"Big Sister."
Xiao Man was sketching when she saw Xiao Ling enter. She immediately put down her pen and covered the sketch with blotting paper, carefully avoiding ink stains.
"Why has Third Sister come?"
Xiao Ling hesitated for a moment and then said, "Big Sister, I want to go out for a walk."
"No one should be stopping you from leaving the manor."
"I want to leave the Imperial Capital and travel. Big Sister said that a woman's world is not just confined to the backyard. I want to see how vast a woman's world can be," Xiao Ling explained.
"Do you know that the outside world is vast and full of dangers?" Xiao Man asked gently. "Have you considered how a weak woman like you, without the strength to even lift a chicken, would protect herself if she encountered danger outside? How would you survive if something unexpected happened?"
Xiao Ling bit her lip. "I... I... Am I destined to be confined to the General's Manor forever?"
"I won't stop you from seeing the outside world, but I cannot let you go to your death," Xiao Man's voice remained gentle. "Follow me."
Xiao Ling followed Xiao Man out of the General's Manor. They rode in a supply cart, unnoticed, and headed straight out of the city.
Xiao Ling was a little confused. "Big Sister, why are we leaving the city?"
"Years ago, I was just like you. I told Father that I wanted to see the outside world. Father said that if I met his requirements, he would let me travel freely. If you want to go out, you must also have the ability to deal with danger and basic survival skills."
"What do you want me to do, Big Sister?" Xiao Ling felt a sense of fear for no reason.
"You'll know when we get there."
The carriage traveled for about two hours before stopping. Xiao Man alighted first, and Xiao Ling followed. All she saw were lush green trees stretching as far as the eye could see, a desolate, uninhabited place, nothing but trees: "Big Sister, why are we here?"
"Mother taught you how to identify basic medicinal herbs and how to dress wounds, right?"
"Yes."
"Very good." Xiao Man led the way into the forest. "Follow me."
Xiao Ling clutched her skirt and followed, her feet sinking slightly into the ground. Along the way, branches scratched her clothes, which greatly displeased her. After walking for about half an hour, Xiao Man stopped. Xiao Ling looked at the dense forest still before her, her brow furrowed.
"Big Sister, why are we here?"
Xiao Man gave Xiao Ling a sweet smile and then pushed her. Xiao Ling stumbled forward a few steps. Turning back, she intended to ask Xiao Man what she was doing, only to find that no one was beside her.
"Big Sister, Big Sister, where are you?"
"Third Sister, didn't you want to see the outside world?" Xiao Man's voice echoed as if from all directions. "From now on, your only reliance is a dagger. Live alone here for a month and use what you've learned in the past fifteen years to survive with all your might."
"Big Sister, I can't. I can't survive alone. Big Sister, where are you? Don't leave me. I'll die." Xiao Ling was frantic. She didn't want to be alone in the deep mountains and old forests. What if there were wild beasts? She would be eaten by them.
"If you can't even survive here, there's no point in going outside. You might as well die here," Xiao Man's voice was cold and cruel. "There are still two hours until dark. Within two hours, you must find a safe place to spend the night. There are wolves, fierce tigers, and venomous snakes here. Third Sister, I will wait for you here next month. If you can come out alive, the world will be yours to roam."
Xiao Ling looked around, hoping Xiao Man was joking. But there was no sign of it. She couldn't find Xiao Man. No matter how much she cried or begged, no one answered her. Only a dagger lay solitary on the ground.
Xiao Ling picked up the dagger, feeling terrified but also understanding that Xiao Man had left her here and wouldn't let her out until the appointed time. This meant that unless she survived here until Xiao Man came to fetch her, her only option was death.
Xiao Ling regretted her earlier wish to go out. But staying confined in the General's Manor felt worse than death. Since that was the case, she might as well take a gamble. Perhaps she could survive until Xiao Man came for her.
Xiao Ling wiped the tears from her face, took a deep breath, and walked deeper into the forest. She had to find a safe place to stay before dark. It was just living here for a month, wasn't it? She could definitely do it!
Xiao Man watched Xiao Ling pull herself together, a smile appearing in her eyes. Two figures silently appeared behind Xiao Man.
"Greetings, Master."
"Watch her. Unless her life is in danger, do not intervene."
"Yes, Master."
After giving her instructions, Xiao Man turned and left. Living alone in a dangerous dense forest meant facing not only wild beasts and poisonous insects, but also traps, as well as food and water. If Xiao Ling could survive here, then when she went out into the world, ordinary people would be no match for her.
Although Xiao Ling hadn't practiced martial arts daily like her, she had the basic foundation. She had just been spoiled by Madam Yan. With some tempering, she could still be useful. It all depended on whether she could understand her good intentions.
The carriage rumbled towards the Imperial City. By the time they reached the city gate, it had already been closed. Xiao Man looked at the gate, tall and imposing like a monstrous beast, as if it were about to swallow everything.
"Go and knock." Xiao Man handed a token to the coachman, who immediately went to knock. The guards at the gate saw the token, quickly opened the gate, and let them in.
The carriage moved along the street, the rumbling of its wheels exceptionally clear. Xiao Man closed her eyes to rest, tapping her knees with her fingers, a wry smile playing on her lips. Her trip out of the city was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and she had traveled in an unmarked supply cart, yet her whereabouts had still been exposed. There were always a few rats in the General's Manor who were restless.
Several figures made a beeline for Xiao Man's carriage, their weapons glinting coldly. Xiao Man remained seated, unmoving. Before the assassins could approach the carriage, they were intercepted.
Outside the carriage, swords clashed, and blood spattered. Inside, Xiao Man remained composed, showing no intention of getting out to check the situation. She merely closed her eyes and waited. The attackers were not many. Although they used assassination tactics, they were still slightly inferior to Po Jun and Li Sanniang. The Jiuyu Tower, like its master, had declined.
A moment later, the sounds of fighting ceased, and the carriage continued its journey. Xiao Man opened her eyes. Some people never learned their lesson. Even at this point, they still allowed them to run amok. It seemed she had been too soft-hearted!