Chapter 325: Chapter 326: Villains Are Ground Down by Other Villains

Hua Manman pressed a finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.

She peeked through the crack in the door and saw a West Liang man walk in and stop right outside their room.

’It looks like he’s going to stay here and watch us.’

Hua Manman deliberately raised her voice. "Why are you chattering on? Can’t you see how messy this room is? Hurry up and clean it!"

After speaking, she pointed toward the door and then waved her hand dismissively.

Si Yun understood her meaning and said no more.

The West Liang man guarding the door pricked up his ears. Hearing nothing more, he crossed his arms, leaned against the adjacent wall, and began to stare blankly out the window.

Inside, Hua Manman pulled Si Yun to the spot farthest from the door.

She whispered in Si Yun’s ear.

"These are West Liang people. We’ve been kidnapped by them. They most likely want to use me to threaten Prince Zhao."

Si Yun’s heart pounded in terror. She asked in a small voice,

"Didn’t Xiliang already surrender? Why are they still doing this? Aren’t they afraid of starting another conflict between our nations?"

Hua Manman replied, "Xiliang only pretended to surrender because they were forced to. In reality, they’ve been recuperating and rebuilding their strength, just waiting for the right opportunity to launch a major counterattack."

This was all information she knew from *Palace Intrigue*.

Si Yun assumed Prince Zhao had told the Princess Consort these things, which only made her feel more anxious.

"Then what do we do? Will the Prince come to save us?"

Hua Manman said, "The Prince will definitely try to save us, but this place is extremely remote. He might not be able to find it. It’s better to rely on ourselves than on others. We have to find a way to save ourselves."

Si Yun stared at her eagerly, as if looking at her only lifeline.

"What do you plan to do?"

Hua Manman’s lips curved into a smile. "From now on, no matter what I do or say, don’t interfere."

’They say it takes a villain to deal with a villain. The best way to handle bad guys is to be even worse than them.’

A moment later, the door was pushed open.

The lecherous man who had harassed Hua Manman earlier walked in.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Hua Manman, and the smile on his face grew even sleazier.

"Heh heh, if there’s anything you need, Princess, just tell me. Whatever you want, I’ll be sure to satisfy you."

He deliberately drew out the last few words, his tone full of insinuation.

Hua Manman clutched her stomach and said shyly,

"I haven’t eaten all day, and I’m so hungry. Could you get us something to eat?"

Seeing her play along, the lecherous man grew even more excited.

He leaned in closer and asked, "What would my little beauty like to eat?"

Si Yun was startled by his sudden approach. Hearing him speak to the Princess Consort in such a flippant tone and seeing the way he was obviously trying to take advantage of her, Si Yun grew so anxious that she clenched her fists, wanting desperately to rush forward and shield her mistress.

But then she remembered what the Princess Consort had told her. Not wanting to be a burden, she forced herself to hold back.

As if oblivious to the lust in the man’s eyes, Hua Manman began counting on her fingers as she spoke earnestly.

"I’m not very picky. Something like phoenix leg with abalone, orchid bear paw, or red plum fish maw will do. Oh, and a sea cucumber and quail soup would be best."

The lecherous man was speechless.

’What the hell does she mean, not picky?!’

’Abalone, bear paw, fish maw, and sea cucumber... Does she think this is the Imperial Kitchen or something?!’

He gave a sarcastic laugh. "Why don’t you just ask for dragon meat?"

Hua Manman looked surprised. "You can get dragon meat?"

The lecherous man stared at her, speechless.

Hua Manman twisted a handkerchief and said bashfully, "Well, if dragon meat is an option, I wouldn’t mind trying some."

The lecherous man asked with a deadpan expression,

"You even want to eat dragon meat. Why don’t you just ascend to the heavens while you’re at it?"

His words made her little face flush red. She bashfully swung her small fists and hammered them against his chest.

"You’re awful! How could you say that to me?"

The blow sent the man stumbling back two steps, a sharp pain radiating from his chest. He felt like his ribs were about to break.

He clutched his chest and looked up at Hua Manman, his eyes filled with terror.

’This woman is incredibly strong!’

Hua Manman asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Why can’t you even stand steady? And your complexion... why do you look so pale? You don’t have some terminal illness, do you?"

The lecherous man’s face instantly darkened.

’He suspected this woman knew martial arts, but from the way she was acting, it didn’t seem intentional.’

Just as he was wavering with suspicion, Hua Manman offered him a cup of tea.

"Here, drink some hot water. You should feel better after drinking some."

Seeing her act so concerned for him, the lecherous man’s suspicion began to fade.

He reached out, took the cup, and took a sip.

The next moment, he violently spat the water out!

The movement was so forceful that he choked on the water.

He couldn’t stop coughing, his face turning red.

He coughed and questioned her angrily.

"What the hell did you just give me to drink?"

Hua Manman blinked innocently. "It’s water I scooped from that bucket. Isn’t the water in there for drinking?"

After speaking, she pointed to a wooden bucket in the corner.

The moment the lecherous man saw that bucket, he nearly fainted.

’That’s the foot-washing water from last night that someone forgot to throw out!’

The lecherous man could no longer hold it in. He bent over and, with a loud RETCH, threw up.

Hua Manman acted startled, hurried to the door, and called out to the man guarding it. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"The fellow inside is sick! It looks really serious. Maybe he has some incurable disease! You should hurry and get a doctor to check on him!"

The man outside poked his head in and saw his companion squatting on the ground, vomiting violently. It certainly looked like he was sick.

He quickly called over two other companions, telling them to help carry the lecherous man back to his room.

Hua Manman started to walk out but was blocked by the man at the door.

"Where are you going?"

Hua Manman looked at him pitifully. "I’m hungry. I want to find something to eat."

She was truly beautiful. Her large, watery eyes were full of longing, making her look like a small, fluffy animal—adorable and pitiful.

Few men could resist such a look from her.

The man at the door was, naturally, no exception.

He stammered, "Th-Then, follow me."

Hua Manman immediately broke into a joyful smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

"Thank you, big brother!"

Her "big brother" was uttered so sweetly that the man’s face couldn’t help but turn a little red.

He led Hua Manman out, and Si Yun quickly followed.

The three of them arrived at the door of the kitchen house.

The man pushed the door open. "There should be food in here. You can look for it yourselves."

Hua Manman led Si Yun inside.

The kitchen house wasn’t large, but it was well-stocked. Not only was there rice and flour, but also many easily preserved ingredients like cured meat and cured goose.

Si Yun rolled up her sleeves and efficiently began to wash rice and prepare a meal.

Before long, the enticing aroma of cooking food wafted from the kitchen.