Dongfang Wei led people to find the secret chamber's entrance and opened the door, allowing Xiao Man and the others to come out. Xiao Man supported Wen Mohan as they walked out. In the darkness, Wen Mohan's breathing grew increasingly heavy, and his body felt heavier, almost completely leaning on Xiao Man. Xiao Man held Wen Mohan's arm with one hand and his waist with the other. Even though spring clothes were not as thick as winter ones, they were still substantial. Yet, Xiao Man could feel the heat emanating from Wen Mohan's body.
The sound of panting grew clearer in the secret passage, and Wen Mohan's steps slowed. Dongfang Wei, holding a torch, walked ahead. Hearing no movement from behind, he couldn't help but turn back. "What's wrong?"
Xiao Man decisively pressed Wen Mohan's acupoints and called Dongfang Wei over for help to carry Wen Mohan out. However, the Huomei poison was inherently potent. Xiao Man's silver needles could only suppress it temporarily. Cen Yu was right; if he wasn't detoxified soon, it would cause irreversible damage to Wen Mohan's body.
"What should we do?" Dongfang Wei looked at Wen Mohan, who lay on the bed with bulging veins and flushed skin, and asked Xiao Man, "Should I go find a girl for him?"
"It's the middle of the night, and we're outside the city. Where would I find a girl?"
"There are respectable women in the nearby villages. Given his status, those women would surely be willing." Dongfang Wei walked out. "You wait here, I'll be back soon."
Wen Mohan felt pain all over his body, as if his blood was boiling, scorching every inch of his skin. "Man'er... kill me..."
"Don't talk nonsense. It's just the Huomei poison. You'll be fine when Dongfang Wei returns," Xiao Man quickly said. "Endure it a little longer."
Wen Mohan's eyes were blood red, staring blankly at Xiao Man. A single tear slid from the corner of his eye. She ultimately didn't understand his heart. Death held no fear for him; the one person he desired was her alone.
With his acupoints pressed, Wen Mohan was unable to move. His body felt as if countless ants were gnawing at him. However, the physical pain paled in comparison to the pain in his heart.
Wen Mohan tried his best to force a gentle smile for Xiao Man, but the agony twisted his face into a grimace. A trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. Xiao Man was startled and grabbed Wen Mohan's chin. "What are you doing?"
Tears continued to stream from Wen Mohan's eyes as he spoke intermittently, "Man'er, you can... not love me, but... please don't... humiliate me, otherwise... I would rather die."
"At a time like this, why are you so stubborn?" Xiao Man said, somewhat exasperated.
Wen Mohan remained unmoved. If he couldn't have what he desired, he would rather have nothing!
"The lady has arrived!" Dongfang Wei was remarkably efficient and indeed brought a girl back. The girl was rather pretty, with a round face that looked very cheerful. "I bought her for ten taels of silver, to be Lord Wen's concubine."
Wen Mohan's eyes snapped open, and he glared ferociously at Dongfang Wei, as if he were about to devour him. Dongfang Wei flinched back, not understanding what he had done wrong to earn such a ravenous gaze. But before he could speak, Wen Mohan suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning ashen, as if he were at the end of his rope.
"Is... is he alright?"
Xiao Man's hands trembled. In a moment, she made a decision. "Get out, guard this place, and don't let anyone come near."
"What about this girl?"
"Take her back where you found her!" Xiao Man flicked her sleeve, sweeping them both out. The door closed automatically. Dongfang Wei took several steps back before steadying himself. The girl stumbled, nearly falling, and he quickly reached out to help her.
Once she was steady, the girl looked at Dongfang Wei blankly. "Young master, can I... can I go home now?"
"Go home, go home. Someone, escort her back." Dongfang Wei looked at the closed door and couldn't help but grumble inwardly. If she was going to handle it herself, why did she make him run around looking for someone? What a hassle!
Cen Yu, who was unceremoniously pinned to the ground, watched Dongfang Wei being driven out. A complex, indescribable smile flickered across his lips. He knew that when it came to ruthlessness, Xiao Man was no match for Wen Mohan. All his life, anything he wanted, he got!
"Congratulations, after years of plotting, you have finally achieved your desire!"
In the dungeon, Xiao Man stared coldly at the obstinate Cen Yu.
"We have plenty of time. You can take your time to think. When I lose my patience, I'll send you to Lan Xiao Pavilion as a male escort," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "Do you like the gift I gave you?"
"Gift?" Cen Yu looked at Xiao Man in confusion. After a moment, he finally understood. It was the poison Xiao Man had given him, making it impossible for him to live or die, and even suicide was a luxury. "You are quite skilled."
"I have always adhered to the principle of 'I don't offend others if they don't offend me; if they offend me, I will retaliate a hundredfold'," Xiao Man said, crossing her legs with a leisurely posture. "Now that you've fallen into my hands, death is impossible. As for living, it won't be easy either. I am best at tormenting people. You can try my methods."
Cen Yu chuckled indifferently. "I have already experienced your methods. I don't wish to experience them again." Sudan Novel Network
Xiao Man crossed her arms, looking at Cen Yu with interest. "Now, you can talk about the real matter."
"When do you and Mohan plan to get married?" Cen Yu inquired.
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged. "Do you want to taste the Huomei poison?"
Cen Yu shook his head. "No. Let's talk about serious matters. The truth is quite interesting, and I'm curious to see what expression you'll have when you know the truth."
Xiao Man remained unfazed, her expression still calm. The credibility of the truth Cen Yu spoke depended entirely on her own judgment.
"I presume you've already found out that Princess Qi, Du Yulan, was involved," Cen Yu said. He knew Xiao Man wouldn't believe his words, so he had to start with the truth she had already uncovered for her to believe what he was about to say!
"And then?"
"Du Yulan stabbed your father three times. You must know the exact locations of those three stab wounds, as you invited the best coroners from Jingzhao Mansion to conduct the autopsy." Cen Yu sometimes truly admired Xiao Man. In other families, when the patriarch died violently, they would never allow an autopsy, as they considered it an insult to the deceased. But Xiao Man did not. She immediately called for a coroner, ordered the scene sealed off, and searched for clues with terrifying calmness and rationality.
Xiao Man's eyes deepened slightly, and she quietly looked at Cen Yu. "You were also involved."
"No, I was just watching from the sidelines," Cen Yu said with a smile. "I didn't do anything to harm him from beginning to end. If I have any fault, it's that I stood by and did nothing."
Xiao Man believed this. Cen Yu was a person who highly valued his reputation. He did all sorts of evil deeds, but he never did them himself. He wouldn't personally kill anyone. Such a person was psychologically twisted and the most terrifying.
"Continue."