"Last night was so chaotic, they might not be setting up stalls today," Xiao Man said, not slowing her pace. The streets had been in disarray last night, and people might not venture out to sell, as making money was less important than their lives.
"I actually think their lives are unaffected," Nangong Yu said, taking Xiao Man's hand and turning towards the morning market. The palace had experienced a bloody struggle last night, and the streets had been chaotic. However, by dawn, peace had been restored. The morning market, though opening a bit late, was indeed open. People bustled back and forth between various stalls as if nothing had happened last night.
Vendors hawked their wares, drawing the attention of shoppers.
"They really are unaffected."
"The change of emperor, the rise and fall of noble families, have nothing to do with ordinary people. At most, it becomes idle gossip, and it doesn't affect their lives at all," Nangong Yu said softly. "Who becomes emperor, who becomes prime minister, it makes no difference to them. They only care if their own lives are affected."
"They are the most insignificant under imperial power, yet also the most resilient. They possess no immense wealth, but they experience the warmth and cold of human relationships." The two stopped at a wonton stall. The owner, looking up, saw them standing there in the misty steam and didn't recognize them at first. Once he did, he quickly approached, wiping down the tables and stools. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Young lady, Qin..."
"Shh," Xiao Man quickly put a finger to her lips and whispered, "Uncle, speak softly. We can't let people know His Highness is sneaking out this early to eat wontons."
The wonton uncle smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly. "Wife, quickly boil two bowls of wontons, one without scallions."
"Alright, coming right up."
"You two sit first, the wontons will be here soon." The wonton uncle happily scurried to the stove to cook the wontons himself, and called for his wife to prepare some small dishes for them.
In just a short while, the wontons were ready, served with a plate of their homemade refreshing side dishes. "Please enjoy."
As time went on, more and more people came to eat wontons, and the couple were kept busy. Xiao Man ate happily, savoring each bite of side dish and wonton, as if they were delicacies and fine cuisine.
Seeing Xiao Man eat with such delight, Nangong Yu couldn't help but smile. He picked up a wonton from his bowl and placed it in Xiao Man's. "Eat slowly."
"Aren't you eating?"
"I can't eat this much. You eat some for me," Nangong Yu said gently.
Xiao Man didn't refuse and soon finished a bowl of wontons. Seeing a few pieces of side dish left on the plate, she unhesitatingly picked them up and ate them, then patted her full stomach with satisfaction.
"I'm full, so full."
Nangong Yu propped his chin on his hand and watched Xiao Man smile. "Are the wontons that delicious?"
"We were busy and on the move all night yesterday, and I haven't eaten anything. I was starving. Besides, Uncle Wonton's wontons are always delicious."
Nangong Yu's smile deepened. "You're full, but I'm still hungry."
Xiao Man blinked. "You're not full, yet you gave yours to me? I'll ask Uncle Wonton to cook you another bowl."
Nangong Yu grasped Xiao Man's hand and shook his head with a smile. "I don't want wontons, I want you."
Xiao Man quickly withdrew her hand and touched her arm. "It's early in the morning, you look like a pervert!"
Nangong Yu was amused. He reached out to Xiao Man, who leaned back and almost fell. Fortunately, Nangong Yu caught her. "You have something on the corner of your mouth."
Xiao Man blushed. With Nangong Yu's support, she sat up straight and took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Nangong Yu took the handkerchief from her hand and carefully wiped away the remnants.
"You're quite guarded against me now."
Xiao Man turned her face away. "No."
"Whether you are or not, you know it in your heart," Nangong Yu said softly. "Lately, you've been acting stranger and stranger."
Xiao Man turned back to face Nangong Yu, a smile returning to her face. "I think it's you who is strange."
Nangong Yu sighed. Whenever Xiao Man had something to hide from him, she would deflect like this. Fine, if she didn't want to say, then so be it.
"Lately, try to avoid contact with the Prince of Chu and the Prince of Qi," Nangong Yu advised Xiao Man. "With the Crown Prince fallen, even if he survives, he won't have a chance to rise again. The Prince of Chu and the Prince of Qi should be getting restless."
Xiao Man was silent for a moment. "Indeed, power stirs the heart."
"People die for wealth, birds die for food. It's an unchanging truth," Nangong Yu said calmly. "Moreover, that position is far more alluring than wealth."
"Duke Chen is also busy clearing out rebels tonight. He didn't even warn the Prince of Chu."
Nangong Yu nodded. "The death of the Prince of Chu's wife is a thorn in his heart. If no one were to prod it, he might have remained oblivious. But you exposed the truth, so he can no longer pretend to be ignorant. His refusal to pursue it was out of consideration for his child, so how could he possibly support the Prince of Chu?"
"His Highness, the Prince of Chu, has truly lost the wife and the army this time," Xiao Man shook her head. Her gaze swept across the bustling street and landed on a dejected figure. She suddenly stood up.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Man couldn't explain to Nangong Yu and chased after the figure. However, the morning market was too crowded, and Xiao Man quickly lost sight of him. Standing in the throng, she was filled with doubt. Could she have mistaken someone?
"Xiao Man," Nangong Yu caught up. "What happened?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "Nothing, I just thought I saw an acquaintance. I must have mistaken them. I'm feeling a bit tired and want to go back."
"Alright, I'll escort you back."
Upon returning to the manor, Xiao Man did not rest but picked up her brush to paint. Two paintings lay on her desk: one she had just finished, and another that Nangong Yu had given her. They were of the same attire, one wearing a mask and the other a veil. How could she not have recognized this person at first glance?
"Miss," Yingxue entered and saw Xiao Man staring blankly at the table, her paintbrush still on the desk, ink staining her sleeve, yet she hadn't noticed.
"When did you come in?"
"I've been here for a while, Miss. You've been lost in thought." Yingxue looked at the paintings on the desk. "Why are you suddenly painting portraits of the State Preceptor?"
"Do you think these two are the same person?"
"Definitely the same person," Yingxue said without hesitation. "Something in a person's essence cannot be changed, no matter how much they alter their appearance."
Xiao Man sighed, rolled up the scroll, and handed it to Yingxue. "Send this to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets."
"Yes, Miss." Yingxue had many questions, but she never inquired about or hesitated with tasks assigned by her mistress. She immediately instructed the hidden guards to deliver both paintings to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.