"I know."
"There will be no outcome between you and her. Why are you so persistent?" Chu Yuan was confused. Based on Nangong Yu's character, he was not a lecherous person, nor someone who would lose his mind over feelings. He just couldn't understand why Nangong Yu lost his reason when it came to Xiao Man.
"Lord Chu, do you know Xiao Man?"
Chu Yuan wanted to nod, but then realized that he didn't even know Xiao Man's true identity, so how could he possibly know her? He immediately shook his head. He didn't know Xiao Man, not at all.
"But I know her."
"She almost killed you."
"Yes, she almost killed me. If she intended to kill someone, absolutely no one could escape!" Nangong Yu picked up his sword. "So many years have passed, she is still the same as before, without the slightest change."
"Your Majesty, people's hearts are fickle, especially after tasting power."
"Power?" Nangong Yu sneered. "Power is nothing to her. What she wants is not something as trivial as power. Lord Chu, your judgment of people is far inferior to your daughter's."
### Chapter 961 Why Are You Stealing My People?
Chu Yuan watched Nangong Yu leave, his brows furrowed, and he sighed silently. Although he didn't understand Xiao Man, he knew she was a schemer and an ambitious person. Her ambitions were not small, and he was afraid that the small Lan Yue could not satisfy her ambitions. He worried that Nangong Yu would become more and more deeply involved, and in the end, he would be unable to extricate himself, leaving himself at Xiao Man's mercy.
"Your Majesty, what exactly do you want to do?"
"What he wants to do is to take over the world with the least amount of bloodshed." Ye Yichen appeared in the main hall. "Lord Chu, are you afraid?"
Chu Yuan gave a wry smile. "I naturally know what Your Majesty wants, but Xiao Man is not someone who easily loses her head. At least, I've never seen her do anything truly reckless while watching her grow up. Your Majesty wants to take over Lan Yue without shedding blood, which is no different from a fool's dream."
"Who says he wants to take over Lan Yue?" Ye Yichen said slowly. "Can't these two join forces?"
When the news of Xiao Man's enthronement as emperor arrived, many were quite shocked. After all, no one was optimistic about Xiao Man. She had grown up abroad, and compared to the other princesses of Lan Yue, she had no advantages. Yet, she was the one who ascended the throne!
"Master, Xiao Man has ascended the throne." In a quiet mountain villa, Feng Mo Ran lay lazily on a soft couch, his long hair spread behind his head, still appearing ethereal and immortal. However, the ferocity in his eyes betrayed him.
"She is indeed ruthless. After her husband's death, she can still ascend the throne without being affected." Feng Mo Ran snorted coldly, touching his chest. The wound throbbed faintly, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in his heart. "Have you found Xiao Luo's whereabouts?"
"Reporting to Master, we have not found them yet, but we have found the traces of Madam Xiao and her party." Tian Hao reported. "Moreover, our men have also made an unexpected gain, capturing someone."
"Who?"
"The third young lady of the Xiao family, Xiao Ling."
A cruel smile appeared on Feng Mo Ran's lips. "Bring her up."
Xiao Ling had snuck out more than once. After all, she was a young girl full of curiosity about the outside world. How could she bear to grow old alone in a quiet place? Even though she knew there was danger outside, she still ventured out to play.
When Xiao Ling saw Feng Mo Ran, there was joy in her eyes. "National Preceptor."
Feng Mo Ran looked at the smile on Xiao Ling's face and curved his lips slightly. It seemed this little girl didn't know about his falling out with Xiao Man yet. Otherwise, she wouldn't be smiling when she saw him, but would be afraid.
"Did you sneak out?" Feng Mo Ran's voice was very gentle. "Does your sister know?"
Xiao Ling shook her head. "Sister doesn't know. I haven't seen Sister for a long time. I was so bored that I snuck out to play, but I encountered villains."
Feng Mo Ran's smile remained unchanged. "You know that Yu Sheng is looking for you, yet you dare to sneak out to play? Aren't you afraid of revealing your whereabouts and bringing danger to your family? You are too disobedient, child."
Xiao Ling blushed a little and was a little confused, but she didn't show it. She had met the National Preceptor before. In the past, the National Preceptor would just nod when he saw her. When had he ever spoken to her so kindly? The only person who could make the National Preceptor pay attention was her elder sister.
"National Preceptor, why are you here?"
"I don't like noisy places. It's quiet here, suitable for cultivation." Feng Mo Ran's voice was gentle and powerful, making one feel comforted when heard. Xiao Ling felt a little dazed; his voice sounded so good.
Feng Mo Ran looked at Xiao Ling, who had fallen into a daze, and a cold smile flashed in his eyes. "You are tired. Rest well. When you wake up, you will see your elder sister."
"When I wake up, I will see elder sister." Xiao Ling mumbled dazedly. Her subconscious felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite tell what it was. She just felt a wave of drowsiness, making her unable to resist closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep.
"Master."
"Send her to Bianjing, to Xiao Man's side." Su Dan Novel Network
"Yes, Master."
"Furthermore, the pieces that have been laid should also be set in motion." Feng Mo Ran said slowly. "Disobedient children always need to be taught a good lesson, otherwise, they won't remember what they can do and what they can't do."
"Yes, Master."
A carriage entered the city of Bianjing, not attracting much attention. Ying Xue was preparing to return to the Princess Residence to take Xiao Man's usual belongings to the palace, as Xiao Man was now the emperor and could no longer live in the Princess Residence.
The carriage passed by Ying Xue, who paid it no mind. Suddenly, a scream was heard, followed by a woman's cry for help. A woman jumped from the moving carriage, her clothes disheveled, her appearance disheveled. As she jumped down, she seemed to have twisted her ankle. She got up, limped, and ran desperately.
"Catch her! Don't let her escape! After you catch her, break her leg!"
Ying Xue's face showed displeasure. How dare someone act so outrageously in broad daylight, under the very feet of the emperor? It was a heinous crime. She immediately turned around, about to reprimand them, when she saw two ruffians grab the fleeing girl and drag her back. Ying Xue felt that the girl looked somewhat familiar, but her face was covered in blood, and her hair obscured half of her face, making it impossible to see her features clearly.
A gust of wind blew, lifting the woman's hair. Ying Xue finally saw her features clearly and immediately moved.
The two men were dragging the woman back while cursing. Unexpectedly, someone suddenly appeared in front of them. Without a word, a kick sent them flying, and they fell to the ground miserably, unable to get up for a long time.
Ying Xue reached out to support the unconscious person, lifted her hair, and her brows furrowed. Third Young Lady, how could she be here, and in such a sorry state?
"Who are you, and why are you stealing my person?"
"Your person?" Ying Xue's face was filled with anger. She supported Xiao Ling with one hand and her sword at her waist with the other. Seeing that Ying Xue's clothes were made of fine snow-colored satin, the man guessed that she was a noble of Lan Yue and immediately softened his tone.
"Esteemed adult, this woman was bought by this subordinate for five hundred taels of silver, but this woman has been trying to escape all the way. I was so angry that I was a little rough."
"Five hundred taels of silver, where did you buy her from?"
"Cuihong Tower." The man said timidly. No matter how high their status or how great their wealth outside, men had to be careful in Lan Yue. Here, women were heaven. "She is a girl from Cuihong Tower. I saw that she was good-looking, so I spent a lot of money to buy her as a concubine."
Ying Xue's brows furrowed. She knew what kind of place Cuihong Tower was. Cuihong Tower was a brothel. Wasn't Xiao Ling with Madam Xiao? How did she end up in Cuihong Tower? Could it be that she had snuck out again, been tricked by villains, and sold to Cuihong Tower?