"Do whatever you want. Just remember one thing: some things you can do for the first time, and I’ll be helpless to stop you because of my inadequacy. But I will never allow a second time."
Xiao Man smiled at Nangong Yu, knowing he was referring to the time years ago when she had left him without hesitation. However, she couldn't give him that promise.
"I am waiting for your answer," Nangong Yu said, his voice low and demanding, his eyes locked with hers, allowing no escape.
"Mmm, I understand." Xiao Man nodded with a smile. Doing it once as Du Gu Man, and doing it once as Xiao Man, it was still only once, not violating her promise to Nangong Yu.
Nangong Yu's expression finally softened. He pulled Xiao Man into his embrace. "I can agree to anything you want, except leaving. That is not allowed."
Xiao Man concealed all her emotions. She couldn't leave, yet her other identity absolutely forbade her from staying here. But she didn't want to shatter Nangong Yu's hopes too soon.
"By the way, I heard rumors that the Qin Prince’s manor is exceptionally lively today. Congratulations on becoming a father."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yu bit Xiao Man's shoulder fiercely. Xiao Man cried out in pain and shoved him hard. Nangong Yu, who had been sitting on the window ledge, was pushed off and tumbled onto the ground.
The people in the courtyard saw this and quickly turned away, pretending not to have noticed. Nangong Yu scrambled to his feet and glared at Xiao Man, who wore a mischievous smile. He ground his teeth. "You heartless woman, aren't you afraid of breaking me?"
"You're not made of porcelain, so you won't shatter so easily. Besides, you bit me first!" Xiao Man retorted indignantly. "Everyone outside knows you're going to be a father. Why are you taking it out on me? Did I make you a father?"
Hearing this, Nangong Yu leaned in eagerly. "If it were you, I would be very happy to become a father."
Xiao Man, without thinking, blurted out, "Father."
Nangong Yu gritted his teeth, wishing he could bite the heartless woman to death. He didn't want to be her father; he wanted to be the father of her child!
Just then, Xiao Zhen arrived. The moment he entered, he overheard Nangong Yu say he was happy to become a father, and Xiao Man immediately called him father. Not only was Nangong Yu's face grim, but Xiao Zhen's was even worse! He strode towards Nangong Yu.
Xiao Man, who had intended to tease Nangong Yu, realized her own father had arrived and quickly said, "Father."
"You're still at it!" Nangong Yu said, annoyed. He pinched the flesh on Xiao Man's face. "If I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know some things..."
"Ahem!" Xiao Zhen coughed loudly. Nangong Yu instantly retracted his hand, glaring at Xiao Man with a look of defeat. You're just watching me make a fool of myself?
Xiao Man smiled. I warned you, but you didn't believe me. Who's to blame?
"Your Highness Qin, you have a lot of free time," Xiao Zhen said sarcastically. "Not only do you have beauties entering your manor one after another, but you're also expecting a child. Yet you still have the heart to provoke my daughter."
Nangong Yu turned calmly. "General, may I have a word in private?"
Xiao Zhen glanced at Xiao Man's slightly flushed face, his own face creased like a bitter gourd, and turned to walk out. Nangong Yu immediately followed. Xiao Man rubbed her sore cheek. "Show off, wanting to be a father!"
Xiao Zhen led Nangong Yu to the study. He had always known the Prince of Qin was outstanding, but he was also acutely aware of the Prince's attitude towards his daughter. From childhood, the boy had avoided his daughter!
"What exactly does Your Highness Qin intend?"
"With Wen Mohan's abilities, he cannot protect Xiao Man." Nangong Yu got straight to the point. "I know you think highly of Wen Mohan, General, but he is not suitable."
Xiao Zhen chuckled. "If he is not suitable, then you are even less so."
"You should be aware of my feelings for Man'er."
"Of course, I am aware. You disliked my daughter since you were little. When she was young and said she wanted to be your wife, you called her ugly. When she entered the Imperial Academy and wanted to play with you, you found her bothersome and constantly got her punished by the Grand Tutor. I understood your intentions long ago!"
Nangong Yu felt a bit guilty. But times had changed. The Xiao Man of the past was not his type, but the Xiao Man of today was his darling. How could they be compared?
"Times have changed," Nangong Yu said slowly. "Moreover, I never refused to marry her. I didn't play with her when we were children because she was always causing trouble with my thirteenth brother."
"Don't try to fool me. It was because you didn't play with her that she started causing trouble with Prince Qi!"
"Let's not dwell on the past. But now, only I have the ability to protect her. I believe you understand this clearly, General."
"I can protect my own daughter myself!"
"General, Xiao Man's enemies are far more numerous and powerful than you imagine," Nangong Yu reminded Xiao Zhen. Xiao Zhen didn't realize that Xiao Man was more than just Xiao Man, and her enemies were beyond imagination.
"No matter how powerful or terrifying they are, the people of my Xiao family will not fear them," Xiao Zhen said slowly. "However, since Your Highness Qin has taken in others and is about to become a father, you should stop provoking Man'er."
"Dan Yuyan was brought in by the Empress Dowager's decree. Luo Bingqing's child has nothing to do with me." Seeing that Xiao Zhen was immovable, Nangong Yu knew he needed to deliver a strong blow, to make him understand that whether he agreed or not, Xiao Man was his woman!
"I don't care about that!"
"I and Xiao Man have already consummated our marriage," Nangong Yu dropped this bombshell, leaving Xiao Zhen stunned. He was speechless for a long time.
"You... you scoundrel!"
After Nangong Yu left, Xiao Zhen angrily smashed things in his room. Butler Lu, hearing the sounds from inside, couldn't help but sigh. Your Highness Qin truly had remarkable skills to make the General so furious!
"You dog, you dog in gentleman's clothing!"
Butler Lu twitched his lips. His Highness Qin was handsome and distinguished; he didn't seem to fit the description of a "dog."
"Black-hearted thief! Vulgar wretch!"
"I can't swallow this indignity!" Xiao Zhen was both angry and vexed. Was he great just because he was a prince? Did he have the right to bully his daughter? "Where's my saber? Where's my saber?"
Butler Lu quickly sent someone to fetch the eldest daughter. He feared that in his uncleared mind, his General might go and fight the Prince of Qin with his saber.
When Xiao Man arrived, she saw Xiao Zhen walking out with the long saber he hadn't used in years. She rushed forward and blocked him. "Father, where are you going?"
"To chop that black-hearted dog!"
Xiao Man quickly hugged his arm. "Father, don't be rash. Calm down. We can discuss this."
"Discuss? There's nothing to discuss! He dared to bully you. Even if he's a prince, I'll castrate him!"
Xiao Man flinched and couldn't help but curse Nangong Yu inwardly. This man must have told her father about their relationship. Wasn't he courting death?