"Do you need my help?"
"Make sure the imperial physicians cannot find out the condition of my body." Nangong Yu said slowly. "As the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince must not leave the imperial capital unless absolutely necessary. Prince Chu is weak and not suitable for long journeys. As for this King, who has been bedridden and suffering from a prolonged illness, the responsibility for quelling the Wuyue Kingdom will fall upon the King of Han."
Ye Qing knew nothing about court politics. His current concern was Xiao Man. Xiao Man had left with a displeased expression and had not allowed him to take her pulse. He wondered how she was now.
"You are still weak, rest well. I will also send Ruyu back first," Ye Qing instructed before rising to leave. A flicker of confusion crossed Nangong Yu's face. The taste of blood in his mouth, the words he vaguely heard—for some reason, Nangong Yu felt that something important had been overlooked by him.
What did he hear at that time? Nangong Yu fell asleep in confusion, wondering. What had Xiao Man said in his ear, and the sweet, bloody taste in her mouth—was it blood?
In his dream, Nangong Yu kept thinking about this question: "Nangong Yu, hang on! When I dug you out of that pile of dead bodies, it wasn't so you could die like this!"
Nangong Yu suddenly jolted awake. Dug him out of the pile of dead bodies? Xiao Man dug him out of the pile of dead bodies? When was this? It was clearly Dugu Man who had pulled him out of the pile of dead bodies!
Nangong Yu's thoughts raced. When Xiao Man was drunk, she had once said that he hid among the dead and cried, and the only person who knew this was Dugu Man!
Tian Gan recognizing its master, Du Gu Mingyu, Du Gu Luo, then the Red Feather Iron Cavalry, and the mechanical box in the hands of Zen Master Wuyou... Nangong Yu's breathing quickened. It seemed all the mysteries were being connected at this moment, due to an impossible guess!
Nangong Yu was frightened by his own idea!
However, only this way could all the questions be linked together!
The mechanical box in Zen Master Wuyou's hands was brought back by him ten years ago, belonging to an old friend of his. Zen Master Wuyou had stayed in Yunqi for three years. Tian Gan was a divine weapon, with only one master in a century, and it was impossible for it to recognize a second master.
Then there was Xiao Man's obsession with Du Gu Mingyu, not hesitating to risk her life to save him! They were not related by blood or acquaintance, yet she would sacrifice herself to save Du Gu Mingyu simply because of his potential value. This was absolutely impossible, unless Du Gu Mingyu was very important to her!
And then there was the Red Feather Iron Cavalry. An army that could only be commanded by their master, appearing in the Wuyue Kingdom with Xiao Man. This was no coincidence; they were summoned!
Xiao Man's reputation in the past was not good, but she was not one to seek attention. Although she was arrogant and overbearing, she would never provoke someone she couldn't afford to offend. When did she start to become like this, so sharp and prominent?
Nangong Yu recalled all the information he had investigated about Xiao Man. It began in March, and it was also in March that Dugu Man died. If he wanted to verify if his guess was correct, he only needed to find one person!
A gust of wind blew past, and the person on the bed had vanished.
The mountain temple in winter was exceptionally desolate. The heavy snow had stopped. Whether on the paths or on the trees, snow was piled high. A figure glided by like a light swallow. Branches swayed, and accumulated snow fell, making a pattering sound on the ground.
The sound of wooden fish emanated from the temple's meditation room, seeming exceptionally solemn and sacred. The tightly shut door was pushed open, carrying a cold wind, and a figure appeared before Zen Master Wuyou.
Nangong Yu waved his hand, and the door closed, blocking out the cold. Nangong Yu sat down opposite Zen Master Wuyou, placing the two jars of wine he was carrying on the table. He removed the stoppers, and a rich aroma of wine immediately spread. "The weather is cold, Master. Would you like to have a few cups of fine wine to warm yourself?"
Zen Master Wuyou continued to strike the wooden fish and chant Buddhist scriptures, as if he smelled nothing, heard nothing, and knew nothing.
"These two jars of Nu'er Hong were found with immense effort and expense. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they are worth ten thousand gold a jar. Master, won't you have just one cup?"
Zen Master Wuyou raised his eyelids, then closed them again. No, this fellow had brought aged wine from a century ago today. What he wanted to know was likely something of great importance, something he couldn't answer!
"Is Master not interested?" Nangong Yu brought the wine jars closer to Zen Master Wuyou, enticing him to swallow. Then, as if by magic, he produced a wine cup, poured a cup, and sniffed it carefully under his nose. "No wonder Master prefers Nu'er Hong. This century-old Nu'er Hong has a unique flavor. Just smelling it makes one feel intoxicated." Su Dan Novel Network
Wuyou's wooden fish striking grew faster. He couldn't be fooled. Absolutely could not be fooled. This brat was even more difficult to deal with than that little fox!
Nangong Yu's hand, holding the wine cup, moved slowly and steadily. The fragrant nectar flowed into his mouth, and the aroma of wine in the air grew even richer, making one want to taste what kind of intoxicating flavor century-old Nu'er Hong truly possessed!
Nangong Yu remained silent, drinking cup after cup. His pace was not fast, but not slow either. Zen Master Wuyou's mouth watered, but he was unwilling to yield so easily. He turned his head away, deciding to ignore it.
However, the wine aroma lingering in his nostrils refused to let him go. After careful deliberation, Zen Master Wuyou snatched the wine jar from the table. "No more drinking! You brat, do you want to die?"
"My poison has been resolved," Nangong Yu said slowly, setting down his wine cup.
"It's good that the poison is resolved. Drinking so much wine at your age is harmful to your health. Such harmful things should be left to us old folks," Zen Master Wuyou quickly took a sip. Delicious, truly delicious!
Zen Master Wuyou took another sip of wine, smack his lips with satisfaction. "As expected of a century-old brew, fragrant, mellow, and with an unforgettable aftertaste. To think you drank so much, you wasteful child!"
"I have come today to ask for your enlightenment."
"I am but a monk. How can I enlighten you?" Zen Master Wuyou pretended ignorance. "I know nothing."
Nangong Yu looked at Wuyou's feigned ignorance and wasn't angry. "I only have one question. I believe you can answer this question."
Wuyou squinted at Nangong Yu. A question he could answer, yet this brat brought out two jars of century-old Nu'er Hong? Impossible. This brat was setting a trap for him!
"It could be said to be a question you once answered for me. I merely wish to confirm it," Nangong Yu said slowly. He only needed to confirm one thing.
"What question?"
"It's about the mechanical box," Nangong Yu said slowly. "You once said that the mechanism was entrusted to you by an old friend."
"Yes."
"As far as I know, there are only three Ink Family mechanical boxes. One is in the hands of the Lan Yue royal family. Another is in the hands of the Ink Family's patriarch. Whether there are any other survivors in the Ink Family cannot be verified, so let's not discuss it for now. The third is in the hands of Empress Dowager Du Gu Man of Yunqi," Nangong Yu stared at Zen Master Wuyou's face. "And the person who took the mechanical box from you was Xiao Man."
Zen Master Wuyou's eyes flickered slightly. Had he finally realized?
Zen Master Wuyou's smile was as benevolent as that of Maitreya Buddha, but Nangong Yu found it very cunning. "I only want to know, are the person who entrusted you with the mechanical box and the person who took it the same person?"
Zen Master Wuyou did not answer immediately. Instead, he took a large gulp of wine and shook it. He found the wine jar was empty. "You brat drank so much. It's gone before I even had two sips!"
"Master, my question should not be difficult to answer, nor should it violate your principles."
Zen Master Wuyou sighed helplessly. "Do you really need to know?"
"I already know the answer." Nangong Yu's lips curved into a triumphant smile as he stood up and walked towards the exit. "I have already decided, no matter who she is, even if she is a demoness crawled out of hell, to me, she will only have one identity: the woman of my Nangong Yu!"
Zen Master Wuyou picked up the other jar of wine, removed the stopper, and inhaled the aroma, his face filled with delight. "Good wine, truly good wine."
"Master, please enjoy your drink. This junior takes his leave." Nangong Yu's figure flashed and disappeared into the snowy night.
The expression on Zen Master Wuyou's face gradually faded. He looked up at the dark night sky. The heavens were finally about to change. If the two could be of one heart and one mind, they might overcome all difficulties. He only feared that after so many betrayals, the two had already lost the ability to trust each other.
"Alas, all is fate," Zen Master Wuyou said slowly. "Everyone has their own destiny. You do, and she does too."