Old Madam Xiao Manxue disdained her appearance, "Just a mud monkey, not at all like a young lady. When you grow up, who will dare to marry you!"
"They simply don't know your goodness, they don't understand your kindness," Wen Mohan said with a light laugh. "Among so many people in the Imperial Academy, no one else would notice an orphan whose parents are both deceased, no one else would risk their life to save a stranger, and no one else is like you, not caring about a friend's background."
Xiao Man looked at Wen Mohan in surprise. Back in the Imperial Academy, Wen Mohan was like an invisible presence, hardly interacting with anyone, always sitting in the front row, diligently listening to the Grand Tutor lecture. The most she heard was the Grand Tutor pulling her ear, telling her to learn from Wen Mohan!
"I always thought you disliked me when we were in the Imperial Academy."
"Back then, everyone in the Imperial Academy probably disliked you, yet they couldn't truly hate you," Wen Mohan said with a smile. "Because you did things we wanted to do but dared not, they both resented you and envied you. So no matter how you caused trouble, we never truly got angry with you."
Xiao Man lowered her eyes and remained silent. During their time in the Imperial Academy, both the Grand Tutors and her fellow students were quite tolerant of her.
"Man'er, as for Cen Yu, he wronged you," Wen Mohan said softly. "He didn't know it was you who saved him from the tiger's mouth back then, which is why he hurt you so much."
Xiao Man pointed to herself in confusion. She had saved Cen Yu? She didn't know that.
"That's right, you've completely forgotten about it due to your injuries," Wen Mohan said softly. "Never mind, let's not bring up the past. It's enough that I know your good heart."
Xiao Man stared at Wen Mohan suspiciously. Wen Mohan merely smiled, "Man'er, are you secretly calling me cunning in your heart right now?"
"Is it that obvious?" Xiao Man inquired.
"Not obvious, your face is just saying, 'you're holding back half the story, how cunning!'"
"My father was right, you are a cunning little fox!" Xiao Man said resentfully. This person always seemed to know her thoughts, and each time, she couldn't resolve what she wanted to resolve as she wished.
"My father also said you are a cunning little fox. It seems we are truly a match made in heaven, both cunning little foxes," Wen Mohan teased. "If a fox and a fox have children, will they be even more cunning?"
A faint smile touched Xiao Man's lips. She didn't know how to answer, as she still hadn't decided what position to place Wen Mohan in.
"Mohan, what do I mean to you?" Xiao Man suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Wen Mohan took Xiao Man's hand and pressed it to his chest. "Man'er means everything to me!"
Wen Mohan didn't know what his father had said to Xiao Man that made her hesitant and uneasy, but Xiao Man meant his entire world, ingrained in his bones. To forcibly remove her would be to take his life!
In the early days of the Lunar New Year, various grand residences took turns hosting banquets, with a constant stream of social calls.
Xiao Zhen went out early and returned late every day, either drinking with friends or watching opera. On the sixth day of the new year, Xiao Man and Wen Mohan escorted Minister Wen and his wife out of the city. Wen Mohan kowtowed to his parents, bid farewell, and urged them to take care of themselves. They accompanied them to the Ten Mile Pavilion before reluctantly returning to the city.
On the sixth day, the imperial court resumed. Civil and military officials began their duties. The envoys from Blue Moon entered the capital and took up residence in the envoy's palace. Qu Yang had initially expected the marriage negotiations to be resolved quickly, but the matter dragged on until after the new year. News then arrived from Yunqi that domestic turmoil had erupted, with rebellions rising everywhere. Qu Yang was eager to return to his homeland but was compelled to remain in Yusheng, keeping a close watch on Xiao Man's every move.
On the eighth day, Xue Meng, the General of the Hussars, got married to his childhood sweetheart, Bai Linglong. As a close friend of the bride, Xiao Man went to the Bai residence early to see the bride off.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, they say the bride is the most beautiful. I never believed it before, but seeing Sister Bai today, I believe it," Xiao Man teased.
Bai Linglong blushed, her face flushed with shyness, and glared at Xiao Man. "You can laugh at me all you want now. When it's your turn to get married, just you wait and see how I'll laugh at you."
Xiao Man pinned the last pearl hairpin into Bai Linglong's hair. "There, all done. Now we just wait for the groom to come and fetch the bride."
"Sister Xiao, I'm a little nervous," Bai Linglong clutched the apple in her hand tightly.
"It's natural to be nervous. After all, today you leave your maiden home, and from now on, you'll be married and live in a new, unfamiliar environment. You'll have to serve your husband and honor your in-laws. It's only natural to be nervous."
"You're teasing me again!" Bai Linglong playfully hit Xiao Man twice. "Seeing how nervous I am, you're still teasing me."
"It's my fault. If you're truly that nervous, just think of Xue Meng being chased by me."
Xue Meng had always liked to play behind Xiao Man since he was little. Even though he was two years older than Xiao Man, he was like a younger brother, obeying Xiao Man's commands. Whenever Xiao Man asked him to do something and he messed it up, Xiao Man would beat him until he fled in panic.
As soon as Bai Linglong pictured Xue Meng running with his head covered, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Back then, he'd always cover his head and yell for me to save him."
"That shows the boy is cunning. He's had his eye on you for a long time. I should set a hurdle for him, so he can't easily marry my sister away."
"Don't you dare cause trouble!" Bai Linglong quickly said. "My dear sister, you must not cause trouble today. Marriage is a serious matter and cannot be messed with..."
Seeing the teasing in Xiao Man's eyes, Bai Linglong realized she had been tricked again. She reached out and poked Xiao Man's head. "You just wait. When it's your turn to get married, you'll see how I deal with you!"
"Who knows when my turn to get married will be."
"You and Master Wen are already engaged, so your wedding should be soon," Bai Linglong said softly. "Master Wen is deeply devoted to you, and he's gentle and considerate. Such a fine man is not easy to find."
Xiao Man smiled helplessly. "Lately, everyone around me is praising him. Mohan is very good; I've always known that. 'Gentle as jade, a refined gentleman' are not enough to describe him. It is my fortune to know him in this life, but for some reason, I always feel something is missing."
"You are truly greedy," Bai Linglong said, holding Xiao Man's hand earnestly. "I know you've admired the Prince of Qin since you were young, but you only admired his looks. Moreover, the Prince of Qin holds a high position and is bound by responsibilities. In the end, he is not as devoted to you as Master Wen."
"Sister Bai, I..."
"Sister Xiao, for your sake, Minister Wen resigned from his post and retired to private life. Master Wen gave up a promising future. If you were to betray him, it would truly be wrong." Bai Linglong didn't know what Xiao Man was thinking, but she felt wronged for Wen Mohan. Wen Mohan had never hidden his affection for Xiao Man, while the Prince of Qin had never shown any indication. In her opinion, this alone made Wen Mohan far superior to the Prince of Qin.