The place where Xiao Man and the others fell was a secret chamber in Gan Ye Temple, previously used for refuge and to protect important individuals. Somehow, the mechanism was triggered today, causing them to fall.
Emerging from underground, Xiao Man noticed the sky had turned to evening. "How long were we in the secret chamber?"
"Nearly two hours. Judging by the time, it's almost time for the flower offering," Nangong Yu said calmly. "Who is offering flowers today?"
The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes finally settling on the Prince of Qin and Xiao Man.
Since Wen Moyu and the Tenth Prince were unavailable, the Prince of Qin and Xiao Man had to serve as the golden boy and jade girl for the offering.
"You two are to be the golden boy and jade girl for the flower offering. However, His Highness the Prince of Qin seems to be injured. Will he be able to proceed with the offering?" a随行 official asked cautiously.
"It's nothing serious, just a superficial wound."
"In that case, please have His Highness the Prince of Qin and Miss Xiao change their attire."
The statue of the Seventh Imperial Consort was located by Caiyun Lake in Di Jing. After changing, Xiao Man and the others had to rush back to the city to avoid missing the time for the flower offering.
Ying Xue hesitated several times but ultimately said nothing. After assisting Xiao Man in changing her clothes, Xiao Man and the Prince of Qin boarded a carriage together and headed for Caiyun Lake.
"Your Highness, your injury..."
"It's nothing. Haven't you already tended to it?" Nangong Yu said gently. "On the contrary, you should be careful not to reopen your wound. You were injured in a vital spot and have not fully recovered, so you need to rest well."
"Your Highness, rest assured, my body is fine." As she spoke, Xiao Man glanced at Nangong Yu's waist. Seeing no blood seeping out, she breathed a sigh of relief. Fearing the Prince of Qin might move too much and aggravate his wound, she fumbled in her sachet and offered a pill to his lips.
Nangong Yu opened his mouth and took it. His lips brushed against Xiao Man's palm, the slight coolness startling her, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
"When offering flowers later, Your Highness, please be extremely careful not to strain your wound."
"I will be mindful," Nangong Yu nodded in agreement. Caiyun Lake was already teeming with people, all waiting to see this year's golden boy and jade girl for the flower offering. As the carriage approached, cheers erupted from the crowd.
"Huh? Why are the Prince of Qin and Miss Xiao the golden boy and jade girl this year? They aren't a pair."
"You don't know this, do you? The Prince of Qin's group and Miss Xiao's group received an equal number of flowers. For fairness, one person was chosen from each group to present the flowers, which is why His Highness the Prince of Qin and Miss Xiao are presenting them together."
"Ah, I was hoping to see the Prince of Qin and Miss Wen offering flowers."
"Miss Xiao isn't bad either; her beauty is no less than Miss Wen's."
"But Miss Xiao has a reputation for being arrogant and overbearing. If she's not careful, she might lash out!"
"Surely not. Today is Qixi. Even Miss Xiao wouldn't dare whip someone today."
As they spoke, the Prince of Qin and Xiao Man joined hands and ascended the flower offering platform.
Nangong Yu took a red string, and Xiao Man picked up fresh flowers. They were to tie the red string onto the flowers and present them to the Seventh Imperial Consort's hand.
Nangong Yu's fingers were long and elegant. The red string in his hand made his hands appear even more fair and slender. Xiao Man held the flowers, allowing Nangong Yu to tie the string.
Nangong Yu tied the red string to the flowers, then made a knot at the end and tied it to Xiao Man's finger. He then cut the string, and with a sweep of his long sleeve, petals flew. Xiao Man soared amidst the falling petals, resembling an immortal ascending to heaven, about to ride the wind away. Su Dan Novel Network.
Nangong Yu's heart tightened. He instinctively reached out to grab Xiao Man, but only managed to brush against the hem of her clothes. The soft, smooth touch slipped through his fingers, and in an instant, Xiao Man had placed the flowers in the Seventh Imperial Consort's hand and leaped down from the statue.
Nangong Yu's lips curved upwards. He leaped into the air and caught Xiao Man, who was descending, embracing her slender, almost fragile waist. They slowly landed amidst the rain of flowers, their eyes meeting, a hint of affection flowing between them.
The commoners below were mesmerized. The Prince of Qin was stunning, and Miss Xiao was also exceptionally graceful. To see them together was like a divine couple, an exquisite sight.
"His Highness the Prince of Qin, Miss Xiao!"
The crowd below cheered enthusiastically, calling out their names. Countless fresh flowers were thrown from below. At this moment, Xiao Man's heart pounded faster. The Prince of Qin possessed an innate charm; even if he did nothing, his face alone was enough to drive people wild.
Xiao Man admitted that at this moment, her heart was stirred.
However, this feeling was quickly crushed in its nascent stage. She repeatedly reminded herself that His Highness the Prince of Qin already had someone he loved; he only wanted that one person.
Nangong Yu glanced at the fervent crowd below, his arm around Xiao Man's waist not loosening. He took Xiao Man and soared into the sky, truly arriving with the wind and departing with it, disappearing from the eager gaze of the populace.
Prime Minister Wen's Residence.
Wen Mohan sat on the steps outside Wen Moyu's room. Inside, Wen Moyu's screams continued to echo, piercing his eardrums and his heart. Wen Mohan clenched his fists and pounded them against the steps, his hands bleeding, yet it could not quell the pain in his heart.
The scene of them finding Wen Moyu replayed in his mind: Wen Moyu pinned beneath the Tenth Prince, covered in wounds. The look in Wen Moyu's eyes was one of utter desolation, as if her purity had been violated, robbing her of the will to live.
But upon seeing the Prince of Qin and Xiao Man, unharmed and smiling, riding in a carriage as the golden boy and jade girl for the offering, the broken doll that was Wen Moyu seemed to be profoundly stimulated. She shrieked and clawed at herself as if trying to peel off her own skin.
Xiao Man and the Prince of Qin standing together were indeed a perfect match. This scene had not only stimulated Wen Moyu but also him. His own sister had feelings for the Prince of Qin, and he had long been irrecoverably in love with Xiao Man.
"Han'er," Prime Minister Wen said, his face ashen. Wen Moyu was his trump card. He had deliberately delayed her betrothal to make her the empress. He never expected her to be ruined by the Tenth Prince!
The Tenth Prince was only backed by the Ministry of Rites' mansion, which lacked deep influence. The Tenth Prince had less than a tenth of a chance of seizing the throne, yet it was this Tenth Prince who had ruined his obedient daughter.
"Father," Wen Mohan's eyes were red. He struggled to suppress his tears.
He hated his own powerlessness, and he hated the Prince of Qin even more. If not for the Prince of Qin, why would his sister have jumped down? If Yu'er hadn't jumped, she wouldn't have suffered the Tenth Prince's brutality!
Yet, deep down, Wen Mohan harbored a secret relief that the Prince of Qin had jumped. If the Prince of Qin hadn't jumped, Xiao Man would have ended up with the Tenth Prince!
The thought of what happened to his sister possibly happening to Xiao Man tore at his heart, causing him unbearable pain. A thought flickered through his mind: it was fortunate it was Yu'er. For this, he felt immense guilt and torment.