tong steadied her nerves and then asked cautiously.
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged as she looked at Qiu Tong. "She was killed by spies from Lan Yue country, and there is also a spy from Lan Yue country hidden in my Shui Yue Xiao Zhu. Qiu Tong, tell me, should I let this spy go?"
Qiu Tong's face was full of confusion. "How can there be a spy in Shui Yue Xiao Zhu? Who is this person?"
Xiao Man looked at Qiu Tong calmly. Qiu Tong's face displayed a mixture of innocence and fear, as if the spy made her very uneasy.
"I also want to know who this spy is." Xiao Man entered the room. Yin Zhu immediately stepped forward, took off her cloak, and hung it on the rack. She then brought Xiao Man a cup of hot tea.
"Summon everyone over."
"Yes, Miss."
"I'll go and brew another bowl of bird's nest soup."
"No hurry, you wait here as well." Xiao Man took a sip of the hot tea, dispelling the chill from her body.
Qiu Tong held the tray in her hands, unsure whether to put it down or continue holding it. After a moment of hesitation, she placed it on a nearby table.