"Your Highness, shall we go to Gan Ye Temple?" Zhou Kang suggested after seeing Du Yulan off. When His Highness was unhappy, he would always feel better by visiting Princess Yongning, and even if he couldn't see her, it would calm him down.
"No," came Nan Gongyi's sulky voice from inside the room.
Zhou Kang scratched his head. Something was wrong. In the past, whenever His Highness was displeased, he would always go to the entrance of the forbidden area in Gan Ye Temple and sit there for half a day, returning cheerful. Today, he wouldn't even go to Gan Ye Temple!
Nan Gongyi didn't understand. Since Xiao Man had recovered, why hadn't she returned to the General's Mansion? Even if she didn't return to the General's Mansion, why was she hiding in his third brother's manor? Couldn't his manor be a place of refuge?
Zhou Kang had always been slow with words and didn't know how to comfort people. He stood outside the door obediently, fulfilling his duty as a guard. Just then, the door opened, and Nan Gongyi, looking unhappy, said, "Zhou Kang, between me and my fourth brother, who is more liked by women?"
"Naturally, it's Your Highness."
"Between me and my third brother, who is more outstanding."
"Of course, it's Your Highness," Zhou Kang lied without batting an eyelid.
"Then why did she seek refuge with third brother and not come to me?" Nan Gongyi was full of resentment.
"Who is Your Highness referring to?" Zhou Kang asked, confused.
"Xiao Qin!"
Zhou Kang suddenly understood. "Why would Xiao Qin seek refuge with you? He's a physician. The Chu Princess is pregnant and needs his help to nourish her body. He coming to the Qi Prince's manor would be of no use."
"My... my concubine is also pregnant, isn't she?" Nan Gongyi suddenly remembered. He had another concubine who was pregnant. What was her name? "Who was it?"
"Madam Nian."
"Go send an invitation, asking Xiao Qin to come and examine her pulse," Nan Gongyi commanded.
Zhou Kang acknowledged and was about to leave when Nan Gongyi called him back.
"Wait!"
"Does Your Highness have any other instructions?"
"Didn't I just say I wouldn't bother her, and now I'm sending someone to summon her? Will she hit me?" Nan Gongyi touched his face, which still ached.
Speaking of this, Zhou Kang became angry. "He's just a commoner. Even as a guest of the Chu Prince, he shouldn't have laid hands on Your Highness. And he even dared to push Your Highness into the water! Apart from Princess Yongning, I've never seen anyone so audacious!"
Nan Gongyi touched his face. Besides Xiao Man, who else would hit him? It was only Xiao Man. If anyone else dared to push him into the water, he would surely drown them alive!
"Forget it. I'll go find her later!" Nan Gongyi said haughtily. "By the way, kill the rabbit I've been raising and braise it. Send it to the Master to eat later."
Zhou Kang looked shocked. "Your Highness, we can't be so spineless!"
"What's the use of having dignity? Will it make me happy?" Nan Gongyi said proudly. "I'll go to the palace to get two jars of Jade Dew later."
Zhou Kang stomped his foot. Your Highness, have you misunderstood something? Since Xiao Qin treated you like this, you should bring your hidden guards and storm his door to teach him a lesson. Why are you still trying to appease him?
As night fell, Xiao Man was arranging medicinal herbs when she heard a commotion outside the door. She immediately blew out the candle. A moment later, she felt someone on the roof.
Xiao Man grabbed her sword and waited by the door. A figure jumped down from the roof, crept to the door, and gently knocked. He lowered his voice and called out, "Master, are you asleep?"
Xiao Man felt dizzy. This person had said he wouldn't bother her during the day, yet here he was at night. She immediately opened the door and came face to face with Nan Gongyi, who was about to enter. Su Dan novel network.
Nan Gongyi saw it was Xiao Man in the moonlight and quickly opened the food box, holding it out. "Braised rabbit, soy-glazed duck paws, braised goose wings, crispy fried peanuts. I also brought Jade Dew. Master, it was wrong of me to disturb your sleep this morning. I was wrong. Please be magnanimous and forgive me."
"Didn't you say you wouldn't bother me?"
"I'm here to apologize to Master, so it doesn't count as bothering you." Nan Gongyi squeezed past Xiao Man's arm into the room, lit the candle, and took out the food. "I specially brought delicious food to apologize. Master, please try it and see if it suits your taste. I caught this rabbit during the spring hunt and kept it all this time, reluctant to eat it."
Xiao Man was helpless against the shameless Nan Gongyi. She sat down at the table, her displeasure evident on her face. Nan Gongyi pretended not to see it, pouring wine for Xiao Man while picking up food for her.
"Try it quickly. I've hired a new chef in my manor who is skilled at making flavorful dishes. You'll definitely like it." Nan Gongyi wore an obsequious smile. "This Jade Dew, I also specifically stole it from the palace for you. People who don't drink well won't get drunk after drinking this."
Xiao Man took it and took a sip. It was mellow and fragrant, truly good wine. Nan Gongyu's manor also had plenty of good wine, but he didn't allow her to drink, fearing she would cause trouble when drunk.
"Try the braised rabbit again." Nan Gongyi solicitously served Xiao Man.
Xiao Man ate while looking at Nan Gongyi suspiciously. After a moment, she put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and said, "Being overly attentive without reason means either treachery or theft. Prince Qi, tell me, what do you want me to help you with?"
"I want to visit you often, and you mustn't drive me away. I promise I won't disturb your sleep. I'll come quietly. If you're not up, I definitely won't bother you!" Nan Gongyi said with a beaming smile.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then I'll cause trouble at your door every day, so you can't sleep in!"
Xiao Man choked. Did this person have a complete hold on her, knowing she wouldn't do anything to him?
"Aren't you afraid that I'll kill you and dispose of the body under the cover of darkness?" Xiao Man asked haughtily, feigning indifference.
Nan Gongyi heard this and burst into laughter. "You won't kill me."
"Why does Prince Qi think I won't kill you?" Xiao Man gritted her teeth.
"Because we are friends!" Nan Gongyi solicitously poured Xiao Man wine. "Wherever you want to go, I can take you."
Xiao Man gave up struggling. She had long since witnessed Nan Gongyi's thick skin. If this person decided to do something, he was truly shameless. Since he intended to pester her, she knew she couldn't escape.
"If that's the case, let's go to Feihua Tower to listen to music," Xiao Man said with a slight smile, her lips curving upwards. "You lead the way."
"Alright! The new singer at Feihua Tower is called Liu Xuer. Her voice, her figure... just thinking about it makes my mouth water!"
Thus, the two of them, under the cover of night, scaled the wall out of the Chu Prince's manor and headed straight for Feihua Tower.
Nan Gongyan had someone follow the two of them. Upon learning that they had gone to Feihua Tower to seek pleasure, he couldn't help but smile. "Fine, no need to follow. It's this Prince who lacks romantic sensibility. Mr. Xiao is, after all, a spirited young man. Tomorrow, select two attractive and healthy maidservants to attend to him."
"Yes, Your Highness."