Huan hurried back to the Misty Garden to report, "Your Highness, the Consort's own sister, Qin Yushan, has barged in with servants from the Qin Manor."
Qin Yushan?
"Your Highness, this Qin Yushan is unlike our Consort, your Highness. She has trained in martial arts under General Qin Qiancheng since childhood and is known as the Goddess of War in the capital," Lu Wan said, her brow furrowed with worry upon hearing of her arrival.
If she wanted to take the Consort away, the people in this courtyard combined couldn't stop her.
Unless... the Xuan Guards intervened.
But would the Xuan Guards, who only obeyed the Master, truly heed Your Highness's command to deal with Qin Yushan?
"Your Highness, why don't we let the Consort go for now? If Qin Yushan really breaks in, I fear she might harm Your Highness," Bai Zhi advised from the side.
After all, Consort Qin Yurou's face was already disfigured; this punishment was severe enough.
"Barges in?"
Nan Shiying chuckled as if she had heard a joke. "If she dares to break in, it won't be Nan Shiying's reputation that is tarnished."
A general's legitimate daughter dares to lead people to forcefully break into the Regent's Manor and assault the Princess Consort?
If this were to happen, it would be Ji Jinmo's reputation that was utterly disgraced!
"Xuan Yi!"
Nan Shiying knew that Xuan Yi had definitely heard their conversation. She raised her head and said mockingly, "I originally thought our manor's guards were incredibly strict. Now it seems they are nothing special."
Even though Xuan Yi knew this was Nan Shiying's taunt, he couldn't suppress his anger.
If it were just Qin Yushan alone, it would be one thing, but if she barged in with servants from the Qin Manor, it would be trampling on their Prince's dignity.
Xuan Yi flashed into the room, his gaze cold as he looked at Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying glanced at him with a hint of disdain and impatiently waved her sleeve, rising. "What are you looking at? Let's go!"
Not only Lu Wan and the other maids but even Xuan Yi was taken aback before finally understanding her intention.
Xuan Yi was somewhat exasperated, but for the sake of their manor's honor, he could only grudgingly obey her command.
"Lu Wan, stay with me. Bai Zhi, you three remain in the courtyard and keep an eye on everyone. The same as before: anyone who dares to approach Qin Yurou, break their legs," Nan Shiying instructed, then led Lu Wan and Xuan Yi out of the Misty Garden towards the back courtyard.
Not long after they started walking, they heard the sound of commotion from afar. Even from a distance, a figure in bright red could be seen approaching rapidly.
When Nan Shiying spotted Qin Yushan, Qin Yushan also saw Nan Shiying and the others. However, she didn't think much of it. Before she even got close, she imperiously barked, "Good dogs don't block the way. Hurry and get out of my sight."
Nan Shiying suddenly smiled.
Qin Yushan was far more flamboyant and overbearing than Qin Yurou. A general's legitimate daughter dared to shout orders within the Prince's Manor; she wondered who had given her such courage.
Or perhaps... Ji Jinmo's might was also just so-so?
Sensing the disdain in Nan Shiying's eyes, Xuan Yi's expression grew colder. He swiftly drew the sword at his waist and placed it before Nan Shiying, blocking Qin Yushan's path.
As the long sword emerged, a cold glint seemed to pour down. Qin Yushan was forced to halt her steps.
She looked at Xuan Yi, her brows furrowed, and angrily demanded, "Who are you? Do you know who I am? How dare you draw your sword at me!"
Xuan Yi raised the sword's tip, pointing it directly at Qin Yushan's nose, and coldly roared, "Those who trespass in the Regent's Manor will be killed without mercy!"
A sharp killing intent surged forth, causing the surrounding air to instantly freeze.
Although Qin Yushan bore the name of the Goddess of War, she was, after all, just a noble lady skilled in martial arts. She had never endured such fierce aura before. Her face turned pale, and she staggered back several steps, only regaining her footing when she bumped into her own maid.
Seeing the servant daring to point a sword at her nose, Qin Yushan's anger flared even more. She flicked her hand, and the whip coiled around her wrist darted towards Xuan Yi like a serpent.
The whip struck the air, emitting sharp cracking sounds.
Let alone ordinary people, even the manor guards might not have been able to parry it, but before her stood Ji Jinmo's Xuan Guard.
Xuan Yi turned his wrist, and the sword tip wrapped around the whip, then gave a gentle tug.
A immense force flowed from the whip into Qin Yushan's hand. Qin Yushan's hand immediately felt as if it had been stung by a scorpion. With a cry of "Aiyo," she dropped the whip. Xuan Yi followed up with a swift pull, grasping the whip in his hand.
Their exchange lasted but a moment.
Qin Yushan had lost even her weapon.
The pain in her palm filled Qin Yushan with both rage and fear. She knitted her brows and, feigning boldness, shouted at Xuan Yi, "You are insolent! I am the legitimate daughter of General Qin Qiancheng and the own sister of Consort Qin Yurou in this manor. How dare you lay a hand on me? Are you tired of living?"
"Be sensible and get out of my way immediately, or when the Prince returns from the palace, I will surely have the Prince punish you, a dog slave who defies your master!"
Nan Shiying had thought this woman was someone remarkable, but now she realized she was merely a pretty vase that the capital's populace had hyped up to the sky. She sighed and said, "Miss Qin, your forceful entry into the manor is, to put it mildly, a disregard for royal authority, and to put it broadly, an attempt to assassinate a court prince. You have committed such a crime, and you still think of punishing others? You are truly foolishly adorable."
"However, out of consideration for your father's loyalty, I will spare you this once. If there is a next time, even your father won't be able to protect you!"
Nan Shiying then sighed again. "Alright, take your manor servants and leave quickly."
"This Princess?"
All of Nan Shiying's words left only "this Princess" in Qin Yushan's mind. Disregard for royal authority, attempt to assassinate a prince – she scoffed at it all.
Trying to scare her?
Did she take Qin Yushan for one of those common born ladies who had never seen the world?
"I was wondering who it was. So it's that slut who usurped the nest! I was just looking for you. I didn't expect you to deliver yourself to my doorstep. How dare you bully my sister? Guards, take her down!"
At Qin Yushan's command, the servants from the Qin Manor immediately charged forward.
Seeing the situation escalating, Xuan Yi couldn't help but turn and glare at Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying raised her eyebrows slightly, acting as if she hadn't seen Xuan Yi's glare, and said regretfully, "Since you are so obstinate, do not blame this Princess for showing no mercy."
"Xuan Yi!"
Xuan Yi resignedly put his sword back into its sheath and leaped into the crowd.
In an instant, it was like a wolf among sheep, a tiger unleashed from its cage. Within moments, all the Qin Manor servants were subdued.
Qin Yushan flew into a rage, drew the dagger at her waist, and lunged at Xuan Yi. Xuan Yi kicked the dagger flying, and as he turned back, he flicked his wrist. The whip in his hand, like a rope, bound Qin Yushan's hands.
"You dog slave, let me go immediately, you..."
Nan Shiying squatted beside a Qin Manor servant, pulled off the belt around the servant's waist, and stuffed it into Qin Yushan's mouth.
Suddenly, all the curses turned into whimpers!