Xue Qing was stunned: "Older sister... you..."
Xue Manman did not look at him, only stared at Xue Tingxue, "I have been in this estate for eight years, eating the best and wearing the best, but I know in my heart that all of this was stolen. Every time I see you, I feel hatred."
She gritted her teeth, her eyes full of hatred, "Why are you born the legitimate daughter? Why must I live under someone else's shadow?"
Xue Tingxue was so angry she laughed, "So you stole confidential documents, harmed Father, and smeared my name outside?"
Xue Manman gave a cold laugh, her face full of disdain, "So what if I did? I could have done even worse; I only regret that I acted too slowly and let you get the upper hand."
Duke Dingguo was trembling all over with anger, pointing at the two, "Get out! Get out of the Dingguo Mansion!"
Xue Manman turned and walked away. Xue Qing hurriedly stood up to chase after her: "Older sister! Older sister! Wait for me!"
The two were escorted by household retainers and driven out of the gates of the Dingguo Mansion. Madam Xue leaned on Xue Tingxue's shoulder, crying until she was out of breath, "I treated her so well... why did she..."
Xue Tingxue patted her mother's back gently, comforting her, "Some people, no matter how well you treat them, will never be grateful; they will only feel that we owe them."
That night.
Xue Tingxue sat by the window, holding the official document in her hand.
Bi Tao brought in tea and asked in a low voice, "Miss, those two have been driven out. Will they go to find Prince Yu?"
Xue Tingxue put the document away, picked up the teacup, and took a light sip, "Help?"
"Heh, Prince Yu wants the support of the Dingguo Mansion. Now that Xue Manman has lost her status as the Second Young Lady of the Dingguo Mansion, she is nothing more than a burden to him."
Xue Tingxue took a sip of tea, her gaze deep and secluded.
"However, if he truly has some genuine feelings for her, that would be a different matter."
She set down the teacup and looked out the window.
The moonlight was like water, spilling onto the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.
In her previous life, Xue Manman stood in front of her wearing a phoenix robe, smiling so proudly.
Now, she is nothing but a stray dog, but all of this is just the beginning.
Outside the Dingguo Mansion.
Xue Qing tugged at Xue Manman's sleeve, his face full of anxiety.
"Older sister, where are we going now?"
Xue Manman smiled and soothed Xue Qing's emotions.
"To the Prince's Mansion of Prince Yu."
Xue Qing caught up to her pace, "Older sister, will Prince Yu take us in?"
There were not many pedestrians on the street, and occasionally someone would recognize them and point fingers.
Xue Qing lowered his head, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to drill into.
Xue Manman, however, held her head high, her expression unchanged.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion of Prince Yu, the guards stopped them.
"Who goes there?"
Xue Manman took a jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it over.
"Please inform Your Highness Prince Yu that Xue Manman requests an audience."
The guard took the jade pendant and went inside to report.
Before long, the door opened.
The butler came out personally, his attitude respectful: "Second Young Lady Xue, the Prince invites you in."
The corners of Xue Manman's mouth lifted slightly as she stepped inside.
Xue Qing followed behind, muttering in a low voice: "Older sister, when did you get Prince Yu's jade pendant?"
Xue Manman signaled for him to be quiet and followed inside.
Side courtyard.
Fu Nanli sat at the head of the table with a teacup in front of him. He looked at Xue Manman as she walked in, his gaze complex.
"I have heard about your situation."
Xue Manman knelt down, her eye sockets turning red, looking incredibly pitiful.
"Your Highness, Manman has nowhere else to go, otherwise I would not have come to disturb Your Highness."
Fu Nanli frowned: "Stand up and speak."
Xue Manman raised her head, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"The Dingguo Mansion can no longer hold me, and there is no place for me in the entire Capital City. Manman only has Your Highness now."
Fu Nanli was silent for a moment, then stood up to help her up.
"You will stay in the Prince's Mansion for now; I will make arrangements."
Xue Qing stood to the side, both surprised and happy: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Xue Manman lowered her eyes and said softly: "Your Highness, will you not ask if those things were done by Manman?"
Fu Nanli looked at her, his gaze softening slightly.
"I believe you."
Xue Manman raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, "Your Highness..."
Fu Nanli patted the back of her hand: "You have been wronged. Go and rest first; I have my own plans."
The butler led the siblings to a side courtyard.
As soon as Xue Qing entered the room, he looked around and praised it repeatedly.
"Older sister, this courtyard is even bigger than the one we had at the Dingguo Mansion!"
Xue Manman closed the door, and the weakness on her face vanished instantly.
She walked to the window, pushed it open, and gazed at the pavilions and towers of the Prince's Mansion of Prince Yu.
Xue Qing leaned over: "Older sister, what do we do next?"
Xue Manman turned around, leaning against the window frame, her gaze ice-cold.
"Don't worry, your older sister hasn't spent these years in the Dingguo Mansion for nothing."
Xue Qing scratched his head: "What do you mean?"
Xue Manman gave a cold laugh, "I know the secrets of the Dingguo Mansion like the back of my hand. If they are sensible and willing to be Prince Yu's support, then so be it."
"And if they are not willing?"
A cold light flashed in Xue Manman's eyes, "If they are not willing, then we will destroy the Dingguo Mansion."
Xue Qing was startled: "Destroy the Dingguo Mansion? How?"
Xue Manman looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling up.
"Have you forgotten? In the Dingguo Mansion, I am not the only outsider. Your older sister has stayed there for eight years; do you really think I don't have a single confidant?"
Xue Qing was stunned, suddenly understanding something.
"You mean..."
Xue Manman held a finger to her lips, "Shh."
She turned around and looked out the window, "Xue Tingxue, did you think you won just by driving me out? The game has only just begun."
At the same moment, inside the Dingguo Mansion.
Xue Tingxue sat in the Study Room with a map spread out in front of her.
Bi Tao brought in ginseng soup and placed it on the tabletop.
"Miss, it is late; you should rest."
Xue Tingxue looked up at Bi Tao, "Bi Tao, go and investigate who Xue Manman has been in contact with over these years in the estate, where she has been, and if she has left any confidants behind."
Bi Tao was startled: "Miss, do you suspect she still has a backup plan?"
Xue Tingxue looked up, the candlelight reflecting on her face, making her expression unreadable, "Someone like her would not fail to leave a retreat path."
Bi Tao nodded: "Yes, I will go and investigate right away."
Xue Tingxue picked up the ginseng soup, took a sip, and set it down again.
She picked up the map, her gaze falling on a mark on the Northern Border defense line.
In her previous life, Eldest Brother was besieged here and died in isolation without any reinforcements.
And that batch of military equipment that should have been delivered was intercepted on the way.
To this day, no one knows who intercepted the military equipment.
Xue Tingxue put down the map, her finger tapping lightly on the tabletop.
"Xue Manman, you had better have nothing to do with that matter."
"Otherwise..."
She would absolutely never let Xue Manman go!
The next day, Xue Tingxue changed into a Begonia Red narrow-sleeved riding attire, her hair tied up high, looking crisp and neat.
Bi Tao followed behind her, asking in a low voice: "Miss, where are we going?"
"Going out for a walk."
Xue Tingxue stepped out of the main gate, the sunlight was exactly right.
The street was lively; there were people selling rouge and powder, people selling candied haws, and the calls of vendors rose one after another.
She had not felt this free in a long time.
In her previous life, she was trapped for eight years, and even going out required looking at Fu Nanli's expression.
Now that the engagement was dissolved, the sky was high and the sea was wide.
As she was walking, a group of noble ladies in richly decorated clothes came toward her.
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