The West Market was always the liveliest. In Bianjing's West Market, one could always gather all sorts of gossip. This place, with its mix of people from all walks of life and complex demographics, was where imperial decrees were issued and criminals punished, not just because news traveled fast, but also to better intimidate others.
Xiao Man sat at a wonton stall. The vendor had been out selling since the fourth watch, a time when most were deep in sleep. But for a living, they had to drag themselves from their dreams to set up stall and cook wontons.
Nangong Yu ordered two bowls of wontons. They sat opposite each other, yet remained silent.
Only when the vendor brought the wontons, steam rising and green scallions floating on the broth, a pleasing contrast of white and green, did Nangong Yu knit his brows.
Xiao Man picked up a spoon, scooped all the scallions from one bowl into the other, and then pushed the scallion-free wontons towards Nangong Yu.
A smile flickered in Nangong Yu's eyes. "Old Madam Xiao and the others are well. You needn't worry."
Xiao Man simply hummed a faint "mm." Old Madam Xiao remained in Yusheng. One reason was her age; she was unwilling to leave her homeland. Another was that Xiao Man did not wish to drag her on arduous journeys.
"Your third sister is a bit restless," Nangong Yu said, eating his wontons and looking at Xiao Man through the steamy haze, her features blurring. "She's snuck out several times."
Xiao Man ate her wontons, listening to Nangong Yu's casual talk. She couldn't recall the last time she had eaten wontons with him.
Nangong Yu didn't get a reply from Xiao Man, but he didn't mind and continued, "The former subordinates of the Xiao family, though implicated, are all fine. The Chu family, the Bai family, the Xue family are all doing well. That young fellow Xue Meng is about to become a father."
Mentioning becoming a father immediately brought Xiao Man to mind of Xiao Luo and Chu Qingge. Calculating the time, Chu Qingge should also be giving birth soon, and she would be an aunt.
"My sister-in-law is also due soon."
Finally hearing Xiao Man speak, Nangong Yu's face lit up with joy. "Yes, your sister-in-law is due soon. I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl."
"Boy or girl, she'll have to call me Auntie."
Nangong Yu's smile deepened. "Indeed, they'll all have to call you Auntie. Your sister-in-law is close to labor; have all the preparations been made? Midwife, doctor, not a single one can be missing. A woman giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell; one cannot be careless."
Xiao Man nodded. "All these, my brother prepared long ago."
"General Xiao is meticulous, so he would naturally have everything prepared," Nangong Yu said, subtly guiding Xiao Man to speak more. "Du Gu Mingyu is also of age. Once this matter is settled, his marriage should be put on the agenda."
Xiao Man thought about it carefully. It was true. Du Gu Mingyu was already twenty-five. Had it not been for the upheaval in the Du Gu family, he would have been married by now, perhaps even close to fatherhood. But now, he was constantly on the move, without a fixed abode. This made her feel both guilty and relieved.
"Du Gu Mingyu is steady and handsome. There must be many girls who like him. When the time comes, you can vet them for him and choose a wife who suits him."
"One who suits them must be found by themselves. What others choose is for the other person's satisfaction," Xiao Man said softly. "I don't ask for much, only that he be safe and happy."
"Xiao Man, can you give me some more time?"
Hearing this, Xiao Man slowly put down her chopsticks. "I've eaten my fill. You eat slowly."
Nangong Yu felt a hint of defeat. "I do not accept your choice."
Xiao Man did not argue. Her choice did not require anyone else's acceptance; her own acceptance was enough. She and Nangong Yu had never been on the same path. They both harbored ambitions, possessed aspirations, and desired the same things. And she was destined not to be someone who would give up everything for a man.
"I'm finished eating, I'll take my leave. You eat slowly." Xiao Man rose and departed, her steps unhurried but remarkably firm, just like her character. Once her mind was made up, not even ten oxen could pull her back.
Nangong Yu watched Xiao Man's retreating back, a wry smile curving his lips. After a long moment, he took a deep breath, put down a few copper coins, and headed in the opposite direction. Xiao Man was stubborn, and so was he. He had waited so many years, he didn't mind waiting a little longer. It was just that he feared it would all be in vain again.
As soon as Nangong Yu left the West Market, his path was blocked. Anger simmered in Nangong Yu's eyes. "Get lost."
Wei Wuji bowed. "Your Highness Prince of Qin, my master requests your presence."
Nangong Yu stepped over Wei Wuji, unwilling to deal with the master and servant.
"My master says it concerns the truth behind the Empress Dowager's demise back then," Wei Wuji's voice was thin and sharp. Even when he tried to lower it, it was unpleasant to hear.
"Not interested."
"Your Highness Prince of Qin should go. After all, Your Highness Prince of Qin and my master share a common enemy, and they are currently trying to protect the same person." Wei Wuji spoke unhurriedly. He wasn't worried about Nangong Yu refusing. If it were the Nangong Yu of the past, he wouldn't be so sure, but the current Nangong Yu had a weakness.
Nangong Yu stopped, pondered for a moment, then said, "Lead the way."
"Your Highness Prince of Qin, please." Wei Wuji led Nangong Yu to a small tavern. The tavern was unusually quiet in the early hours. Murong Sheng Rui sat at a table with several wine jugs scattered haphazardly, indicating he had drunk quite a bit.
Nangong Yu sat opposite him and said, "If you have something to say, spit it out."
Murong Sheng Rui picked up the wine jug before him and shook it. Hearing the sloshing sound within, he poured himself a cup. "Does the Prince of Qin know of the remnants of the First Qin?"
Nangong Yu narrowed his eyes. "Cloud Emperor, the remnants of the First Qin are a taboo. Surely the Cloud Emperor knows this."
"A taboo?" Murong Sheng Rui sneered. "The four great nations colluded and betrayed the First Qin, fearing that people would know they were shameless traitors who stole the throne. Thus, they made the First Qin a taboo, forbidding anyone to mention it, and slaughtered all the people of the First Qin. The First Qin truly raised a pack of good dogs!"
Nangong Yu frowned. "If you only want to say these things, then I will not accompany you."
"My mother was murdered, and it is related to the remnants of the First Qin," Murong Sheng Rui stated directly. "My mother was very curious about matters of the First Qin and had secretly collected many items unique to the First Qin. My mother's sword, Tian Qian, was the sword of the last emperor of the First Qin."
Nangong Yu had heard the rumors about Tian Qian. It was not surprising that Du Gu Man wore the sword of the First Qin emperor; it was just a weapon.
"While investigating the First Qin, my mother discovered something she shouldn't have," Murong Sheng Rui said faintly. "Someone feared that my mother would reveal the secrets of the First Qin to the public, so they devised a poisonous scheme, annihilated the entire Du Gu family, and murdered my mother."
"It was you who did all this, wasn't it? What, are you one of the First Qin remnants?" Nangong Yu asked sarcastically.