The Empress Dowager watched the Prince of Qi and his wife leave, then withdrew her gaze, resuming the role of a gentle and loving elder.
Xiao Man propped her chin in her hand, looking at the majestic Empress Dowager with a playful expression. "Xiao Wu, have you made up your mind yet?"
Nangong Wu shot Xiao Man a glare. "I've already made up my mind. It's Qin Zeyan who hasn't!"
"Just based on those words, I can tell you haven't figured it out!" Xiao Man looked like she was disappointed in her student's progress, still thinking about men at a time like this. "You expect a man to change his mind? You might as well expect a sow to climb a tree or a dog to refuse to eat shit!"
"You're a dignified princess, and you speak so crudely!" Nangong Wu said with disdain. "How could such a refined gentleman, a virtuous man like Wen Mohan, have fallen for you?"
"Don't just speak for yourself; I'm puzzled too." Xiao Man leaned her head against Nangong Wu's, whispering, "I even suspected he was playing me."
"Why do you say that?"
"You haven't been in the imperial capital much, so you don't know how he treated me before. In the Imperial Academy, he couldn't be bothered with me. After you left, he ignored me even more. Normally, when I encountered him in the imperial capital, he would either mock me or insult me without using vulgar words. This kind of person suddenly becoming my fiancé, and it being his initiative, doesn't that seem fantastical?"
"I think *you* are the fantastical one!" Nangong Wu snorted. "Such a fine man has been twisted into this state by you. You know Wen Mohan is the dream lover of countless young women in the imperial capital. Quickly, tell me, what love potion did you give him to make him devoted to you and obedient? I want a bowl too, to give to Qin Zeyan."
Xiao Man poured her a cup of wine. "Men are like that. The more you care about him, the less he'll value you. Only by staying away from him, keeping him on a leash, visible but untouchable, will he realize how wonderful you are!"
Nangong Wu nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."
"Of course. If you put the effort you spend on men into strengthening yourself, you won't have to worry about men not liking you."
"I'm already a princess. How much stronger do I need to be? To be any stronger would be treasonous!"
"You call yourself foolish, yet you don't admit it." Xiao Man sighed. "The strength I'm talking about is inner strength, the strength to be fearless."
"Are you fearless within?"
"No," Xiao Man replied without hesitation. "When my father was harmed, didn't you see how heartbroken I was?"
"Your father doted on you so much. It would be strange if you weren't heartbroken when he was harmed!" Nangong Wu paused here. "Are there any clues about the killer?"
"The clues aren't exactly..."
"The Imperial Advisor arrives." As the eunuch announced, everyone turned their gaze towards the palace entrance.
Feng Tianlan, clad in white robes, entered with an ethereal grace, bowing slightly to the Emperor and Empress Dowager on the main seat.
"Imperial Advisor, please be seated."
From the moment Feng Tianlan entered the hall, Qu Yang's gaze had been fixed upon him. Having been in Yusheng's imperial capital for so long, this was his first time seeing the elusive Imperial Advisor!
They had obtained two portraits from the Celestial Secrets Pavilion, both depicting the same person. This meant that Feng Moran, who had incited the discord between the Empress Dowager and His Majesty back then, was the same person as Yusheng's Imperial Advisor. He refused to believe it, but after seeing Feng Tianlan today, he found he had no choice but to believe. The two men shared a striking similarity in both temperament and presence!
Was Feng Tianlan, who was Feng Moran, instigating the internal strife in Yunqi at the behest of the Emperor of Yusheng?
A chill ran down Qu Yang's spine. If all of this was orchestrated by the Emperor of Yusheng, did that imply Yusheng had long harbored ambitions of conquering the realm?
As for Xiao Man... Qu Yang looked at Xiao Man. Feng Tianlan seemed to know Duke Du Gu Man very well, and also His Majesty. Xiao Man was perhaps a pawn he had created, specifically to control His Majesty. Once Xiao Man was married off for alliance, Yunqi would be plunged into complete chaos!
What a malicious intent, what a wicked scheme!
Many things began to connect in Qu Yang's mind. Feng Tianlan wanted to use Xiao Man as a pawn for the marriage alliance. Xiao Zhen refused, which led to Xiao Zhen's demise. Feng Tianlan killed Xiao Zhen to force Xiao Man to follow his plan: marry into Yunqi, and then collude with Yusheng from within to completely swallow Yunqi!
"My lord, your complexion doesn't look well. Are you unwell?" Minister Zhou noticed Qu Yang trembling slightly and his face turning pale, and immediately inquired.
Qu Yang withdrew his gaze. "No, perhaps I drank too much wine and have a headache."
Feng Tianlan's gaze shifted towards him. Qu Yang pretended not to notice and continued drinking. Heaven knew his heart was pounding like a drum. He absolutely could not let Xiao Man be married off to Yunqi. He had to destroy this alliance!
Qu Yang pondered. If a marriage alliance was unavoidable, another princess could be chosen. The Ninth Princess, Nangong Wu, was far easier to control than Xiao Man. Xiao Man herself was a very dangerous person!
Xiao Man had been observing Feng Tianlan's arrival and everyone's reactions with a cool gaze. She unexpectedly noticed that Yao Ran's expression became extremely complex upon seeing Feng Tianlan, even showing deep apprehension!
It seemed there was an unspeakable secret between Yao Ran, her father, and Feng Tianlan. What was this secret? Could it be the reason for his madness?
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged, but her heart grew colder by the moment. Regardless of the reason for his madness, she would never forgive him. What was owed to her must be repaid with blood!
"Yongning."
"Your subject is here." Xiao Man looked towards the Empress Dowager.
"Regarding your father's matter, I am deeply sympathetic. As a young lady, how can you linger in the military camp? The military camp is full of men; it's not good for your reputation. My intention is..."
"Does Your Majesty the Empress Dowager mean for me to hand over the command of the Divine Capital Camp to His Highness the Prince of Qi?" Xiao Man interrupted the Empress Dowager's words and asked loudly.
The Empress Dowager's expression changed, but she was a woman who had weathered many storms and quickly regained her composure. "Child, what nonsense are you speaking? The Divine Capital Camp is the emperor's personal guard. I merely feel sorry for you, a young lady, constantly fighting amongst a group of men, fearing it might tarnish your reputation. I was thinking, if you were willing, the Emperor could find another reliable person to take over. Child, why did you bring up the Prince of Qi?"
"So it was my misunderstanding of Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's kind intentions. I hereby apologize to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Xiao Man said with a beaming smile. "Normally, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager favors His Highness the Prince of Qi the most. I thought Your Majesty the Empress Dowager was going to help the Prince of Qi seize military power. I should be punished. Ever since I took charge of the Divine Capital Camp, I've always suspected someone of plotting against His Majesty. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you won't blame me for being young and ignorant, will you?"