Xi Yue escaped from the imperial palace, still a little shaken. If someone hadn't secretly helped her, she would have surely fallen into Murong Sheng Rui's hands today.
However, Xi Yue was puzzled. She had heard that Murong Sheng Rui was ill and needed to recuperate, unable to handle court affairs, which were being managed by Prince Song, Wang Heng. Yet, the Murong Sheng Rui she saw tonight did not appear ill at all.
Xi Yue darted into a small alley. As soon as she entered, she sensed footsteps behind her. Turning immediately, she saw a person standing at the alley entrance, facing her.
"Who's there?"
"Xi Yue, it's me."
Xi Yue's face lit up with surprise. "Miss, was it you who helped me from the shadows?"
Xiao Man nodded slowly. Seeing Xi Yue, she was quite surprised. When she left Yusheng, Xi Yue should have returned to Prince Qin's manor. Why was she here alone?
"Why are you here?"
Xi Yue took two steps forward and knelt on one knee. "Your subordinate, Xi Yue, greets you, Miss. His Majesty has granted me freedom. From now on, I am merely Xi Yue."
Xiao Man immediately understood. Xi Yue had come for her, but very few people knew she was in Yunqi. How had Xi Yue found her?
"When did you start following me?"
"I arrived in Bianjing only a few days before His Majesty, but I didn't know how to find you, so I kept following from afar. I followed from Bianjing all the way to Jinling."
"Why didn't you come to see me?"
"I feared you wouldn't want me. Even though His Majesty granted me freedom, the fact that I was His Majesty's secret guard cannot be changed," Xi Yue said unhurriedly. "But whether you still wish to take me in or not, I acknowledge you as my master. Wherever you go, I will follow."
"Did Nangong Yu send you?"
"His Majesty gave me two choices: stay by his side, or leave. I chose to leave and come to your side," Xi Yue said slowly and firmly. "I believe that by following you, I will witness unparalleled scenery."
Xiao Man couldn't help but smile. "You are quite honest, stating everything you think and feel."
"I know that to gain your approval, I must speak the truth. You dislike cunning people the most."
"I don't dislike cunning people; I dislike cunning people who are close to me," Xiao Man turned around. "Come with me."
Xi Yue quickly rose and followed. She neither asked where Xiao Man was taking her nor what they would do, but quietly followed behind Xiao Man, maintaining a just-right distance. If anything unusual happened, she could protect Xiao Man immediately.
Xiao Man led Xi Yue through streets and alleys, choosing more secluded paths. These routes would help them avoid Murong Sheng Rui's surveillance and not attract attention. Recently, her actions had been too significant, and both Murong Sheng Rui and Feng Mo Ran were becoming restless, searching for her whereabouts.
As they walked, Xiao Man suddenly stopped. A person stood before them, dressed as a scholar, but exuding an aura far beyond that of a simple scholar.
"Greetings, Empress," the person before them spoke. His voice was thin and sharp, yet not unpleasant. Xi Yue immediately stepped in front of Xiao Man.
"Who are you?"
"I am He Zhongtian."
"You are the Chief Eunuch by the Emperor of Yun!" Xi Yue immediately drew her sword. "Miss, you quickly go. I will hold him off."
Xiao Man patted Xi Yue's shoulder. "If he were here to capture me, he wouldn't have come alone. It's alright, don't worry."
Xi Yue remained uneasy, watching He Zhongtian warily, ready to strike him down if he made any aggressive moves. He Zhongtian did not seem angered by this.
"I have come to see the Empress to verify something."
"Both Ke Lingfeng and Qiu Ziqiu met their end at my hands," Xiao Man stated without hesitation. She knew the Four Chief Eunuchs were very close. If He Zhongtian was here for revenge, she was not afraid.
"What I wish to ask is, how did Master Wuyou die?"
"He died with his heart meridians shattered by Feng Mo Ran," Xiao Man did not conceal the truth. When Wuyou was traveling in Yunqi years ago, he had a good relationship with He Zhongtian. He Zhongtian, with his scholarly demeanor, appeared fragile, but anyone who underestimated him would suffer greatly.
"The Imperial Consort of Lanyue."
"He is not the Imperial Consort of Lanyue," Xiao Man said softly. "My mother's husband is my father. The decree naming Lan Ruoyu as consort has not yet been issued; he is merely a man who deserves to die."
"A man who deserves to die." He Zhongtian nodded, seemingly agreeing. "So, it was Feng Mo Ran who was guiding the Chief Eunuchs from behind the scenes."
"Guiding?" Xiao Man sneered. "Are you sure it was guiding, and not controlling?"
He Zhongtian fell silent. In everyone's eyes, Wei Wuji was a cunning old fox, loyal only to the Emperor, and everything he did was for the Emperor's good. Therefore, no matter what he did, the Emperor would not blame him.
"Did you release the Manzhushahua?" He Zhongtian asked after a long silence.
"What do you think?"
"I believe so!" He Zhongtian stated without hesitation. "In this world, only one person can stir the Emperor's heart. Previously, the Chief Eunuchs searched for many women who resembled the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor didn't even glance at them. Yet, he was persistent with the Empress..."
He Zhongtian paused here, glancing at Xiao Man before continuing. "This shows you are the person His Majesty has been searching for. And His Majesty has always been ruthless in achieving his goals. If the Empress were to submit to His Majesty, all would be well. But if the Empress is unwilling, His Majesty will spare no effort to force your compliance."
Xiao Man's lips curved into a casual smile. "So, what do you want?"
He Zhongtian bowed to Xiao Man. "Please stay away from His Majesty."
Xiao Man suddenly laughed. "He Zhongtian, I thought you were going to tell me to submit to Murong Sheng Rui. I didn't expect you to be here to advise me to stay away from Murong Sheng Rui."
"To have come from a young lady of noble birth to your current position shows that your schemes and foresight are second to none among men. If someone like you remains by His Majesty's side, Yunqi will surely face further turmoil. I wish for Yunqi to be at peace, and therefore, I implore you to stay away from His Majesty, and stay away from Yunqi."
"What if I refuse?"
He Zhongtian bowed again. "In that case, please forgive my rudeness."
Xiao Man took a step back. Xi Yue immediately stepped forward, drawing her twin swords. He Zhongtian's martial arts were not weak, and she dared not be careless. Moreover, this was the imperial city of an enemy nation. If Xiao Man's location were exposed, she would be in grave danger. Xi Yue had to end this quickly.
"Miss, you go first. I will chase after you immediately after I'm done here."
Xiao Man grabbed her. "You are no match for him. Let someone else handle this. Aro, it's your turn."