The imperial physician took out his pulse-taking tool and asked Xiao Man to sit by his side. As he felt her pulse, he was startled and quickly glanced at the Emperor, seeing that the Emperor was also looking at him. Composing himself, he took Xiao Man's pulse again.
"Imperial Physician Wang, how is Yongning's health?"
"Princess Yongning's body... is inherently weak. Today, she also rushed about, which has caused some fatigue. It would be best if she returns to her manor and rests well as soon as possible," Imperial Physician Wang said quickly.
"Is that so..." The Emperor hesitated. "Wash your face clean. I will have someone escort you back to your manor to rest well."
"Yongning thanks Your Majesty."
The palace maids brought hot water and helped Xiao Man wash her face and drink tea. The Emperor then ordered Xiao Man to be escorted back.
"Your Majesty, I can escort Man'er back to the manor."
"It's chaotic outside. What if you, a weak scholar with no strength to even truss a chicken, encounter rogue soldiers?" The Emperor's gaze swept over his son. "Fourth Prince, you escort Yongning back."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
"You two, stop lingering here. Both of you, go back. I am fine."
"Your son takes his leave."
"Thirteenth."
"Your son is here."
"Before leaving the palace, go and see your mother. She was quite startled today and is likely worried about you."
"Your son obeys."
Nangong Yu escorted Xiao Man out of the palace. Wen Mohan felt displeased, though he did not show it on his face. "Thank you, Prince Qin, for escorting us..."
"Father Emperor only ordered me to escort Xiao Man back to her manor," Nangong Yu interrupted Wen Mohan, his expression cold and his tone even colder.
Xiao Man acted as if she heard nothing and quickened her pace, putting more distance between herself and the two. Whenever these two were together, they would bicker. She used to think only women enjoyed verbal sparring, but it seemed men did too!
"Miss!" As soon as they exited the palace gate, they saw the General's manor's carriage waiting outside. He Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the Xiao sisters emerge safely. "It's good that you're alright."
"Is Father still busy?"
"The rebels have not all been apprehended, so of course, he is busy. He instructed me to wait for you here. Let's go home." He Qingyi bowed to the Prince of Qin. "Thank you, Your Highness, and Minister Wen."
Nangong Yu's expression remained unchanged. "Father Emperor ordered me to escort Xiao Man back to her manor."
With that, he reached out and grabbed Xiao Man by the collar, dragging her towards another carriage. "Get in."
Xiao Man did not resist and slowly climbed into the carriage. Wen Mohan attempted to follow, but Nangong Yu stopped him. Nangong Yu then sat on the carriage shaft himself, took up the reins, and gave a flick. The horse immediately galloped away, leaving everyone behind.
Seeing this, He Qingyi beckoned Wen Mohan to get into the General's manor carriage. However, Wen Mohan took a horse, mounted it, and quickly pursued.
When Wen Mohan caught up to the carriage, the driver had already been replaced by Si Chen. Nangong Yu was nowhere to be seen, presumably having entered the carriage. He couldn't help but frown but said nothing in the end.
Nangong Yu, still holding Xiao Man, watched Wen Mohan's horse gallop closer. "He's truly persistent."
Xiao Man crossed her arms, feigning indifference. "Your Highness, did you pull me out for a reason?"
Nangong Yu released Xiao Man, who immediately straightened her collar. No one would feel comfortable being grabbed by the collar. "There was quite a show in the palace today, very exciting. Too bad Your Highness didn't see it."
"Didn't I tell you not to put yourself in danger?"
"When did I put myself in danger?" Xiao Man said casually. "The moment trouble started, I found a place to hide. Is that considered putting myself in danger?"
"Why did you kill Jiang Yao?" Nangong Yu asked directly.
Only then did Xiao Man look at Nangong Yu properly. So, this person had been watching the show in the palace all along, and even knew she had secretly gone to kill someone. "Do you want the Imperial Guards?"
Xiao Man shook her head.
"Jiang Yao is a spy?"
Xiao Man frowned. She wasn't sure if Jiang Yao could be considered a spy. "Jiang Yao was once the commander of the Yun Qi Imperial Palace's internal guards, though he wasn't called by that name then."
A hint of shock flashed in Nangong Yu's eyes. The commander of the Yun Qi Imperial Palace's internal guards, now the commander of the Yu Sheng Imperial Palace's Imperial Guards. What was this man planning?
"Jiang Yao is an operative of the Yun Qi Emperor?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "Probably not. He... he is likely a subordinate of the State Preceptor."
Nangong Yu felt a chill run down his spine. What was Feng Tianlan trying to achieve? By planting his subordinates within the Emperor's personal guards, wouldn't killing the Emperor be as easy as flipping his hand?
"What exactly is he trying to do?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "I asked Wu You about his true identity, but Wu You refused to tell me. Now that Wu You is gone, I'm afraid only a handful of people know his true identity."
"Does your father know?"
"I've tested my father, but I'm afraid he doesn't know his true intentions." Xiao Man rubbed her temples. "I thought getting rid of Murong Sheng Rui would make things easier, but unexpectedly, one trouble leads to another."
"Could Lan Yue and Bei Rong also have people from the State Preceptor?"
"It's not impossible!" Xiao Man said slowly. "I have a feeling he's playing a grand game, with all four kingdoms on his chessboard, and we are merely pawns on his board."
"Who is the pawn is yet to be determined!" Nangong Yu said slowly. "The Heavenly Secret Pavilion received a commission that you might find interesting."
"What commission?"
Nangong Yu handed a painting to Xiao Man. "Qu Yang, the envoy from Yun Qi, secretly went to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and commissioned us with a hefty sum to find someone. You know this person."
Xiao Man opened the painting. It depicted a man in snow-white robes, his sleeves billowing. He wore a mask that concealed his face, but even so, Xiao Man recognized who it was!
"Qu Yang is investigating the State Preceptor?"
"Yes."
"Did you ask why?" Xiao Man was puzzled. Why would Qu Yang be looking for this person?
"We asked. He said it was an enemy!"
"An enemy?" Xiao Man sneered. It couldn't be. Feng Tianlan helped them eliminate the Duguo family and made Murong Sheng Rui the true emperor of Yun Qi. How could he be an enemy? They must have been lost without direction when Feng Tianlan suddenly disappeared and were looking for him everywhere for help.
"Should we tell them about the State Preceptor?"
"Paint a picture of the State Preceptor wearing a veil. Make sure to draw his eyes well," Xiao Man said slowly. "I want to see if they dare to look for him once they know who they are looking for!"
"Now that Murong Sheng Rui has returned to Yun Qi, your engagement to Wen Mohan..."
"The Yun Qi envoy is still here. If I break off the engagement at this time, wouldn't that solidify the accusation of me evading a political marriage by getting engaged?" Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "I didn't expect Duke Xue to ultimately choose his own daughter."
"A sister is naturally closer than a daughter." Nangong Yu walked alongside Xiao Man towards the General's manor. Dawn was breaking, and the sunlight streamed in, dispelling the darkness. "It's morning. Are you hungry? Let's go to the wonton stall in the morning market and have a bowl of piping hot wontons."