"You still have some self-awareness," Murong Shengrui said softly. "However, this is the only time. If there's a next time, don't wait for Xiao Man to kill you; I'll chop you first. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Murong Ziheng quickly nodded. "I was forced to do it. The situation was urgent, so I acted against her."
"From now on, no matter the circumstances, do not act against her," Murong Shengrui looked at Murong Ziheng and said coldly. "To lay a hand on her is like an old man trying to hang himself. You're tired of living."
Murong Ziheng frowned. "Your Majesty, what do we do next?"
"Return to Jinling," Murong Shengrui said slowly. "Given Xiao Man's nature, she will absolutely not let Feng Moran go. Therefore, she will come to Jinling voluntarily."
"She is the Empress of Lanyue; she cannot leave the Imperial Capital of Lanyue as she pleases."
"Isn't she leaving now?" A wicked smile tugged at the corner of Murong Shengrui's lips. "As long as Feng Moran is in Yunqi, she will follow. Moreover, most of Feng Moran's influence is in Yunqi. She knows this better than anyone. To truly eradicate Feng Moran's influence, one must return to Yunqi."
Murong Ziheng carefully considered Murong Shengrui's words and felt there was something amiss. What did he mean by "return to Yunqi"? Xiao Man isn't from Yunqi!
"Xiao Man is Dugu Man," Murong Ziheng blurted out.
Murong Shengrui glanced at him. "If you're sick, take medicine. Stop thinking nonsense."
"She is Dugu Man."
"Then tell me, how is she Dugu Man? Just because the Asura Guard and the Red Feather Iron Cavalry obey her command?" Murong Shengrui snorted. "However, her connection with the Empress Dowager is certain."
"A connection?"
"Yes. You know the Empress Dowager's character. She always plans three steps ahead. She wasn't guarded against us, which is why she fell into our trap. But what the Empress Dowager has always wanted is not just the stability of Yunqi." A flicker of pain crossed Murong Shengrui's eyes. If it weren't for Nangong Yu, with him and the Empress Dowager working together, perhaps no one in the world would be their match, not even Nangong Yu.
"Your Majesty, cooperating with Feng Moran is like seeking a tiger for its skin. Remember, he is a remnant of the First Qin!" Murong Ziheng reminded Murong Shengrui.
"I have it under control," Murong Shengrui said indifferently. "The remnants of the First Qin are merely a smokescreen thrown out by Xiao Man. Whether Feng Moran is truly a remnant of the First Qin remains to be investigated."
"Regarding the remnants of the First Qin, it is better to kill ten thousand by mistake than to let one go," Murong Ziheng said after a moment of silence. "If you harbor Feng Moran, Yunqi will also fall into danger."
"When did I ever say I would harbor him?" Murong Shengrui said coldly. "He is merely bait, bait to lure Xiao Man into Yunqi. Only when she enters my territory can I become the hunter."
"Be careful you don't catch a rabbit and get pecked in the eye!" Murong Ziheng muttered. Xiao Man is not easy to deal with; it's still uncertain who will be the prey in the end!
Qu Yang thought that as long as he avoided Xiao Man, he wouldn't have to deal with her again. The psychological trauma Xiao Man had inflicted on him still lingered. This was why he hadn't accompanied the Emperor to Lanyue. He felt that if he appeared before Xiao Man again, she would surely kill him.
However, as soon as Qu Yang returned home and had half-undone his outer garment, he discovered that there was a person in the room, sitting on a chair by the window, looking at him with a half-smile.
Qu Yang subconsciously rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating. But when he realized the person in the room was not a hallucination, his first instinct was to flee. Yet, his body refused to obey his command. He stood there stiffly, staring blankly at Xiao Man.
"You... didn't you ascend to the throne? Why... why are you back in Yunqi?"
Xiao Man's eyes sparkled, her tone gentle. "What, you're not happy to see me?"
Qu Yang couldn't be happy. He was almost scared to tears, but he said, "The Empress's visit to my humble abode brings me great honor. How could I not be happy?"
"Since you're happy, why are you crying?" Xiao Man teased. "Are you crying tears of joy upon seeing me?"
Did Qu Yang dare to say no? Of course not!
"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask, what brings you to Yunqi?"
Xiao Man stretched, looking at Qu Yang, and said word by word, "Naturally, to collect a debt!"
Qu Yang felt his heart pounding like a drum. Collect a debt? Xiao Man coming to Yunqi to collect a debt? What debt could she be collecting?
"Yunqi... doesn't seem to owe..."
"Are you sure Yunqi doesn't owe me?" Xiao Man asked softly, her dark eyes like a deep pool, seeming to draw him in.
Qu Yang was not sure. Xiao Man gave him a feeling of danger and familiarity. He still couldn't distinguish whether what he saw that night was reality or a dream.
"Who... who are you?"
"I am who I am," Xiao Man said softly. "The one who makes this world tremble!"
Qu Yang's hair stood on end. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Xiao Man. He knew this sentence too well. The first time he met Dugu Man, he had curiously asked her who she was, and Dugu Man had answered him exactly like this!
"Are you... are you human or ghost?"
"Human or ghost, those who owe me must pay," Xiao Man said word by word. "Do you know why I didn't look for Xiahou Ying, but for you?"
Qu Yang gritted his teeth. "Because Yinfeng never participated in this matter from beginning to end. He doesn't owe you."
Xiao Man sneered. "Wrong. Because there are some things only you can do, and he cannot!"
Qu Yang's heart sank, and he had a vague premonition. Xiao Man's return to Yunqi at this time was probably not just to seek revenge from His Majesty. "What do you want to do?"
Xiao Man smiled charmingly, her eyes sparkling. Qu Yang thought her eyes were truly beautiful. If not for the dangerous aura Xiao Man exuded, she would undoubtedly be a universally adored woman.
When Qu Yang came back to his senses, he was alone in the room. Xiao Man was nowhere to be seen. Qu Yang quickly opened the door and looked around, but found no trace of her. Even the teacup where Xiao Man had been sitting was neatly placed upside down on the tea tray, as if it had all been his hallucination.
"Could it be my hallucination?" Qu Yang was suspicious. However, he was always cautious. To confirm whether he had truly hallucinated, he specifically ordered someone to investigate Xiao Man's whereabouts.
"Sir, didn't you say that person should not be meddled with?" the attendant asked, puzzled. Usually, he had instructed that any matters concerning Xiao Man were to be ignored.
Qu Yang glared at him. "You talk too much. Just do as you're told!"
"Yes, subordinate will do it immediately."