"Steward Lu." Qiu Tong hurried forward upon seeing Steward Lu approach, "Why have you come?"
"If the young lady returns shortly..."
"The young lady has already returned."
"Returned?" Steward Lu strode inside. Indeed, Xiao Man was lying in bed, a faint smell of alcohol wafting in the air. She was clearly drunk, and he couldn't help but get a headache. "It's good that she's back, lest she fall victim to the Yan King's mansion's schemes. Take good care of the young lady, and don't let her worry about anything else."
"Yes, Steward Lu."
Steward Lu turned and walked a few steps, then turned back and asked, "Has the young lady been given hangover soup?"
"Not yet."
"How do you serve someone? The young lady is so drunk, and you don't even know to boil a bowl of hangover soup for her?" Steward Lu reprimanded her sternly.
"The hangover soup isn't ready yet..." Qiu Tong was startled by Steward Lu's demeanor and replied softly.
"Hurry and see if it's ready. Bring it up when it is, feed it to the young lady, and take good care of her," Steward Lu instructed. His gaze fell on Xiao Man, and he sighed silently before turning to leave.
By the time Xiao Man woke up, it was already midnight. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Nangong Yu sitting on a couch, flipping through a book. On the small stove nearby, something was bubbling, emitting a tempting aroma.
Xiao Man sat up and looked around, confirming she was in her room. She breathed a sigh of relief. She remembered drinking and admiring flowers with Wen Mohan at Chunxi Garden. When did she get back?
"Your Highness."
"Awake." Nangong Yu put down his book and looked at Xiao Man. "There's congee simmering on the stove. Do you want some?"
Xiao Man touched her stomach. She was a little hungry and nodded.
Nangong Yu got up, brought over bowls and chopsticks, and served Xiao Man a bowl of congee. "It's very hot. Eat slowly. There's plenty in the pot; have more if you need it."
Xiao Man sat opposite him and sniffed the aroma wafting in the air. "This congee is cooked with chicken broth, it smells so good."
Nangong Yu picked up his book and continued reading, not answering. Xiao Man secretly glanced outside. It was pitch black, already night.
"When did Your Highness arrive?"
"Just after You Shi (around 5-7 PM)."
"Been here for a long time?" Xiao Man was a bit surprised, her gaze falling on the clepsydra. It was already the end of Zi Shi (around 11 PM - 1 AM).
"Mmm."
While eating the congee, Xiao Man secretly watched Nangong Yu. For some reason, she felt a little guilty about Prince Qin today. "Did Your Highness come looking for me for something?"
"Indeed, something." Nangong Yu said as he flipped through his book. "You got drunk today and refused to let go of Wen Mohan."
Xiao Man was so startled that the spoon in her hand fell back into the bowl with a crisp clink. "Who told you that?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. I couldn't pull you away, and you insisted on flirting with Wen Mohan," Nangong Yu glanced at Xiao Man. "You even grabbed Wen Mohan and wanted to elope with him."
Xiao Man was almost in tears. "Oh heavens, how will I face Mohan in the future? Drinking ruins everything!"
Nangong Yu's gaze shifted from the book to Xiao Man. "It's good that you know. I think we need to establish three rules."
"What?" Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu, puzzled.
"First, no drinking with others outside."
"Okay, okay, I won't drink with others again." Xiao Man quickly agreed. If she got drunk again next time and committed something like this, she'd never be able to clear her name.
"Second, you must bring a hidden guard when you go out." Nangong Yu lowered his book. "It's a sensitive time, you know how many people are watching you? If some villain wants to harm you, do you think Wen Mohan's skills can protect you? Or do you think Duguming Yu and Duguluo can protect you?"
Xiao Man felt guilty. She had only intended to take Duguming Yu for a walk, but she forgot everything once she started drinking. "I understand. I'll definitely bring a hidden guard next time."
"Third, and most important," Nangong Yu said gently, "No matter when, do not put yourself in danger."
"When have I put myself in danger?" Xiao Man retorted.
"Do you agree?"
"I haven't put myself in danger!"
"It seems you don't want to know Yun Qi's movements."
"I promise, I'll agree to whatever you say!" Xiao Man immediately changed her tune. "Now can you tell me about Yun Qi's movements?"
Nangong Yu glanced at the quickly surrendering Xiao Man, a slight smile curving his lips, which he then suppressed. "Yun Qi is investigating the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry and Bai Ling."
Xiao Man listened and picked up her spoon to continue eating the congee. "As expected. The Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry has already appeared. If they didn't investigate, they wouldn't be themselves."
Nangong Yu leaned forward slightly. "Bai Ling returned to Wu Yue Kingdom, didn't she?"
Xiao Man scooped a spoonful of congee. "The congee is delicious, thank you, Your Highness."
"The Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry wasn't recruited to Wu Yue Kingdom, but had been lurking there from the beginning, right?" Nangong Yu was completely unfazed by Xiao Man's attempt to change the subject. He finally realized that Xiao Man's trip to Wu Yue Kingdom wasn't just to help him find a cure for poison, but also to contact the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry.
Xiao Man ate her congee with a beaming smile, refusing to answer no matter how Nangong Yu guessed. Her perfect smile showed no flaws.
Nangong Yu wasn't angry. He sat up straight and continued reading. "I gave them false information and led them to Wu Yue Kingdom. The person sent to investigate this time is Baili Letian, one of the Yun Qi Emperor's four personal attendants. As for Wu Yue Kingdom, you should send them a message to be on guard."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. "Got it."
"Additionally, the Yun Qi Emperor has been investigating who destroyed Du Guman's corpse." Nangong Yu's voice was exceptionally gentle. "To avoid exposing the relationship between Tianji Pavilion and me, I had Tianji Pavilion leak the news that I spent a large sum of money to have Du Guman's corpse destroyed."
"You're crazy! Murong Shengrui is a madman. Do you know what he'll do to you if you do this?"
"Him, I don't even put him in my eyes," Nangong Yu said gently. "It's better for me to face him than for you to. Besides, I promised you I would destroy Yun Qi and unify the world. If I don't even have the courage to face him, how can I fulfill your wish?"
Xiao Man fell silent. "I always feel... Forget it."
Xiao Man wanted to tell Nangong Yu that she always felt a hand behind the scenes orchestrating everything. But she had only grasped a sliver of it, and it wouldn't be easy to find the mastermind. Moreover, Nangong Yu's own situation was already dangerous enough; she couldn't drag him into greater peril.
"Behind Murong Shengrui, there is a mysterious force. You must be extremely careful and not show any flaws," Nangong Yu's voice grew even more tender. "I always feel that the destruction of the Dugu family is inseparable from this person behind the scenes. Murong Shengrui might just be a knife in his hand."