Xiao Man truly couldn't understand why Murong Sheng Rui had the audacity to appear before her again. She hadn't sought him out, so he should have kept his tail between his legs, hiding in the Yun Qi imperial palace, consumed by anxiety, awaiting her judgment. Instead, he shamelessly presented himself to propose marriage!
"Emperor Yun, we are not acquainted."
Murong Sheng Rui smiled broadly. "Once we are married, our relationship will grow even closer. It's permissible to practice now."
"Marriage?" Xiao Man's smile widened. "You overestimate things."
"In the eyes of the Emperor of Yu Sheng, you are not even worth a single city. Moreover, I am ceding ten border cities. Do you think he would refuse such a good deal?"
"He wouldn't dare agree," Xiao Man said calmly. "Seeking profit from a tiger is akin to inviting one's own destruction. The young Emperor of Yun Qi has always been untrustworthy and bloodthirsty. If he were to betray two of his own generals for a mere verbal promise, do you believe His Majesty, in his old age, has become senile?" Su Dan Novel Net
Murong Sheng Rui's smile vanished. "Must you force me to resort to extreme measures?"
Xiao Man crossed her legs, looking at Murong Sheng Rui with arrogance. "The daughters of my Xiao family have never been intimidated. You may try, but my Xiao kin would rather be shattered jade than intact tile, embodying true integrity."
Murong Sheng Rui's expression changed, as if recalling something terrible. His face instantly turned sorrowful. "A'man, must our relationship become so adversarial?"
"Our differing stances doom us to be enemies," Xiao Man stated coolly. "It is late, Emperor Yun should leave."
Murong Sheng Rui gritted his teeth and stood to leave. He stopped at the doorway. "I will not give up. One day, you will understand my heart."
Xiao Man merely let out a cold scoff. One day, she would dig out his heart and see if it was as black as ink and as hard as iron!
"Miss, he has left."
Xiao Man closed her eyes, suppressing her killing intent. "I know. Ying Xue, accompany me out."
"Yes, Miss."
Yin Zhu watched their departing figures and couldn't help but sigh. "Miss has just returned, and she's rushing out again. It's so cold, and Miss is dressed so thinly; is she not afraid of catching a chill?"
"Miss is a martial artist and doesn't fear the cold like ordinary people."
"Miss has suffered serious injuries several times, and her body is not as robust as before; she does feel the cold more now," Yin Zhu frowned. "I'll go brew some ginger soup. Miss can drink it when she returns. Chu Xue, please make sure the charcoal fire in Miss's room is kept warm. Replace the charcoal in the small brazier, and turn the fire down to the minimum. The strong liquor hidden in Miss's room has all been replaced with non-intoxicating osmanthus wine. If Miss returns and wishes for a warm drink, there's also a fire to heat it."
Chu Xue smacked her lips. "Sister Yin Zhu, which man in the future will be lucky enough to marry a woman as gentle, considerate, and meticulous as you?"
Yin Zhu blushed and immediately retorted, "You little minx, even you are teasing me!"
"I wouldn't dare. I'll go and make the charcoal fire in Miss's room hotter," Chu Xue said, covering her mouth with a chuckle. She hurried into Xiao Man's room, stoked the charcoal fire, replaced the charcoal in the small brazier, and covered it.
After leaving the General's Manor, Xiao Man went to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Qin Xue was already waiting.
"Miss."
"Has the person been found?"
Qin Xue nodded. "The envoys from Lan Yue have reached the outskirts of the capital city but have not yet entered."
"In that case, we shall pay them a visit." A cold glint flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. Accompanied by guards, she moved stealthily in the darkness and secretly left the city.
At a farmstead outside the city, a随扈 was changing the dressing for Yao Ran. Yao Ran frowned tightly but made no sound. "Prime Minister, who exactly were the people who ambushed you?"
"I don't know," Yao Ran said slowly. Those two were highly skilled, especially the man in red. If he had fought seriously, they would have suffered heavy losses.
"Could they be working with those who want to kill Prime Minister?" the attendant inquired.
"They don't seem to be," Yao Ran said weakly, leaning against the headboard of the bed. That fellow had genuinely intended to kill her. If she hadn't sensed the danger and slightly shifted, she would be drinking tea in the underworld by now.
Suddenly, Yao Ran sat up. The attendant's hand immediately went to his sword hilt. They felt a killing intent, very close. A figure was cast on the paper window.
"Who's there?"
"We are guests. Prime Minister Yao, won't you invite us in for a cup of tea?" As the voice spoke, the door creaked open. A cold wind blew in. The two people in the room dared not move. Only when the visitor was at the doorway did they realize the person was not to be trifled with.
"I don't know why you visit so late at night, Sir. What is the purpose?"
"I have long admired Prime Minister Yao's reputation and specifically came to pay my respects." As he spoke, the person who had been standing at the doorway instantly appeared before them. Yao Ran's heart leaped in shock, while her attendant slumped to the ground with a thud, unable to move.
"What did you do?" Yao Ran asked calmly.
"I merely administered a small dose of medicine to her." Xiao Man sat by the bedside. Yao Ran felt goosebumps rise all over her body. This person was extremely dangerous. "I came tonight to ask Prime Minister Yao for a favor. I presume Prime Minister Yao will not refuse?"
Yao Ran cursed inwardly. I can't move, and my life is in your hands. Do I have the right to refuse?
"I don't know what the esteemed lady wishes me to do."
"I want you to temporarily disappear for a while."
Yao Ran still felt lingering fear, fleeing in the darkness. She had initially thought she was coming to Yu Sheng to cause trouble, but unexpected troubles kept arising. She even encountered a mysterious young person who nearly wiped them all out!
"Alright, we should be safe now."
Prime Minister Yao clutched his wound, gasping for air. By this time, dawn was breaking. She finally saw clearly who had saved her.
"So it's Third Princess." Yao Ran leaned against a tree and sat down. Her clothes were already stained with blood. During the escape, her wound had reopened.
Lan Qin saw Yao Ran's blood-soaked clothes, and a flicker of an unreadable light flashed in her eyes. "Prime Minister Yao is injured?"
"Yes, I was ambushed at the inn," Yao Ran said indifferently. Their spies in Yu Sheng had been almost entirely uprooted this time, and Lan Qin was the prime suspect.
"It wasn't the same person as the one who attacked tonight?"
"No." A hint of doubt flashed in Yao Ran's eyes. "Does Third Princess know the person who attacked me tonight?"
"Naturally, I do." Lan Qin crossed her arms. "Not only do I know them, but Prime Minister Yao should also recognize them."
"I know them?" Yao Ran appeared hesitant. "Could it be her?"
Lan Qin nodded. "Although she's disguised in men's clothing, her face hasn't changed much. I can still recognize her. Didn't Prime Minister Yao recognize her?"