Feng Tianlan fetched the wine, broke the mud seal, poured a cup for Xiao Man, and another for himself. Xiao Man sniffed the aroma, her face full of bliss.
"So fragrant, the wine carries a faint scent of plum blossoms." Xiao Man took a sip, "The taste is fresh, with a hint of sweetness. I like it."
Feng Tianlan smiled, slowly savoring the wine in his cup, watching Xiao Man enjoy her meal. So much had happened recently, and the distance Xiao Man had been showing him made him anxious. Fortunately, this girl still cared about him.
Throughout the meal, Feng Tianlan ate little, but Xiao Man ate until she was uncomfortably full. Feng Tianlan then brewed her hawthorn soup to aid digestion and accompanied her on a walk around the National Teacher's mansion to help her digest.
Xiao Man openly toured the entire National Teacher's mansion. This mansion held no secrets for her; after all, like the General's mansion, there was nowhere she couldn't go. If someone were to be hidden, where would they be?
"Master, I can't walk anymore. Let's rest." Xiao Man tugged at Feng Tianlan's sash, playfully sitting on the ground. "It's all your fault for making such delicious food, Master. I'm going to burst."
Feng Tianlan chuckled, torn between amusement and exasperation. "Get up, don't sit on the ground. It's cold."
"Master, I really don't want to move anymore. I just want to lie down somewhere. I feel so uncomfortable." Xiao Man was about to lie down when Feng Tianlan pulled her up.
Feng Tianlan bent down and picked her up, a hint of helplessness mixed with indulgence in his voice. "You were greedy, and now you know how it feels. I'll take you back to your room. I'll rub your belly when we get back, and if you're still uncomfortable, I'll have to give you a couple of acupuncture needles."
"I don't want needles. I've finally eaten my fill, I can't let you make me throw it up." Xiao Man hugged Feng Tianlan's neck, her eyes darting around. If someone was hidden in the mansion, where could they be? She had to find them!
The night was deep and quiet, not even the chirping of insects could be heard.
Xiao Man, who should have been asleep, donned a white nightgown and wandered barefoot through the National Teacher's mansion like a ghost.
The hidden guards of the National Teacher's mansion exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to stop Xiao Man. After all, Xiao Man's actions were always unpredictable, and they couldn't guess what she was doing at that moment.
"Go report to the Master. I'll follow His Highness."
The hidden guard trailed behind Xiao Man, observing her vacant stare as she wandered aimlessly, muttering to himself. Was His Highness sleepwalking?
Xiao Man walked further into more secluded areas, reaching a small courtyard on the far west side. She stood at the entrance, mumbling to herself. The hidden guard wanted to get closer but feared disturbing her.
Xiao Man pushed open the courtyard door and stepped inside. Although there were lights within, no one was there. Xiao Man didn't pay it any mind and walked straight in. She entered a room, where candlelight flickered, suggesting it was inhabited, yet it was empty. Xiao Man went to a corner, sat down by the wall, and fell asleep again.
Witnessing this, the hidden guard was utterly perplexed by Xiao Man's behavior. Was she playing some ghostly game in the middle of the night just to find a secluded courtyard to sleep in?
"Where is the person?"
The hidden guard pointed to the courtyard.
"She saw?"
"No, I had them moved before she arrived," the hidden guard said in a low voice. "However, Your Highness seemed to be sleepwalking. After entering the room, she slept leaning against the wall in the corner."
Upon hearing this, Feng Tianlan's brow furrowed, and he strode towards the small courtyard. Upon entering, he saw Xiao Man, thinly clad and barefoot, sleeping against the wall. Feng Tianlan quickly took off his cloak and covered her, then picked her up to carry her back.
"Seal off this courtyard."
"Yes, Master."
Feng Tianlan carried her back, prepared water, cleaned her feet, and watched her sleep soundly. A sense of unease gnawed at him. He checked her pulse and found it still weak, his frown deepening.
"National Teacher..."
"Get out," Feng Tianlan quickly adjusted the quilt over Xiao Man, whispering, "Don't wake her."
The hidden guard immediately retreated, waiting outside the door. Feng Tianlan stayed by the bedside, looking at Xiao Man's haggard and pale face, his heart aching. "Just a little longer, it will be alright soon."
The hidden guard lingered by the door, growing impatient. Only then did Feng Tianlan emerge from the room.
"Master."
"Speak."
"The person was just transferred out and then snatched."
Feng Tianlan's eyes widened in surprise. "The person was snatched?"
"Yes. Because Your Highness entered the small courtyard, our people feared exposure and decided to transfer the person. However, as soon as they left the mansion, a group of black-clad individuals appeared and snatched them away."
Feng Tianlan's gaze drifted involuntarily towards Xiao Man's room. Such a coincidence? Xiao Man's sleepwalking had alerted them, and just as they transferred the person out, they were abducted.
"Go investigate who abducted the person and find a way to bring them back," Feng Tianlan said in a low voice. "If you can't bring them back, then deal with it cleanly."
"Yes."
After the hidden guard left, Feng Tianlan re-entered the room and went to the bedside. He looked at Xiao Man's sleeping face, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He reached out towards her neck, but her breathing remained unchanged; she slept exceptionally soundly.
Feng Tianlan withdrew his hand and turned to leave. Only after Feng Tianlan's footsteps faded did Xiao Man turn over, kicking off the quilt, still asleep.
Feng Tianlan, standing behind the door, hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping forward to tuck the quilt around Xiao Man before truly departing.
After Feng Tianlan left, Xiao Man, lying in bed, opened her eyes a slit. She glanced around the room and then continued to sleep.
The next morning, Feng Tianlan prepared breakfast. Xiao Man only ate a couple of bites before heading out.
As Feng Tianlan watched Xiao Man's figure disappear, he finally put down his chopsticks. "Have you found the person?"
"No, we've searched every corner of the capital and still haven't found them."
"Have you searched everywhere?"
"We have. However, we haven't checked the Shen Du Camp. Should we search there?"
"Why search the Shen Du Camp?" Feng Tianlan asked the hidden guard, his tone laced with displeasure.
The hidden guard hesitated. "Your Highness staying at the National Teacher's mansion alerted our people..."
"Are you suggesting that Xiao Man abducted the person?"
The hidden guard dared not speak. Even though Xiao Man was the prime suspect, they couldn't doubt her, as she was their nominal lord.
"Master, this incident is too coincidental."
"There are plenty of coincidences in this world," Feng Tianlan said slowly. "Investigate the Prince of Qin's mansion."
"This..." The hidden guard appeared troubled. The Prince of Qin's mansion was not an easy place to infiltrate. Just like the National Teacher's mansion, their rash intrusion would only lead to death.
"You can't do it?"
"My concern is that if our men go in, losing their lives is a minor issue. The major issue is that the news might not get out."
Feng Tianlan remained silent for a moment. "I will handle the Prince of Qi's mansion. You all search the capital again, and also monitor the city gates closely to prevent him from escaping. As for the Shen Du Camp, have the people inside investigate."
"Yes."