Nangong Yu ground his teeth, "You heartless woman, I have only you in my heart and in my eyes. When will you ever consider me important?"
Xiao Man's smile remained unchanged, "There are so many who wish to be in Your Highness's heart. It doesn't matter if I'm not one of them."
Nangong Yu suddenly leaned in and took a bite of Xiao Man's lips. Xiao Man yelped in pain and quickly covered her mouth, "Are you a dog?"
Nangong Yu licked his lips with satisfaction, "Let that be a lesson for speaking such nonsense. If you dare to speak like that again, it won't just be a bite!"
Xiao Man gritted her teeth, a flash of shrewdness in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Nangong Yu's neck and whispered into his ear, her voice soft and melodious, "A'Yu, you hurt me. Are you saying you don't care about the pain?"
Nangong Yu gasped, his breathing growing heavy, "Stop it. Do you know how dangerous that is for a man who has tasted the sweetness of desire?"
Hearing this, Xiao Man's lips curved into a triumphant smile. She let her tender tongue sweep across Nangong Yu's earlobe. A jolt of electricity coursed through Nangong Yu's body, concentrating in his lower abdomen. "You are playing with fire."
Xiao Man winked playfully and then lowered her gaze. Her provocative look was too much for Nangong Yu to bear. He immediately grabbed her, pulling her into his embrace and forcing her to sit on his lap, intending to make her understand the consequences of seducing him. Just then, Nangong Wu's voice was heard from outside. With a hint of annoyance, he had to release Xiao Man.
"A'Man, are you in?" Nangong Wu walked in. "That wine was too potent. I've been drunk for two days. The palace maids said you weren't feeling well. Are you alright?"
Nangong Wu barged in carelessly and was surprised to find Nangong Yu there. "Fourth Imperial Brother, you're here to visit too?"
Nangong Yu cleared his throat and crossed his legs, lest Nangong Wu notice his embarrassed state. "Just passing by. Came to see how you were doing."
Nangong Wu stood there, "Perhaps I should come back later?"
Nangong Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his desires. He shot Xiao Man a dangerous glance and stood up, "No need. I've been here for quite some time. I should be returning to my manor."
Nangong Wu, noticing Nangong Yu's peculiar walking posture, sidled up to Xiao Man. "What's wrong with Fourth Imperial Brother? His walk is so strange."
"I heard I've never seen a crab walk. He's probably demonstrating for me."
As Nangong Yu reached the doorway, he heard this and stumbled over the threshold, almost falling. Suppressing the urge to turn back and deal with Xiao Man, he strode away, vowing that he would catch her one day and devour her, making sure she knew the consequences of playing with fire!
"Oh, right. I heard you had dinner with our Imperial Grandmother, and there was something in the food that you're allergic to. How are you feeling now?" Nangong Wu clasped Xiao Man's hand. "You were already frail, and now this. It feels like even a gust of wind could topple you."
"It's not as exaggerated as you say," Xiao Man chuckled. "It's just that I can't tolerate jasmine pollen. I caused so much trouble for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and I feel terrible about it. How about you accompany me to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager?"
"No, you should rest well. Our Imperial Grandmother won't mind. She'll understand." Nangong Wu pushed Xiao Man back into the chair. "You used to be so spirited, never even breathing hard after a fight with me. Now look at you, panting after every step. You look so pitiful." Nangong Wu shook her head. "By the way, isn't Doctor Zhong helping you recuperate? His medical skills are excellent, and our Imperial Grandmother trusts him greatly. Follow Doctor Zhong's advice diligently, and I'm sure you'll be back to your old self soon."
"I'll take your good wishes."
Nangong Wu sat for a while and then left. As soon as Nangong Wu departed, Doctor Zhong had the palace gates closed to prevent anyone from disturbing Xiao Man's rest.
Doctor Zhong changed his clothes and entered the room, finding Xiao Man sitting by the window, arranging chess pieces. "Would you like me to play a game with you?"
"In that case, I'll trouble you, Doctor."
Doctor Zhong sat opposite Xiao Man. "You go first."
Xiao Man didn't decline and made the first move. Doctor Zhong's fingers were long and slender, with well-defined joints. The black chess pieces in his hands made his hands look even more attractive.
"Your hands are truly beautiful, Doctor."
Doctor Zhong was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiao Man to compliment his hands.
"They are no match for yours. They are as fair as jade, slender and lustrous."
Xiao Man smiled and continued to make her move. "I've always known your surname is Zhong. I don't know your given name."
"My name is Qing."
"Zhong Qing..." Xiao Man found the name rather peculiar. What kind of parents would name their child such a name? "Your parents must have been very much in love."
"They are no longer alive," Zhong Qing said softly. "The only family I have now is my fiancée."
"Where is she now?"
Zhong Qing glanced at Xiao Man. "She is in my heart."
Xiao Man ran her tongue over her back teeth. That sounded exactly like what a regular patron of a brothel would say to a courtesan. Believe it if you don't.
"My darling, I've always kept you in my heart. I've just been busy lately and haven't had time to visit you."
"Are you a frequent visitor to brothels, Doctor?"
Zhong Qing was so startled that he made a wrong move. "What do you mean by that?"
"What you said sounds exactly like coaxing words used by courtesans."
Zhong Qing gave a wry, helpless smile. "I have always been a man of integrity. How could I possibly visit a brothel?"
Xiao Man's smile deepened slightly. "Is the Doctor intending to remain chaste for his fiancée?"
Zhong Qing looked at the game board. Due to his misplayed piece, the advantage he had held was gone. This girl was skilled at disrupting people's minds.
"Would the princess remain chaste for the person she loves?"
"That depends on whether my future husband is the one I love. If he's not the one I love, then there's no question of remaining chaste for him." Xiao Man made a move and picked up the teapot to refill Zhong Qing's cup.
Zhong Qing followed with a move. "Does the princess have someone in her heart?"
Xiao Man's smile deepened. Was the purpose of playing chess and chatting with her to find out who she loved? That would surely disappoint him. Xiao Man might have someone in her heart, but Du Gu Man only had her burning passion and her deep-seated hatred.
"Yes, my father. I love my father the most." Xiao Man said with a smile. "Then it's my elder brother, my sister-in-law, and my master."
Zhong Qing's eyes flickered. Did his master rank lower? Then where did Nangong Yu rank in your heart?
"I'm not asking about familial love, but romantic love."
"Romantic love?" Xiao Man thought carefully. "What kind of emotion counts as romantic love?"
"Is there someone who makes your heart race the moment you see them, and whom you try every means to attract their attention?" Zhong Qing said slowly. "If there is, that person is the one you love!"
"Impossible!" Xiao Man stated without hesitation.