"Xiao Man, though a bit defiant, is an excellent person. Few women outside can compare to her. It's a sign of good judgment to choose her," Prime Minister Wen said gently. "However, as the Blue Moon Imperial Princess, Xiao Man's status is extraordinary. The Imperial Princess's mansion will likely not be yours alone in the future..."
At this point, Prime Minister Wen choked up. His son, so outstanding, so good, now had to contend with a group of men for favor. This was contrary to his original intentions. He had hoped his son would become a man of integrity, not a caged bird.
"Father, I understand," Wen Mohan replied softly, as if he had already accepted this reality. "Though I don't know who will accompany Man'er in the future, at least for now, it's me. That is enough."
"Han'er, are you truly happy?" Prime Minister Wen asked hesitantly, fearing his son was merely putting on a brave face for his parents.
Wen Mohan nodded earnestly. "Happy, very happy, but also a little regretful."
"Regretful?"
Wen Mohan lowered his gaze, preventing his elders from seeing the emotions in his eyes. "Father, Man'er is constantly being constrained in Blue Moon, and the Empress is highly suspicious of her. She can barely exert any influence there. Could you come out of retirement and help Man'er?"
"I have imparted all my skills to you. With you by her side, why would she need me?" Prime Minister Wen was puzzled. "Is everything truly alright between you and Xiao Man?"
Prime Minister Wen had a nagging feeling that something was amiss, as if his son were making final arrangements. Yet, he quickly dismissed the thought. In a place as heavily guarded as the Imperial Princess's mansion, no one could harm his son. Moreover, his son was not foolish and would not easily fall into anyone's trap.
"What could possibly happen between Man'er and me?" Wen Mohan's smile was radiant. "In this lifetime, to be her husband and receive her true affection, I would have no regrets even if I were to die."
"Pah, pah, pah! Don't speak such nonsense," Madam Wen immediately chided. "Amitabha, may the gods forgive such careless words."
"Are you so overjoyed that you've lost your senses?" Prime Minister Wen thought his son was too happy and had become reckless, uttering such inauspicious words.
"Father, the Blue Moon Imperial Consort, Feng Mo Ran, is the Grand Tutor of Yu Sheng, Feng Tian Lan. This man is cunning, vicious, and extremely malicious. General Xiao's death was likely orchestrated by him, and even Empress Dowager Yun Qi's demise was secretly fueled by his machinations. This man harbors great ambitions, and we must be wary of him."
Prime Minister Wen had always disliked Feng Mo Ran. Even when Feng Mo Ran was the Grand Tutor, he couldn't stand the man. Having served as an official for decades, he understood human nature all too well. If a person truly desired nothing, why would they enter the imperial court?
"Does Xiao Man know about this?"
Wen Mohan nodded. "But Man'er cannot openly confront him yet. The forces behind this man are vast and deeply entrenched. They cannot be eradicated in a day or two. However, we must not allow the Blue Moon Empress to become his accomplice, or Man'er will be isolated and helpless."
Seeing that father and son were about to discuss serious matters, Madam Wen rose to prepare tea, allowing them to converse freely. As the betrothed couple were not allowed to meet before the wedding, Xiao Man had lingered outside the courtyard several times, only to be stopped by officials from the Ministry of Rites.
Madam Wen observed this from the room and found it amusing. Looking at the father and son engaged in a pleasant conversation, she couldn't help but smile. What did it matter if he was marrying into the family? She believed that with her son's abilities, Xiao Man would certainly be under his control.
Madam Wen beckoned a young maidservant from outside the door. "Go and tell your Imperial Princess that on the night before the wedding, the betrothed are not to meet. Tell her to get an early rest and wake up tomorrow to prepare, so as not to be late for the auspicious time due to oversleeping."
"Yes, Old Madam," the maidservant replied smartly and hurried away. In no time, Xiao Man left. Madam Wen's lips curved upwards as she beckoned the maidservant over again.
"What did you tell your Imperial Princess?"
"This servant said that Young Master Wen wishes for the Imperial Princess to rest early, as there is still a long life ahead, and no need to rush things."
"Your Imperial Princess is very understanding."
"The Imperial Princess is also very kind to us servants. Everyone in the mansion likes her very much," the maidservant said with a smile. "I have never met anyone better than the Imperial Princess."
Madam Wen's smile deepened. Hearing others praise Xiao Man, she felt a genuine sense of pride, after all, she was her daughter-in-law. She was also grateful that she hadn't adamantly opposed the match back then, otherwise, such an excellent daughter-in-law would have been snatched away by someone else.
Madam Wen pondered for a moment, then personally went to the small kitchen to stew a bowl of bird's nest soup for Xiao Man. After leaving Ming Yue Pavilion, Xiao Man had returned to handle official documents. When Madam Wen arrived with the bird's nest soup, the wedding attire was laid aside, while Xiao Man was reviewing documents, diligently writing her remarks with a vermilion brush.
"It's so late, and you're still not resting?" Madam Wen of Prime Minister Wen placed the bird's nest soup down. "Quickly, try the bird's nest soup I stewed for you. You child, you don't take care of yourself. Tomorrow is your wedding day. Have you tried on your wedding attire?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Auntie, aren't you resting yet?"
"What auntie? You should change your address," Madam Wen of Prime Minister Wen playfully chided as she put the bird's nest soup into Xiao Man's hand.
Xiao Man looked at the bird's nest soup in her hand, a warmth rising in her heart. "Thank you, Mother."
"Ah, my good child!" Madam Wen's face bloomed with joy, urging Xiao Man to eat the bird's nest soup while it was still hot.
As she ate the steaming bird's nest soup, Xiao Man suddenly realized that it was understandable why Madam Wen had disliked her before. After all, her reputation was terrible. She frequented brothels and gambled in casinos. What kind of respectable daughter would go to such places?
Moreover, she was constantly causing trouble, beating up the sons of court officials one day and the emperor's sons the next. No matter how powerful Prime Minister Wen was, he couldn't withstand her constant troublemaking.
Madam Wen watched Xiao Man obediently finish the bird's nest soup, her gaze falling on the wedding attire. "Have you tried on the clothes?"
"I tried them on a few days ago. The waist was a bit small, so Yin Zhu had it altered before sending it over."
"Then try them on again, to see if the alterations are suitable." Madam Wen took Xiao Man's hand, wanting her to try on the clothes. Xiao Man did not refuse and immediately stood up, ready to call for someone to help. However, Madam Wen stopped her.
"Here, I'll help you put it on." Madam Wen smiled kindly as she helped Xiao Man try on the attire. Xiao Man couldn't quite articulate her feelings, only that it felt somewhat unfamiliar, yet wondrous. Now that her parents were gone and she had no elders to manage things for her, and the Empress was wary of her, and Old Madam Wen would certainly not come to oversee things, Madam Wen's presence, helping to manage the affairs of the mansion, brought a sense of human warmth to the Imperial Princess's mansion.