"What's that kid's background? How dare he make me cook!" Si Ye grumbled, watching Chu King prepare food while Xiao Man and Qin King looked on. Si Chen, beside him, warned, "Brother, are you trying to get yourself killed? I won't be able to save you next time! Have you ever seen anyone else who can make me humble myself like this?"
Si Ye scratched his head. "Who is it?"
"What else do you think?" Si Chen was furious, lamenting Si Ye's lack of foresight. If Si Ye continued to offend the prince, he feared for his life. Especially since the person from the General's mansion was also petty. Offending a prince might lead to a clear death, but offending that person from the General's mansion could leave one not even knowing how they died.
"Then why didn't you say so earlier!" Si Ye complained. "How was I supposed to know it was that heartless person? Now that Wen Mohan is gone, she's gone to provoke Chu King again. Can't she give the prince a break?"
"You should worry about yourself! Whether she's heartless is none of your concern!" Si Chen snapped. "If you can't control that mouth of yours, the prince might just cut out your tongue!"
"I'm just speaking up for the prince. That woman is heartless. I'm just afraid our lord will suffer a loss."
"Get lost! Do you think I'm someone who suffers losses?"
Xiao Man had been taken to Qin King's mansion, and Nangong Yan had witnessed it with his own eyes.
"Your Highness, should we go to Qin King's mansion to demand her return?"
"No rush, let's wait," Nangong Yan said gently. "We need to give Xiao Qin some time to persuade my fourth brother. However, my fourth brother is headstrong and might not listen to him."
"If Xiao Qin cannot persuade His Highness Qin, what should we do?"
"Since he took on this task, it means he's confident he can persuade my fourth brother. He just needs some time."
"What if His Highness Qin kills him in a fit of rage?"
"Then it only proves his incompetence," Nangong Yan said cruelly. "His death would be meaningless."
Zhu Yun nodded in agreement. If Xiao Qin couldn't complete the task assigned by the prince, his death would indeed be meaningless.
Just as Xiao Man finished cooking, Nangong Yi arrived, as if he had timed it perfectly. He sat down immediately and reached for the braised pork Xiao Man had made.
A pair of chopsticks sharply rapped Nangong Yi's hand. Nangong Yi cried out in pain and quickly retracted his hand. "Fourth Brother, why did you hit me?"
"I am about to dine, and you should return to your own mansion to dine," Nangong Yu said without hesitation, showing him the door. He still resented Nangong Yi for luring Xiao Man to Feihua Tower with a plate of braised rabbit.
"It's better to arrive early than on time. I see Mr. Xiao has cooked so many dishes, and you won't be able to finish them all. I'll reluctantly stay and eat with you." Nangong Yi remained seated. "Mr. Xiao, please prepare an extra pair of chopsticks. I'll join you."
Xiao Man heard this and prepared an extra pair of chopsticks without a word. Nangong Yu gritted his teeth but ultimately endured it. The three of them sat down to eat.
"Delicious, delicious! Mr. Xiao's cooking is truly delicious."
"The rice was cooked by His Highness Qin."
"Fourth Brother, your cooking is also delicious," Nangong Yi praised. "It would be even better if we could have Mr. Xiao's steamed fish in lotus leaves."
Xiao Man said slowly, "Since His Highness Qi is also here, I will convey His Highness Chu's intentions to both princes."
"What intentions?"
"To join forces against the Crown Prince and the Empress."
Nangong Yi's hand paused mid-scoop. He looked at Xiao Man, then at Nangong Yu, and swallowed the rice in his mouth with difficulty. "I have to participate too?"
"You want to sit back and reap the benefits?" Xiao Man asked slowly.
Nangong Yi immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. "Joking aside, I'm good at eating, drinking, and having fun. I'm not skilled in anything else."
"It's alright. We have Consort De and Minister Jin," Nangong Yu said slowly. "To deal with the Empress, we'll need Consort De's help, as both my third brother's and my own mother are no longer with us."
"My mother is indifferent to fame and fortune..." Nangong Yu stared at Nangong Yi, who couldn't continue his sentence. Just a couple of days ago, his own mother had summoned him to the palace and lectured him earnestly. Even Du Yulan was forced upon him by Consort De. Consort De was hardly indifferent to fame and fortune.
"I just want to be a carefree prince," Nangong Yi said softly. "I don't want to get involved in power struggles."
"Thirteenth Brother, sometimes, whether you want to fight or not, you have to," Nangong Yu said, putting a piece of meat into Xiao Man's bowl. "Eat more. You're getting thinner."
Nangong Yi's gaze deepened as he watched the meat fall into Xiao Man's bowl. After a moment of silence, he asked slowly, "If I fight, can I marry the woman I love?"
"Of course..."
"Impossible!"
Xiao Man and Nangong Yu said in unison.
Xiao Man glared at Nangong Yu. Wanting to marry the woman he loved, wasn't that a given? Why did he say it was impossible?
"The woman he loves doesn't love him!" Nangong Yu explained.
"It depends on effort. Perhaps one day, she'll be moved by His Highness Qi and be willing to marry him," Xiao Man comforted.
"Absolutely impossible. She's already taken."
"Is that so..." Xiao Man shrugged. "Then I can't help you either."
"Fourth Brother, what are you saying? The woman I love is neither married nor betrothed. How is she taken?"
"Don't forget, you are about to get married, and you will be marrying Grand Tutor Du's granddaughter," Nangong Yu said slowly. "Are you going to break your engagement and disregard Consort De's earnest intentions?"
Xiao Man finally sensed something was amiss. There was palpable tension between these two brothers, all over a woman. What a beauty! She wondered whose daughter was worth such a heated argument between these brothers.
Xiao Man quietly continued eating. Remaining silent was the wisest course of action at this moment.
Nangong Yi glanced at Xiao Man and also stopped speaking, eating in silence. Seeing this, Nangong Yu continued to put food into Xiao Man's bowl. Xiao Man felt her bowl growing heavy. Nangong Yi was staring pointedly at her bowl.
Xiao Man quickly transferred the braised pork from her bowl to Nangong Yi. "His Highness Qi loves braised pork. Eat more."
"I'll come find you tomorrow. I want to eat your steamed fish in lotus leaves," Nangong Yi forced a smile. "If you steam fish for me, I'll agree to your request."
"Deal!" Xiao Man agreed without hesitation.
Nangong Yu's face darkened, but he said nothing. Xiao Man was always clear about her goals. If he dared to disrupt Xiao Man's plans, she might even get angry with him.
"What does Your Highness Qin think?"
"I need time to consider," Nangong Yu said, glancing at Xiao Man before continuing to eat.
Xiao Man didn't mind. She didn't need Nangong Yu to agree immediately. If he agreed too quickly, wouldn't it make Chu King think the task was too easy?