Fuyao had no idea about the twists and turns involved. "Then should we send people to protect the King of Qin?"
"Do you really think the King of Qin is made of paper and needs our protection? If he were so incompetent that he needed your protection, what right would he have to be feared by the three kingdoms?" Nangong Yan used to think Fuyao was just a bit foolish, but now he thought the man wasn't just foolish, but incredibly naive.
Fuyao felt it was too difficult. The King of Qin could not die, yet he could not threaten the Prince's position. Assassinating the King of Qin was not an option, nor was protecting him. Were they simply to let things be?
"Your Highness, no matter how powerful the King of Qin is, he fell into a woman's hands and was almost killed by Xiao Man. This shows the King of Qin is not as formidable as the rumors suggest."
Nangong Yan glanced at Fuyao. Why were other people's attendants so intelligent and quick-witted, while his were so dull?
"Fuyao, does Xiao Man count as a woman?" Nangong Yan sneered. "Have you ever seen a woman lead an army? Have you ever seen a woman frequent brothels and gambling dens?"
"She... isn't she a woman?"
"She is very different from ordinary women. A woman like her, with beauty, talent, and influence, can be a great asset if handled well, but can harm you if handled poorly. The King of Qin is a cautionary tale." Nangong Yan's eyes held a complex emotion.
"There are not many women as formidable as her."
"A woman should be demure and obedient, easily manipulated. A woman like Xiao Man can only be admired from afar, not trifled with. If you provoke her, and cannot give her what she wants, she will transform into a wolf and tear you to shreds!"
Fuyao shivered. He disliked Xiao Man from the start. The first time he met her, she had mocked him. Now, he disliked her even more, especially after witnessing her attempt to kill the King of Qin like a vengeful spirit. Fuyao felt they were fortunate their Prince did not marry Xiao Man, otherwise, their Prince would have been the one pierced through the chest by her.
The King of Qin left Shengjing silently and headed to Bei Rong to discuss an alliance. Si Chen accompanied him. It was already May, the sun was bright and the weather warm, yet the King of Qin still wore a heavy cloak, pulling it tighter around himself as he continued to pore over the military texts in his hands, feeling a chill.
"Your Highness, the journey to Bei Rong is long. Can your body withstand it?"
"Let's hurry. I'm fine." Nangong Yu adjusted his cloak, his eyes clear and cold. Everyone thought the Emperor had sent him to Bei Rong to his death, but he knew the Emperor was forced. The defection of the Xiao siblings made the Emperor distrust the old generals, fearing they might collude with the Xiao siblings, yet he couldn't simply execute them without cause, so he had to rely on members of the imperial family for everything.
"Your Majesty is truly something. Knowing your injuries have not healed, he still sends Your Highness to Bei Rong. Everyone knows the environment in Bei Rong is harsh. How can Your Highness's body endure it?" Si Ye complained while urging the horses on.
Si Chen remained silent. Physical injuries were minor. He was worried about the wounds in Nangong Yu's heart. For the past two months, news from Lan Yue had been continuously arriving. His Highness appeared very calm, but the calmer he seemed, the more worried Si Chen became.
"Si Chen, why aren't you speaking?"
"Bei Rong is not something to fear." Si Chen stealthily glanced inside the carriage. "I'm worried about *that person*." Su Dan Novel Network
"That person, who?" Si Ye asked, confused.
"That person from Lan Yue."
"Xiao Man?"
Si Chen wished he could cover Si Ye's mouth. Xiao Man had become a taboo in Yusheng; no one dared mention her. If anyone mentioned her, His Majesty would fly into a rage, and His Highness would become even more silent. Si Ye, on the other hand, seemed afraid His Highness wouldn't hear him.
Si Ye quickly lowered his voice. "We are going to Bei Rong, what does that person have to do with it?"
"With her vengeful nature, if she learns Your Highness has gone to Bei Rong, won't she send people to intercept us?" Si Chen said worriedly. "Given Your Highness's current physical condition, if you encounter her, I truly fear your body won't hold up."
Si Ye's face instantly fell. Originally, Si Yue had followed Xiao Man, but when Xiao Man left, she had abandoned Si Yue. Now Si Yue had returned to the King of Qin's manor, but rarely appeared before His Highness, for fear of stirring up painful memories.
"That girl is truly heartless and ruthless," Si Ye sighed after a long pause. "His Highness was also schemed against. But she, without regard for anything, wanted to fight His Highness to the death and almost took His Highness's life."
Si Chen sighed in agreement. Indeed, if that girl had shown any lingering affection, she wouldn't have injured His Highness so severely. "Actually, Miss Shan is quite good."
Si Ye nodded in agreement. "Compared to her, Miss Shan is much better."
"Do you think Miss Shan will become our Princess Consort?" Si Chen lowered his voice to a whisper. During His Highness's recovery, all the affairs of the manor were handled by Shan Yuyan. If it weren't for Shan Yuyan, the King of Qin's manor would have fallen into chaos long ago.
"Who knows? I'm not His Highness, how can I know his thoughts?"
"That's true."
Ye Qing looked at Nangong Yu, who was calm and composed, and felt a sense of unease.
"This journey to Bei Rong is fraught with danger. You can refuse."
"The Imperial Advisor is no longer in the capital; there's no point staying here," Nangong Yu's voice was cold, as if he wasn't going on a mission to Bei Rong but out for a leisurely stroll among the flowers.
"The people of Bei Rong are not easy to deal with."
"Am I easy to deal with?" Nangong Yu flipped a page of his book, not looking up. "If I don't leave the capital, how will those in the shadows make their move?"
"I still think it's too risky," Ye Qing disagreed. "Your body has not fully recovered, and such a long journey, what if it leaves a hidden ailment?"
"I know my body very well. Back in the army, the conditions were far worse than now, and I still managed to endure, didn't I?" Nangong Yu said indifferently. Physical injuries were nothing to him; it was the wounds in his heart that were the most difficult to heal.
"I know your body best!" Ye Qing said irritably. "You, how many times have you been on the verge of death? I've pulled you back from the King of Hell time and again. Please take care of your life. I'm just a physician, not a celestial being who can always arrive in time to save you."
Nangong Yu remained silent, quietly reading his book, as if he had heard Ye Qing's words, and as if he had not.
"Say something."
Nangong Yu glanced at the sky outside. "Wait until dark."
"Do you have to wait until dark to speak?" Ye Qing asked, puzzled.
Nangong Yu gave Ye Qing a look of disdain and ignored him.
Ye Qing continued to grumble and criticize Nangong Yu's behavior alone, while Nangong Yu pretended not to hear.