A figure appeared under the osmanthus tree where they had been speaking after the two left. Tall and upright, like a jade tree, it was none other than Wen Mohan.
Wen Mohan had always known that Xiao Man had many secrets, but the secrets he heard today made it difficult for him to calm down. Xiao Man was not Xiao Man, yet Xiao Man was Xiao Man!
"I said, no matter who you are, I only recognize you as a person. Whether you are Xiao Man or not, you are the one I have chosen." Wen Mohan turned and headed in another direction, where Wei Feng approached him.
"Young Master, the banquet is about to begin. Shall we go?"
"Since we have entered the palace, we must naturally go. Let's go to the Imperial Garden." Wen Mohan's expression was calm and his demeanor elegant. Nangong Yu's instigating words still echoed in his ears, but he was not worried at all. Or rather, he was even happier. If Xiao Man were Du Guman, the two of them would never have a chance to be together!
"Is it because you are about to meet Princess Yongning that you are in such a good mood, Young Master?" Wei Feng inquired.
Wen Mohan glanced at him. "Do not mention Princess Yongning in front of others. You should know that Princess Yongning is currently unconscious and recovering at Gan Ye Temple."
Wei Feng quickly lowered his head in agreement. That was right. Princess Yongning's recovery was a secret and naturally could not be known by others. He also did not know where Princess Yongning was now, but seeing how happy the Young Master was, it seemed he was certain to meet Princess Yongning.
"Then, Young Master, are you going to Gan Ye Temple to see Princess Yongning?"
"Yes, why not?" Wen Mohan said softly. "Tomorrow morning, I will go to Gan Ye Temple to visit her."
"Princess Yongning will be very happy if she knows you are back." Su Dan Novel Network
"Will she?" Wen Mohan stopped and looked at Wei Feng, asking.
"Of course she will!"
Wen Mohan's lips curved upwards, and he walked joyfully towards the Imperial Study. He had rushed back from Jiangzhou precisely to see her as soon as possible. Today was a good day, and Man'er should be happy to see him.
Wen Mohan's sudden return stirred many people. The moment he entered the Imperial Garden, he attracted countless gazes. Wen Mohan's eyes accurately landed on Xiao Man, and he gave her a brilliant smile.
Xiao Man returned a smile. This person could always see through her disguise. Both of them were like human spirits, making it impossible to fool them.
"His Majesty has arrived, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived..." the eunuch announced, and everyone quickly rose to bow.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Empress."
"Everyone, please rise. Today is the Mid-Autumn Banquet, coinciding with the Empress Dowager's return and Lord Wen's return from Jiangzhou. It is a very good day. Everyone need not be so formal. Drink to your heart's content, and do not return until you are drunk."
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon Wen Mohan, and she was increasingly satisfied. "Prime Minister Wen, your child has become more and more outstanding."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager flatters me. This boy still has a long way to go," Prime Minister Wen replied quickly, rising to his feet.
"Lord Wen, I heard that during the disaster relief, you bravely entered the epidemic area without fear of risk and saved the common people. I admire this integrity."
Wen Mohan rose and bowed. "Replying to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, your humble servant was ordered to carry out disaster relief. Wherever there are disaster victims, that is where I must go. At that time, I entered Zhang County without knowing that Zhang County had broken out with the plague. To speak of bravery without fear of risk, one should speak of the General's wife and the imperial physicians who bravely went to the epidemic area to save people, fearing neither death nor danger. They are the true heroes."
"This boy, not taking credit for himself, always thinking of others, is a good child." The Empress Dowager immediately praised him to the Emperor. "Prime Minister Wen has raised a good son."
"Lord Wen is indeed very good."
"Madam Xiao is also good." The Empress Dowager looked in the direction of Xiao Zhen, who was sitting with his wife, He Qingyi, feeding her food. The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Madam Xiao."
"Your humble wife is here."
"You are excellent, virtuous, and a model for women." The Empress Dowager praised her. "You have not disgraced the reputation of the General's mansion."
He Qingyi's smile faded slightly. If one were not familiar with her, one would not be able to tell. Xiao Man's lips curled into a mocking smile. "You have not disgraced the reputation of the General's mansion." The Empress Dowager's words were indeed interesting. With a single sentence, she dismissed He Qingyi's contributions, and it seemed the Empress Dowager was quite displeased with the General's mansion.
"Your Majesty, look, all the civil and military officials are here, as are the unmarried young ladies. Should you not choose a good marriage for the Prince of Qin?" As the wine flowed, the Empress Dowager spoke again.
The Emperor glanced at the court officials below. Hearing the Empress Dowager mention the marriage of the Prince of Qin, they all pricked up their ears. Those young ladies quickly covered their faces with their hands, and some women even deliberately disheveled their daughters' hair, fearing they would be chosen. It could be seen that although the Prince of Qin was handsome, he was not well-liked.
Nangong Yu scanned below. The young ladies were like startled birds, all lowering their heads, fearing they would be seen. With the Prince of Qin's appearance, which daughter would not fall for him? But compared to their lives, they cherished their lives more. After all, the young ladies who wanted to enter the Prince of Qin's mansion had either died or were crippled. The most tragic was being sent to the army by the Prince of Qin to become a military prostitute. They wanted to be the Prince of Qin's consort, but even more, they wanted to live and maintain their chastity!
"The Prince of Qin is not young anymore, twenty-two years old. It is time for him to get married. Among these few brothers, he is the only one who is not yet married."
"Father, your son has said that he will only marry the eldest daughter of the Xiao family," Nangong Yu said slowly, fiddling with his wine cup.
"You want to marry Xiao Man. Have you asked the Great General's opinion? Have you asked Xiao Man's opinion?" the old Emperor said slowly, his gaze inevitably falling on Xiao Zhen.
"Chancellor Xiao, the Prince of Qin says he wishes to marry Xiao Man. What is your opinion?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, Your Majesty allows my daughter to make her own decisions regarding marriage. This matter, this humble general also has no right to interfere. I am afraid I must ask my daughter's opinion. However, my daughter is currently unconscious and unable to say." Xiao Zhen immediately passed the ball back. My daughter is unconscious now, so you father and son should not use us as a stepping stone!
"The marriage of sons and daughters are determined by parents and matchmakers. How can they make their own decisions?" the Empress Dowager said with a smile. "Great General, you dote on her too much."
"Replying to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, as parents, we do not seek wealth and status for her, only her happiness and peace. Whether she marries a prince, a royal descendant, or a commoner, as long as she likes him and his character is good, we will not object," Xiao Zhen said softly. His daughter would only marry someone she loved.
"That is not right. How can a commoner ensure her happiness and peace?"
"If they are in love and care for each other, then that is happiness. As for other matters, their parents will make arrangements for her, and she will never be wronged." Xiao Zhen smiled. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's care for my daughter is deeply appreciated by this humble general. When my daughter regains consciousness, this humble general will certainly have her personally pay her respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."