In the early morning, as Xiao Man was leaving the Dan Tai Palace, Feng Mo Ran gifted her a pot of flowers, a pot of Silver Frost Flowers on the verge of blooming, and asked her to take good care of them. Xiao Man was puzzled but did not refuse.
After Xiao Man left, Zhu Xiu entered to report. Su Dan Novel Net.
"Master, the people from Jade Flower Palace have been rescued."
Feng Mo Ran's initially pleasant expression instantly became difficult to describe. "When did this happen?"
"Midnight last night."
"Why are you reporting this only now?" Feng Mo Ran asked slowly, his subordinates becoming increasingly negligent with such significant matters.
Zhu Xiu lowered his gaze. "The Imperial Princess was here last night, and you instructed no one to disturb you."
Feng Mo Ran immediately fell silent, only then remembering that it was he who had ordered no one to be disturbed. He rubbed his temples, which were beginning to ache. "Find a way to locate Wan Du Zi. He must still be alive; only he knows the formula for marrow cleansing."
"Your subordinate is already investigating, but..." Zhu Xiu hesitated.
"What are you hesitating for? Speak your mind."
"Master, the Imperial Princess is on good terms with Ye Qing. The Imperial Princess suddenly visited the palace last night, and Ye Qing was also rescued. Could there be a connection?" Zhu Xiu reminded Feng Mo Ran. Xiao Man's appearance last night was too suspicious. Furthermore, when they were in Yu Sheng, Xiao Man and Ye Qing were close friends, referring to each other as sworn brothers. Ye Qing had even served as a physician in the General's mansion. Zhu Xiu did not believe that this matter was unrelated to Xiao Man.
"You mean Man'er had Ye Qing rescued?"
Zhu Xiu immediately knelt. "Your subordinate does not mean that. Your subordinate merely feels that the Imperial Princess's visit last night was too coincidental."
"You mean she shouldn't have come to see me?"
"Your subordinate did not mean that." Zhu Xiu felt helpless. Whenever it concerned the Imperial Princess, his master would become somewhat unreasonable. The Imperial Princess's actions were clearly suspicious, yet his master seemed to turn a blind eye.
"Do you know who Man'er met yesterday?" Feng Mo Ran asked softly.
"This..."
"I know." A woman's voice came from inside the room. Feng Mo Ran then remembered that Du Yu Lan had been left in the wardrobe by her. Judging by the time, the acupoints should have been released.
"You know?"
"Yes, I know." Du Yu Lan looked rather disheveled, her clothes wrinkled from being wet and then air-dried. "After all, I have been paying close attention to Xiao Man's every move."
"Who did she meet?"
"She met Nan Gong Yu."
Feng Mo Ran's expression remained unchanged. "Only Nan Gong Yu?"
"Not only." Du Yu Lan tugged at her clothes, attempting to smooth out the wrinkles. After a few tugs, she realized it was futile and gave up. "The National Preceptor probably doesn't know yet that a guest has visited the Imperial Princess's mansion."
"He Qing Yi?"
"You know?"
"Is there anything in the Imperial Princess's mansion that I wouldn't know?" Feng Mo Ran asked softly. He knew Xiao Man's disposition quite well. He suspected that it was not Xiao Man who had actively sought out Nan Gong Yu, but rather Nan Gong Yu who had unilaterally pestered Xiao Man. However, Nan Gong Yu did not understand Xiao Man; he did not know that once she made up her mind, she would not change it.
Du Yu Lan's eyes flickered as if she had thought of something, and a wicked smile curved her lips. "Does the National Preceptor know that He Qing Yi and Ye Qing refer to each other as senior and junior siblings?"
Feng Mo Ran did not answer Du Yu Lan. He Qing Yi came from a family of imperial physicians and was a studious person, so his medical skills were naturally exquisite. It was normal for him to frequently seek Ye Qing's guidance, but why would they call each other senior and junior siblings?
"They are both healers with similar interests, so referring to each other as senior and junior siblings is not unusual," Feng Mo Ran said slowly after a moment of silence. "If you have come to sow discord, then I regret to inform you that you will likely return empty-handed."
Du Yu Lan curved her lips. "Is that so? Since the National Preceptor does not believe me, then so be it."
Du Yu Lan walked towards the exit, but just as she reached the door, Zhu Xiu stopped her. "What do you think this place is? You can come and go as you please?"
"What, does the National Preceptor want me to stay and serve?" Du Yu Lan asked with a smile. "I would be very willing, but I fear the Empress would not be pleased, and Xiao Man would be even less so."
Feng Mo Ran's expression was inscrutable. Du Yu Lan could not quite discern his thoughts at the moment. After all, Feng Mo Ran was not as gentle and celestial as he appeared on the surface; he was ruthless and cruel, with few rivals.
"Prince Qi is here. I imagine you and your husband would like to reminisce," Feng Mo Ran said softly.
Du Yu Lan frowned. Her trip to Bian Jing was driven by Xiao Man, but it was not solely for Xiao Man. She wanted to cause Nan Gong Yi pain even more.
"The National Preceptor may have forgotten that he and I are divorced. We are now strangers," Du Yu Lan said, her tone neither fast nor slow, attempting to conceal her emotions. However, Feng Mo Ran was a master of calculating human hearts, and the recent events had escaped his control. He needed to regain control as soon as possible.
"Is that so?" Feng Mo Ran said slowly. "In that case, I imagine you wouldn't mind if I did something to him, would you?"
A smile appeared on Du Yu Lan's face. "If the National Preceptor is willing to do something to him, I will certainly be grateful. After all, with my current status, let alone approaching him, even appearing before him would make him wary. Yu Lan thanks the National Preceptor in advance."
"No need to thank me." Feng Mo Ran smiled along, his smile bright and clean, yet carrying a bone-chilling coldness, like the winter sun that, no matter how warm, could not ward off the biting winter wind. "Zhu Xiu, escort her out of the palace."
"Yes, Master."
Zhu Xiu grabbed Du Yu Lan as if she were a small chicken and threw her out of the palace. Du Yu Lan fell to the ground in a clumsy heap but did not get angry. She calmly got up from the ground.
"So rude, not knowing how to cherish a woman," Du Yu Lan said, dusting off her clothes. She watched Zhu Xiu leave without looking back, a cold smile curving her lips. She then turned, and a token appeared in her hand – it was clearly taken from Zhu Xiu.
Du Yu Lan played with the token in her hand and turned the corner, feeling pleased. Suddenly, she stopped and looked to the side. There stood Xiao Man, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with amusement.
Du Yu Lan instinctively wanted to flee, but her reason calmed her. The enmity between her and Xiao Man was merely because she had stabbed Xiao Zhen three times, but none of the stabs were fatal. She could not appear guilty, nor could she let Xiao Man see through her.
"Long time no see. I never expected you to transform into the Imperial Princess of Yu Sheng," Du Yu Lan said calmly, her smile fading.
"Yes, long time no see." Xiao Man's expression was cold. "I thought you would never appear before me again. I underestimated you."