When Xiao Man returned to the General's mansion, she found it brightly lit. He Qingyi was pacing nervously in the hall. Seeing Xiao Man, she rushed to meet her.
"Eldest Miss, you're back."
"Mother, what happened?"
"Third Miss is gone. She hasn't returned yet."
"Mother, please don't worry. Third Sister has gone on a long journey," Xiao Man said gently. "She'll be back after some time."
He Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "It's good that nothing happened. I've been feeling uneasy, as if something were about to occur. And then the incident at the hunting grounds... there are so many rumors outside now. Eldest Miss, please do not listen to them."
Xiao Man smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Mother. Oh, Mother, the mother of scout He Ye lives in the Imperial Capital. She is alone and has no friends. If you have nothing else to do, please visit her often. Think of it as making a friend and looking after the family of a subordinate general."
"Alright, I understand. I'll prepare gifts and visit her another day."
Xiao Man winked playfully at He Qingyi, who immediately understood. Xiao Man wanted her to visit He Ye's mother, but it was more than just a simple visit.
Xiao Zhen listened to the steward's report, his eyes never leaving the military dispatches. He was aware that He Qingyi had pledged allegiance to Xiao Man. Although he didn't understand the cryptic messages exchanged between them, he recognized it as their way of communicating. For him, it was enough that his daughter had returned home safely.
"General, the Third Miss has gone missing. The men we sent to follow her were outmaneuvered by the Eldest Miss."
"Since Man'er has a plan, there's no need to interfere," Xiao Zhen said calmly.
"Yes, General." Steward Lu hesitated. "General, it seems the Eldest Miss is quite wary of the Fourth Concubine."
Xiao Zhen's expression faltered for a moment, then he continued to read the military dispatches. "The affairs of the inner court are to be handled by the Madam. There's no need to stop Man'er from doing what she wants. She is a sensible child."
"General, regarding the matter you asked me to investigate about the National Preceptor's whereabouts, I have found something," Steward Lu lowered his voice. "The National Preceptor has been in Yunqi for the past year."
Xiao Zhen listened and was not surprised. "So, the turmoil in Yunqi is related to the National Preceptor?"
"It should be."
"Then why has Man'er distanced herself from the National Preceptor?"
"The National Preceptor has always been strict with the Young Miss. In my humble opinion, it's not necessarily distancing, but rather fear of the National Preceptor," Steward Lu thought for a moment. "Normally, if there's nothing important, the Young Miss tries to avoid the National Preceptor's mansion as much as possible, which shows she greatly fears him."
"She fears the National Preceptor?" Xiao Zhen scoffed. "In all her life, I haven't seen her fear anyone!"
Steward Lu opened his mouth but couldn't refute him, because their Eldest Miss was indeed incredibly audacious. There was nothing she wouldn't dare to do that one couldn't imagine!
"Then why is the Eldest Miss distancing herself from the National Preceptor?"
The smile on Xiao Zhen's face faded. "That is a question for the National Preceptor."
"Why not ask the Eldest Miss?"
"Can my daughter be wrong?" Xiao Zhen asked earnestly. His daughter had always been sensible; how could she be wrong?
Steward Lu was momentarily speechless. Was the Eldest Miss not wrong? It seemed difficult to find fault with her. She was just a bit headstrong, a bit arrogant, and prone to causing trouble. She befriended everyone and dared to provoke anyone. Apart from these, she seemed to have no major flaws.
"She's not wrong!"
"If my daughter is not wrong, then it must be the National Preceptor's fault!" Xiao Zhen declared decisively, as if his daughter was perfect and any conflict she had with others must be the other party's fault.
Steward Lu smiled slightly. If the Eldest Miss was a handful, then the General was undoubtedly an indulgent parent, spoiling her without limit or principle. It was a good thing the Eldest Miss wasn't a truly incorrigible child, otherwise, even with all his military achievements, the General wouldn't be able to withstand the destructive power of a problematic child!
"If the National Preceptor knew you indulged the Eldest Miss so much, he would be unhappy."
"I spoil my own daughter, what business is it of his?" Xiao Zhen said unhappily. He spoiled his daughter, and now someone else had the nerve to object? Was there any justice?
"After all, the National Preceptor and the Eldest Miss have an unusual relationship..."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhen put down his military dispatches. Though he didn't want to admit it, he had to concede that the relationship between the National Preceptor and Xiao Man was an enigmatic one. He had been her teacher for many years, and he was also her... He didn't know if Man'er had unlocked the secrets of the mechanism box. Once she learned the truth, how would she choose?
Xiao Zhen felt a growing unease. He both worried about Xiao Man discovering the truth and hoped she would. After all, he wanted her to discover the truth on her own, not be forced to by the National Preceptor! Sū dān novel network
"Old Lu, I'm beginning to understand the National Preceptor's actions less and less. I'm truly afraid he might hurt her... Never mind, let's just observe for now. Man'er is not someone who can be easily manipulated!"
Prince Qin had not come to find Xiao Man for several days. Xiao Man, being busy, had almost forgotten about it. When she remembered, Ulan Na, due to the assassination attempt, had extorted considerable benefits from the Emperor and grandly departed the Imperial Capital to return to the U Yue Kingdom.
Xiao Man stood on the city wall, watching U Yue's entourage depart. As she turned to descend the wall, she encountered Nangong Yu walking towards her. Xiao Man paused for a moment before continuing forward as if nothing had happened.
Xiao Man was about to greet him when a woman suddenly rushed out from the side and knelt directly before her. "Princess Yongning, I beg you, give me a way to survive."
Xiao Man frowned and looked at the woman kneeling before her, Nian Nu Jiao. She was a favored concubine of Prince Qi. If her memory served her correctly, they had no apparent connection.
"Miss, what is this?"
Nian Nu Jiao bowed her head before Xiao Man in public, with no pretense whatsoever, her forehead striking the ground with loud thuds, drawing blood. "Princess Yongning, you are magnanimous. I beg you to spare my life. The Third Miss's broken engagement truly has nothing to do with me. Besides, you've hit me, you've scolded me, why must you force me to my death?"
"When did I ever try to force you to your death?" Xiao Man asked calmly.
"I know you dislike me because of the Third Miss. I dare not be Prince Qi's concubine anymore. I only wish to be a mere servant in Prince Qi's mansion, serving before Prince Qi. I beg you, do not force Prince Qi to expel me, or I will truly have no way to live!"
"Miss, you are seeking help from the wrong person," Xiao Man said coldly. "I am neither Prince Qi himself nor Princess Consort Qi. I have no right to decide whether you stay or go. Furthermore, I have not forced Prince Qi to expel you. Please choose your words carefully."
"I beg the Princess to spare my life, I beg the Princess to spare my life. I, I dare not say you forced Prince Qi anymore. I beg the Princess to spare my life." Nian Nu Jiao wept sorrowfully. The surrounding commoners, witnessing this scene, pointed and whispered. Moreover, Xiao Man was already a well-known figure in the Imperial Capital. The people of the Imperial Capital might not recognize the Emperor, but they definitely recognized Xiao Man's face!