Xiao Man stood in Xiao Zhen's room, imagining him changing his clothes, only to accidentally discover a message, and then rush out to meet the appointment. Where would the note inviting him to meet be?
Xiao Man walked towards the wardrobe, picturing Xiao Zhen taking off his outer garments, finding the note, hastily putting on another set of clothes, and then leaving the room!
A spark of inspiration flashed in Xiao Man's mind. She immediately lit the oil lamp, crouched down, and peered under the bed. Indeed, she found a piece of paper in a corner under the bed.
Xiao Man picked up the note. It read: "Meet at Nanluo Villa, urgent."
"You found it?"
Xiao Man handed the note to Wen Mohan. Wen Mohan took it and said, "There's no signature. I don't know who invited the general out, but it's safe to say it was likely someone he knew."
"I've never seen this handwriting before. Ying Xue, please invite Uncle Lu over."
Steward Lu soon arrived. After paying his respects, he asked, "Miss, what are your orders?"
Xiao Man handed the note to Steward Lu. "Uncle Lu, you've known my father for many years and are familiar with those around him. Do you know whose handwriting this is?"
Steward Lu looked at the handwriting on the note, his face filled with disbelief. "This, this is impossible."
"Uncle Lu, do you know whose handwriting this is?"
Steward Lu nodded slowly. "But, it's absolutely impossible."
"Why?"
"This is Miss's mother's handwriting, but Madam has been dead for many years!"
"My mother?" Xiao Man was shocked.
Steward Lu nodded. "I still recognize Madam's handwriting. The general's study should have Madam's calligraphy. Miss can have someone retrieve it for comparison."
Xiao Man frowned. How could this involve her mother? Was there some secret involved in her father's murder?
"Could it be a forgery?"
"That possibility cannot be ruled out, but to imitate Madam's handwriting, one would have to be someone very familiar with her."
"Who were familiar with my mother?"
Steward Lu's gaze swept over Wen Mohan and Ling Xuan. "Madam's maternal relatives and the Grand Tutor."
"But on the day the General was murdered, the Grand Tutor was in the palace, playing chess with His Majesty all day and only left after the palace gates were locked," Ling Xuan immediately said.
"I wasn't suspecting the Grand Tutor."
"Then where were Madam Qin's maternal relatives from?" Ling Xuan asked curiously.
"My mother's entire maternal family is dead," Xiao Man said without hesitation. "There are no surviving relatives."
Steward Lu glanced at Xiao Man, then lowered his head, remaining silent.
Ling Xuan found it strange. Xiao Man's maternal family was wiped out? How did it happen?
"Is there a possibility that someone survived?"
"The entire clan was annihilated. How could there be any survivors?" Xiao Man rubbed her temples, her mind buzzing, making her extremely annoyed.
"Xiao Man, if you're going to conceal crucial information, we won't be able to continue investigating."
"You don't need to investigate this matter. You only need to provide me with the information I require," Xiao Man said without hesitation.
Ling Xuan was instantly angered. "His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Jingzhao Prefecture to apprehend the murderer. How can I not investigate? If you refuse to cooperate, then I won't provide you with any more information!"
Xiao Man stubbornly turned her head away, showing no signs of relenting.
Ling Xuan was furious and turned to leave. Wen Mohan did not stop him but handed a cup of tea to Xiao Man. "Whatever decision you make, I will support you."
Xiao Man held the teacup and said slowly, "Mohan, you've worked hard these past few days. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."
"It's my duty," Wen Mohan said softly. "I promised the General that I would take good care of you."
Hearing this, Xiao Man's eyes reddened. "Before Uncle Wen left the capital, he also told me that you always forget to eat when you get busy, and asked me to look after you. But in the end, it's you who's taking care of me."
"It's the same whether you take care of me or I take care of you," Wen Mohan said. Seeing Xiao Man take a sip of tea, he breathed a sigh of relief. "You haven't had a good night's sleep these past few days. Rest for a while first. Otherwise, your mind will be a mess, and even with a thousand threads of thought, you won't be able to untangle them."
"I don't want to sleep. As soon as I close my eyes, I see my father covered in blood..."
"Don't be afraid, I'll be here with you." Wen Mohan's voice was exceptionally gentle. Xiao Man felt her eyelids growing heavier, and the buzzing in her head disappeared.
Wen Mohan supported Xiao Man with one hand and caught the teacup that slipped from her hand with the other, placing it on the table. Only then did he carry Xiao Man to the bed, tuck her in, and pull up the covers.
"Light the calming incense and let her have a good sleep."
"Yes, Master Wen."
"Seal off the courtyard. No one is allowed to disturb her rest," Wen Mohan said, sitting by the bed, his heart filled with worry. "She hasn't closed her eyes for several days. If this continues, even an iron body would give out, not to mention her already delicate health."
"Yes."
Yin Zhu passed down the order, instructing the servants to close the courtyard gate. She personally lit the calming incense and then withdrew, waiting outside the room in case Xiao Man needed anything and there was no one to attend to her.
Xiao Man slept for a day and a night. When she woke, she saw Wen Mohan asleep by the bedside, with dark circles under his eyes. She then remembered that Wen Mohan had been helping to manage the household affairs and hadn't rested properly either, but she, consumed by grief over her father's murder, had overlooked him.
Xiao Man tried to sit up but felt weak and sore all over. She wanted to call for someone, but her throat was dry. When she reached for the water pitcher by the bedside, she accidentally knocked it over, waking Wen Mohan.
"Man'er!" Wen Mohan sat up abruptly. Seeing Xiao Man awake, he immediately helped her. "You're awake. Are you hungry? I'll have someone bring food in." Soudan Novel Network
"Water."
Wen Mohan helped Xiao Man lean against a pillow before pouring a cup of tea and feeding it to her.
Xiao Man smelled the aroma of the tea and found it very familiar. Within moments, she realized it was She Lan tea, her father's favorite, and the one always kept in her Shuiyue Courtyard.
After a few sips, Xiao Man shook her head, not wanting to drink any more. She leaned weakly against the headboard. Wen Mohan held her hand. "You had a fever last night. How do you feel?"
"A bit sore and weak all over."
"It's likely from being ill and not eating. You must be hungry. The kitchen has been simmering porridge all along, in case you woke up and wanted something. I'll have someone bring it in." Wen Mohan quickly called for someone to bring food.
Yin Zhu brought in the cooked porridge. Wen Mohan took it and personally fed Xiao Man. Xiao Man looked listless and didn't have much appetite, but she understood that if she didn't eat, her recovery would be slower. Moreover, she didn't want Wen Mohan to worry, so she forced herself to eat a little.