In the Dant Tai Palace, Feng Mo Ran's hair was disheveled, his robes casually draped over his body, his pair of demonic phoenix eyes filled with frost.
"Young master, would you like to wash?" The attendant cautiously approached. This master looked like an immortal, but was too cold, so cold as to be almost inhuman.
Feng Mo Ran placed the note in his hand onto a nearby flame and ignited it. He then rose to go to the hot spring. The attendant serving him wanted to follow, but the door suddenly closed, nearly catching his nose.
"Young master, this servant will wait outside. You may call for me anytime if you have any instructions."
Feng Mo Ran did not speak, and the attendant dared not enter rashly. He stood by the door respectfully. Although this young master had a bad temper, who could blame them? His Majesty was doting on him.
In the hot spring, Feng Mo Ran closed his eyes, leaning against the edge of the pool. His mind was filled with the news he had just received: Shu Xuan was dead, succumbing to his severe injuries. However, what truly saddened him was not Shu Xuan's death, but the message Shu Xuan had brought back.
"Zhu Xiu."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Do you think I did wrong?" Feng Mo Ran asked softly.
"Master, you can do no wrong."
"Was I too lenient with her? Did it make her think that no matter what mistake she made, I would not punish her?"
Zhu Xiu immediately understood that Feng Mo Ran was referring to Xiao Man. Feng Mo Ran was exceptionally indulgent towards Xiao Man, usually giving her minor punishments and never showing true anger.
"The Imperial Daughter is still young and easily instigated," Zhu Xiu said neither positively nor negatively. In his opinion, although Xiao Man was young, she was not easily instigated. However, at this moment, the master was asking this question, likely not seeking the truth.
"Who do you think instigated her?"
"Anyone who could instigate the Imperial Daughter must be someone close to her."
Feng Mo Ran's eyes snapped open. "Someone close..."
Zhu Xiu remained silent. His master was not a magnanimous person, yet he was exceptionally lenient with the Imperial Daughter. Unfortunately, the Imperial Daughter did not understand what she was doing, repeatedly crossing the master's boundaries. This was not a good thing.
"When is the Imperial Daughter's wedding day?"
"Reporting to Master, it is the ninth day of the ninth month."
"The Double Ninth Festival, quite a good day," Feng Mo Ran's lips curved into a smile. "I should give her a grand gift as a wedding present. What do you think would be suitable?"
Zhu Xiu was unsure of Feng Mo Ran's intentions. "Is Master angered by the Imperial Daughter?"
Feng Mo Ran glanced at him. "Which eye of yours saw me angered by her?"
Zhu Xiu lowered his head, staring at the ground. He was clearly angered, yet he refused to admit it. "Does Master wish to give the Imperial Daughter a reminder?"
"Her wings have grown strong now, she no longer listens to my words," Feng Mo Ran said wistfully. "I remember her when she was little, so cute. If I said go east, she went east. If I said go west, she went west. Now that she's grown, she insists on going against me."
"Master, our people have been attacked recently. Should we deal with this matter first? Envoy Tan died mysteriously, and the left and right envoys also met an innocent end. The one plotting behind this is likely not to be underestimated."
"Nangong Yu is too much of an eyesore." Feng Mo Ran submerged himself entirely into the hot spring. Only when he could no longer hold his breath did he surface. "Tell Nangong Yan, no matter what means he uses, bring Nangong Yu back to Sheng Jing."
"Yes, Master."
"As for Murong Sheng Rui, let him stay here," Feng Mo Ran said softly. "He is a sharp and excellent knife. Used well, he is invincible."
"Master, the young emperor of Yun Qi is unpredictable and may not be easily controlled by us. Furthermore, this person frequently goes back on his word and cannot be trusted."
"I don't need to trust him." Feng Mo Ran raised his arm and placed it on the edge of the pool. His fingers curled, tapping lightly on the ground. "I only need him to follow the path I've designed."
"Please instruct Master."
Feng Mo Ran hooked his finger. "Find Cen Yu. This matter requires utilizing Cen Yu."
"Master, Cen Yu has a close relationship with Wen Mo Han. Although the two have fallen out now, in this subordinate's view, he might not be able to bring himself to harm Wen Mo Han."
"I know he won't be able to," Feng Mo Ran's lips curved into a cruel smile. "What I want is for him to leak the information."
"Yes, this subordinate will attend to it immediately."
After Zhu Xiu left, Feng Mo Ran's gaze swept towards a corner, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes, but well hidden. "Next time you sneak in, don't wear so much makeup. The vulgar stench of powder can be smelled from afar, it can't even be masked by this steam from the hot spring."
A red-clad woman, her face veiled, emerged from the corner. "Greetings, National Preceptor."
"I thought you were already buried in the flames."
"Fortunately, I am still alive." The woman removed the veil from her face, revealing a pure face. It was none other than Du Yu Lan. However, the current Du Yu Lan, while retaining her pure appearance, now had an indescribable charm in her eyes and brows, which ruined her pure temperament, making her appear somewhat seductive.
"What are you doing here?"
"To cooperate with the National Preceptor." Du Yu Lan picked up the bath scrub nearby and knelt by the pool, intending to scrub Feng Mo Ran's back. However, Feng Mo Ran grabbed her wrist and forcefully threw her into the pool. By the time Du Yu Lan climbed out of the pool, Feng Mo Ran had already dressed.
Du Yu Lan was not angry, letting the water slide down her cheeks, adding to her allure. "National Preceptor, you and I have a common enemy."
"I don't recall having any enemies."
"The National Preceptor dislikes Wen Mo Han, and coincidentally, so do I." Du Yu Lan climbed out of the pool. Her light garments, now soaked, clung to her body, outlining her exquisite figure.
"You are mistaken, I quite admire him."
Du Yu Lan wiped the water from her face. "Why must the National Preceptor deceive himself? You detest him, detest him to the point of wishing he would disappear. And I also wish for him to disappear. However, Xiao Man is quite wary of me, and approaching her is not an easy task."
Feng Mo Ran sneered. "Whatever you wish to do, I will not help you. Please excuse yourself."
"National Preceptor, you are not helping me, but yourself." Du Yu Lan walked towards Feng Mo Ran, but stopped abruptly when Feng Mo Ran looked at her. She had almost forgotten that Feng Mo Ran disliked anyone approaching within three feet of him.
"National Preceptor, after King Qin finally left, Wen Mo Han has arrived. The flowers that the National Preceptor has painstakingly nurtured are about to be plucked away. Is the National Preceptor content with this?"
"Du Yu Lan, you talk too much."
Du Yu Lan covered her mouth and laughed, her smile laced with indescribable mockery. "Although the National Preceptor hides it well, Yu Lan is an experienced person. How could she not see the affection in the National Preceptor's eyes? It's not just me who has seen it. Nangong Yu and Wen Mo Han have also seen it. Otherwise, why do you think these two are instigating the relationship between you and Xiao Man?"