Nangong Yu's waist was pierced by a sharp object, tearing through flesh and blood.
Xiao Man's brow furrowed. She rummaged through her purse and took out an embroidery needle, stitching up Nangong Yu's wound and applying medicine, her movements swift and careful.
"Your Highness, it's done," Xiao Man said, finishing her work and taking out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from Nangong Yu's forehead. "Why did you jump down?"
Nangong Yu turned his head to look at Xiao Man, a bitter smile spreading across his lips. "If something were to happen to you, the General's mansion would surely fall into chaos."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. However, she had arranged for many people at Gan'ye Temple today, precisely to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Even if the Prince of Qin hadn't jumped down, she would have been fine. Her people would have found her soon.
"You took a risk. It would have been more advantageous to the situation if you had remained outside."
Nangong Yu knew well that remaining outside would have been more advantageous.
However, he absolutely could not allow Xiao Man to be alone with Nangong Cheng. Nangong Cheng's objective was to ruin Xiao Man's reputation and force her to marry the Tenth Prince. This was something he would never permit. No one, absolutely no one, could lay a single finger on her.
"This Prince, however, believes it is more advantageous to have come down with you," Nangong Yu leaned closer to Xiao Man and whispered, "This way, this Prince can escape all suspicion. This move, this Prince learned from you."
Xiao Man created some distance between herself and Nangong Yu. Nangong Yu had always suspected her relationship with Dugu Man, suspecting some collaboration between them, yet he was unaware that she was Dugu Man. And this was something she could not tell Nangong Yu.
"We need to find a way out. The Tenth Prince is likely in a sorry state right now," Xiao Man said slowly. "Heaven's wrath can be survived, but one cannot escape the consequences of one's own actions."
"What did he do?"
"Fire Charm Poison." Xiao Man rose and carefully examined the secret room. The fire starter wouldn't last long, and the air inside was limited. If they didn't find a way out soon, they wouldn't be able to hold on. They had to find an exit quickly.
"Nangong Cheng poisoned you with Fire Charm Poison!"
Xiao Man nodded. "Unfortunately, after being fooled once, how could I be fooled again? Fire Charm Poison takes effect in two hours. If, within two hours, no one outside finds him and provides an antidote, the poor Tenth Prince will suffer a reverse flow of blood and die."
Nangong Yu listened and shook his head. "I fear he has already been detoxified."
"Detoxified?" Xiao Man exclaimed in surprise. "Did someone else fall down?"
Nangong Yu nodded. In his anxiety for Xiao Man's safety, he had jumped down without a second thought. Wen Moyu had followed him, but they hadn't landed in the same spot. He suspected she was with the Tenth Prince, Nangong Cheng. "Wen Moyu."
Xiao Man's expression changed drastically. "Your Highness, it wasn't intentional. Nangong Cheng poisoned me, and I merely returned the favor. I never expected Miss Wen to fall down. Perhaps we should hurry and find an exit. Maybe we can still save Miss Wen."
Xiao Man sighed inwardly. It was over, it was all over. If Nangong Cheng succumbed to the poison and ruined the Prince of Qin's "white moonlight," would the Prince of Qin hold her responsible? And Wen Moyu, why did she have to fall down!
"Prime Minister Wen kept her for a reason, as a valuable asset. Now, by chance, the outcome may not necessarily be bad."
Xiao Man looked at him as if the Prince of Qin had gone mad. Your "white moonlight" was about to be defiled, and you're saying the outcome might not be bad? Do you truly like Miss Wen?
"Your Highness, this humble subject dares to ask, do you truly like Miss Wen?"
Nangong Yu was so angry his liver and lungs ached. "When has this Prince ever said he liked Wen Moyu?"
"You don't like her?"
"This Prince has long had someone he admires, and his heart will never change. How could he possibly like another?"
Nangong Yu stared at Xiao Man and said, word by word, "Apart from her, this Prince wants no one else!"
Xiao Man's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected the Prince of Qin to be such a passionate individual, devoted to one person. For someone of royal blood, this was truly rare and commendable. "The person who can receive Your Highness's undivided affection is truly blessed."
"But she doesn't seem to like this Prince."
"What?" Xiao Man exclaimed. "Is she blind? To not even like such a fine man as Your Highness?"
Nangong Yu coughed a couple of times, his gaze a mixture of amusement and thoughtfulness as he looked at Xiao Man. He chuckled, "This Prince also doesn't know if she's blind. In any case, it's a fact that she doesn't like this Prince."
Xiao Man listened and put on a look of exasperation. "Which young lady is so blind? Your Highness, tell me. Once we get out, I will surely give her two slaps to wake her up! Among all the princes, in terms of appearance, Your Highness is peerless. In terms of talent, no one can match you. In terms of power, Your Highness holds military authority and is exceptionally skilled in martial arts. In terms of wealth, you have the secluded paradise of Leling Villa. In terms of character, Your Highness dotes on only one person, a feat few men in this world can achieve. If she dares to look down on Your Highness, I'll be the first to object!"
Hearing this, Nangong Yu couldn't help but chuckle softly. If Xiao Man knew the person he was referring to was her, how would she react?
"Your Highness, why are you laughing? Hurry and tell me, which lady is so blind? Once we're out, I'll seek justice for you."
"That person, is far..." Before Nangong Yu could finish speaking, they heard a loud rumbling sound. Xiao Man immediately retreated to Nangong Yu's side, positioning herself in front of him.
Nangong Yu looked at Xiao Man. Xiao Man instinctively shielded him. Did she hold a place for him in her heart? He didn't ask for much, only for a corner of her heart. Yet, he was greedy, and after securing a corner, he wanted her whole heart. He knew Xiao Man was a poisonous poppy, yet he was addicted, unable to extricate himself.
Xiao Man, what am I to do with you?
The wall opened without warning, and guards appeared outside. The torchlight illuminated the entire room. "Miss Xiao, where is our Prince?"
Si Ye quickly darted in and saw Nangong Yu standing behind Xiao Man. "Your Highness, are you alright?"
"The Prince is injured."
"Amitabha, it's good that you're alright. Let's go out first," said the voice of Monk Wuyou. "The outside is in chaos."
Si Ye helped Nangong Yu up, and Xiao Man followed behind. They walked out. Xiao Man scanned the crowd, unable to see the Tenth Prince or Wen Moyu, and immediately inquired, "Have the Tenth Prince been found?"
Si Ye, who was supporting Nangong Yu, paused. His expression was slightly unnatural as he replied, "Miss Xiao need not worry. The Tenth Prince was found before you. Miss Wen was also found. They have already gone out, and both of them... are unharmed."
Xiao Man heard this and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, that they are unharmed."
Si Ye's expression was complicated. It would have been better if they were injured. Wen Moyu's life was ruined, and the Wen family would likely not let this matter rest!