Nangong Yan returned to the imperial capital, and the situation there began to become increasingly unpredictable.
Tonight's welcome banquet was more than just a simple welcoming feast. At the banquet, the Emperor observed the ministers' attitudes towards the Prince of Chu, but their attitudes left him quite disappointed.
In the imperial study, the old Emperor's expression was extremely grim. Eunuch Hu brought a sobering soup: "Your Majesty, have a bowl of sobering soup."
The old Emperor took it and took a sip. "How is the Prince of Chu?"
"He summoned his physician upon returning to his manor and drank a lot of wine. His body couldn't take it."
The old Emperor angrily placed the sobering soup in his hand on the table. "These ministers have great skills. Knowing that the third prince is not well, they kept forcing him to drink. Do they really think I am dead and cannot see?"
Eunuch Hu remained silent, standing by with his head bowed. Although the Prince of Chu had been away from the imperial capital for many years, His Majesty doted on him, and his absence from the capital was a form of protection.
"Hu Wan, what do you think of Xiao Man?" After a moment, the old Emperor calmed down and asked gently.
"Miss Xiao is straightforward, her martial arts are exquisite, and she is greatly favored by the Great General. Naturally, she is an excellent match."
"Hmm, she is straightforward, and the third prince is also gentle." The old Emperor picked up the sobering soup and drank another sip. "These two are quite well-matched."
Hu Wan raised an eyebrow. Did His Majesty mean to betroth Miss Xiao to the Prince of Chu? Would the Great General agree? After all, the Prince of Chu was frail and sickly and might pass away at any moment. Given the Great General's devotion to his daughter, he was unlikely to agree.
"It's just that Xiao Zhen will not find it easy," the old Emperor seemed to understand that Xiao Zhen would not agree to marry his beloved daughter to the Prince of Chu. He sighed with worry. "The third prince has only just returned to the imperial capital. Let's postpone this matter for a while. Perhaps he has a woman he likes."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Oh, right. Send some medicine to the Prince of Chu's manor, and also send a trustworthy imperial physician. The third prince's health is poor; he cannot be without an imperial physician attending to him." A hint of heartache flashed in the old Emperor's eyes. Regarding the Prince of Chu, he had, after all, let him down.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Prince of Chu had just returned to his manor when rewards followed. Nangong Yan had already gone to rest and did not rise to express his gratitude. Eunuch Hu was not angered; he quickly instructed that the Prince of Chu should not be disturbed and then departed.
Zhu Yun saw Eunuch Hu out before returning. The Prince of Chu's room was still lit. Zhu Yun knocked and entered. "Eunuch Hu has left. His Majesty sent many rewards, which have been cataloged and stored in the treasury. Does the young master have any other instructions?"
"Go to the treasury and select a valuable gift that a girl would like. Tomorrow morning, you will personally deliver it to the General's manor for Xiao Man," Nangong Yan said slowly. "Consider it a return gift for the hangover medicine she gave me."
"Yes, young master."
"Also, select another valuable gift and send it to the Prince of Qin's manor for my fourth brother. By the way, give each of the princes a souvenir that I brought back from Jiangnan."
"Understood, young master."
"Also, investigate Xiao Man's preferences," Nangong Yan's gaze fell on Zhu Yun. "And investigate her relationships, especially with my fourth brother."
"It seems the young master is particularly concerned about the Prince of Qin."
Nangong Yan's lips curved into an arc. "He, like me, lost his mother at a young age. I was poisoned and became weak, forcing me to flee to Jiangnan for safety. He, however, fought his way out alone. Among so many siblings, if there is anyone who would not try to kill me, it would only be him."
"Does the young master wish to befriend the Prince of Qin?"
Nangong Yan did not answer immediately. Befriend him? There is no kinship in the imperial family. He merely hoped that Nangong Yu would not focus his attention on him too soon. Nangong Yu, with his own abilities, had attained his current position. How could he be someone content to be subordinate? Moreover, the Crown Prince was mediocre; the position would go to the most capable.
"For now, it is not advisable to be his enemy."
"Your subordinate understands. I will go and prepare."
Nangong Yu returned to his manor with a puzzled expression. Nangong Yan's timing was too perfect, as if he had predicted Xiao Man's return to the capital and deliberately waited for her on the road.
"My lord, shall we retire?" Si Chen inquired.
Nangong Yu took off his outer robe, washed his face, and his feet. His face was still filled with doubt. "Si Chen, have Tianji Pavilion investigate what Nangong Yan was doing in Jiangnan for these ten years."
"Yes, my lord."
"Where is Qing Ti?"
"He will reach the imperial capital within these two days. The Saintess of Wuyue Kingdom has been taken away by Miss Xiao's people." Si Chen looked confused. Xiao Man had hidden too deeply. This time, during their trip to Wuyue Kingdom, she had even mobilized the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry. For them, the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry was equivalent to enemy forces. Si Chen was now on guard against Xiao Man.
"This matter need not be attended to."
"My lord, the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry is no trivial matter. You cannot overlook this." Si Chen reminded Nangong Yu. Even if Nangong Yu liked Xiao Man, if Xiao Man were colluding with Yun Qi, then Xiao Man would not be fit to be the mistress of the Prince of Qin's manor!
"I do not wish to investigate her affairs, nor do I want to pry," Nangong Yu said gently. "None of you should investigate either."
"My lord, this is no longer just her personal matter. All signs indicate that she is colluding with Yun Qi, and may even have defected to Yun Qi."
"Hush!" Nangong Yu's face showed displeasure. "She would never defect to Yun Qi!"
"Then how does my lord explain her ability to mobilize the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry? My lord doesn't truly believe her excuse, do you?" Si Chen said agitatedly. "My lord, have you forgotten how many of our brothers died at the hands of the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry?"
Nangong Yu was silent for a moment. "I have not forgotten. It was merely each serving their own master; we were all compelled. In my opinion, her ability to mobilize the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry is a good thing for us."
"A good thing?" Si Chen was confused. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry was Yun Qi's guardian deity!
"Of course, it is a good thing. When Du Gu Man was still alive, the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry was Yun Qi's guardian deity. But the Emperor of Yun Qi himself cast aside this life-saving trump card. The current Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry is Yun Qi's death knell!"
"But we still need to clarify the relationship between Miss Xiao and the Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry."
"I will get to the bottom of this, you can rest assured."
"I am just afraid that when my lord meets her, he will forget about this matter."
"Are you saying I am blinded by lust?"
"Your subordinate dare not," Si Chen quickly explained.
"Regarding Xiao Man, you do not need to concern yourselves. The pressing matter is to investigate Nangong Yan. I suspect he has ulterior motives." Nangong Yu felt a sense of unease. For some reason, he always felt that Nangong Yan's return to the capital this time was aimed at Xiao Man.
"Shall we have the Medicine King diagnose the Prince of Chu?" Si Chen inquired. To know the Prince of Chu's physical condition, having the Medicine King examine him was the most direct and effective method.
"When Qing Ti returns to the capital, have him find an opportunity to go to the Prince of Chu's manor and diagnose Nangong Yan."
"Yes."