"Who dares, my people, who dares to snatch them?" Xiao Man served Wen Mohan dishes, "Mohan, I suspect Lan Ruoyu has a secret with the National Teacher, but there is no evidence yet."
"With the National Teacher's meticulous mind and ruthless methods, it's not impossible that he has spies in all four kingdoms. It's just that between Lan Ruoyu and him, there seems to be an ambiguous relationship that is hard to explain."
"When I met Lan Ruoyu, we fought. I took the opportunity to check her pulse. The reason she is childless is because she was given a drug to prevent childbirth." Xiao Man said slowly, "Who do you think could have given her the drug, or made her willingly drink it?"
"A man, and a man beloved by the Empress." Wen Mohan's eyes moved, "Are you suspecting the National Teacher of having an affair with Lan Ruoyu?"
"According to my investigation, Lan Ruoyu and my mother were originally very close, but later fell out over something. The only things that could make sisters fall out are power and men."
Wen Mohan nodded in agreement, "Are you suspecting a man?"
"At first, I thought it was power." Xiao Man said softly, "Until I met several male consorts of the Empress, I realized my idea might be wrong."
"Are these male consorts problematic?"
"The male consorts are not problematic. The problem is that these male consorts all bear traces of the National Teacher to varying degrees."
Wen Mohan suddenly understood. In love, when men and women cannot get what they desire, they often seek substitutes. Lan Ruoyu liked the National Teacher, but who did the National Teacher love? Man'er's mother? No, it wasn't. Wen Mohan recalled a scene he saw in the National Teacher's mansion: Xiao Man sitting on a chair crying, the National Teacher kneeling on the ground, flustered, carefully wiping away Xiao Man's tears with extreme gentleness...
"So Lan Ruoyu has feelings for the National Teacher."
"I'm afraid it's more than just affection. I suspect her purpose in bringing me to Blue Moon is to force the National Teacher back to Blue Moon."
"I remember you said the National Teacher was very close to your father and mother. Does that mean the National Teacher is from Blue Moon?"
"He is not only from Blue Moon, but also my mother's nominal imperial husband." Xiao Man said while eating, "But he has been with my father for so many years, even treating my father as a confidant. Why?"
"He doesn't love your mother."
"If he didn't love her, why did he protect me until I grew up?" Xiao Man asked confusedly, "And even took me away from Blue Moon and entrusted me to my father's care?" Sudannovel.com
"He needed a legitimate reason to disappear!"
That's right, if Feng Moran was the imperial husband of Blue Moon, then he was merely a woman confined to the harem. If Feng Moran left Blue Moon, he would be free to soar like a bird in the sky, and no one could confine his freedom.
If the Feng family were indeed descendants of the Qin Dynasty, Feng Moran would likely want to restore Qin. To restore Qin, he would have to contact the old troops of pre-Qin and develop his own forces. Only when the time was ripe could he raise the banner of rebellion.
"It seems his ambition is to restore Qin."
"I truly admire him. He is clearly greedy for power, yet he can appear as a detached, transcendent Buddha, like a hermit from another world. Such pretense and extraordinary mental fortitude."
"Indeed, wasn't I deceived by him quite badly?" Xiao Man thought of the massacre of the Dugu family and the death of Xiao Zhen. Whether in her past life or this life, she had not escaped Feng Moran's persecution!
"By the way, news from Yusheng indicates the National Teacher has been poisoned, and they say you did it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man's lips curved into a meaningful smile, "I didn't poison him. My weapons are only laced with poison on the hidden weapons, not on any other blades."
"Is he deliberately slandering you?"
"No, he is indeed poisoned, but the reason for the poisoning should be an accident." Xiao Man raised her hand, scratched her palm with her fingernail, and a bloodstain appeared, the blood gushing out, vibrant and dazzling.
Wen Mohan grabbed Xiao Man's hand and pressed a handkerchief to the wound on her palm, "Why hurt yourself? Don't you even care about yourself?"
"Mohan, his poisoning should be due to his wound coming into contact with my blood."
Wen Mohan was somewhat surprised, "Why would your blood poison him?"
"I asked Lan Qin to infiltrate Lan Ruoyu's library to investigate this matter. Lan Qin said that key pages were torn out. The reason couldn't be found immediately, but since he is poisoned, and Lan Ruoyu is so eager for him to return to Blue Moon, he will probably return soon. Then we will know the reason."
"If he returns to Blue Moon, can you suppress your hatred when you face him?"
Xiao Man smiled, "Of course. I will repay him a thousandfold for the pain he has caused me!"
The news of Xiao Man becoming the Princess of Blue Moon quickly spread across the four kingdoms.
When the Emperor of Yusheng learned of this news, his expression was extremely complicated. He never imagined that a mere woman could bring such great harm to Yusheng, almost causing its downfall.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine." Hu Wan entered with the medicine.
The old Emperor glanced at the dark liquid in Hu Wan's hand and frowned with disgust, "How is the Fourth Prince?"
"His Highness Prince Qin has saved his life, but the imperial physicians say he needs proper care." Hu Wan put down the tray and handed the medicine to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please drink the medicine."
"Drinking such bitter medicine every day, even a healthy person would get sick. Pour it out."
Hu Wan sighed upon hearing this, "Your Majesty, good medicine tastes bitter."
"You know I'm not sick, I'm just feeling unwell." The old Emperor waved his hand, signaling Hu Wan to take the medicine away. Hu Wan, helpless, could only pour it away. Ever since that young lady from the Xiao family betrayed Yusheng, His Majesty had become paranoid, seeing traitors everywhere.
"Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself."
The old Emperor smiled bitterly, "I never imagined that after I trusted her so much and doted on her, she would repay me like this."
Hu Wan remained silent. The Emperor's trust in Xiao Man was more about utilization than genuine affection. As for doting, it was only because of General Xiao. If he truly doted on her, it couldn't be said. However, as a servant, he dared not refute.
"Right, let the Grand Tutor in."
"Your servant obeys."
The Du family was implicated because of Prince Qi. However, Xiao Man's betrayal of Yusheng provided the Du family with an opportunity to rise again. Grand Tutor Du looked at the bright sunlight outside, his eyes narrowing slightly. The overly bright sunlight made him unable to open his eyes.
"Grand Tutor, His Majesty summons you."
Grand Tutor Du brushed the creases on his robe before stepping into the imperial study, "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise." The Emperor said slowly, "Now that Yunqi and Blue Moon have allied, our Yusheng is in peril. Grand Tutor, do you think an alliance with Beirong is feasible?"