Qu Yang closed the door, still uneasy. Was it reality or an illusion? If it was an illusion, that would be for the best. But if it was reality, why had Xiao Man come looking for him? And why had she left so quietly?
Qu Yang paced his room, unable to settle his mind. He immediately left his manor to find Xiahou Ying.
Xiahou Ying had remained in Jinling City since his return, and His Majesty had paid him no mind. Qu Yang understood that His Majesty was angry about Xiahou Ying's concealment. As a minister to the Emperor, Xiahou Ying should not have hidden matters concerning Xiao Man.
At the Xiahou Manor, the elder General Xiahou was playing chess with Xiahou Ying. Xiahou Ying placed his piece with a serious expression. "Father, you are about to lose."
The old general glanced at the board. "It's not over until the end. Don't celebrate too early."
"You said the same thing last game," Xiahou Ying said lazily. "You've already lost three consecutive games."
"I was careless in the earlier games. This time, I will win!" the old general declared with conviction. "Besides, you are not being fair, not even letting your own father win."
Xiahou Ying was somewhat helpless. "Father, I've already given you a three-stone handicap..."
"Enough with the nonsense, I'm winning this time!" the old general interrupted Xiahou Ying with a wave of his hand and slammed a piece down. "No, I can't put it there. I'll put it here."
"Uncle, put it here." Qu Yang took the old general's hand and guided him to move the chess piece to another spot.
Xiahou Ying glanced at Qu Yang. "A true gentleman does not comment on others' games!"
Qu Yang smiled broadly. "Uncle, place the next piece here."
"Shameless!"
The old general immediately burst into laughter. He could not control his own son, but when it came to this young man from the Qu family, his beloved son became as docile as a mouse seeing a cat.
With Qu Yang's assistance, Xiahou Ying lost this game. The old man was so delighted that he danced with joy. "This old man's sword is still sharp! You have much to learn, young man. You two talk, I won't disturb you."
"Farewell, Uncle."
Once the old general was out of sight, Xiahou Ying immediately snorted. "What information do you want to pry out this time?"
"Did Xiao Man come to see you?"
Xiahou Ying suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and retorted, "Why would she come to see me? Do you really think she has nothing better to do all day?"
Qu Yang knew Xiahou Ying was not lying, but he felt even more uneasy. If Xiao Man had come to see Xiahou Ying, it meant it was not a hallucination. But since Xiahou Ying hadn't seen her, he couldn't be sure.
"I saw Xiao Man."
"Where did you see her?" Xiahou Ying asked curiously. He had many questions for Xiao Man, but he didn't know how to ask them.
"At my manor." Qu Yang hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "She said she came to collect a debt, but by the time I came to my senses, she was nowhere to be found. It was as if I had merely dreamt that Xiao Man came to collect a debt from me."
Xiahou Ying's expression grew serious. "Qu Yang, do you believe in fate?"
"I do!"
"Then follow your heart."
Murong Shengrui and Murong Ziheng returned to the Imperial Capital in a rather disheveled state. Along the way, Xiao Man had set countless traps and ambushes for them. Their safe return to the Imperial Capital was largely due to the arrangements Murong Shengrui had made before leaving the capital.
Murong Ziheng lay on his bed, too exhausted to move. He had never experienced such a desperate escape. Even when the Empress Dowager Dugu had let him go back then, he had never endured such hardship. He and Murong Shengrui had been like mice, constantly hiding, while Xiao Man was the cat waiting to hunt them.
A cat plays with a mouse, not devouring it immediately, but enjoying the sport of toying with it. Seeing the mouse struggle in vain, unable to escape its grasp, the cat would only slowly devour the mouse once it had its fill and the mouse was tired.
Murong Ziheng felt a deep unease. There must be a secret between Murong Shengrui and Xiao Man that he did not know. No matter how Xiao Man dealt with Murong Shengrui, Murong Shengrui never got angry, not even retaliating. It was as if he were the cat.
"Strange," Murong Ziheng sat up. "Is Murong Shengrui the type of person to swallow his pain?"
The facts told him that Murong Shengrui was by no means someone who swallowed his pain. On the contrary, this man was full of schemes. If he didn't plot against others, they would be grateful; how could he tolerate others plotting against him!
"Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace."
"Haven't we just parted? Why do you want this prince to go to the palace again?" Murong Ziheng was furious, but he had no choice but to put on his shoes and head to the palace. Now, he was the knife's victim, and there was no room for resistance.
Upon entering the palace, Murong Ziheng immediately noticed that the atmosphere was not right, especially around Murong Shengrui's sleeping quarters, which were heavily guarded. Even standing at the entrance, he could sense that something had happened inside.
"Prince Song, please enter."
Murong Ziheng steadied himself and pushed open the door. The moment he entered, he was hit by a strong smell of blood.
"What happened?" Murong Ziheng looked at Murong Shengrui, who lay on the bed as if unconscious, and asked in shock. Weren't they fine when they parted? How did he end up like this in the blink of an eye? Su Dan Novel Network.
"The eunuch who usually serves His Majesty was bribed. While His Majesty was exhausted from the long journey, he was stabbed. The wound is critical and very dangerous." Qu Yang and Xiahou Ying were both present. As the Emperor's left and right hands, their fortunes were tied to the Emperor's. Moreover, when the Emperor was absent, they were the ones who helped stabilize the court.
"Has the culprit been caught?"
"The culprit has already committed suicide by poison," Qu Yang sighed. "Now that His Majesty is so severely injured, he will undoubtedly be unable to handle state affairs. Therefore, Prince Song is requested to handle state affairs on his behalf."
"I can't do it," Murong Ziheng said without hesitation. "How would I know how to handle state affairs?"
"Prince Song need not worry. My subordinate and Xiahou will assist Your Highness. This is a troubled time, and His Majesty has been ambushed by villains. Your Highness will have to shoulder the burden until His Majesty recovers."
Murong Ziheng hesitated, his gaze falling on Murong Shengrui's pale face. This man had threatened him just two days ago, and now he lay so weakly in bed. Truly, life is full of twists and turns.
"What do I need to do?"
"Keep the news of His Majesty's injury a secret. Blue Moon is amassing troops on the border, and the border with Yusheng is also heavily fortified. It is likely that these two countries have joined forces."
Murong Ziheng's heart sank. "If these two countries have joined forces, do I still have any room to resist?"
"Your Highness, it's not that simple," Qu Yang said gently. "Although these two countries have joined forces, everyone knows that Nangong Yu's intentions are treacherous. If the Empress of Blue Moon allies with him, she might end up with nothing left but bones."