After hearing what had happened from ManQi, TanTan excused herself and returned to her room, followed by ManQi.
Once inside, she began to think about everything that had happened.
Someone wants to kill HuaMuTan? Why?
Someone is trying to smuggle illegal weapons to this country's enemy. Are they the same people?
And the mysterious woman in Uncle Hua's memories... Who is she?
What is the secret that HuaMuTan's parents knew?
The silver-masked man had said that HuaMuTan's enemy was someone inside the palace. The smuggler in the forest had also mentioned that his boss was someone of higher status than the Third Prince.
Could they be the same people?
The more TanTan thought about it, the more exhausted she became. There were so many questions, but not a single answer.
I can't just stay here doing nothing. There are still so many things I need to find out.
Lately, the killers hadn't appeared again. Was it because they didn't dare attack her while she was staying at Li Mansion?
That was certainly a good thing, but it also meant she had no new clues to follow.
"Ugh... I wish I could see that silver mask again. There are so many things I want to ask him..." TanTan muttered, speaking her thoughts aloud even though no one else was in the room.
"Maybe... I need to find a way to contact him. Isn't he supposed to be around here somewhere?"
With that thought, TanTan stood up and opened the door. She intended to call out for the silver-masked man, just in case he really was nearby.
But she was surprised to find ManQi still standing outside.
"Is there anything you need, Young Madam?" ManQi asked innocently.
"No... But why are you still here, ManQi? Aren't you supposed to accompany Prince Li to check the prison?"
"Prince Li ordered me to protect you, Young Madam."
Protect me, or keep an eye on me?
TanTan frowned, clearly displeased.
"How kind of your master. But I don't need anyone to protect me!" she protested.
Just then, XiaoRue finished her work and came over to report to TanTan.
The moment TanTan saw her, she immediately grabbed XiaoRue's hand and pulled her inside before closing the door right in front of ManQi.
Inside the room, TanTan peeked through the door to make sure ManQi couldn't overhear them. XiaoRue, meanwhile, looked rather puzzled by her mistress's strange behavior.
"XiaoJie, what's wrong?"
TanTan turned to look at her. For a moment, she seemed to be thinking about something. Then, a wide smile spread across her face.
"XiaoRue, I need your help..."
About half an hour later, XiaoRue came out of the room with flushed cheeks and a nervous expression.
She glanced at ManQi, who was rather surprised by her appearance. Noticing her uneasiness, he approached her with concern.
"Is something wrong, Miss XiaoRue?"
"I... I think I just saw someone dressed in black sneaking out of the other room. I saw him through the window just now..." XiaoRue stammered, her eyes filled with fear.
ManQi immediately became alert. His priority was to protect HuaMuTan, so he was about to enter her room to check on her.
"What about Young Madam? Is she all right?"
XiaoRue quickly grabbed his arm.
"Y-Yes... XiaoJie was sleeping just now. I didn't want to disturb her. Please hurry! You should check FangFang XiaoJie's room, too. That man might go there to harm her! I'll stay here and guard XiaoJie."
ManQi glanced through the doorway. Inside, TanTan appeared to be sleeping on the bed, completely covered by a blanket.
So XiaoRue was telling the truth. If that man wasn't targeting this room, then perhaps he wasn't an assassin. Maybe he was just a thief...
Seeing XiaoRue looking so frightened, ManQi finally made his decision.
"All right. Just scream if that man comes back!"
With that, he hurried away.
"Has he left?"
TanTan suddenly emerged from the room, startling XiaoRue.
"Y-Yes, XiaoJie..."
TanTan immediately tossed a bundle bag to her.
"Good! Don't waste any more time. Let's leave before he comes back!"
And so, in a short while, TanTan and XiaoRue managed to slip out of Li Mansion unnoticed.
ManQi failed to find the mysterious man. He checked FangFang's room, only to find the little girl sleeping peacefully.
There isn't any sign of an intruder. Either that man has exceptionally high martial skills, or...
With suspicion growing in his mind, ManQi returned to TanTan's room.
But when he entered, he found it empty.
"Damn! Master is going to be furious when he finds out about this..."
Then, a sudden laugh escaped him.
"I never thought I could be tricked so easily by that naughty girl!"
Without wasting another moment, ManQi hurried off to look for TanTan and XiaoRue.
They can't have gone too far. I'd better follow them secretly and find out what they're planning...