Everything proceeded smoothly, almost too smoothly to be real.
Li Man'er had never dreamed that Xiao Qiniang would one day become her benefactor.
"You mean, Old General Xiao has already been rescued?"
Xiao Qiniang nodded. "My father wanted to rebel and hid my grandfather in a secret chamber in his study. Only he knew about it, and we were all kept in the dark. Fortunately, the secret chamber was found by accident, and my grandfather was rescued."
The phrase "found by accident" was used masterfully, not specifying who found it or how, elegantly glossing over a significant event.
Li Man'er grumbled inwardly but didn't probe further, as the outcome was good.
"My grandfather is a decisive man. He immediately decided to play along, so Xiao Rudí's current plan was entirely under my grandfather's control," Xiao Qiniang said. "His health isn't good, and his time may be short. He... he wants to see you."
See me?
Li Man'er frowned. Something was not right. Why the formal address?
As she pondered, Xiao Qiniang suddenly knelt. "Your Highness, please go and see my grandfather."
Damn it!
Li Man'er glanced at Qi Yihan, thinking, You brute, you really are...
This was playing with her! Didn't you say no one recognized you and you wanted to hide your identity? Good heavens, you were recognized even after disguising yourself.
It seemed her previous guess was correct; Xiao Qiniang was indeed his person.
For some reason, Li Man'er suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
At this moment, Qi Yihan, who had looked ordinary, spoke. His voice was no longer hoarse, but his original one. "Where is Old General Xiao now?"
Xiao Qiniang didn't dare to look up. "Your Highness, please follow me." She rose and respectfully led Qi Yihan into the inner room. "Grandfather is inside. Your Highness, please."
Qi Yihan pulled the dazed Li Man'er. "You'll come with me. Old General Xiao isn't well; it's a good opportunity for you to check on him." He held Li Man'er's hand tightly, his gaze resolute, as if making a request.
Li Man'er opened her mouth, but what came out was, "Alright!" Two dry words, laced with helplessness, a hint of resentment, and compromise.
"Good, we'll go together." Qi Yihan held Li Man'er's hand and led him into the inner room.
Xiao Qiniang stood at the entrance, her heart filled with bitterness.
She should have known long ago that His Highness the Ninth Prince treated Li Man'er differently. If not for her, why would His Highness have orchestrated such a grand scheme?
She had long harbored feelings for His Highness, even going so far as to offer herself to him. Yet, His Highness had barely glanced at her, but doted on Li Man'er, even risking his life to protect her.
Xiao Qiniang couldn't quite describe her feelings. It was certainly difficult, but she knew her place. Even as a concubine to His Highness the Ninth Prince, she would be overreaching.
Li Man'er was different. Setting aside her outstanding beauty and formidable skills, the mere fact that His Highness treated her so uniquely was a gap that others could never bridge. She had never heard of His Highness treating any other woman differently, yet she had witnessed him cherishing Li Man'er above all else, doing so much for her, all while keeping it a secret.
Xiao Qiniang swallowed her bitterness, telling herself she should be content. Her greatest wish in life was to restore her mother's reputation and clear her name, and to reinstate her brother to his rightful position as the legitimate son. Once that was achieved, she would have no regrets. Why should she covet what did not belong to her?
Thinking this way, her heart suddenly felt much lighter.
In life, one always gained something and lost something. She was already in a good place.
At the same time, Li Man'er met the legendary Old General Xiao.
Thin!
That was Li Man'er's immediate impression. The old man was incredibly emaciated. Despite his tall stature, he looked as if he weighed no more than a hundred pounds. There was hardly any flesh on his body, just skin clinging to his bones, and his clothes hung loosely.
Xiao Xiang's eye sockets were sunken, and veins bulged on his wrist. After taking his pulse, Li Man'er made her diagnosis.
"Chronic poisoning, has entered the internal organs. The symptoms are beyond the diaphragm and below the heart." She shook her head, indicating her inability to help.
Qi Yihan, upon hearing this, frowned. He had already regained his original appearance.
"Even you have no solution?"
In fact, there was a solution: the spiritual mist spring water from her spatial dimension. However, that item was too precious and too important. Li Man'er was unsure if the old man before her was worth the sacrifice, so she decided not to reveal it for now.
"Your Highness, it is already a blessing from heaven that I have lived to this day," Xiao Xiang said with resignation. "I thought I was going to die in that study, but I never expected to be rescued."
"Old General, do not speak such disheartening words. Perhaps there is still a way."
Xiao Xiang shook his head, took a few breaths, and said, "I have failed the former emperor and the current emperor. That unfilial and rebellious son, in his wickedness, not only harmed his siblings but also attempted to overthrow the Great Zun's empire, bringing ruin to the common people. It is my fault... a father's failure for failing to discipline his son."
"Old General, please say no more. Rest well and recover your strength; there is still time for everything."
Xiao Xiang shook his head. "I have four sons. Only my second son, Xiao Rufeng, resembled me the most. That child was chivalrous, talented in both literature and martial arts, and cared for the people of the world. Sadly, he was killed by his elder brother."
Li Man'er finally understood. So, the most promising Xiao second master of the Xiao family had died at the hands of his own brother, Xiao Rudí.
"My eldest son hates me because of his affair with that barbarian woman back then..."
Li Man'er's eyes widened in surprise. There was such a thing? Her curiosity ignited like wildfire. Through Xiao Xiang's account, she learned that Xiao Rudí had once had a relationship with a barbarian woman. It seemed the woman's background was not entirely clean. He had initially concealed it from the old general, claiming she was merely a maid. Later, it was revealed that the woman was essentially the most sought-after courtesan among the barbarian tribes...
The truth came rather abruptly. Li Man'er had never imagined that Xiao Rudí's taste would be so peculiar, even extreme.
He and that woman were deeply in love and had a child, Xiao Si. However, at the time, everyone believed Xiao Si was born to his wife. The old general was furious upon learning this. Later, there was a decision to keep the child and abandon the mother. But they never expected Xiao Rudí to act so quickly, and the two children had already been swapped.
Thus, Xiao Qiniang, a legitimate daughter, became a concubine, and Xiao Yu, who was far away in the capital, suffered even more, having been held hostage for so many years.
It was no wonder Xiao Qiniang showed no mercy to Xiao Rudí.