Wen Mohan couldn't help but laugh, "When did I become a sickly beauty?"
"Look at yourself now, your face is pale, looking exactly like a frail beauty. If you were to clutch your chest, you'd be the very picture of Xi Shi herself," Xiao Man struck a pose, mimicking Xi Shi clutching her heart.
"Oh, you dare to tease me!" Wen Mohan finally caught the teasing tone in Xiao Man's voice. He immediately curled his fingers and began to tickle her armpits. Xiao Man, unable to bear it, struggled incessantly, and the two of them tumbled onto the ground.
Xiao Man laughed until tears streamed from her eyes, glistening at the corners of her eyes. Her clear, autumn-like pupils seemed to hold a myriad of emotions. Wen Mohan, propping himself up with his hands on the ground, looked at Xiao Man, his heart pounding.
The distance between them closed, their breaths mingling and touching each other's faces. Wen Mohan tentatively drew closer, first with a touch as light as a dragonfly skimming water. Seeing Xiao Man's lack of resistance, he dared to truly draw near. He had always exercised restraint, even with this long-awaited sweetness, savoring it bit by bit, like sipping the most potent aged wine, carefully appreciating every nuance of its flavor.
"Master, something has happened!" Ying Xue burst in from outside in a hurry.
Xiao Man immediately looked at Ying Xue, "Why the haste? It's unbecoming!"
Ying Xue glanced at their positions, then at Xiao Man's flushed lips. It wasn't difficult to imagine what they had been doing, and her face turned red. However, this was not the time for blushing.
"Master, the caravan belonging to the Shangguan family head has gone missing!"
Xiao Man quickly sat up straight, while Wen Mohan remained kneeling on the ground. Both looked at Ying Xue simultaneously, "What do you mean missing?"
"It means they, along with all the goods, have vanished. It's as if they disappeared into thin air. The boss received the news and has already rushed to the scene."
Shangguan Jin's caravan, en route to Lan Yue, had disappeared while passing through Xing Tang Road.
Xing Tang Road was a crucial trade route. Originally, it was barren land. Later, with the opening of trade routes by Yun Qi, connecting four kingdoms, caravans frequently passed through, giving rise to Xing Tang Road. It began as a resting place for traveling merchants, and eventually developed into a prosperous town. Yet, it was in this prosperous town that Shangguan Jin and his caravan vanished without a trace.
Worried about Shangguan Jin's safety, Qin Xue had no time to report to Xiao Man before rushing away from the border to search for him on Xing Tang Road.
"Man'er, don't worry too much. The Shangguan family head will surely be fine." Wen Mohan saw Xiao Man changing into a set of tight-fitting clothes and understood at once that she intended to go to Xing Tang Road herself.
"Xing Tang Road is a peculiar place. Qin Xue cannot control the people there, so I must go in person." Xiao Man put on a human skin mask, instantly transforming into an inconspicuous pageboy, ordinary in appearance, even concealing her demeanor. If she were thrown into a crowd, she would be indistinguishable.
Wen Mohan couldn't help but sigh at Xiao Man's exquisite disguise skills, "Every time I see your disguises, I'm astounded."
"No matter how I disguise myself, you can always recognize me accurately," Xiao Man replied. "My disguises are useless before you."
"That's because, no matter how you change, in my eyes, you are always as I envision you. That's why I can always recognize you." Wen Mohan held Xiao Man's hand. "I will guard the Imperial Princess's Estate until you return."
Xiao Man patted the back of his hand, then handed him a mechanical box. "While I'm away, do not enter the palace for any summons, especially from Feng Mo Ran."
"Alright."
"If the Empress summons you, claim you are ill and bedridden," Xiao Man instructed. "Chu Xue will impersonate me and handle court affairs daily. She can fool others, but not Feng Mo Ran."
"You suspect something has happened to the Shangguan family head, and he is involved?"
Xiao Man felt a vague sense of unease. If this matter truly involved Feng Mo Ran, then his summoning her away from Bianjing meant he intended to do something. If he wanted to tamper with things within the capital, he wouldn't need to draw her away. Therefore, the reason for doing so must be that he intended to harm those close to her!
"If he is involved, then your staying in Bianjing is quite dangerous," Xiao Man said with concern. However, she couldn't take Wen Mohan with her. If Wen Mohan also left Bianjing, everyone would know she had left, and those who had long wished to kill her would undoubtedly redouble their efforts to catch her outside.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Wen Mohan reassured her. "Although I don't know martial arts, I'm not someone who can be bullied."
Xiao Man remained uneasy and handed Wen Mohan a signal flare. "Yan Yuqing and Dongfang Wei have both been deployed. Dongfang Wei is out in the open, while Yan Yuqing is working in secret. Additionally, outside Bianjing, I have stationed a troop. If an emergency arises, ignite the signal flare, and they will do their utmost to escort you out of Bianjing."
"Will your trip be dangerous?" Wen Mohan asked with concern, not for his own safety, but for Xiao Man's.
"I have brought many people with me. This trip is solely to rescue someone. With Chu Xue diverting attention from the outside, no one will notice me. You are the only one I worry about."
"You forget, I am the heir of the Wen family, not some helpless scholar." Wen Mohan said confidently. "I also possess the means for self-preservation. Don't treat me like a fragile porcelain doll. I wish to stand by your side and face the storms with you, not hide behind you and enjoy peace."
Xiao Man couldn't help but smile. "Indeed. How could I forget? Scholar Wen is exceptionally intelligent, possesses a keen mind, and is full of stratagems. It won't be easy for those people to scheme against you."
"Now you know. Go with peace of mind. I will guard the Imperial Princess's Estate and await your return."
"Alright." Xiao Man packed her things, preparing to leave stealthily.
"Man'er." Wen Mohan called out to her as Xiao Man was about to leave.
Xiao Man stopped and turned back, "While I'm gone, you must take your medicine on time every day. I have already instructed Yin Zhu, three times a day, and not a single dose should be missed. Also, in the bedside cabinet, I have prepared preserves for you. Once your preserves are finished, I will be back."
Wen Mohan was deeply moved and swallowed the words he was about to say. He took a step forward and said, "I will wait for you to return."
Xiao Man walked back, hooked her arms around Wen Mohan's neck, and kissed him on the lips. "Wait for me to return, and I'll have a surprise for you."
Wen Mohan touched his lips, a silly grin on his face. Wei Feng saw this and couldn't help but shake his head, "The poison is quite severe."
Yin Zhu glanced at Wen Mohan's expression and chuckled, covering her mouth. "It's rare to see young Master Wen like this."