The old emperor was in excellent spirits, looking at Nangong Yu and saying, "Winning first place, not bad. You didn't disgrace me. As for rewards, I'll have them sent to Prince Qin's manor later. Today, everyone hunted a lot of game and performed well. We will reward merits accordingly. You may all disperse."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Little Fourth, you stay."
After everyone had left, the emperor kept Nangong Yu. "There's something that needs your attention."
"Please, Father Emperor, instruct me."
"Clear out the hunting grounds and ensure all assassins within are apprehended."
"Your son accepts this order."
Xiao Man stood outside the Duke Chen's manor's tent, hesitating. "May I ask if Miss Pei is in?"
A person emerged from the tent, the wet nurse accompanying the Duchess. "Your servant greets Princess Yongning. My young lady is injured and has already retired. Princess Yongning, please forgive her."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good she's back. I didn't see her in the hunting grounds, so I came to ask. Since she's resting, I won't disturb her."
The wet nurse watched Xiao Man depart before turning back into the tent. Inside, the Duchess of Chen frowned. A person lay on the bed, completely covered by the quilt, making it impossible to discern who it was.
"Madam, Princess Yongning has left."
The Duchess of Chen sighed, "Yun'er, what is wrong? You've been silent since you returned, and your mother is very worried."
"I'm fine, just tired," Pei Qianyun's voice came from beneath the quilt.
The Duchess of Chen, recalling Pei Qianyun's reluctance to see Xiao Man, wondered, "Did Xiao Man bully you?"
Pei Qianyun's body stiffened, and she pulled the quilt tighter. Seeing this, the Duchess of Chen asked, "Did she truly bully you?"
"No!" Pei Qianyun retorted. "Can you leave me alone for a while?"
The Duchess of Chen hesitated for a moment, then asked everyone to leave. The tent fell into complete silence. A moment later, a low sobbing sound emerged from beneath the quilt.
The quilt was suddenly pulled open. Pei Qianyun, caught off guard, her tear-streaked face fell into the Duchess of Chen's sight. "Yun'er, what on earth happened? Why are you crying?"
Pei Qianyun lowered her head, refusing to speak. The Duchess of Chen grew anxious. "Speak up! Who bullied you? Tell your mother, and I will seek justice for you. Even if Xiao Man is a princess now, your mother is not afraid of her!"
"It wasn't her."
"If it wasn't her, then who?" The Duchess of Chen grabbed Pei Qianyun's shoulder and asked. With the force of her grip, Pei Qianyun's collar loosened slightly. The Duchess of Chen's pupils contracted, and her hand involuntarily tightened. "Who did this?"
"I... I can't say!"
Xiao Man was on her way back to the General's manor's tent when she unexpectedly encountered Zhu Yun.
"Zhu Yun, are you alone?" Xiao Man looked around curiously. Wasn't this man always by Prince Chu's side, never leaving him?
"His Highness has fallen ill. I'm going to fetch an imperial physician," Zhu Yun said hesitantly, as if unsure whether to tell Xiao Man.
"Is it serious? Do you need my help?" Xiao Man inquired.
"If Princess Yongning is willing to help, it would naturally be good..."
"Princess Yongning is merely a frail woman; she likely cannot help," Wen Mohan appeared from somewhere nearby. "Since Prince Chu is ill, Guard Zhu should hurry and find an imperial physician. Do not delay His Highness's recovery."
Zhu Yun stared at Wen Mohan for a moment before going to find an imperial physician. Xiao Man looked at Wen Mohan, a question in her eyes. Wen Mohan directly pulled Xiao Man away.
"Man'er, you are too trusting," Wen Mohan said in a low voice. "Never meet any prince alone, at any time."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. "I'm sorry, I didn't think that far."
"You are unaware of how alluring you are."
Hearing this, Xiao Man chuckled coyly. Wen Mohan heard it. "What are you smiling about?"
"I'm smiling because I'm not gold, how can everyone like me? Even if I were gold, some people wouldn't like me, let alone a person."
"Although everyone has their preferences, you are precisely the object of many people's affections right now," Wen Mohan said as he walked alongside Xiao Man. "I don't want you to be harmed in any way, do you understand?"
"I will be more cautious."
"Many things happened in the hunting grounds today. I am truly worried about you," Wen Mohan's voice sounded like the spring breeze of March, very comforting.
"Are you referring to Princess Ulan Na's matter?"
"I don't care about her," Wen Mohan looked at Xiao Man. Xiao Man wore a carefree smile, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding dangers.
"Guards discovered that your horse was shot."
Xiao Man looked up sharply at Wen Mohan. "Shot?"
Wen Mohan nodded. "Although I don't know exactly what happened in the hunting grounds, I know someone set a trap for you. Fortunately, you are unharmed." Su Dan Novel Network
Something flashed through Xiao Man's mind. She had lent her horse to Pei Qianyun. Her horse was shot; Pei Qianyun wasn't injured, was she?
"Perhaps it's my good luck."
"Your request for marriage autonomy from His Majesty today might make some people in the shadows even more uneasy," Wen Mohan hesitated. If Old Madam Xiao were to pass away, General Xiao Zhen would also need to observe a period of mourning. To keep the General in the army, His Majesty would surely agree to let Xiao Man take the General's place and observe the three-year mourning period for Old Madam Xiao.
"Man'er, you should seriously consider the suggestion I made. It is truly too dangerous for you to remain in the imperial capital," Wen Mohan stopped and looked at Xiao Man. "Man'er, if something were to happen to you, what would I do?"
Xiao Man looked at Wen Mohan blankly. Wen Mohan's eyes seemed to contain something, a feeling that was strangely familiar. Suddenly, Xiao Man's mind flashed to a pair of amorous eyes, filled with affection, whispering to her and missing her.
Xiao Man's face instantly flushed. She quickly turned her head away. "You... don't look at me like that. It makes me flustered."
Wen Mohan was taken aback, then chuckled softly. "I didn't expect Man'er to get shy."
Xiao Man touched her face, not refuting him. Why was she thinking of Nangong Yu at this moment? That person could always stir her up unintentionally, making her heart race and leaving her flustered.
Xiao Man's actions pleased Wen Mohan. If she felt flustered from looking at him, if she blushed at his words, did it mean Man'er was starting to have feelings for him?
"Shall I escort you back to your tent?"
Xiao Man lowered her head and walked forward quickly. Wen Mohan followed behind, a pleased smile on his lips, his hand touching his chest. His heart felt like a deer was leaping within, but he restrained himself, unwilling to show it.
After seeing Xiao Man enter the General's manor's tent, Wen Mohan turned to leave. He hadn't gone far when he saw Cen Yu leaning against a tree trunk not far away, a smile that was not quite a smile on his face.