The Grand Princess, upon hearing the Second Princess praise her radiant complexion, touched her face. "There's nothing special, it's just that the駙馬 saw me toiling away daily and found some top-grade white swiftlet nests. He prepared them for me in various ways, and eating them daily has improved my complexion. Bird's nest is indeed a good thing. You've been away for so long, you probably rarely eat it. I'll have someone send two boxes to your manor later. You can try them, they taste exquisite."
"Then I shall thank Elder Sister first," the Second Princess replied with a smile, bidding the Grand Princess farewell. Only after watching the Grand Princess's carriage depart did the smile vanish from her face. She turned her gaze towards the direction of the imperial palace, a deep confusion in her eyes. "Could it be you?"
"Your Highness."
The Second Princess withdrew her gaze. "Return to the manor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
In the carriage, the Second Princess carefully took out a jade pendant from her purse. This jade pendant was identical to the one held by Steward Tan, likely a pair. Intricate patterns were carved on it, ancient and mysterious.
The Second Princess caressed the patterns on the jade pendant, a profound doubt in her eyes. She did not know if she should seek confirmation. If it wasn't… damnation awaited her.
"Brother, where are you now?" the Second Princess murmured softly. She and her brother each had a jade pendant, a pair. Yet now, her pendant remained by her side, while her brother's whereabouts were unknown, his life or death uncertain. To make matters worse, she had seen another jade piece, and her heart was filled with a myriad of emotions. For the first time, her usually calm and steady countenance showed a hint of bewilderment.
The carriage suddenly stopped. The Second Princess, caught off guard, slid from her seat and landed on the floor, her brow furrowing in pain. As she got up, she lifted the curtain and saw a man seated on a horse, reining in his steed and looking at her apologetically.
"My apologies, the horse was startled. Are you alright?"
The Second Princess stared blankly at the person before her. He looked so familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before, yet she couldn't recall where. Still, that inexplicable sense of familiarity lingered.
"Who are you?" the Second Princess asked, entranced.
Xiao Luo smiled composedly. "I am Xiao Luo. I did not intend to disturb you, but my horse was suddenly frightened, causing it to collide with your carriage. I beg your pardon."
"It's fine, I'm not hurt, so you don't need to feel guilty. You are called Xiao Luo, then what is your relation to Xiao Man?"
"She is my sister."
"She is my sister!" A strange feeling flashed through the Second Princess's mind. How could Xiao Man have a brother? No, absolutely not. Empress Yuexian only had Xiao Man as her child!
"Is she your biological sister?" the Second Princess asked again.
"Naturally, she is my biological sister," Xiao Luo replied calmly. "Since you are unharmed, I shall take my leave."
The Second Princess watched Xiao Luo gallop away until he disappeared from sight before withdrawing her gaze. The doubts swirling in her heart had not abated. She lowered the carriage curtain. "Return to the manor."
Xiao Luo rode straight to the imperial palace. Upon hearing the sudden, devastating news of Wen Mohan's death, he found it hard to believe. His first concern was Xiao Man's safety. If someone as meticulous as Wen Mohan could fall prey, he truly couldn't rest easy about Xiao Man, and so he had rushed back to Lan Yue ahead of schedule.
Ying Xue, guarding the palace gate, saw Xiao Luo approach on horseback and quickly went to meet him. "Young General, you've finally arrived."
"Is Man'er alright?" Xiao Luo dismounted, handed the reins to a guard, and strode inside. "What exactly happened?"
"As of now, we have not yet figured out how the assailant managed to do it."
Xiao Luo paused. If they still hadn't figured it out, it meant the perpetrator's methods were extremely subtle. Man'er must be blaming herself terribly.
Xiao Luo had envisioned many scenarios for their reunion. If Xiao Man had hugged him and cried, he had a whole string of comforting words ready. If she had tried to appear strong, he would have held her, telling her he was here, that her brother was with her.
But the moment he saw Xiao Man, she looked up at him and said, "Brother, you're here, just in time."
Xiao Luo stared at Xiao Man. "Yes, I'm here. Are you well?"
"Although I apologize that you've just arrived in Bianjing and should have had a few days of rest, Brother, you must depart for Wusheng Pass as soon as possible. Lan Qin needs reinforcements." Xiao Man's voice was full of energy, as if she were still herself, yet she was not entirely the same. In the past, upon seeing her brother, she would have joyfully leaped into his arms to act spoiled. But now, she sat steadily, rapidly reviewing the memorials in her hand, her demeanor solemn and dignified, commanding an unspoken respect. The comforting words and words of concern he had prepared stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered.
"Alright, I will depart for Wusheng Pass tomorrow, but…" Xiao Luo hesitated. "Are you… alright?"
Xiao Man looked up at Xiao Luo. "Brother, isn't my nephew very cute?"
Xiao Luo's expression instantly softened. "Yes, very cute. Soft and cuddly, it's quite incredible."
A gentler smile bloomed on Xiao Man's face. "I can imagine he must be very beautiful, inheriting all the best qualities from you and Sister-in-law. I prepared a gift for him, but I couldn't give it to him personally."
"In some time, Qingge will bring the child over, and you will be able to see them then," Xiao Luo said softly. "I entrust their mother and child to you."
"Rest assured, I will take good care of them."
"I have always been assured of you, but you must also take care of yourself," Xiao Luo said lovingly. "Although I am very happy that my sister is strong, I also wish for her to be vulnerable occasionally and lean on me, her brother."
"So, am I not asking Brother for help to guard Wusheng Pass?" Xiao Man said with a smile. "I am always thinking of relying on Brother."
Xiao Luo immediately smiled. "Alright, as long as you need me, Brother will be here."
Xiao Man finished reviewing the last memorial and put down her vermilion brush. "It's rare for us siblings to be together. Since today's official duties are all handled, Brother, why don't you accompany me for a walk?"
Xiao Luo couldn't have asked for more. He was already worried that Xiao Man was burying herself in official duties to distract herself from her grief. Xiao Man wanting to go for a walk with him was exactly what he hoped for.
The two walked along the palace paths. Lan Yue's imperial palace, like Yusheng's, had different styles but was equally magnificent.
"Lan Yue's imperial palace has very beautiful scenery," Xiao Luo said as they walked. "Man'er, don't always keep things bottled up in your heart. It's very easy to make yourself sick that way."
"Brother, I'm truly alright," Xiao Man's voice was very gentle. "Mohan has indeed left me, but he will always be with me. Besides, I am not someone who is easily defeated. I still have many things left unfinished. I don't have that much time for grief, nor can I wallow in it. Those who live must stand up and move forward again."