"I will naturally not let anything happen to her."
"With Dr. Ye's word, I am at ease." Wen Mohan cupped his hands in a bow. "Man'er is entrusted to Dr. Ye. I still have matters to attend to, and I will come to visit again tomorrow."
"Lord Wen, you are ultimately an outsider. The eldest young lady is of marriageable age. If Lord Wen visits her daily, it is inevitable that gossip will arise, damaging the eldest young lady's reputation. I implore Lord Wen to reconsider," Ye Qing said slowly. Unlike Wen Mohan, he was a physician and could visit daily, but Wen Mohan could not!
"Dr. Ye need not worry, I will take full responsibility." After saying this, Wen Mohan cast a deep look at the unconscious Xiao Man and turned to leave.
Ye Qing's face turned ashen. The implication in Wen Mohan's words was, to some extent, a provocation. How would he take responsibility? Marry Xiao Man? He, unworthy!
Ying Xue glanced at the displeased Ye Qing, then at the composed Wen Mohan departing. In this clash, the superiority was evident; Young Master Wen had clearly gained the upper hand!
In fact, Young Master Wen was kind and gentle, devoted to the young lady, and treated them, the servants, with amiability. He could also be a suitable son-in-law.
Of course, Prince Qin was also excellent. He held high office, possessed great martial skill, and was adept at strategy. He could be a powerful aid on the young lady's path of revenge, and thus an excellent son-in-law.
Ying Xue was troubled. Both men were excellent, and she did not know whom her young lady would choose as her husband. However, whoever she chose, it would ultimately hurt the other. Ying Xue felt a headache coming on.
Wen Mohan returned to the Prime Minister's mansion. Gui Yi knelt on the ground, afraid to move. He had received a severe beating and had only recently returned to Wen Mohan's side.
Some time ago, Wen Mohan had been staying in the Hanlin Academy day and night to compile historical records, not returning home for days. Gui Yi had not conveyed any news to him. Now, he knew he was in for more trouble.
Wen Mohan calmly perused the reference materials. Although he was worried about Xiao Man's safety, his primary duties still had to be performed.
Seeing that Wen Mohan remained silent, Gui Yi hesitated, unsure whether to speak. After a moment's pause, he honestly stated, "Miss Xiao was reported to have fallen into a coma two days ago. While Miss Xiao was unconscious, the Old Madam Xiao was sent to Cangzhou by General Xiao, ostensibly due to her ill health and a longing for her homeland, returning to recuperate."
In the room, Wen Mohan's voice could not be heard, only the rustling of turning pages. Gui Yi could not discern whether Wen Mohan was angry or not.
"Two days ago, the granddaughter of the He family visited the General's mansion. She should know what exactly transpired there, but this person is very tight-lipped and would not reveal a single word. However, my subordinate discovered that Miss Xiao's coma is related to Old Madam Xiao."
Wen Mohan's fingers tightened, gripping the book in his hand, preventing any emotion from showing. Old Madam Xiao, He Qingyi, and the deliberate suppression of this matter by the Xiao family – it was not difficult to infer that Old Madam Xiao had secretly attacked Xiao Man, leading to her comatose state.
Gui Yi stealthily glanced up at Wen Mohan. Seeing that Wen Mohan still did not respond, his heart pounded. "The Prime Minister withdrew Wen Ying. My subordinate does not know what is happening in the Prime Minister's mansion, and the Prime Minister also forbade us from sending news to the Hanlin Academy."
Wen Mohan had long harbored suspicions. The reason he had received the news so late must have been his good father's machinations.
"Young Master, your subordinate deserves death. Please punish me."
Wen Mohan withdrew a book from the bookshelf, placed it on the table, and began copying from it while still silent. Gui Yi no longer knew what to say and could only obediently kneel, desperately trying to recall if he had missed anything.
Wen Mohan continued his work quietly. Gui Yi was distressed. If only they could gather some news about Miss Xiao, perhaps the young master would not be so angry. But now, the General's mansion was guarded like an iron vault, not even a fly could get in, especially to Shuiyue Xiaozhu!
When Prime Minister Wen arrived, Gui Yi's legs had long since gone numb from kneeling. Prime Minister Wen glanced at Gui Yi kneeling on the ground and then focused his gaze on Wen Mohan.
"Still busy?" Prime Minister Wen sat down beside him.
After a perfunctory bow, Wen Mohan returned to his task, remaining silent. His expression revealed no unusual emotions, yet Prime Minister Wen knew that his son possessed true mastery of concealing his feelings; the calmer he appeared, the more furious he was.
"The imperial physicians say that the eldest daughter of the Xiao family will not survive."
"It doesn't matter." Wen Mohan finally spoke. Prime Minister Wen felt a surge of joy, thinking he was giving up.
"If she dies, I will follow her in death."
"You scoundrel!" Prime Minister Wen slammed the table in anger. However, Wen Mohan paid no attention, diligently working on his task. The compilation of the annals had to be completed sooner so he could have time to be with Man'er. "To be willing to live or die for a woman, is that your accomplishment?"
"For her, it is worth it."
"Worth it?" Prime Minister Wen chuckled. "Does Xiao Man love you? If she loved you as much as you love her, I would admit that what you say is worth it. But does she love you?"
Wen Mohan's expression remained unchanged. "My loving her is my business. Her loving me is something I must strive for; they are unrelated."
"You... you are simply incorrigible!"
"Man'er is in a coma. Was the Prime Minister's mansion involved?" Wen Mohan raised his head to look at Prime Minister Wen, his expression cold. His dark eyes lacked any glimmer of light, as deep and dark as water, as if they could drown everything in the world.
"I have no such leisure to deal with a mere young girl. It was that old madam from the Xiao family who did it." Prime Minister Wen sneered. "What good does it do for Xiao Zhen to dote on his daughter? Ultimately, it is the people within the General's mansion who can harm Xiao Man!"
"Indeed, a centipede dies but never stiffens. If it decays from within, it is utter ruin." Wen Mohan said softly, "I want to marry Xiao Man."
"She has become this way, and the imperial physicians say she has only a few days to live. You are the sole heir to the Prime Minister's mansion, and you must marry a terminally ill person?" Prime Minister Wen trembled with anger. If Xiao Man were intact, and he wanted to marry her, though he might be displeased, he would not have stopped him!
After all, Xiao Man was Xiao Zhen's weakness. To control Xiao Man was to control Xiao Zhen, and he could vent years of pent-up frustration. But now, Xiao Man was on the verge of death, comatose. What use was marrying her?
"She will not die. I will not let her die." Wen Mohan stated with calm composure. "Father, please rest assured. Nothing will happen to her."
Prime Minister Wen was both angry and anxious, yet helpless. "As you wish. Your wings have grown strong now; I cannot control you!"
Prime Minister Wen turned to leave, but after only a few steps, Wen Mohan called him back. "Take away your father's people as well. I do not need disloyal servants by my side."
Gui Yi's eyes widened in disbelief. The young master was abandoning him?
"Young Master, your subordinate was merely momentarily foolish. Please do not cast your subordinate aside!"