"Prince Qin, Young Master Wen, Miss Xiao, what are you all doing here?"
"Someone, go inform the Protector General and Uncle Xue, and summon a physician."
As the guards departed, everyone noticed that Xiao Man was bleeding from her eyes, clearly injured. The guards then brought out another person from inside, disheveled and flushed, struggling with all their might. The moment the guards loosened their grip, Xue Kun broke free.
Nangong Yu reached out and pulled Xiao Man to his side. Xue Kun, meanwhile, lunged towards the ladies and young ladies, looking deranged. In their panic, the ladies and young ladies tumbled over each other, a scene of utter disarray.
Xue Kun pounced, grabbing one of them and fumbling all over her, bringing her face close. If it had been anyone else, it would have been one thing, but Xue Kun was incredibly unlucky and lunged at Noble Consort Xian!
Noble Consort Xian tried to fend him off with her hands, screaming for someone to pull him away. However, under the influence of the drug, Xue Kun was immensely strong, and the maids were no match for him. With a ripping sound, Noble Consort Xian's chest garment was torn open, revealing skin as fair as jade, further inciting Xue Kun's frenzy.
The guards rushed forward to restrain him. Uncle Xue, who was visiting Prince Han's residence, rushed over upon hearing about his son's predicament. He arrived to see several people dragging his precious son and bellowed, "You curs, what are you doing?"
"My Lord Uncle, Young Master Xue has gone mad."
"You're mad! Let go!" Uncle Xue shoved the guards aside. As soon as Xue Kun was free, he lunged towards Uncle Xue.
Uncle Xue, being a seasoned courtier, was sharp enough to understand what was happening with his son. He twisted around, grabbed Xue Kun, and then seized a nearby maid, locking both Xue Kun and the maid in a side room.
"Uncle Xue, your household must provide this palace with an explanation for today's events!" Noble Consort Xian declared, before hurrying off to change. As an imperial consort, not only had she been taken advantage of by Xue Kun, but her clothes had also been torn in public. If this were to spread, her days of comfort in the palace would be numbered.
Uncle Xue snorted coldly and ignored Noble Consort Xian's threat. Cries for help emanated from the room. However, no one present moved. Xiao Man felt uneasy. Prince Han, Nangong Cheng, who had been drinking in the front hall, hurried over with his men upon hearing about the commotion and the need for a physician.
"What happened? Who is injured?" Nangong Cheng's gaze fell upon Xiao Man, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as if he hadn't expected Xiao Man to be the one injured. "Quick, examine Miss Xiao."
The household physician stepped forward to treat Xiao Man. Her eyes had been injured by poison. After cleaning the powder from around her eyes, the physician examined them carefully. Upon seeing the injury, he was a little alarmed and secretly glanced at Nangong Cheng.
"Doctor, how are Man'er's eyes?" Wen Mohan inquired anxiously.
"This..." The physician looked at Xiao Man with difficulty. "I am incompetent. Miss Xiao's eyes have been injured by poison, and I fear they cannot be recovered."
"Nonsense," Nangong Yu scoffed. "The foremost physician of our time, whose medical skills are unparalleled. Just because you cannot cure her does not mean there is no cure."
"This junior is indeed incompetent and cannot treat Miss Xiao's eyes. Perhaps the imperial physicians can."
"Quickly take my token and summon the imperial physicians," Prince Han ordered, his gaze lingering on Xiao Man with a hidden glint in his eyes.
"Man'er, how are you feeling?"
"Young Master Wen calls you so familiarly. Those who don't know might think you have some unspeakable relationship."
Everyone's eyes turned to Wen Mohan, who was holding Xiao Man's wrist with a look of genuine concern. They then turned to Prince Qin, who sat by, his handsome, immortal-like face etched with a stern expression, making it impossible to discern his emotions.
Wen Mohan tightened his grip on Xiao Man's hand slightly, but Xiao Man subtly withdrew hers, increasing the distance between them.
Wen Mohan's heart sank. He sat up straighter. "Man'er and I are friends. Is there anything wrong with caring for a friend?"
"Friends?" Prince Qin sneered. "Boys and girls do not sit together after the age of seven. A woman's given name can only be called by her parents and family, or by her female peers. Young Master Wen, as the son of the Prime Minister, surely you know this rule?"
Wen Mohan's expression remained unchanged. "Man'er does not mind my address. Why is Prince Qin questioning it here? Doesn't that seem presumptuous?"
Nangong Yu's gaze shifted to Xiao Man. She was expressionless, as if she hadn't heard their argument. The others also looked at Xiao Man, waiting for her response.
However, Xiao Man did not answer. She merely turned her head towards the door. Heavy, forceful footsteps approached, with a hint of panic. As soon as the person entered, their eyes immediately sought out Xiao Man.
"Man'er, are you alright?" Xiao Zhen, having heard that Xiao Man was in trouble at the Protector General's residence, rushed over.
"Father." Xiao Man remained seated and turned to Xiao Zhen. Her dark eyes reflected no images. She reached out to feel for Xiao Zhen's presence.
Xiao Zhen's eyes widened in shock. He waved his hand in front of Xiao Man, but she showed no reaction. Rage flared within him, and his hand instinctively went to the sword at his waist.
"Who did this?" he demanded in a furious yet restrained tone. Everyone present gasped. It was common knowledge that Xiao Zhen doted on and protected his daughter. Now that Xiao Man had been secretly harmed and blinded, if Xiao Zhen did not retaliate, he wouldn't be Xiao Zhen.
The palpable killing intent made everyone present tremble. Xiao Man, however, sat calmly on her chair. This time, no matter who was responsible, she would not let it go. After all, the attacker wanted more than just her eyes.
"It was Uncle Xue's son, Xue Kun!"
"Utter nonsense! My son was also ambushed and drugged. He was locked in the same room as Miss Xiao, but he endured it and did not offend her. This is clearly the instigation of someone with malicious intent!" Uncle Xue quickly explained. "General, you must not be used!"
"Who was it?" Xiao Zhen drew his sword and struck out, severing a pillar in the room. Everyone flinched in fear. They had no idea what had happened; they only knew that when they arrived, Miss Xiao's eyes were already in this state.
"General, when we arrived, Miss Xiao's eyes were already like this. And the person with Miss Xiao was Prince Qin and Young Master Wen of the Prime Minister's office." Someone immediately replied.
Xiao Zhen's gaze immediately fell upon the two of them. Prince Qin, unfazed by Xiao Zhen's killing intent, said with a detached air, "I inadvertently opened a secret room and discovered Xiao Man and Xue Kun locked inside. I rescued them. If you want to know what happened, you should ask my tenth brother, as this is Prince Han's residence, and Xiao Man was brought here by one of Prince Han's maids."