Xiao Man glanced at Xiao Xiang meaningfully, playing with the black chess piece in her hand, and said softly, "Second Sister and Third Concubine, shouldn't you show some sincerity?"
Third Concubine's eyelids twitched.
She understood that if their mother and daughter were to seek refuge with Xiao Man, they naturally had to show sincerity. However, they seemed to have nothing to offer now, as they had lost all status in the manor.
Xiao Xiang remained silent for a long time, a struggle evident in her eyes.
Xiao Man was not in a hurry. She placed the chess pieces back into the jar one by one. Just as she finished and was about to dismiss them, Xiao Xiang spoke.
"The Huo Mei Poison was bought from the Jiuyu Tower. The location of the Jiuyu Tower was discovered when a maid overheard servants in the manor talking."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. How could servants in the manor know about a killer organization like the Jiuyu Tower?
Third Concubine's expression was terrified. She clearly hadn't expected Xiao Xiang to reveal this matter. They had come to Xiao Man seeking protection.
If Xiao Man knew they had once tried to harm her, it would be considered mercy if Xiao Man didn't kill them. How could she possibly help them!
Seeing that Xiao Man's expression was calm, as if she had anticipated this, Xiao Xiang let out a bitter laugh.
"I used all my savings to bribe Hong Yu, asking her to put the Huo Mei Poison into the wine. Then I wrote an invitation to invite Young Master Liang to the manor for a chat, and told the gatekeepers to quietly bring him in."
The General's manor was heavily guarded. How could they not know when someone entered the manor? It must have been Yan Shi instigating this behind the scenes. She was quite skilled at using a borrowed knife to kill.
"At Gan Ye Temple, where did the Xue Jia Luo come from?"
"It was indeed discovered outside Gan Ye Temple. I was feeling restless and went out for a stroll. I heard them mention that Xue Jia Luo, when mixed with Su He Xiang, had an effect comparable to Huo Mei Poison. I was curious at the time, so I collected some."
"Then how did it end up in my room?"
"I met Young Master Wen outside my courtyard. Young Master Wen rejected my affections. At that moment, Fourth Sister ran out and told me that Young Master Wen had escorted Eldest Sister back, saying that Young Master Wen liked Eldest Sister. I became jealous, so I put the Xue Jia Luo into Eldest Sister's room, and added Su He Xiang Dew to the vegetarian meal, asking... Bai Shun to secretly come to the temple."
Third Concubine slumped onto the chair.
It was over, completely over. Second Miss wasn't coming to seek refuge with Eldest Sister; she was coming to court death. They, mother and daughter, had repeatedly tried to ruin her purity. Would Eldest Sister go and tell the General?
Thinking of this, Third Concubine felt her vision blacken. How would the General deal with them? Would he send them to officials or have them executed by a thousand cuts? Su Dan novel network.
Xiao Man listened and realized that Xiao Xiang and Third Concubine were indeed incredibly naive. If she had truly fallen victim to their schemes, the person behind them wouldn't have caused even a ripple.
Yet, these two obediently followed the design of the mastermind!
"You are truly foolish, becoming someone else's knife without even realizing it." Xiao Man tried to sit up, but Qiu Tong quickly padded a cushion for her. "You've been thoroughly used."
Xiao Xiang's face turned pale. Of course, she knew she had been used, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Moreover, at that time, she was focused on ruining Xiao Man, so that her father would see her excellence. She didn't care who was scheming behind the scenes.
"What does Eldest Sister mean?"
"What do I mean?" Xiao Man took a sip of tea. "Hong Yu is my head maid. Her monthly salary is two taels of silver, plus the rewards I usually give her. In a month, it's at least seven or eight taels of silver. Third Concubine, how much is your monthly salary?"
Third Concubine's face flushed. Her monthly salary was only five taels of silver. More than half of that was taken by her maternal family, leaving her with very little private savings. She even had to rely on Second Miss to supplement her.
"If my memory serves me correctly, Third Concubine's monthly salary is five taels of silver, and Fourth Sister's monthly salary is ten taels of silver. The two of you combined, in a month, is only fifteen taels of silver. How much do you think my head maid would need to be bribed?"
Third Concubine gritted her teeth. "One hundred taels!"
"The pearl hairpins and floral ornaments I bestow upon her are worth dozens of taels of silver each. Would she deign to betray me for a mere one hundred taels?"
Third Concubine swallowed, not daring to speak. In her heart, she understood that they had indeed been set up, and they didn't even know who the mastermind was.
"Eldest Sister, we've told you everything we know."
Xiao Man smiled lightly and shook her head. "What use are you to me?"
Xiao Xiang looked up at Xiao Man.
What use were they to Xiao Man? Yes, they were of no use to Xiao Man. They could even be a liability. After a moment of silence, Xiao Xiang immediately knelt down.
"I was ignorant in the past. From today onwards, Xiang'er will follow Eldest Sister's lead."
Third Concubine also knelt down. "We will do as Eldest Sister commands."
"How can I trust you?" Xiao Man used her tea lid to filter the tea leaves.
Xiao Xiang was ruthless. Her coming to pledge allegiance today was only out of necessity. She could betray her at any moment. Raising a tiger to become a threat was something she would only do once.
"I can swear to heaven, if I..."
"If oaths were useful, how would so many heartless people in this world be living well?"
Xiao Man's voice was unhurried, yet it made Xiao Xiang feel immense pressure.
"How can Eldest Sister believe in my sincerity?"
Xiao Xiang knew that gaining Xiao Man's trust would not be easy, given her past mistakes. If she were Xiao Man, she would not only disbelieve her but would also try every means to get rid of her.
Xiao Man looked up at Xiao Xiang coolly, then turned to Ying Xue.
"Give them the items."
Ying Xue took out a porcelain bottle from her embrace, poured out a black pill, and offered it to Xiao Xiang.
"Second Sister, this is a poison. In all the world, no one can cure it but me. Once this poison is taken, you will need to take the antidote every month. If you fail to take the antidote on time, you will suffer unbearable pain, a fate worse than death. After seven days and seven nights, you will die in torment." Xiao Man's voice was gentle and soft. "Whether or not you take this poison is your choice, Second Sister."
Xiao Xiang looked at the poison in Ying Xue's hand and swallowed with difficulty. But thinking of her current situation, she had nothing left to lose but her life. Why not take a gamble?
If she won, it would be great. If she lost, it would only be a worthless life!
She immediately took the medicine from Ying Xue and swallowed it without hesitation. Third Concubine wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
Ying Xue then offered another pill to Third Concubine.
Third Concubine trembling took the black pill, glanced at the cold-faced Xiao Xiang, and gritted her teeth, swallowing the poison.