"Knock, knock, knock." Xiao Man was still outside the door, "Mo Han, do you believe me?"
Wen Mo Han really wanted to say yes, but he couldn't. He knew Xiao Man too well, and at this moment, he hated himself for knowing her too well, which prevented him from deceiving himself.
"Mo Han, open the door, let's talk properly, okay?"
Xiao Man stood by the door, but after waiting for a long time, Wen Mo Han didn't open it. It was as if no one was in the room, but Xiao Man knew Wen Mo Han was inside.
After a moment, Xiao Man sighed and turned to leave. Wen Mo Han heard the footsteps receding and quickly got up, wanting to open the door and call Xiao Man back, but he stopped himself. He stared blankly at the closed door, which separated them into two worlds. He wanted to hear Xiao Man's explanation, but why didn't she explain?
Wen Mo Han gave a wry smile. So, you don't even want to give me an explanation. Xiao Man, what am I to you?
Tears slid from the corners of his eyes, and he couldn't stop them. Wen Mo Han turned around in a daze. As soon as he turned, he found that Xiao Man, who should have left, was standing in front of him.
Wen Mo Han quickly turned back, wiping the tears from his face. "How did you get in?"
"The window was open." This was the second time Xiao Man had seen Wen Mo Han cry. The first time was at Nanluo Mountain Villa, when she had someone find a girl to detoxify Wen Mo Han. She thought it was the first and last time she would see him cry, but today, she made him cry again.
Xiao Man knew how proud Wen Mo Han was. This man would never cry easily, even if he suffered immense injustice. Even when Wen Mo Yu was involved, she hadn't seen Wen Mo Han cry. But today, he did.
"Mo Han, what you saw is not the truth." Xiao Man moved to Wen Mo Han's front, leaning against the door. "I didn't throw myself at him, nor did I kiss him intentionally."
Wen Mo Han didn't want Xiao Man to see him in such a pathetic state, so he quickly turned his back to her. This posture, however, made Xiao Man think that Wen Mo Han didn't believe her.
Xiao Man hesitated for a moment, then reached out and hugged Wen Mo Han's waist, resting her head on his back. Wen Mo Han's body stiffened immediately. He didn't know whether to turn around or continue facing away from Xiao Man.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad." Xiao Man's voice was soft. "His arrival was an accident, but I won't let him become an accident between us. The first time I saw you cry at Nanluo Mountain Villa, I told myself I would never let you cry again. But today, I broke my promise and made you cry again. I'm sorry, Mo Han."
The tears he had managed to hold back once again welled up because of Xiao Man's words. No matter what feelings Xiao Man had for him, at least she cared about him, followed him to explain when she found him upset, and considered his feelings.
Wen Mo Han turned around, pulled Xiao Man into his embrace, and cried uncontrollably. For so many years, he had restrained himself, cautiously approaching her step by step. Sometimes he made mistakes and caused her to avoid him. Whenever Xiao Man avoided him, his heart felt like it was being twisted, but he dared not show it. Now, he wanted to cry out all the grievances of these years.
"Man'er, I'm so afraid, so afraid you'll leave me, leave everything and go with the Prince of Qin. He is so outstanding, so outstanding that I feel ashamed of myself. But I still want to stay by your side, accompany you to achieve your great ambition, and see the world you desire. Man'er, am I too selfish?"
Xiao Man gently patted Wen Mo Han's back and softly comforted him, "It's not your fault. It's my fault for making you so insecure and full of worries."
Wen Mo Han held the person in his arms tightly, unwilling to let go, or rather, afraid to let go. He feared that if he let go, the person in his arms would disappear.
Nangong Yu stood outside, watching the silhouettes of the two embracing each other through the window paper. His fists clenched, his knuckles making unbearable cracking sounds from the excessive force.
"Your Highness, it's getting late. We should leave." Ye Yichen sighed. His Highness advised Xiao Man to see the truth, but he didn't realize that the one who couldn't see the truth was himself. When Xiao Man left Yusheng, she had already made her choice. She chose Wen Mo Han.
"Let's go." Nangong Yu turned and strode away, his eyes filled with determination. He would not let go, never. No matter the reason Xiao Man chose Wen Mo Han, he would not let go.
"Your Highness, where do we go next?"
"Beirong." Nangong Yu said calmly. "Spread the word that Yusheng will form an alliance with Beirong. I will go to negotiate."
Ye Yichen stared at Nangong Yu's retreating back in shock. "Your Highness, doing so will put you in danger."
"The alliance between Lanyue and Yunqi is unstable, and the internal strife in Yunqi is also nearing its end. With Murong Shengrui's personality, he will definitely not let Xiao Man go. For these two countries to truly form an alliance, unless Xiao Man marries into Yunqi."
A smile played on Nangong Yu's lips. At this moment, he suddenly felt that Murong Shengrui's existence wasn't entirely bad. At least, Murong Shengrui's presence could slow down Xiao Man's progress. He would wait. Wait until he fully controlled Yusheng and eradicated all the power of the National Preceptor. Then, he would come to bring Xiao Man home!
An inconspicuous carriage traveled through the night. The sheep horn lantern hanging in front of the carriage emitted a dim yellow light, appearing particularly lonely in the darkness.
All along, only the rumbling sound of the carriage wheels could be heard. There was no sound from inside the carriage.
Suddenly, the carriage shook, making a collision sound. The person driving the carriage seemed oblivious and continued to urge the horses forward.
Inside the carriage, Feng Tianlan was choking Cen Yu's neck, pressing him against the carriage wall. "Cen Yu, you're seeking death."
Cen Yu's face was flushed, but he forced a smile. "Why is the National Preceptor so angry? I was just saying it casually."
Feng Tianlan threw Cen Yu to the ground. Cen Yu looked somewhat dishevelled, but he didn't cry out in pain. Instead, he sat up cross-legged. "Everyone thinks the National Preceptor has deep affection for Xiao Man, his disciple. Who knew that Xiao Man would stab the National Preceptor without hesitation during the spring hunt? It shows that the National Preceptor is not that important to her."
"Shut up!"
Cen Yu watched Feng Tianlan's displeased expression with great interest. The National Preceptor had always been indifferent, but after being injured by Xiao Man, he seemed to have become a different person, like someone else.
"National Preceptor, have you ever thought about why Xiao Man poisoned you?"
"She didn't poison me," Feng Tianlan said coldly.
"Then why are you poisoned?" Cen Yu asked with a smile, as if the person who was almost strangled to death just moments ago wasn't him.
"Cen Yu, those who are too clever for their own good don't live long," Feng Tianlan said in a low voice. "Those who are too curious also don't live long."