The person who stopped the lady was none other than Qin Xue. Qin Xue was now the Pavilion Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Although she did not meddle in court affairs or the martial world, she held a significant position in both. To avoid exposing her relationship with Xiao Man, she could only offer subtle assistance even when Xiao Man was in danger.
The lady she dragged away was none other than the fourth concubine of the Prime Minister's mansion!
The fourth concubine tried to break free from Qin Xue's grasp, but Qin Xue’s hands were like iron claws, holding her tightly and dragging her away. She could only watch helplessly as she moved further and further from the Emperor.
The fourth concubine dared not make any excessive moves and was thus forced to leave with Qin Xue to hide in a secluded area. Other ladies and young ladies had already found safe places to conceal themselves.
Xiao Man saw that the clearing was almost complete, and the guards had surrounded the assassins, who were making a final desperate struggle. Xiao Zhen, with his son and daughter, stepped forward to plead for mercy from the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please punish this humble general. I failed to provide adequate protection, allowing villains to infiltrate the mansion and disturb Your Majesty."
"What crime have you committed, my loyal minister? These assassins were meticulously planned, making them impossible to guard against." The old Emperor saw clearly that these attackers had initially targeted Xiao Zhen. Only upon discovering him did they change their objective. "It seems that the barbarian lands indeed should be brought under our control."
"Your Majesty must have been startled." The National Preceptor remained nonchalant, as if the assassination attempt today had had no effect on him whatsoever.
"The National Preceptor has only recently returned and encountered such an event. It is I who should have been startled." The Emperor had always held the National Preceptor in high regard. In his eyes, the National Preceptor possessed immense power and had no ambition for political power, making him trustworthy.
A strange glint flickered in Xiao Man's eyes. You truly are an excellent actor. Everyone believes you to be ethereal and detached from worldly desires, but who would have thought that you are the one manipulating events from behind the scenes, stirring up trouble.
Suddenly, an arrow shot from an unknown direction, aiming directly for the old Emperor's vital spot. Everyone wanted to stop it, but it was too late. Xiao Man, being the closest to the Emperor, did not hesitate and shielded him.
"Your Majesty."
"Man'er."
Xiao Man lowered her gaze to the hidden arrow embedded in her chest. Blood trickled from the corner of her lips as she fell backward.
Xiao Zhen reached out to pull Xiao Man, but someone was faster. In a flash of white light, the National Preceptor was beside Xiao Man, catching her and quickly pressing several vital acupoints on her chest.
Xiao Zhen reached out to remove the dart, but was stopped by the National Preceptor. "Don't touch it. It's poisoned."
"Quickly send for the imperial physicians!" The old Emperor was also greatly alarmed. He seemed not to have expected Xiao Man to unhesitatingly step in front of him.
Nangong Yu clenched his fist and looked at Si Chen, motioning him to find Ye Qing. The secret of Xiao Man's body must not be revealed.
"Your Majesty, it is dangerous outside. Please return to the palace." Xiao Zhen was very worried about Xiao Man, but he understood that the Emperor was in greater danger outside and must be escorted back to the palace first.
"Your daughter..."
"Your Majesty's safety is more important," Xiao Zhen said calmly. "Your Majesty, please."
The old Emperor nodded, cast a glance at Xiao Man, and then returned to the palace with his entourage. His presence there would only invite more danger. As for Xiao Man's merit in saving the Emperor, rewards would be bestowed later.
The General's mansion's annual banquet, which was supposed to be a grand event, turned into an assassination attempt. The Great General's daughter saved the Emperor and was rewarded with the title of Princess Yongning. The Imperial Hospital was ordered to provide full treatment, while the Divine Capital Guard, the Ministry of Justice, and the Capital Prefecture were tasked with jointly apprehending the assassins. The Xian Le Pavilion was sealed, and countless barbarians were arrested and imprisoned, filling the prisons in an instant.
At the General's mansion, in the Water Moon Pavilion, the lights were bright.
Both Ye Qing and the National Preceptor wore grim expressions. Xiao Man had a special constitution, virtually immune to all poisons. Yet, this poison seemed specifically designed to target Xiao Man. A person who could not be poisoned was now poisoned, just like last time!
"National Preceptor, how is Man'er?" Xiao Zhen asked worriedly.
Feng Tianlan frowned, a sense of unease growing within him. For the past year, he had been in Yun Qi and had not paid much attention to the affairs of Yusheng and Lan Yue. However, the poison that Xiao Man had contracted made his heart pound.
"It's Yan Zi."
Xiao Zhen's body swayed, nearly falling. "Yan Zi, it's actually Yan Zi!"
"Father." Xiao Luo supported Xiao Zhen. "Sister will be alright!"
"What kind of poison is Yan Zi?" Chu Qingge asked, bewildered.
Feng Tianlan's brow furrowed, and he remained silent. Ye Qing explained, "Yan Zi is a rare poison originating from Lan Yue Kingdom. This poison attacks a person's consciousness and is specifically used for control."
"Is there no antidote?" Chu Qingge became anxious. If there was no antidote, wouldn't Xiao Man be doomed?
Ye Qing shook his head. "Yan Zi has no cure."
"No, it can't be. There must be a way to cure it." Chu Qingge shook her head in disbelief. "National Preceptor, you are omniscient. You can definitely save A'Man, right?"
Feng Tianlan gritted his teeth and handed Ye Qing a bottle of medicine. "I will find a way to save her. Stabilize the poison in her body until I return."
"Alright." Ye Qing took it and nodded. "I will do my utmost!"
After the National Preceptor left, Ye Qing remained by Xiao Man's side in the Water Moon Pavilion. Imperial physicians came and went, but in the end, they all shook their heads. They had no clue about the poison Xiao Man had contracted.
Nangong Yu was relentlessly investigating the poisoner, believing that finding the culprit would lead to the cure. Nangong Yu and Wen Mohan were also not idle, each searching for an antidote in their own way.
Three days passed. The National Preceptor had not returned, and they had made no progress. Ye Qing did not dare to rest for a moment, continuously researching the antidote. However, all his numerous attempts ended in failure.
As night fell, a gaunt figure stealthily entered the Water Moon Pavilion. Standing by Xiao Man's bedside, looking at her lying on the bed like a living corpse, a flicker of hatred crossed the figure's eyes. The figure reached out as if to end Xiao Man's life, but eventually retracted its hand.
"How could you be his disciple?" The visitor was none other than Wan Du Zi. Wan Du Zi had been counting on Xiao Man and Nangong Yu joining forces against Feng Tianlan. Unexpectedly, he learned that Xiao Man was Feng Tianlan's favored disciple. This was like a bolt from the blue, making him feel that all hope was lost.
He had tried to kill Xiao Man several times, but ultimately could not bring himself to do it. He was investigating, trying to find out who Feng Tianlan had harmed with the marrow-washing poison, what relationship that person had with Xiao Man, and whether it was worth Xiao Man betraying her own master. However, after a long investigation, he found no clues.
If Feng Tianlan had poisoned Xiao Zhen or Xiao Luo, then Xiao Man would surely be irreconcilably opposed to Feng Tianlan. But these two were alive and well, and had a good relationship with Feng Tianlan. He hesitated.
Kill, or not kill? Save, or not save? Wan Du Zi was in anguish, and after much deliberation, he finally produced the Purple-Robed Immortal.