Xiao Man smiled without speaking. She was very curious about who was helping Wen Moyu from behind the scenes. This person knew her movements extremely well; Wen Moyu always managed to find her precisely and leak her whereabouts to others. Having such an enemy lurking in the shadows made her feel uneasy, affecting her sleep and appetite.
"Have you found the mole by your side?" Nangong Yu, seeing Xiao Man's silence, immediately changed the subject.
"No rush," Xiao Man replied, taking a sip of tea. "The fox's tail will eventually show itself."
"Aren't you worried about the General's mansion?"
"With Mother there, Father will be fine. As for the Old Madam, even if she's foolish, she wouldn't kill her own son. The only one I can't fathom is the Fourth Concubine." Xiao Man mused, "Who do you think the Fourth Concubine belongs to?"
"This Fourth Concubine in your household is extremely cautious, never leaving her chambers and having no contact with outsiders. Her identity is a mystery. I've investigated for a long time but haven't uncovered her true identity..." Nangong Yu paused, "You suspect Third Royal Brother."
"It's not that I suspect Prince Chu, but rather I want to view the General's mansion from an outsider's perspective, to see just how many hidden demons and monsters lurk within this small estate."
"Let me clarify first: I only sent Xi Yue to be by your side to look after you, and no one else."
Xiao Man dipped her finger in tea and wrote on the table: "Behind Aunt Lin is the wealthy merchant family, the Cen. I just don't understand why the Cen family would send someone to infiltrate the General's mansion. Or perhaps Aunt Lin was later bought off by the Cen family. For what purpose did the Cen family bribe her?"
"Cen Yu is a man of deep schemes and excels at unexpected moves. He cannot be judged by ordinary standards."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. "Then there's Third Aunt. She was originally a maid bought by the Yan family to serve them, and later elevated to concubine, giving birth to the second young lady, Xiao Xiang. She has no particular depth, but she's the most carefree among the women."
"After all, she gave birth to a good daughter who advises her from behind the scenes."
"Speaking of Xiao Xiang, she's also a bit strange," Xiao Man said gently. "She was used by someone to drug me and ruin my reputation... Was it truly Yan family who manipulated her from behind?"
"You suspect someone else used Xiao Xiang?" A glint of admiration flashed in Nangong Yu's eyes. Xiao Man was bold in her use of people, but that didn't mean she trusted them completely.
"Mmm, I always feel that with her level of cunning, it wouldn't be easy for the Yan family to manipulate her, unless she willingly allowed herself to be used by them. As for the third young lady, Xiao Ling, she was originally aligned with Prince Han. When the Yan family fell, Prince Han kicked her aside as a stumbling block. Fortunately, she wasn't dull-witted and finally came to her senses at the critical moment..." At this point, Xiao Man thought she needed to have someone stop Xiao Ling, preventing her from returning to the capital for now. Once Xiao Ling returned to the Imperial Capital, Murong Shengrui would know that Xiao Ling was not the person he was looking for!
"A' Yu, do me a favor." Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu with bright eyes.
Nangong Yu sat up straight. He finally knew to ask him for help. Xiao Man always solved things herself, which left him with little sense of accomplishment.
"What is it, tell me."
"Murong Shengrui is in the Imperial Capital. Find a way to drive him out!" Xiao Man's lips curved into a brilliant smile. "If you can kill him, even better."
Nangong Yu chuckled upon hearing this. "Killing him is acceptable?"
"As long as he can be driven away, his life or death is up to you."
Nangong Yu was completely relieved. It seemed Xiao Man truly had no feelings left for Murong Shengrui, otherwise she wouldn't have said that his life or death was up to him.
"No problem. But how will you thank me for this favor?"
Xiao Man took out a ledger and handed it to Nangong Yu. "Ledger of benefits transfer from Jiangzhou officials. This is not a bad deal, is it?"
Nangong Yu's face darkened. He wanted Xiao Man's gratitude, not something else. Yet, he couldn't refuse this deal!
Nangong Yu took the ledger. "No wonder I couldn't find it; you took it away long ago. The ten million taels of silver you extorted from Jiangzhou..."
"Stop. What do you mean extorted? I snatched it fair and square!" Xiao Man interrupted Nangong Yu. "Do you want the silver I have?"
"I don't want it," Nangong Yu said without hesitation. "What I want is you."
"Anything other than me can be discussed." Xiao Man's smile remained unchanged. "A' Yu can think about it carefully. Perhaps I have something in hand that you desire."
"I only want you!" Nangong Yu repeated. "You can start thinking about it now, when will you marry me?"
Seeing Nangong Yu so serious, Xiao Man rose and walked towards the exit. "This matter cannot be considered for now. Oh, right, now that you've accepted my gift, you can begin your task. He is currently in this Feihua Tower."
Nangong Yu looked at the ledger in his hand, his mood very complex. Xiao Man refused to give him an answer, and he dared not push too hard. Fortunately, Wen Mohan was currently far away in Jiangzhou, giving him plenty of opportunities!
"Not considering marrying me?" Nangong Yu put away the ledger. "It's alright, if you're not considering marrying me, then consider marrying me instead. This Prince doesn't mind being the one to marry into your family! I'm sure the Great General would be delighted to see me join the General's mansion."
Xiao Man nearly tripped upon hearing this. She turned back, glared playfully at Nangong Yu, and then gracefully departed.
The streets late at night were very desolate, with only the occasional dog bark that quickly died down.
Murong Shengrui had just sent Xiao Xiang back to the General's mansion and was walking on the deserted street with Wei Wuji. A smile played on Murong Shengrui's lips; he was in an exceptionally good mood.
Hiding in Prince Qi's mansion? It seems necessary to investigate Prince Qi's mansion. Xiao Ling was originally betrothed to Nangong Yi, but Xiao Ling voluntarily broke off the engagement and distanced herself from Prince Qi. A clever move of advancing by retreating, no one would have imagined that Xiao Ling would hide in Prince Qi's mansion after leaving the General's mansion.
"Young Master," Wei Wuji suddenly spoke. Murong Shengrui stopped in his tracks; they were surrounded.
Nangong Yu's gaze was cold as he gestured, "On them."
Countless figures in black swarmed forward, their weapons emitting a chilling, sharp glint. Murong Shengrui drew his sword, calmly and steadily facing the attackers.
Nangong Yu stood to the side, playing with his sword, his peripheral vision fixed on Murong Shengrui. Killing intent accumulated little by little. How many nights had he been consumed by jealousy? The person he desired but could not obtain, Murong Shengrui had effortlessly acquired, yet did not cherish.
Nangong Yu moved, swift as lightning, charging into the encirclement. His sword, filled with rage, carried a fatal resolve as he lunged directly for Murong Shengrui's vital points!
Murong Shengrui parried Nangong Yu's attack with his sword, retreating repeatedly. Wei Wuji wanted to help but was too occupied to do so, forced to deal with the black-clothed assailants with all his might to alleviate Murong Shengrui's pressure.