"My elder sister, please stop talking. The Cen family head's face has turned green," Xiao Ling tugged lightly at Xiao Man's sleeve. Even though she disliked Cen Yu, there was no need to fall out with him on the street.
"Look at me, I heard the Cen family head doesn't even have a confidante by his side." Xiao Man circled Cen Yu. Cen Yu made no attempt to hide his disgust. "Could it be that the Cen family head likes men?"
As soon as Xiao Man spoke, Cen Yu struck out. Xiao Man retreated and dodged. Unexpectedly, Cen Yu lunged forward and attacked again, enraged and determined to subdue Xiao Man.
While dodging, Xiao Man said, "Cen family head, it was just a joke. Why are you so furious? Could it be that I'm right, and the Cen family head truly likes men?"
"I will tear your mouth apart today!"
"Everyone, hurry and come see! The head of the richest Cen family is bullying a young lady on the street!" Xiao Ling saw Cen Yu's fierce attack, clearly intending to kill Xiao Man, and quickly shouted.
The surrounding commoners heard this and flocked to watch the spectacle. Upon seeing that it was the Cen family head fighting Xiao Man, their eyes lit up. "I said it, the Cen family head is a good match for Princess Yongning. Look, they're already together!"
"Are you blind? Didn't you see they're fighting?" another person retorted.
"As the saying goes, fighting is intimacy, scolding is love. No fighting or scolding, no affection." Another person chimed in, "Perhaps this is just a playful spat between the Cen family head and Princess Yongning."
"So, does this mean the Cen family head is going to become the son-in-law of the General's Mansion?"
Cen Yu had intended to teach Xiao Man a lesson. Upon hearing this, he immediately stopped. He didn't want any connection with Xiao Man!
Cen Yu turned to leave.
Xiao Ling blocked him. "A mere commoner striking a princess on the street, you are committing insubordination!"
Cen Yu's brows furrowed tightly. In the past, Xiao Man was merely the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion, holding no official position. Thus, striking her would only offend the General's Mansion. But now, Xiao Man's status was different; she was a princess personally bestowed by the Emperor. To strike a princess was to commit insubordination!
"Xiao Man, what exactly do you want?"
Xiao Man gestured for Xiao Ling to move aside. "Cen family head, don't be so sensitive to teasing. People who are too petty are not only disliked by women but also by men!"
Cen Yu gritted his teeth. If it weren't for his fear of displeasing Mo Han by injuring Xiao Man in front of him, he would have truly fought Xiao Man!
In his eyes, Xiao Man was a promiscuous and lowly woman, utterly unworthy of Wen Mo Han. He couldn't understand what aphrodisiac she had given Mo Han that made him so devoted to her.
"Xiao Man, don't be too arrogant!"
Xiao Man smiled charmingly. "Aren't you going to ask? Who in the capital doesn't know that I, Xiao Man, am very arrogant?"
Cen Yu was momentarily choked. He increasingly couldn't understand what was so good about Xiao Man.
"Why are women like you still liked by someone?"
"Curious?" Xiao Man smiled and walked closer to Cen Yu. Cen Yu defensively took a step back, then belatedly felt he was showing cowardice and drew his foot back.
The smile in Xiao Man's eyes deepened. "Because, if a woman isn't a little wicked, men won't love her. Ask yourself, would you like a young lady from a good family whom you can completely control?"
Cen Yu opened his mouth but couldn't answer. He didn't like women, whether they were obedient or not. However, the wives of influential families were all proper ladies. Only those who became concubines... and the primary condition for becoming a concubine was to be docile and obedient.
"Shameless!"
"The four words 'shameless' are most fitting for your Cen family," Xiao Man said slowly, then beckoned to Xiao Ling. "Let's go back to the mansion." Su Dan Novel Network
Cen Yu stared at Xiao Man's receding back, his eyes like poisoned daggers. Xiao Man's words had pierced his chest like sharp swords. The hidden matters of the Cen family were a past he was unwilling to mention, and he especially didn't want anyone to know that he had once been a male prostitute!
He was even more afraid of others discovering his desires, and Xiao Man's demeanor suggested she had seen through him, which made him extremely uneasy.
Just then, Concubine Lin came to seek help. Cen Yu's thoughts took a sinister turn. "You help me accomplish one thing. Once it's done, I'll help you become the mistress of the General's Mansion!"
"What is it?" Concubine Lin was tempted. However, after hearing Cen Yu's instructions, her face instantly changed. "Family Head, this matter may not be feasible."
"Fortune favors the bold. Do you not want your daughter to be a concubine forever, to be suppressed by Xiao Man her entire life?" Cen Yu persuaded her. Concubine Lin, being easily swayed by temptation, was the reason he could use her.
"Even without Xiao Man, there's still He Qingyi above me. Where does it leave me?"
"As long as you handle Xiao Man's matter for me, He Qingyi will not be a problem."
Concubine Lin hesitated. She had crossed swords with Xiao Man. Xiao Man seemed soft-hearted but was actually ruthless. If she were to act against Xiao Man again, she would have to strike a fatal blow. Otherwise, Xiao Man would never give her a chance to survive. She might show mercy to the young ladies of the General's Mansion because they were her sisters, but Xiao Man was not!
"Xiao Man is wary of me. I cannot enter the Water Moon Pavilion," Concubine Lin stated honestly.
"Don't worry, you don't need to do it yourself. You just need to do as I instruct."
Concubine Lin gritted her teeth. "Alright, after it's done, you must keep your promise."
"As a merchant, I always keep my word!"
After Concubine Lin left the Cen residence, she glanced back at the Cen family's plaque. She didn't trust Cen Yu. The last time her identity was exposed, Cen Yu had treated her as a disposable pawn. He only remembered her when she was useful. If she lost her value, this man would probably abandon her without hesitation!
Concubine Lin felt very lost. She was a concubine in the General's Mansion, and Xiao Man was the eldest daughter. Now, Xiao Man was the actual power holder of the General's Mansion. If she followed Cen Yu's instructions, Cen Yu might survive, but she would surely die!
After a long period of hesitation, Concubine Lin finally made a decision and quietly went to request an audience with Xiao Man.
Xiao Ling was playing chess in Xiao Man's room. In the past, their sisters' interactions were filled with open attacks and hidden barbs. Since Xiao Ling discovered the backing behind Xiao Man, she couldn't even dream of competing, let alone fighting her. She had completely given up the idea of opposing Xiao Man.
"Miss, Concubine Lin requests an audience."
Xiao Man placed a chess piece. "Invite her in."
As soon as Concubine Lin entered and saw Xiao Ling, she didn't know how to speak. After paying her respects, she stood silently.
Xiao Man raised her eyebrows and looked at her. "Did you go to see Cen Yu?"
Concubine Lin's heart skipped a beat. "Eldest Miss knows?"
"There's nothing that happens in this mansion that I don't know," Xiao Man said slowly. "If you hadn't come to see me today, you probably wouldn't have seen tomorrow's sun."