The night was deep and quiet, and apart from the footsteps of patrolling guards outside, no other sounds could be heard. The early winter sky seemed to have lulled even the chirping small animals into hibernation. Winter nights were exceptionally cold and remarkably silent.
The candlelight in the room flickered, and a figure appeared within. The person cautiously approached the sleeping figure on the bed, and upon confirming that they had not been disturbed, breathed a sigh of relief.
The figure then tiptoed to the cabinet, seemingly searching for something.
Xiao Man sat up on the bed, resting her chin on her hand, and watched the uninvited guest rummaging through the cabinets with great amusement, making no move to call for anyone.
The uninvited guest, unable to find what they were looking for in the cabinet, moved on to search other places. Frustrated by the lack of success, they turned around, wondering if it might be hidden under the bed. To their surprise, they were met by the sight of Xiao Man sitting on the edge of the bed, regarding them with keen interest.
To flee or to stay—that was the question. The uninvited guest's mind raced. Fleeing was clearly not an option. It would be wiser to be honest and explain.
"I've come for the mechanism boxes," the uninvited guest said, pulling down the mask to reveal a face of ambiguous gender. It was none other than Cen Yu, who had been absent for a long time.
Xiao Man reached out and felt around the head of the bed, producing a box and tossing it to Cen Yu. Cen Yu quickly caught it and opened it, revealing all three mechanism boxes inside. Indeed, all the mechanism boxes were in Xiao Man's possession.
"So the rumors outside about the former Qin treasury are true."
Xiao Man nodded. "They are."
"You revealed the location of the former Qin treasury just to divert attention from the questions about your bloodline?" Cen Yu asked, frowning. In his understanding, Xiao Man was not the type of person to care about her identity or bloodline. If she wanted something, she would find a way to get it, no matter what.
"Am I that bored?"
"No," Cen Yu stated firmly. "Therefore, you intend to set a trap."
Xiao Man smiled enigmatically. She did intend to set a trap, but she wondered if the person she wished to ensnare would readily fall into it.
"You're trying to trap Feng Mo Ran!" If there was anyone interested in the former Qin treasury, it could only be Feng Mo Ran. Feng Mo Ran had been investigating the former Qin dynasty and searching for its treasure, so the treasury must contain something he desired.
"Yes."
"You're quite candid. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"
"Would you?" Xiao Man asked softly. Even though Cen Yu had broken ties with Wen Mo Han, years of friendship weren't easily severed. Now that Wen Mo Han had been harmed by Feng Mo Ran, even if he were heartless, he wouldn't conspire with Feng Mo Ran.
"What is in the former Qin treasury that Feng Mo Ran wants?"
"That, my dear, depends on you," Xiao Man said slowly. "Aren't you seeking the mechanism boxes precisely to get closer to Feng Mo Ran?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Cen Yu's eyes, followed by understanding. Xiao Man had always been adept at reading people's hearts. He had foolishly believed her to be merely a petulant and ignorant young lady.
"Are you interested in the former Qin treasure?"
"I'm interested in what Feng Mo Ran desires," Xiao Man leaned forward, but her evident pregnancy made it uncomfortable, so she sat upright again. "Whatever he wants, I will not let him have it."
Cen Yu pondered for a moment. "How exactly did Mo Han die?"
Xiao Man fell silent, not answering immediately, as if contemplating whether to reveal the truth to Cen Yu, or rather, whether to tell the truth at all.
"If I said that Mo Han's death was related to me, would you believe me?"
"His death is definitely related to you," Cen Yu stated without hesitation. "The only person in this world who could drive him to his death is you. Therefore, his death must be connected to you. What I want to know is, who plotted his murder."
"Don't you already have an answer in your heart?"
Cen Yu took a deep breath and instantly understood. The murderer of Wen Mo Han was Feng Mo Ran. This was also why Xiao Man had a falling out with Feng Mo Ran on her wedding day and pursued him relentlessly.
"Feng Mo Ran commands a group of exceptionally capable individuals. Furthermore, it seems there is someone behind Feng Mo Ran."
A hint of confusion appeared in Xiao Man's eyes. Someone behind Feng Mo Ran? Who could it be? Given his arrogant nature, how could he possibly be subservient to others?
"Cen Yu, I'll give you the mechanism boxes, but you must do three things for me. After completing these three tasks, we will be even," Xiao Man said calmly. "Deal?"
"Deal," Cen Yu nodded. "What do you want me to do?"
"One, find out exactly what Feng Mo Ran desires. I have a vague suspicion, but I need you to confirm it; two, uncover Feng Mo Ran's backing and find a way to inform me; and three, I need to know who the person behind Feng Mo Ran is. This third task is the most dangerous; it's not mandatory, so do your best."
"Alright," Cen Yu agreed. "However, taking the mechanism boxes from you cannot be too easy, or people will become suspicious. I'll need your people to help me stage a scene."
"My people can be quite heavy-handed. You should think carefully," Xiao Man said in a measured tone. "If things go wrong, it could backfire."
"No holding back?"
"Feng Mo Ran is such a shrewd person. If we hold back, do you think we can fool him?"
Cen Yu considered it carefully and found Xiao Man's words to be true. If it were a fake, Feng Mo Ran would surely see through it. Only authenticity would make Feng Mo Ran believe him.
"Just leave me with a breath of life."
Xiao Man flicked a pill towards Cen Yu, who caught it. "What is this?"
"It's something good that will protect your vital organs and leave you with a breath of life."
Without a second thought, Cen Yu swallowed it. As soon as it went down, he felt a gust of wind. Relying on his instinct for danger, Cen Yu fled through the window but was still struck in the back, falling outside in a disheveled state.
As soon as he hit the ground, Cen Yu sprang up, clutching the box, and leaped onto the rooftop, intending to escape the palace.
Such a commotion quickly alerted the guards. The palace guards were all handpicked experts, and there were many formidable individuals stationed within the palace, each guarding their designated area. He had to dodge the guards' crossbow bolts while simultaneously avoiding stepping into the territories of those experts. This was incredibly difficult. The guards were all sharp as needles, desperately forcing him westward. He didn't know what lay to the west, but it certainly wouldn't be anything pleasant! Su Dan Novel Network.
Cen Yu had initially thought Xiao Man's seriousness was just for show. But after being beaten until he was bruised and battered, nearly losing his life in the palace, he finally understood that Xiao Man's words about leaving him with a breath of life were not mere pronouncements but a literal intention to spare him only that much.