"You have good composure," Feng Moran remarked, seeing Wen Mohan seated steadily without a trace of fear. Though a frail scholar, his fortitude surpassed that of any military general.
"The National Preceptor flatters me. I possess no great abilities, only good patience," Wen Mohan said slowly. "It's perhaps my only merit, a stubbornness my Man'er often points out."
Feng Moran couldn't quite decipher his own emotions. He had always thought Wen Mohan was merely a tool to temper Xiao Man, but unexpectedly, this tool had firmly adhered to Xiao Man's hand.
"Sir Wen, far from your homeland, do you miss your family?" Feng Moran asked in a low voice.
"My parents are traveling together, enjoying their rare time as a couple. As a son, I cannot disturb them. Moreover, my father said I'm not permitted home unless I bring back a wife. So, wherever my wife is, that's where I must be," Wen Mohan's voice was unhurried, posing no pressure, yet demanding attention.
"Do you like candied chestnuts?" Feng Moran asked abruptly.
"No," Wen Mohan's eyes crinkled in a smile. "Man'er detests the taste of candied chestnuts, so I never eat them, nor do I like them."
Feng Moran looked at Wen Mohan, puzzled. "Man'er dislikes candied chestnuts? How can that be? I recall her quite enjoying them."
"Her favorite is the wontons from the south of Shengjing City, the pastries from Bazhen Pavilion, and the sweet dew flower wine I brew myself," Wen Mohan said, sounding somewhat like he was complaining. "Just for her indulgence in these, I wake at the fourth watch daily to collect dew, only to brew her a bottle of flower wine, which she finishes in three gulps."
Feng Moran felt an oppressive discomfort in his chest, a feeling he hadn't experienced even when facing Nangong Yu. This person, who had never been cared about, had somehow ended up by Xiao Man's side.
"I heard the Empress bestowed a male attendant upon the Princess Imperial, named Yan Yao. Is he obedient?"
"Very good," Wen Mohan interjected. "He excels at tasks like 'red sleeves adding fragrance' and writes beautifully. Man'er even praised him, saying his calligraphy is like his person."
Feng Moran found Wen Mohan increasingly inscrutable. As men, how could he not feel jealous? Especially when the woman he loved had another man by her side, how could he not be enraged?
"You think he is very good?"
"Indeed, quite good. He's intelligent and driven, a rare fine young man," Wen Mohan said gently. "Man'er is quite fond of him."
"As long as Man'er likes him, it's fine. After all, she is the Princess Imperial and will one day be the ruler of a nation. Her harem will have countless male consorts. I suppose only someone as broad-minded as you can refrain from vying or envying. No wonder Man'er takes you wherever she goes."
Wen Mohan's gaze deepened slightly. The Empress had initially intended for him to accompany Feng Moran for chess. He had feigned illness to decline, only for Feng Moran to come to the Princess Imperial's residence himself, visiting daily. He understood Feng Moran's intentions.
Feng Moran wished to persuade him to leave while Xiao Man was away. If he refused, Feng Moran might resort to drastic measures.
"In Lanyue, it is my duty to assist my wife with her worries and troubles," Wen Mohan said softly. "She has to busy herself with state affairs daily; I must handle the matters within the household for her."
"You, who should be a favored son of heaven, are confined to the inner court. Are you content with this?" Feng Moran finally got to the point. In his opinion, how could men outside truly be content to remain in the background? Especially a man as outstanding and worldly as Wen Mohan; such a man could not remain subservient to a woman forever. All his deference and humility must have ulterior motives.
Just like Nangong Yu, all his approaches were for exploitation, all his kindness was a deception.
"National Preceptor, you are a pure gentleman, untainted by the mundane world. Are you content to become a member of someone else's harem?" Wen Mohan retorted.
Feng Moran's conviction grew that Wen Mohan's constant presence with Xiao Man was driven by ulterior motives.
"What do you want?" Feng Moran placed a chess piece. "You have no way out."
"That's not necessarily true," Wen Mohan placed a piece in an inconspicuous corner, and the previously trapped chess game suddenly came to life.
Feng Moran glanced at it. "It's merely a desperate struggle."
"Until the very end, who wins or loses is not yet decided," Wen Mohan's voice remained steady. "National Preceptor, you should be careful."
In this game of chess, Feng Moran had initially held the advantage, but in the end, he surprisingly lost a move. Feng Moran looked at the crisscrossing pieces on the board, a smile of unfathomable meaning curling on his lips. He then took his leave.
Xiao Man and her entourage exited the trade route, heading towards Bianjing. Suddenly, a group of people dressed as bandits emerged on the road. They were well-trained and surrounded them.
Xiao Man's gaze swept over them, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Even if they were to dress as bandits, they should at least be professional and change their army boots. Anyone with a bit of experience could tell these were trained soldiers.
"This tree was planted by me..."
"There are no trees here," Qin Xue interjected.
The leader paused, then continued, "This path was opened by me..."
"There was no path here originally. It became a path because people walked it. How is it that you opened it?" Qin Xue said teasingly.
"Why waste so much time talking to her? Attack!"
Xiao Man remained seated, watching coldly as they charged. However, they couldn't even break through the protective circle of Duguluo alone. Not only did they fail to harm her, but they also suffered significant losses.
In the distance, a woman watched Xiao Man, who sat steadily on her horse. She drew her bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at Xiao Man. Just as she was about to release it, Xiao Man suddenly looked in her direction. Startled, the woman's arrow flew out of her hand, whistling towards Xiao Man.
Xiao Man immediately drew her own bow and shot an arrow back. Her arrow split the opponent's arrow in half, its momentum undiminished as it flew towards the woman hidden in the shadows. The speed was so great that the woman had no time to dodge. She could only instinctively avoid a vital spot, but Xiao Man's arrow pierced her arm, causing her face to contort in pain.
"Mistress," a guard quickly helped the woman.
The woman pushed the guard away, glaring hatefully at Xiao Man in the distance. "No wonder she's so arrogant; she has some skill. However, once outside Bianjing, her fate will be mine to decide!"
"Issue the order: set ambushes along the way. We must take Xiao Man's head."
"As you command." The first wave of testers became casualties in an instant. Duguluo joyfully ran to Xiao Man's side.
"A'man, I killed all the bad guys."
"A'luo is so amazing. You'll be allowed to eat candied hawthorns for a month when we get back," Xiao Man said with a smile.
"That's great! I can eat candied hawthorns for a month!" Duguluo was so happy she practically danced, as if eating candied hawthorns for a month was the greatest reward.