"Father, there’s no need to worry too much about Yunqi's situation. His Majesty wouldn't dare agree. If he forces me into marriage with Yunqi, I’ll whisper in the young Emperor Yunqi’s ear every day, making him find ways to fight with Yusheng!"
"You rascal, enough. Stop pressing me. Go rest. Father will handle the matter of the marriage alliance."
"Thank you, Father."
After Xiao Man left, Xiao Zhen's expression turned cold. "Old Lu, what do you think?"
"Miss is always perceptive. Since she said so, it's not baseless." Butler Lu emerged from the darkness. "Moreover, the Grand Tutor has been hiding in the shadows, and no one knows what he's doing. Monk Wuyou's martial arts are formidable; even if you were to act, you might not be able to harm him, yet he was severely injured and died."
"When did Man'er get involved with Wuyou?" Xiao Zhen was confused. When his daughter was young, she followed him around, stealing and playing pranks with a bunch of soldiers. A little older, she caused trouble with Prince Qi in the Imperial Academy. Later, she either went to take down a bandit lair or beat up some wicked young masters and ladies. He was always cleaning up after her; where did she have time to befriend an old monk?
"This... Miss has done too many things; it's normal for us not to know everything."
"Indeed. This girl dares to do anything; it’s all my spoiling."
"Isn't that right? You spoiled her, so you have to bear with whatever trouble she causes."
"Haha." Xiao Zhen reached out and clapped Butler Lu's shoulder forcefully. "Isn't that right? We spoiled her, so we have to bear with whatever great trouble she causes!"
"Starting tomorrow, I will follow Miss in secret." Butler Lu sighed. "The people from Blue Moon are about to arrive; I'm worried."
"Good. Butler He Qingyi will handle matters. You just protect Man'er."
"Thank you, General, for protecting Miss for so many years."
"She is my daughter; protecting her is my duty." Xiao Zhen sighed. "I didn't even realize she had grown up. Before I could dote on her properly, she's already flying away from my side."
"A young swallow leaving the nest is natural." Butler Lu smiled. "However, no matter how far she flies, she is still your daughter."
"I'm just overcome with emotion." Xiao Zhen smiled. "When she was little, others mocked her for not having a mother. She came home crying to me, saying everyone else had a mother, so why didn't she?"
"I still remember what you said then: you are Miss's mother. You play both father and mother. From now on, if anyone says Miss doesn't have a mother, tell her to beat them soundly."
"Haha, I remember. That girl's first target was the Crown Prince!"
"Of the several princes, aside from the Fourth Prince who couldn't be beaten, and the Third Prince who was too frail, she beat up all the others!" Butler Lu said with pride. Even though their Miss was a mischievous child from a young age, whether she beat up Zhang's dog today or Li's black egg tomorrow, they felt honored.
"So, her provoking the young Emperor Yunqi is not a big deal, is it?"
"General, for someone like our Miss, let alone provoking the young Emperor Yunqi, even killing him would be no surprise."
"True. I also want to see what the young Emperor Yunqi can do to my daughter!"
Murong Shengrui was in an exceptionally good mood. On the way back to the embassy palace, he even hummed a tune. Wei Wuji, whose face was usually impassive, showed a rare smile. His Majesty was in a great mood today; he hadn't seen the Emperor so happy in a long time.
"His Majesty's mood is exceptionally good today."
"Wei Wuji, I am so happy; she hasn't changed at all!" Murong Shengrui's laughter was clear. "The way she threw wine in my face truly delights me."
"Your Majesty is very fond of that young lady from the Xiao family."
"Yes, I like her very much!" Murong Shengrui stated definitively. "Wei Wuji, I must have her!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured. This humble servant will do his utmost to fulfill Your Majesty's wish." Wei Wuji said softly.
"Don't push too hard." Murong Shengrui's smile was gentle. "I know her too well. If I push her too far, she'll fight me to the death. I don't want a corpse; I want a living person. Wei Wuji, do you understand?"
Wei Wuji pondered for a moment. "This humble servant understands. Your Majesty wants the young lady from the Xiao family to willingly become Your Majesty's woman."
"Willingly?" Murong Shengrui's smile grew even brighter. "Yes, I want her to willingly stay by my side and love only me!"
"If the young lady from the Xiao family is sensible, she will understand that choosing Your Majesty is the wisest course of action." Wei Wuji gave a sinister smile. "Should this humble servant capture everyone she cares about?"
"Do not touch anyone around her. I know what needs to be done!"
"Yes."
The palace banquet concluded, but Nan Gongyu was filled with a sense of unease, feeling that something was not quite right.
"Your Highness, please don't be angry. Princess Yongning's actions were merely a temporary measure; she doesn't truly love Minister Wen." Wen Ruyu immediately advised, afraid that Nan Gongyu would become jealous and do something rash that would affect their plan.
"Don't you all find something strange?" Nan Gongyu frowned. "It's too peaceful."
"Peaceful?" Wen Ruyu exclaimed in disbelief. "I was on edge all night, especially when Princess Yongning threw wine all over the young Emperor Yunqi!"
Nan Gongyu's brow furrowed even tighter. "That's why I say it's too peaceful. The Xiao family's reaction is too calm, as if everything was expected."
"Princess Yongning is skilled in schemes. This small scene is nothing to her."
"No, haven't you noticed that Xiao Zhen hasn't said a single word from beginning to end?" Nan Gongyu said slowly. "Given Xiao Zhen's devotion to his daughter, how could he have had no reaction when the young Emperor Yunqi specifically requested Xiao Man? Not even a plea for mercy, it's unbelievable!"
"Now that Your Highness mentions it, I realize it too. General Xiao's reaction was indeed too mild, as if he was certain Xiao Man would not be chosen as the marriage alliance candidate."
Nan Gongyu felt a vague sense of unease. What was Xiao Man planning? Or what was Xiao Zhen planning? For some reason, Nan Gongyu felt that whatever they were plotting was no small matter!
"Your Highness, aren't you worried about Princess Yongning?" Si Chen suddenly asked. At this moment, His Highness wasn't worried about Princess Yongning but was questioning General Xiao's overly calm reaction, which seemed too strange?
"Murong Shengrui cannot do anything to her." Nan Gongyu said softly. "If they truly clashed, Murong Shengrui wouldn't have the ability to kill her. On the contrary, with the slightest mistake, Murong Shengrui could die at Xiao Man's hands."