The carriage reached Shili Pavilion, and Zhou Kang suddenly reined in his horse. He opened the carriage door and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, it's Princess Yongning!"
Nangong Yi, whose mood had been low because Xiao Man had not come to see him off, perked up at the news. He leaned out eagerly and saw Xiao Man in military attire, standing in the Shili Pavilion where wine and food had been prepared. Nangong Yi jumped off the carriage and hurried over.
"I thought you no longer considered me a friend."
Xiao Man invited Nangong Yi to sit and poured him a full cup of fine wine. "I waited here specifically to see you off. Who knows when we'll meet again after this parting. I wish you a safe journey and that all your wishes and hopes come true."
"Thank you for your kind words." Nangong Yi raised his wine cup and drank it in one gulp. "Xiao Man, I'm sorry. And, please be happy. Don't harbor any hatred. I love seeing you smile the most – bright, carefree. I hope your smile never changes."
After seeing Nangong Yi off, Xiao Man intended to return to the military camp. However, on the way back to the city, she encountered Nangong Yu, who had been waiting for her for a long time.
Nangong Yu was wearing a simple white robe that made him look as fair as snow. A hint of melancholy seemed to touch his brow. "I've been waiting for you for a long time. Are you returning to the military camp?"
Xiao Man remained seated on her horse, her gaze fixed on Nangong Yu. Cen Yu's words echoed in her mind. Even though she reminded herself repeatedly that Cen Yu was untrustworthy, the precedent set by Murong Shengrui made her wary of trusting the man before her too much.
Seeing Xiao Man's silence, a hint of pain seemed to surface in Nangong Yu's starlike eyes, but he suppressed it with great effort. "It's been a while since we played chess. Play a game with me."
Xiao Man remained silent for a moment, then dismounted and got into the carriage.
Nangong Yu pushed the white pieces toward Xiao Man. "You usually prefer to play black. Let's switch today."
"Either is fine." Xiao Man took the pieces and placed the first move as if she intended to compete fiercely.
The carriage began to move slowly. Nangong Yu glanced up at Xiao Man and placed his next piece. "Your thirteenth brother has left the imperial capital. Are you reluctant to see him go?"
Xiao Man acted as if she hadn't heard. She placed her piece unhurriedly. "Leaving is the best choice for him. If he were to remain in the imperial capital, I couldn't guarantee that I wouldn't hurt him."
Nangong Yu's hand paused as he placed a piece. "You wouldn't hurt him."
"That depends on the circumstances," Xiao Man said, looking at Nangong Yu. "If he were to fool around as usual, I naturally wouldn't hold it against him. But if he were to cross my bottom line, even after many years of friendship, I wouldn't let him off lightly."
Nangong Yu opened a drawer in the carriage and took out a box of pastries, placing it beside Xiao Man. "Jade White Jade Pastries from Bazhen Pavilion."
Xiao Man picked one up, took a bite, and frowned slightly. As she made her next move, she said, "It still tastes the same, but for some reason, it doesn't feel as fragrant in my mouth."
Seeing Xiao Man set aside the half-eaten pastry and not touch it again, Nangong Yu felt a growing sense of unease. "Lately, you haven't come to see me proactively."
"You are a prince with military power, and I am a favored minister of His Majesty. I should avoid suspicion." Xiao Man's excuse was perfect, yet Nangong Yu sensed a growing distance in it.
"Are you trying to distance yourself from me?" Nangong Yu's gaze was sharp as he stared intently at Xiao Man and asked.
Xiao Man's expression was calm, revealing no flaws. "A'Yu, do you know what you remind me of right now?"
"What do I remind you of?"
"Like a woman in the inner chambers who has been wronged. You're upset because you feel neglected and are constantly questioning yourself. You wonder if you haven't done enough, why he hasn't come to see you, if you've done something wrong, why he still hasn't come." Xiao Man spoke unhurriedly.
Nangong Yu's mouth twitched, leaving him momentarily speechless and unable to refute Xiao Man.
Xiao Man glanced at Nangong Yu and continued, "It seems that men, like women, can be jealous, envious, insecure, and doubtful. Men in a woman's position are no different from women."
"Nonsense!" Nangong Yu retorted. "How can men be like women in the inner chambers, only knowing how to compete for favor all day long?"
Xiao Man rested her chin on her hand, watching Nangong Yu with amused interest. "Then what are you doing right now?"
"Playing chess!"
"Just playing chess?" Xiao Man's eyes seemed to hold many secrets, inexplicably making Nangong Yu's heart tighten.
"More than just chess!" Nangong Yu gritted his teeth. "A couple of days ago, you and Wen Mohan disappeared simultaneously. Did something happen?"
"Cen Yu captured Mohan and lured me to rescue him." Xiao Man calmly put down her chess piece, placed her hands on her chin, and looked at Nangong Yu. "And I also learned some things I didn't know from him."
"What things didn't you know?"
"A woman named Qin Gu." Xiao Man said slowly. "The woman my father went to see at Nanluo Villa was this woman named Qin Gu."
"Who is Qin Gu?"
"It would be good if I knew who she was." Xiao Man looked at the chessboard. "You've already lost. Do you want to continue?"
Nangong Yu hesitated, then finally placed his piece back into the container. "How would Cen Yu know who your father was going to see?"
"He said he was also at Nanluo Villa at the time."
Nangong Yu suddenly understood why Wen Mohan had asked him that question. It seemed Wen Mohan had learned from Cen Yu that he had been to Nanluo Villa. Did Xiao Man know?
"Can what he said be trusted?"
"If he tells one true sentence in ten, we should thank his conscience. His words are yet to be verified. Whether this Qin Gu even exists is debatable." Xiao Man picked up the chess pieces and put them back into the container, saying this.
Nangong Yu frowned. Xiao Man appeared too calm. But the calmer she was, the more terrifying the situation she was brewing. From his understanding of Xiao Man, her calmness was merely the illusion before a storm.
"Xiao Man, are you hiding something from me?"
Xiao Man looked up at Nangong Yu and smiled. Her smile was pure. "A'Yu, your question has stumped me. After all, I have many secrets I don't want people to know. Anything I don't want known is considered hidden. What exactly do you want to ask, A'Yu?"
"I... I just feel like something is off with you lately."
Xiao Man placed the last chess piece into the container and closed the lid. "A'Yu, will you lie to me?"
Nangong Yu fell silent. He couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't lie to Xiao Man. When he needed to achieve certain goals, he would selectively deceive others, and Xiao Man was included among them.
"I can guarantee that I won't hurt you."
Xiao Man lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. So, I was still lied to? You think not hurting me is enough, but you don't realize that lying is also a form of harm. Never mind, I have my own secrets. We will never be able to be completely honest with each other.
At that moment, the carriage stopped. Si Chen's voice came from outside. "Princess, we have arrived at the Imperial Guard Camp."