Nangong Yu put down his chopsticks and got up to leave. Nangong Yi immediately chuckled, "Can't handle the spice, can you? I knew you wouldn't be able to."
Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu walking away in confusion. This person gave up so quickly, it wasn't like him.
A moment later, Nangong Yu returned, holding a pot of clear broth in one hand and a small stove in the other, placing them in front of Xiao Man. "You have an injury, so have clear broth."
Xiao Man looked at the bland clear broth with a priceless expression. However, because she was injured, the three men were united in their decision not to let her eat spicy food.
Xiao Man wanted to have some wine, but Wen Mohan snatched her cup away and brewed her a pot of clear tea instead. Xiao Man sat alone, eating clear broth and drinking clear tea while the other three enjoyed the spicy pot and her treasured osmanthus wine. Xiao Man was so annoyed she lost the energy to do anything, deciding it was best to not see them.
"You have an injury, and spicy food is not conducive to healing. Once your wound is healed, I'll accompany you for a meal, no matter how spicy," Wen Mohan gently comforted her. "I've collected more dew. I'll bring it to you tomorrow."
"Really?" Xiao Man loved Wen Mohan's dew. Even though she drank it sparingly, she had already finished it. Plus, it was difficult to collect, so she didn't dare to ask Wen Mohan for more.
"Really."
"Thank you, Mohan."
The Nangong brothers watched the two talking happily, feeling a bit uneasy. Nangong Yi sneered, "The two of them look quite well-matched."
Nangong Yu's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold. "Is that so?"
"Fourth Brother, aren't you jealous?"
Nangong Yu looked at Nangong Yi dangerously. "Why are you here?"
"I heard she was injured, so I came to see. Fourth Brother, do you know what happened?" Nangong Yi asked softly.
"We haven't found out who did it yet, but there are only a few suspects." Nangong Yu's gaze fell on Wen Mohan. Xiao Man took such good care of Wen Mohan; could the assailant be related to Wen Mohan?
Nangong Yu thought for a moment and understood. The assailant was likely Cen Yu. Whether it was true or not, they would know tomorrow. Having suffered such a great loss, if Xiao Man didn't take action, she wouldn't be Xiao Man.
After drinking and eating their fill, the three left together. Outside the general's mansion, their respective guards met them. The three parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts.
Seeing Wen Mohan walking unsteadily, Wei Feng quickly helped him into the carriage. "Young Master drank a lot of wine again."
Wen Mohan sat down in the carriage, rubbing his throbbing head. A dark gloom settled in his eyes. Xiao Man had been exceptionally gentle with him tonight, a gentleness that made him uneasy. He knew Xiao Man too well; whenever she was about to do something that would trouble him, she would become exceptionally gentle.
Could it be that the person who plotted against Man'er was someone from his own faction?
"Wei Feng, how is the investigation I assigned you?"
"Replying to Young Master, the Cen family head has been at home and has not left."
"Did he have any contact with Man'er?"
"A few days ago, they met on the street and argued. They even fought, but it ended unresolved, and Princess Yongning was not injured."
"Have you investigated the National Preceptor's mansion?"
"We couldn't find anything. The people from the National Preceptor's mansion are hard to investigate. We couldn't find any relevant information. However, after Young Master left the National Preceptor's mansion, several bodies were carried out from the mansion. They were likely cleared out secret agents," Wei Feng said softly. "Young Master, did you have a quarrel with the Cen family head?"
"Why do you ask?" Wen Mohan asked, puzzled.
"In the past, Young Master and the Cen family head were inseparable and had a very good relationship. But recently, Young Master has been distant from the Cen family head and even sent people to investigate him. Did the Cen family head do something that displeased Young Master?"
The Cen family and the prime minister's mansion were allies. The prime minister's mansion provided conveniences for the Cen family, and the Cen family provided financial support to the prime minister's mansion. Furthermore, Young Master and the Cen family head were close friends. Many people wanted to bribe the Cen family, but they remained unswayed. If Young Master and the Cen family fell out, he was worried that it would be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
"Do you think he would do something that displeased me?" Wen Mohan asked softly.
"He shouldn't," Wei Feng thought carefully. "The Cen family head and Young Master have always been close. He always considers Young Master's feelings when doing things. I remember once, Young Master Wen had a dispute with you, and the Cen family head asked me if hiring someone to beat up Young Master Wen would implicate Young Master."
"What did you say?"
"I said that if Young Master Wen had a dispute with you and was beaten up the next day, Young Master would be the prime suspect and it would damage Young Master's reputation. The Cen family head immediately gave up on that idea. Also, the Cen family head dislikes grapes, but Young Master likes them. The Cen family head also eats them, and there are always grapes at home, so Young Master can always have his favorite grapes whenever he visits the Cen family."
Wen Mohan sighed, "He is a good brother."
Wei Feng nodded in agreement. The Cen family head was indeed a good brother.
"It's a pity he doesn't want to be just brothers," Wen Mohan said this very softly, and Wei Feng didn't hear it.
Xiahou Ying stood outside the inn's door, his expression grim. Qu Yang had left only a few days ago, and the Emperor had followed suit. Along the way, he appeared to be sightseeing, but he was actually hiding his tracks and secretly entering the imperial capital of Yusheng.
"Xiahou."
Xiahou Ying pushed open the door. "Young Master, do you have any instructions?"
Murong Shengrui swirled the wine glass in his hand. His long, peach-blossom eyes were full of innocence, and his handsome face wore a kind smile. Unknowing people would think he was some sheltered noble son, unaware that all this was his disguise.
"Drink with me." Murong Shengrui pushed the wine glass forward.
"We are traveling outside, and dangers are everywhere. This subordinate cannot drink."
"Drink when I tell you to," Murong Shengrui patted the chair beside him, signaling Xiahou Ying to sit down. Xiahou Ying hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down.
"Young Master, excessive drinking is harmful to health."
"Harmful? Who else cares if I drink too much?" Murong Shengrui's eyes were glazed over. "Xiahou, I miss Aman."
Xiahou Ying's body tensed, and he dared not reply. Murong Shengrui's peripheral vision swept over Xiahou Ying. As expected, this kid knew something. The moment he entered the imperial capital, he had shaken off everyone and gone to the Protector General's mansion. He had also seen Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling was not the person he was looking for!
"Why aren't you speaking?"
"Young Master is drunk," Xiahou Ying said dryly.
Murong Shengrui poured a glass of wine and shoved it into Xiahou Ying's hand, ordering him to drink it. He placed his hands on the table, rested his head on his arm, and looked at Xiahou Ying with an innocent expression. "Xiahou, what do you think Aman is doing now?"
"Today is the Winter Solstice. The Empress Dowager always likes to eat mutton hot pot on the Winter Solstice. She should be eating mutton hot pot with her family," Xiahou Ying said with a hazy gaze, involuntarily speaking.