Nangong Yu arrived as the maid left, sitting quietly in the room.
Had he not reached out to catch a falling leaf about to land on Xiao Man's head, Xiao Man might not have noticed his presence.
"I was worried about you."
Hearing this, Xiao Man's expression faltered for a moment, seemingly surprised that the Prince of Qin would express his concern so directly.
"Your Highness, is Li Zhaoyao's death related to you?"
"The moment Li Zhaoyao left the Han King's mansion yesterday, she disappeared. My men had been searching for her but found no trace. By the time she was found, she was already dead."
"It wasn't you, nor was it me. Who else did Li Zhaoyao offend to meet such a tragic end?" Xiao Man was truly perplexed. Li Zhaoyao was a sheltered young lady and a郡主 (junzhu). Who would dare to torture her to death and then dump her body in the moat?
Nangong Yu silently sat beside Xiao Man. "I suspect she was killed because of what happened yesterday."
"It's related to the person behind the scenes who plotted against me?"
Nangong Yu reached out to Xiao Man. The way she looked when deep in thought always reminded him of someone. That person, when contemplating, had the same expression, with dark eyes so profound it was impossible to guess her thoughts.
"Either the mastermind killed her to silence her, or someone wanted to clean up the mess for the mastermind," Nangong Yu's voice was like a clear spring, refreshing and soothing. "The servant who took Xue Kun to rest was also silenced."
"Who was it at the banquet who got Xue Kun drunk?"
"Thirteenth brother."
"Nangong Yi?" Xiao Man was slightly surprised.
"These two have always been at odds. They had a drinking contest at the banquet, and both ended up drunk. Thirteenth brother's guards took him back to the Qi King's mansion, while Xue Kun was taken to a side room to rest."
Xiao Man nodded, appearing deep in thought. "When did I offend such a vicious person? If this person isn't caught, I won't be able to defend myself when they strike again."
"Didn't your father forbid anyone associated with the Han King from entering the General's mansion? What are you still worried about?"
"Your Highness, have you forgotten, there is someone in the General's mansion who has a very close relationship with the Han King."
Nangong Yu instantly understood.
Right, there was still Xiao Ling in the mansion. Although Madam Yan had been divorced, Xiao Ling remained the legitimate daughter. With Madam Yan's death, Xiao Ling's damage was minimized. Xiao Ling was usually reserved, but she was also a woman with considerable cunning.
"With your father's affection for you, it would be easy to have her expelled from the mansion."
"No, it's safer to keep enemies under one's watch. That way, every move they make is under my scrutiny. Xiao Ling returning to the General's mansion at this time is precisely what I want."
Nangong Yu smiled. Even though she was at a disadvantage, Xiao Man showed no fear, remaining full of confidence. "Your confident demeanor always reminds me of someone."
"Who? Is it someone Your Highness cherishes?"
"A woman I admired greatly, but alas... she is dead."
"To be admired by Your Highness, she must have been an extraordinary woman," Xiao Man asked with a smile.
"Yes, rare in this world. No matter when, she always wore a confident smile, as if everything was within her grasp and victory was assured. Unfortunately, she died at the hands of the person she trusted the most."
Xiao Man suddenly understood. Nangong Yu was referring to Dugu Man. The person she trusted the most? Su Dan Novel Network.
No, Murong Shengrui was never the person she trusted the most. Otherwise, she wouldn't have secretly transferred her power and set up a secret department. She was still wary of Murong Shengrui in her heart.
Power blinds the eyes. Her only mistake was underestimating Murong Shengrui and overestimating those around her, which led to her demise in a sea of fire.
"Your Highness, power blinds the eyes and confuses the heart," Xiao Man's voice was soft and gentle. "I hope Your Highness can maintain your original intentions after reaching the summit and treat your subordinates well. Otherwise, the vast empire is easier to conquer than to destroy."
"I can give you a promise: I will never harm you or those you care about." Nangong Yu placed a jade pendant into Xiao Man's hand. "This jade is a relic of my mother. I swear upon this jade that if I break my vow, may I die a terrible death."
Xiao Man held the jade pendant, a cold smile forming on her lips. "Your Highness, vows are useless. I don't believe in vows. Since I dare to say I support Your Highness, I am not afraid of you betraying me. Perhaps I am weak now, but one day, I will become someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with you."
"Good, I await the day you stand shoulder to shoulder with me." Nangong Yu's face lit up with joy.
In his eyes, Xiao Man saying she would become someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with him meant she wanted to be his wife, standing by his side, and viewing the world together. "Keep this jade pendant too. This is my promise to you."
"Alright, I'll accept it. If, one day, Your Highness breaks your promise to me, you cannot blame me for being heartless."
Qin Xue quietly infiltrated Shuiyue Xiaozhu, without alerting anyone.
"Your subordinate greets Miss." Qin Xue slipped into the room and knelt to pay respects.
"You're here." Xiao Man turned around. Her eyes were covered with a white silk blindfold, so she couldn't see. She extended her hand. "Get up quickly."
"Mistress, why have you injured yourself again? With their abilities, it shouldn't be so easy for them to plot against you." Qin Xue didn't understand why Xiao Man repeatedly injured herself.
"Qin Xue, feigning weakness is also a strategy." Xiao Man's lips curved into a slight smile. "The imperial capital of Yusheng is a place with complex powers, with undercurrents surging. If anyone stands out at this time, they will inevitably attract attacks from various forces."
"But Mistress doesn't need to injure yourself so many times."
"The Prince of Qin is powerful, the Prime Minister's mansion is a fence-sitter, swaying left and right, and the Protector General's mansion has always maintained neutrality. The other factions are each on their own. To break this situation, we must first pull the Prince of Qin into our camp. As for the Protector General's mansion... although it's unfair to Father and brother, the Protector General's mansion must be involved."
Qin Xue looked up at Xiao Man. It seemed her Mistress had deep feelings for the Xiao family father and son. However, the Xiao family father and son's protection of their Mistress was also sincere. Mistress had always been someone who repaid kindness and grievance fairly.
"Mistress injuring herself repeatedly is to make the Protector General's mansion actively involved?" Qin Xue asked, somewhat surprised.
Xiao Man did not answer immediately.
If there was anything that could make her father truly angry, it would be her being repeatedly plotted against and injured. Even though the Protector General's mansion maintained neutrality, it didn't mean they would allow others to bully them.
"Yes."