He Zhongtian's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw Dugu Luo appear, and his casual expression became solemn.
It seemed the rumors were true, Xiao Man had indeed taken over the forces from Empress Dowager Dugu. This was likely why His Majesty was relentlessly pursuing her, as Empress Dowager Dugu's influence was equivalent to half of Yunqi's empire.
"I have always wanted to experience the divine fist of Master A Luo. Forgive me." He Zhongtian stepped forward immediately, launching an attack. Dugu Luo, seeing He Zhongtian rush towards her, didn't hesitate to slap him. He Zhongtian was startled and quickly retreated, narrowly dodging Dugu Luo's palm. However, the gust of wind from the strike sent his long hair flying.
He Zhongtian had always known Dugu Luo was incredibly powerful. With innate strength and personal guidance from Empress Dowager Dugu, few could withstand her attacks. But he had never personally experienced it. Today, he finally understood the immense pressure one faced when confronting Dugu Luo.
Xiao Man glanced at the two of them. "As long as you don't cause too much of a commotion, you can play around."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Luo's eyes instantly lit up. She moved with lightning speed. He Zhongtian, relying on his intuition for danger, evaded Dugu Luo's attacks. Dugu Luo, failing to land a blow repeatedly, did not get angry. Instead, she became more enthusiastic, much like when she played games with Xiao Man. Catching her prey meant a reward, so she always went all out, even if Xiao Man told her not to make too much noise.
He Zhongtian had come alone because he assumed Xiao Man, accompanied by only a young maid, would not be his match. He had never expected Dugu Luo to be constantly by Xiao Man's side. This was his miscalculation.
He Zhongtian pondered for a moment and decided to disengage. Killing Xiao Man was no easy feat; if she were so easily killed, she wouldn't have become the Blue Moon Empress. His purpose today was merely to intimidate. He immediately dropped his pursuit of Dugu Luo and prepared to flee.
Dugu Luo would never allow him to escape. She immediately gave chase, but Xiao Man whistled. Dugu Luo quickly stopped and returned to Xiao Man's side. "A Man, my toy ran away."
"Let him run. He Zhongtian is a cunning and treacherous person. If you chase him, you might fall into his trap. Let him go today. We'll see him again another day, and you can continue your game with him." Xiao Man comforted Dugu Luo.
"Next time I see him, I can still play this game with him?"
"Of course," Xiao Man affirmed. "You can play however you want then."
"Alright, then I'll play with him next time and let him go for today." Dugu Luo was delighted. "A Man, where are we going to play next?"
"Since it's late and quiet, let's go set some fires."
"Set fires?" Dugu Luo's eyes lit up. She clapped her hands. "Where are we setting fires? Are we roasting meat?"
Xiao Man smiled meaningfully. "No roasting meat. Shall we go?"
"Then are we going to commit arson?"
"No killing, just arson," Xiao Man smiled like a cunning little fox. "Things that shouldn't exist should have been destroyed long ago."
"Where are we setting fires?"
Xiao Man pointed in the direction of the imperial palace. Dugu Luo nodded repeatedly. "Are we burning down the entire palace?"
Xiao Man curved her fingers and flicked Dugu Luo's forehead fiercely. "Do you know how many people are in the palace? If the entire palace burns down, how many people will die?"
Dugu Luo shook her head. "If not the palace, then where? Mu Rong Sheng Rui's sleeping quarters?"
Xiao Man looked towards the imperial palace. "No, we're burning down Shou Kang Palace."
Xi Yue's mouth twitched. So all this time, you've been staring at Shou Kang Palace to find an opportunity to burn it down, not because there's anything in Shou Kang Palace that you care about! Soudan Novel Network
"Perhaps I should go?"
"We'll go together," Xiao Man said mysteriously, leading Dugu Luo and Xi Yue down a different path.
Xi Yue looked at Xiao Man's retreating back with astonishment. All imperial palaces had secret passages; this was a well-kept secret. She hadn't expected Xiao Man to know about Yunqi's imperial palace secret passage. If she wanted to kill Mu Rong Sheng Rui, wouldn't it be easy?
"Stay close to me, don't get lost. There are many forks in the road and numerous traps here." Xiao Man led the way, with Dugu Luo and Xi Yue following behind.
Watching Xiao Man navigate with such familiarity, Xi Yue felt a strange sensation. She felt as if Xiao Man had walked this secret passage many times before, knowing exactly where the traps and mechanisms were, as if this place were her home.
Xi Yue wanted to ask Xiao Man how she knew about Yunqi's imperial palace secret passage. Then she remembered that Xiao Man had many secrets and possessed many skills. It wouldn't be surprising if she even knew the location of Yu Sheng's imperial palace secret passage. Things that seemed incredible to others were simple in her hands.
"Where does this secret passage lead?"
"Yong He Palace," Xiao Man replied. "The palace next to Shou Kang Palace."
"Why not to Shou Kang Palace?"
"Because Shou Kang Palace attracts too much attention," Xiao Man explained as they walked. "Secret passages are always set up in unexpected places. When something happens, everyone assumes the secret passage is near the emperor's sleeping quarters, but that's not the case. The emperor's sleeping quarters have been scouted by countless people, and even if there were a secret passage, it would be found. Only by placing it in an unlikely location can it be truly concealed."
"Does Yu Sheng's imperial palace have a secret passage?"
"Yes," Xiao Man turned back and smiled. "Not just the imperial palace, but Prince Qin's manor does too."
"Prince Qin's manor also has one?" Xi Yue felt that she wasn't the secret guard of Prince Qin; Xiao Man was. Otherwise, how would she not know about the secret passage in Prince Qin's manor?
"Did His Majesty tell you?"
"No, I discovered it myself," Xiao Man said unhurriedly. "The first time I entered Prince Qin's manor, I discovered it had a secret passage. I have a bad habit: wherever I go, I meticulously observe the terrain and commit the map to memory. This way, the next time I visit, I'll know how to avoid guards and secret guards to achieve my goals without anyone noticing."
"For example, sneaking into His Majesty's room?"
Xiao Man stumbled, nearly falling. Dugu Luo quickly supported her. After all, Xiao Man was no longer ordinary; she was pregnant and could not afford to be careless. Otherwise, she wouldn't have stayed by Xiao Man's side.
Xiao Man turned and glared at Xi Yue. "That was an accident!"
Xi Yue touched her nose. "Yes, subordinate remembers. That was an accident, not something you did intentionally. You are definitely not someone who is greedy for beauty."
Xiao Man choked. For the first time, she didn't retort. Instead, she turned and continued walking. While Qing Feng Pavilion was an accident, she had actively gone to Prince Qin's manor. At that time, she was drawn to Nangong Yu's beauty!