"Has the order been relayed to Qu Yang?" Murong Shengrui asked weakly.
"It has been sent to the envoy's residence. I presume Lord Qu has received the command," Wei Wuji replied.
Xiahou Ying was preoccupied. His mind was entirely on the Emperor discovering Xiao Man. Was it simply a feud with Xiao Man, or did he harbor other suspicions?
"Xiahou."
With something weighing on his mind, Xiahou Ying did not hear Murong Shengrui's call.
"General Xiahou," Wei Wuji raised his voice. "His Majesty is calling you."
Xiahou Ying jolted awake. "Your Majesty, what is your command?"
"I recall you mentioning you had encountered Xiao Man?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I crossed paths with her while pursuing the Prince of Yusheng Qin, and I was ambushed by her hidden weapons, allowing her to rescue the Prince of Yusheng Qin," Xiahou Ying replied truthfully.
Murong Shengrui gestured for Wei Wuji to pour him a cup of tea. Wei Wuji quickly did so, handing the hot tea to Murong Shengrui, who drank it down in one gulp. "Tell me, what kind of person is Xiao Man?"
"To answer Your Majesty, I did not interact with her much and do not know what kind of person she is. However, based on my brief encounter with her, she is quite cunning and harbors grudges," Xiahou Ying said, carefully choosing his words.
"Did you not find her familiar?"
Xiahou Ying's eyelids twitched as he tried to recall his first impression of Xiao Man. "Familiar is not the word. I was quite surprised at the time, as she managed to block my attack with seventy percent of my strength barehanded and then counterattacked."
Murong Shengrui observed Xiahou Ying's expression closely. "I met her tonight."
"Did... did she injure Your Majesty upon meeting?"
"Yes, her first move was a killing blow," Murong Shengrui said, his eyes dark. "However, I am quite fond of her and have decided to marry her as my Empress."
Xiahou Ying's expression changed. "She... why her?"
"It was love at first sight," Murong Shengrui said slowly. "Whenever I see her, I feel a surge of joy, even if she intended to take my life upon meeting, I would still feel immense happiness."
"There are many women more outstanding than her in Yusheng. Why does Your Majesty not choose another? I feel she is not suitable," Xiahou Ying pleaded.
"No, she is the one I desire!" Murong Shengrui declared firmly. "I want her, and I will obtain her at any cost!"
Xiahou Ying lowered his head, daring not to meet the young emperor's eyes. If his suspicions were correct, then Xiao Man absolutely could not marry His Majesty... Xiahou Ying suddenly recalled what Nangong Yu had said when he infiltrated the imperial capital of Yusheng and was intercepted.
Nangong Yu had told him to investigate the underground palace beneath the Emperor's sleeping quarters, stating that the Empress Dowager's remains were hidden there. But the Empress Dowager was clearly buried in the imperial mausoleum, so how could she be in the underground palace beneath His Majesty's sleeping quarters?
A thought flashed through Xiahou Ying's mind, prompting him to ask a question he shouldn't have: "Your Majesty, why did you slaughter the entire Dugu family and kill the Empress Dowager back then?"
"Who told you that I killed her?" Murong Shengrui retorted angrily. "I do not deny killing the Dugu family, but I never intended to kill her!"
Xiahou Ying's eyes were filled with disbelief. After the Dugu family was massacred, the Empress Dowager died in Shou Kang Palace. If he said it wasn't the Emperor who did it, he wouldn't believe it!
"You don't believe me?"
Xiahou Ying lowered his head. "This general dares not."
"Indeed, my mother died in Shou Kang Palace, and everyone believes I killed her," Murong Shengrui said softly. "I do not wish to explain too much. However, I must have Xiao Man. This time, I will protect her well and will not allow her to suffer any harm."
"If Xiao Man is unwilling to be a political bride, will Your Majesty force her?" Su Dan Novel Network
"She must return to Yun Qi with me!" Murong Shengrui said coldly. "As for why, Xiahou Yinfeng, you know it perfectly well!"
Xiahou Ying's fists clenched tightly. His Majesty had recognized her. Was she truly the Empress Dowager? It seemed too incredible. Why would the deceased Empress Dowager become the eldest daughter of the General of the Protectorate of Yusheng?
"However, before I take her back to Yun Qi, one person must die!" Murong Shengrui said sternly. "Find Feng Moran's whereabouts and kill him!"
"Why kill him?" Xiahou Ying asked, confused.
"He is the mastermind behind my mother's death!"
Qu Yang wished to change the young emperor's mind, but Murong Shengrui was resolute. No matter how he advised, he refused to change his decision.
Qu Yang was at a loss. The person he least wanted to deal with was Xiao Man, yet now he had to force her to marry into Yun Qi and become Empress. Just thinking of Xiao Man's icy gaze sent a shiver down Qu Yang's spine.
"Xiahou, why does His Majesty insist on Xiao Man from the Xiao family? That woman is extremely dangerous," Qu Yang paced anxiously in Xiahou Ying's room. "You don't know, but whenever I see that woman, I feel uneasy. I always feel her gaze towards me is like looking at a dead person."
"I have tried to persuade him, but His Majesty is infatuated."
Qu Yang felt a headache coming on. "Why must it be Xiao Man? Why her specifically?"
Xiahou Ying stood up. "I'm going out for a walk."
"You'd better not go out. If your identity is exposed, you may be in danger. Didn't you say the imperial capital of Yusheng is very dangerous?" Qu Yang objected. "By the way, I heard His Majesty was injured. Eunuch Wei is usually by His Highness's side. Apart from the time he was ambushed and injured in Yunzhong City, I've never seen His Majesty injured."
Xiahou Ying sneered. "Coincidentally, he was injured by the same person this time."
"What, injured by a woman again?" Qu Yang frowned. Was there a woman in the imperial capital of Yusheng who could heavily injure His Majesty, even with Wei Wuji's protection?
"Could it be... could it be..." A thought flashed through Qu Yang's mind. "Is it... Xiao Man?"
Xiahou Ying nodded. "Yes, it's her!"
"She was also the one who rescued Xiao Luo and Dugu Mingyu from Yunzhong City and ambushed His Majesty back then?"
"Yes."
"No wonder, no wonder His Majesty specifically named Xiao Man!" Qu Yang was exasperated. "After suffering repeated setbacks at Xiao Man's hands, it's no wonder His Majesty cannot swallow this insult!"
Xiahou Ying thought to himself that Qu Yang, usually so sharp-witted, had not considered there might be other hidden reasons. It was good if he believed His Majesty was simply seeking revenge.
"By the way, His Majesty also ordered me to investigate someone."
"Who?"
"Feng Moran."
"Feng Moran!" Qu Yang was a little surprised. "Isn't he His Majesty's strategist?"
Xiahou Ying lowered his gaze. "Yes and no... He is the culprit who instigated His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to kill each other. However, we only know his name and have never seen his true appearance. Even His Majesty does not know his real appearance. With just a name, and possibly an alias, how can we find him! Furthermore, after the Empress Dowager's death, he disappeared. Finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack."