The inn in the wilderness had a peculiar name: the Ardent God Inn.
The inn's door was pushed open, and the patrons inside turned their gaze in unison towards the person entering.
However, what truly captured everyone's attention was the man and woman walking in the center. The man, clad in an ice-blue long gown, exuded an aura of nobility. The woman, in a moon-white skirt adorned with flowing auspicious clouds, appeared ethereal. The two of them, like celestial lovers, stood out in the Ardent God Inn, head and shoulders above the rest.
"Welcome, honored guests, please come inside quickly," the innkeeper greeted them, taking a cloth from a waiter and quickly wiping down the tables and stools. "Are you here for lodging or a meal?"
"Lodging," Si Ye said. "Please prepare three superior rooms for us, and ensure they are clean."
"This..." the innkeeper looked apologetically at the crowd. "I am truly sorry, but we only have two guest rooms left."
Si Ye quickly glanced at Nangong Yu. "Two will suffice. Prepare some of your signature dishes for us first."
Xiao Man and Nangong Yu sat down at a table. The gazes of those around them were mostly fixed on the couple. Xiao Man, as if casually, surveyed her surroundings and was surprised to find that every guest in the Ardent God Inn carried a weapon, their auras long and steady, indicating they were no ordinary people.
A waiter brought tea and poured a cup for each of them. Xiao Man picked up her cup, took a sip, and then spat it out with a "Peh!" She said prettily, "What foul tea! It tastes terrible."
Seeing this, Nangong Yu gently persuaded her, "When one is out and about, it's naturally not like being at home. Please bear with it. We missed the nearest town today, and it's already fortunate to find a place to stay."
Xiao Man huffily turned her face aside and said to the waiter, "Where are our rooms? Take me to them."
"Right away, young lady, this way please." The waiter quickly led Xiao Man upstairs. Nangong Yu sighed helplessly and rose to follow.
"Send the food up to the rooms later," Xiao Man instructed, then whispered something in Si Ye's ear. Si Ye immediately turned and left.
Nangong Yu followed Xiao Man into her room. With only two guest rooms, he had no choice but to share one with Xiao Man. After all, Si Ye and the other three were already cramped in one room, and with him added, there would be no sleep tonight.
Upon entering the room and after the waiter had gone downstairs, Nangong Yu walked to the window, opening it a crack to peer downstairs. The patrons below seemed to be casting furtive glances at their room; they were clearly not here with good intentions.
Xiao Man's expression was also grave. The people downstairs, all armed, were no ordinary folk.
"Your Highness, they mean us no good."
Nangong Yu nodded. "Sleep soundly tonight. I will keep watch."
Xiao Man heard this but remained silent. She was not an ordinary delicate woman. Her deliberate display of anger downstairs was merely because she sensed killing intent, and that intent was directed at them. If a conflict were to break out downstairs, they were outnumbered and likely to be at a disadvantage.
Nangong Yu, not hearing Xiao Man's reply, turned back. "Are you hungry? Would you like to eat some dry rations first?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "Not hungry. I'm just worried about the people in this inn."
Xiao Man sat by the table, fiddling with her sleeve darts. Since the people in the inn might be enemies, she naturally had to check her belongings thoroughly, just in case.
"Are these the concealed weapons you used to injure Xiahou Ying?"
"Yes, they are improved versions based on Qiu Ziqiu's sleeve darts." Xiao Man took out a hidden dart. "When they encounter external resistance, they split into seven concealed projectiles. I've also coated them with a secret poison."
Nangong Yu reached out and took the dart. "The design is indeed ingenious."
"By the way, I always see you using a dagger. Do you not carry a sword?"
"I do," Xiao Man chimed in.
"Then why have I never seen you use it?"
"I lost it."
Nangong Yu's expression was priceless. Hearing that Xiao Man had lost her sword, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
For practitioners of martial arts, a sword was an extension of one's body and a symbol of one's identity. How could it be so carelessly discarded?
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Both of them immediately looked towards the door. "Who is it?"
"My lord, it is your subordinate," Si Ye's voice sounded from outside. "Your subordinate is bringing food."
Xiao Man quickly put the hidden dart away.
"Come in."
Si Ye entered with the food and handed Xiao Man a package before turning to leave.
Xiao Man looked at the food on the table, picked it up, and sniffed it. She then tasted each dish one by one. "No problems. Eat with confidence."
Nangong Yu listened and couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you testing the food for poison yourself?"
Xiao Man handed the chopsticks to Nangong Yu. "Your esteemed status is too important to risk. If anything were to happen to you, His Majesty would surely chop off my head."
Hearing this, Nangong Yu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Don't worry. Even if I were to die, you would be fine. I would not let anything happen to you."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. She looked at Nangong Yu, a hint of confusion in her gaze, and asked tentatively, "Your Highness Prince Qin, are you trying to use me to win over my father?"
Nangong Yu felt a surge of blood in his throat, unable to swallow or spit it out. This girl was not as foolish as she seemed. Hadn't he been obvious enough? Why couldn't she believe he was being kind to her out of affection?
He, Nangong Yu, the Prince of Yu Sheng, held immense power and high status. Why would he need to win over the Duke of Protector's mansion? Others might covet the Duke of Protector's influence, but not him!
"Do I need to win over General Xiao?" Nangong Yu asked, while serving Xiao Man some food.
Xiao Man thought carefully. It seemed unnecessary.
After all, Nangong Yu commanded three hundred thousand troops, while her father only had one hundred thousand. With her brother, that made three hundred thousand. Moreover, her brother was far away in Yuncheng, and distant water could not quench a nearby fire. However, who would reject more troops?
"Does Your Highness desire the throne?" Xiao Man asked in a hushed voice.
Nangong Yu looked up at Xiao Man. Seeing her serious expression, a curve formed on his lips. He leaned forward and whispered in Xiao Man's ear, "What is mine, I will not let go. The empire, and the beauty, both."
Xiao Man nodded in understanding.
Right. The rumors outside said the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion was fond of His Highness Prince Qin. At the Prime Minister's small banquet last time, they stood together, truly a match made in heaven. However, the Prime Minister's mansion was the foremost civil official, holding great prestige. Prince Qin, on the other hand, wielded military power. His Majesty would likely not consent to an alliance between these two families. That was why Prince Qin had spoken thus.
"Your Highness, let's make a deal," Xiao Man said, her eyes rolling.
She wanted to destroy Yun Qi, and Nangong Yu wanted the empire of Yu Sheng. The Duke of Protector's mansion would support Prince Qin, and after Prince Qin ascended the throne, he would destroy Yun Qi for her.
"A deal?" Nangong Yu asked calmly. "What kind of deal?"
"A deal that grants Your Highness both the empire and the beauty, achieving two goals with one action!"