"We refuse to accept this!" When everyone saw Wen Mohan standing unharmed on the stage, having won the match with ease, they cried out in protest, "This is cheating!"
Xiao Man took a sip of tea. "If you don't accept it, you can fight my sister again."
"She's a monster, how can we possibly be her match?" a man roared. But the moment the words left his mouth, Xiao Man slammed the table. Chopsticks flew out, piercing the man's cheek and embedding themselves into the nearby dragon-entwined pillar.
The man clutched his pierced cheek, screaming in agony. The Empress furrowed her brows, "Xiao Man, how could you..."
"I am fiercely protective of my own. Not to mention my people, even if a dog I kept in my manor was kicked, I would kick back twice as hard for it," Xiao Man's expression turned cold. "I know you all grew up as pampered children of wealthy families, but that doesn't mean everyone will coddle you. If you don't know your boundaries, I don't mind teaching you a good lesson."
"Princess certainly carries herself with great authority!" General Jing said sarcastically, "To openly harm someone in front of His Majesty."
Xiao Man cast a chilling glance at Jing Yujun. "If I can't even protect my own subordinates, what kind of Princess am I? Perhaps General Jing should be the Princess. When others bully your people, you can turn a blind eye; when others insult you, you can pretend not to hear. With your disposition, how do you command your soldiers? Is it by sheer shamelessness?"
Jing Yujun's face turned pale. "My intention was, he merely spoke carelessly, why did you have to injure him?"
"I've heard that General Jing has harbored rebellious intentions for a long time, wishing to overthrow the Blue Moon dynasty..."
"You are slandering me! Your Majesty, this humble subject has not! This is pure defamation!"
"General Jing, I am merely repeating what I've heard. Careless words, why are you in such a hurry to explain? Your attitude, on the other hand, makes it all the more suspicious."
Jing Yujun almost choked on her breath, her face flushing crimson. Why had she been so sharp-tongued? She knew very well that Xiao Man was not someone to be trifled with. Why had she gotten involved in this mess? It had nothing to do with her!
"I did not!"
"If the General says she didn't, then she didn't. They were just careless words, why should the General be so enraged?" Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Moreover, as the General herself said, they were careless words, why take them to heart?"
Jing Yujun finally understood what it meant to kill without drawing blood. With a single remark out of thin air, Xiao Man could make the Emperor doubt her loyalty. If the Emperor became even more suspicious, choosing to err on the side of caution and eliminate any potential threat, her entire clan's lives could be at stake!
Yao Ran silently drank her wine. She had already warned Jing Yujun not to provoke the Princess. She was difficult to deal with, but this person simply refused to listen, always believing Yao Ran was trying to harm her!
"Your Majesty, this humble subject..."
"Enough," the Empress interrupted Jing Yujun. "I know of your loyalty. Since Wen Langjun won, according to the rules, he is the Princess's chosen consort."
"I object." A voice rang out. Everyone saw a person walk in, clad in snow-white robes, with an ethereal aura. Who else but Feng Moran?
Nangong Yi was surprised to see Feng Moran. "National Master!"
Zhou Kang quickly tugged at him. This person was no longer the National Master of Yusheng. His status was far from simple now.
Xiao Man watched Feng Moran walk in slowly, a gentle smile on her face. "Master, why do you object?"
"How can the Princess's consort be someone from another country?" Feng Moran's voice lacked emotion, yet it carried an undeniable force.
"The Princess's consort cannot be from another country, but my consort can!" Xiao Man stood up, removing the crown from her head and placing it on the table. "This so-called Princess position, whoever wants it can have it!"
Xiao Man walked out. When she reached Feng Moran, her eyes were filled with grievance and confusion, but she gritted her teeth and said nothing. She grabbed Wen Mohan's hand, intending to leave.
"Stop!" the Empress commanded. "Do you treat the position of heir apparent as a child's play? To renounce it just like that?"
Xiao Man stubbornly turned her back to the Empress. Wen Mohan gently advised, "Don't be angry. If Feng Langjun says this, he must have his reasons."
"He clearly doesn't want me to have a good life!" Xiao Man said petulantly. "Ever since Master entered Tantai Palace, you've changed like a different person. You don't dote on me anymore."
Xiao Man's words felt like knives to Feng Moran's heart, causing him to turn pale with pain. Yet, he had to maintain his composure, not revealing the slightest crack in his facade.
"Those not of our kind are bound to have different intentions," Feng Moran gritted out. "He can stay by your side, but he cannot be your consort!"
"Those not of our kind are bound to have different intentions?" Xiao Man laughed, a bitter, mocking sound. "Are you mocking me, Feng Langjun?"
Feng Moran turned, looking at Xiao Man in disbelief. When had he ever mocked her?
"Have you forgotten, Feng Langjun? My father is from Yusheng. If we talk about those not of our kind, I am the first to be considered, because my father is from Yusheng!" Xiao Man said aggressively. "I am already considered a foreigner. It is only natural for me to marry a foreigner. As for this position of heir, I, a foreigner, am probably no longer suitable..."
"Enough!" the Empress interrupted Xiao Man. "My words are my bond. Since he won, he is your consort. Ar Yan, don't be stubborn. I look at this child, he's quite good, and it's rare that Xiao Man likes someone."
Feng Moran did not reply, merely gazing silently at Xiao Man. Xiao Man met his gaze unflinchingly. "You've changed. Ever since you entered the Imperial Harem, you've changed!"
The last trace of color drained from Feng Moran's face. In Xiao Man's eyes, he had become the Empress's pet, hence he had changed. But he hadn't!
"It's not me who changed, it's you who changed." Feng Moran walked away. Xiao Man had changed. He had been deceiving himself, thinking Xiao Man hadn't changed, still the child who clung to him. Now, he could no longer delude himself. Xiao Man had grown up, her wings had hardened, and she no longer needed his protection. She had learned to talk back to him, to oppose him!
Ultimately, he had made her path too smooth, making her believe that everything was within her grasp, making her feel that without him, she could still achieve everything she possessed. He would make her realize that without him, she was nothing!
Xiao Man did not look back. She knew that from this moment on, Feng Moran would target her. Very well. Let him direct his anger at her. If he always targeted those around her, even with her immense abilities, she would be unable to defend them all. She didn't want to lose anyone she cared about again.
"Man'er."
"I'm fine," Xiao Man squeezed Wen Mohan's hand. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Wen Mohan nodded slowly. He understood that Xiao Man was deliberately provoking Feng Moran, intending to draw Feng Moran's attention to herself, so that those around her could be safer.