Chapter 657 - 660: Chicken Soup

Chapter 657: Chapter 660: Chicken Soup

Princess Consort Zhen thought she had misheard. She stared at her in disbelief and asked.

"What did you say?"

Hua Manman said with conviction.

"I know this sounds bizarre, but I really am Hua Manman.

"I was only in a state of suspended animation back then. I didn’t actually die.

"By the time I woke up, five years had passed, and my appearance had changed drastically.

"I don’t know how any of this happened.

"But I can swear on my life that I am Hua Manman!"

Princess Consort Zhen, still skeptical, said in a heavy voice.

"Words are no proof. What evidence do you have to prove your identity?"

Hua Manman replied, "I have no evidence, but you can ask me anything about Hua Manman. See for yourself if I’m telling the truth."

Princess Consort Zhen stared at her fixedly for a long time before speaking.

"You said just now that you were the one who helped me steal the Jade Seal?"

Hua Manman said, "You were the one who had Mu Qing pass a message to me, hinting that you wanted my help. I took the risk of stealing the Jade Seal from Prince Wu Zhang and had Mu Qing deliver it to you. At the time, I also had Mu Qing relay a message to you..."

Hearing this, Princess Consort Zhen abruptly cut her off.

"That’s enough. Say no more."

But Hua Manman insisted on finishing the last sentence.

"This is the last time I will help you."

Princess Consort Zhen’s expression turned grim.

Hua Manman asked, "I’ve helped you so many times. Can you help me just this once?"

Princess Consort Zhen slowly walked up to her.

Because she often blended perfumes, Princess Consort Zhen was always surrounded by a faint, clean fragrance.

Now, the scent wafted into Hua Manman’s nose, making her wrinkle it in slight discomfort.

Princess Consort Zhen asked coldly, "How did you find out about these things? Did Mu Qing tell you?"

She still didn’t believe this person was her younger sister.

Hua Manman said, "You can also ask about things Mu Qing doesn’t know. For example, things that happened at home when we were young—like the little white cat you raised, the chicken soup you stewed for me, and when Grandmother passed away, how you knelt for so long, utterly heartbroken, that you couldn’t get up..."

As she spoke, scenes from the past flashed through Princess Consort Zhen’s mind one after another.

Princess Consort Zhen’s expression grew more and more complicated.

Hua Manman went on to mention many other things that only the two sisters would know.

She spoke with such detail that it felt as if they were reliving the moments.

Princess Consort Zhen’s resolve began to waver.

But she maintained an impassive expression, saying icily.

"Your words are indeed moving, but I still don’t believe someone can come back from the dead. I need to think about this carefully."

After speaking, she called for her guards and had Hua Manman taken away.

Once she was gone, Princess Consort Zhen’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression extremely grave.

Li Qiong asked with concern.

"Mother, are you in some kind of trouble? Did that woman from earlier bully you?"

Princess Consort Zhen replied, "No, I just have some things I can’t figure out. You should go attend to your own business."

Although Li Qiong was curious about what his mother and that woman had discussed, he could tell she had no desire to speak of it, so he obediently took his leave.

Xi Xiang entered and said respectfully.

"Reporting to Your Highness, I have had Hongdou locked up."

Princess Consort Zhen responded casually, "Mm."

Xi Xiang carefully observed her expression and asked softly.

"Your Highness, how do you plan to deal with Hongdou?"

Princess Consort Zhen rubbed her temples.

This was what troubled her most. Logically, she should have Hongdou tortured to force out Li Xun’s whereabouts.

But Hongdou’s words kept reminding Princess Consort Zhen—

that perhaps, Hongdou really was Hua Manman.

Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance.

’But what if it’s true?!’

The moment Princess Consort Zhen considered this, she couldn’t bring herself to be ruthless with Hongdou.

But she couldn’t just keep her locked up forever, either.

This matter had to be settled.

Thinking of this, Princess Consort Zhen stood up and glided outside.

Xi Xiang hurried after her. "Your Highness, where are you going?"

Princess Consort Zhen: "The small kitchen."

「...」

Hua Manman was locked in a small room.

The doors and windows were shut tight. The room was dim, and she couldn’t see anything clearly.

Her hands and feet were still bound tightly, leaving her unable to move.

In the silence, any slight rustle was exceptionally clear.

Suddenly, she heard a faint rustling sound from outside.

It was followed by a soft meow.

MEOW~

Hua Manman’s spirits lifted instantly.

’The System is here!’

She looked in the direction of the sound, but the room was too dark. All she could see was pitch black.

She wanted to speak but was afraid of being heard by the guards outside the door.

Just as she was wondering what to do, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

Then came the sound of a lock turning.

The door was pushed open.

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the small room.

Xi Xiang walked in, carrying a redwood food box.

She placed the food box on the table.

The moment the lid was lifted, Hua Manman smelled a rich aroma.

Xi Xiang took the items out of the food box one by one and placed them on the table.

"These are a gift from the Noble Consort. Come and eat."

Hua Manman said, "My hands are still tied. I can’t eat. Why don’t you feed me?"

Xi Xiang retorted irritably.

"In your dreams."

She walked over and untied the ropes for Hua Manman.

Finally free, Hua Manman rubbed her sore wrists and glanced toward the door out of the corner of her eye.

Two Yulin Guards stood outside, apparently tasked with guarding her.

’If I try to leave through the door, I’ll definitely be discovered.’

Xi Xiang urged, "Hurry up and eat."

Hua Manman walked to the table and, upon closer inspection, saw four bowls of chicken soup.

Judging by their color, the four bowls of soup looked identical. It was almost impossible to tell them apart.

Hua Manman said, "That’s so much soup. How can I possibly finish it all?"

Xi Xiang had expected this reaction and said calmly.

"You don’t have to finish them all. You just need to taste all four bowls and then comment on each of them."

’The request was too strange.’ After a moment of thought, Hua Manman had a guess.

She picked up the bowl of chicken soup closest to her and took a sip.

Xi Xiang watched her every move and immediately asked.

"How is it?"

Hua Manman smacked her lips. "Not bad. It’s pretty tasty."

Xi Xiang waited a moment, but when nothing else followed, she couldn’t help but ask, "That’s it?"

Instead of answering, Hua Manman retorted, "What else did you expect?"

She wasn’t a professional food critic; to her, food was simply either tasty or not.

Xi Xiang was speechless.

Hua Manman tasted the remaining three bowls of chicken soup, then pointed to the one in the very middle and said.

"I like this one the best."

Xi Xiang was stunned and asked subconsciously.

"Why?"

Hua Manman: "Because the taste is very familiar. It reminds me of someone."

Xi Xiang pressed, "Who does it remind you of?"

Hua Manman said, full of nostalgia.

"My sister."