After Concubine Lin left with the third miss, Xiao Man's figure emerged from behind the rockery, a cold glint in her eyes. Concubine Lin still hadn't learned her lesson. It was Concubine Lin who had wanted to inform the old madam and have her return to the capital. And the person behind Concubine Lin was Cen Yu.
Xiao Man frowned. For some reason, she always felt that Cen Yu was targeting her, never giving her a pleasant look, even repeatedly hiring assassins to kill her. It was only after she exposed Concubine Lin's identity that Cen Yu quieted down. Now, Cen Yu was meddling in the affairs of the General's mansion again. What did he want?
Xiao Man returned to the main courtyard, her brow furrowed. He Qingyi saw this and asked, "You went out for a bit, why do you look so glum?"
"Do you know Cen Yu?"
"The head of the Cen family, young and promising, and also remarkably beautiful. He is a close friend of the Prime Minister Wen's son and is listed on the Fengyun Ranking. In the capital, there are few who don't know him." He Qingyi handed the prepared prescription to Lian Qiao, "Take a look at this prescription. Are there any changes needed?"
"Senior Wan said he taught you everything he could. You've experienced quite a lot now and can make your own decisions." Xiao Man handed the prescription back.
"After all, it's you..." He Qingyi stopped speaking. "Fine, follow my prescription to brew the medicine. I guarantee it won't harm the General and won't be discovered."
"I believe you."
"By the way, why did you suddenly think of Cen Yu? Could the rumors be true, that you're infatuated with his beauty?"
"No, I just find him a bit strange."
"It wasn't easy for him to become the head of the Cen family," He Qingyi said gently. "His birth mother was a Hu woman, brought back from outside by the previous head of the Cen family, Cen Luan. She was very beautiful, and Cen Yu inherited his mother's beauty. However, in a prominent family, being born a concubine's son and having overly good looks can be a disadvantage."
Xiao Man understood, "Was he often bullied in the Cen family?"
He Qingyi hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "The Cen family is not a good household, and Cen Luan is even worse. He'd do anything for money. Cen Yu's appearance was well-formed, like a jade carving, evoking pity. I heard that when he was young, Cen Luan often sent him to high-ranking officials to be fondled for generous returns."
"Are there truly parents in this world worse than pigs and dogs?"
"It's just a rumor; I don't know if it's true." He Qingyi recalled, "I overheard my father mentioning it to my elder brother once. My elder brother was once invited by the Wen family to treat an injury. The injured person was Cen Yu, and the injury was said to be severe. At that time, my elder brother even suspected that Prime Minister Wen was fond of young boys..."
As she spoke, He Qingyi seemed to remember something. She secretly leaned closer to Lian Qiao and lowered her voice, "It turned out later that the person who invited my elder brother to treat Cen Yu was the Wen family's young master, who also gave him a lot of silver and asked my brother not to speak of it. My brother suspected the Wen family's young master... My brother must be talking nonsense. How could Master Wen, such a gentle and refined man, be gay!"
Lian Qiao glanced at the somewhat embarrassed He Qingyi and smiled, "You don't need to worry, Mo Han is not gay."
"Are you sure?" He Qingyi wasn't trying to ruin Wen Mohan's reputation, but these two were always together, inseparable, their affection so strong it was as if they were one person. And after such an incident, it was possible that Master Wen genuinely liked the head of the Cen family!
"I know Mo Han reasonably well. If he truly liked Cen Yu, he would never have expressed his feelings to me. He has his own principles and bottom lines."
The next morning, the second miss, Xiao Xiang, came to pay her respects to He Qingyi, requesting to go to Gan Ye Temple to pray for Xiao Zhen and Xiao Man.
"Second miss is thoughtful. Although Gan Ye Temple is not far from the capital, it's been a bit turbulent outside recently. Bring more guards." He Qingyi gently instructed, "Does second miss plan to go and return on the same day, or stay at Gan Ye Temple for a few days?"
"This daughter plans to pray at Gan Ye Temple for seven days and also visit elder sister." Xiao Xiang said with lowered brows, "Mother, concubine is usually quick-tongued, but her heart is not bad. I beg mother to be more understanding."
"Go with peace of mind," He Qingyi said with a smile as Xiao Xiang departed, her gaze falling on Lian Qiao, who stood behind the curtain. "Second miss is indeed a thoughtful person."
"Yes, she's always been thoughtful," Xiao Man said softly.
"What do you plan to do? She said she's going to see you." He Qingyi lowered her voice. There were many ears in the General's mansion, and she dared not call Xiao Man by name. And Xiao Man could not reveal her whereabouts. Her current identity was only that of Lian Qiao, the medical woman brought back by He Qingyi.
"The forbidden grounds of Gan Ye Temple are not for just anyone to trespass!" Xiao Man said nonchalantly. "By the way, I need to go out."
"Be careful. You don't know how many pairs of eyes are watching my main courtyard."
"I understand."
Xiao Man took a pass and openly left the General's mansion. As soon as she exited, she was followed. A cold smile curled up on Xiao Man's lips, and she darted into an alley, disappearing.
Those behind her followed into the alley, searched everywhere, but could not find Xiao Man's trace, so they randomly chose a direction and chased after her.
Xiao Man stared at the person in front of her, her expression composed. "They've all left. How long are you going to hug me?"
Nangong Yu stared at the woman he held captive in his arms, a hint of gnashing of teeth in his voice. "You heartless girl, you caused me to be plotted against by another woman, and you don't feel guilty at all?"
"Being plotted against can only mean you're not skilled enough; no one else is to blame."
Nangong Yu said angrily, "Aren't you afraid I'll really marry her?"
"That's your business."
Nangong Yu felt a sense of defeat. "Xiao Man, do you have a heart? How can you be so heartless? How can you remain so calm when facing the man you like?"
"It's broad daylight, and you haven't even had a drink yet. Are you drunk?" Xiao Man's voice was devoid of emotion. She had always been calm and restrained. Even if she liked someone, she would keep it deep in her heart, always ready to extinguish the flame of affection, to the point of being almost heartless.
Nangong Yu thought, this woman was truly his nemesis. Six years ago, she had tricked away his heart. Six years later, she had tricked away his body, and now she was so calmly unfamiliar. Sudn.com
Nangong Yu recalled what Si Chen had said. He now felt that Si Chen's words were correct. The reason Xiao Man could be so calm and restrained was simply that she didn't love him, or not enough.
"Xiao Man, I love you. Do you love me?" Nangong Yu's deep voice sounded in her ears, carrying a slightly intoxicating sensation.
Xiao Man stared at Nangong Yu. This was pushing it. If she said she loved him, he would definitely press his advantage. If she said she didn't love him, wouldn't he fight her to the death?
"I won't tell you!"
Nangong Yu felt a blockage in his throat, unable to move up or down. Yet, he could do nothing about Xiao Man.