"Taohua Zui, a delicate and refined wine, doesn't intoxicate people," Nangong Yu said, as if sensing Xiao Man's thoughts. He harbored a different intention: a tipsy Xiao Man would be easier to pry information from. They say drunkards speak the truth, and he wanted to see if Xiao Man was like that.
Xiao Man breathed a sigh of relief and then drank the wine, continuing to eat dumplings. "Did Your Highness make these yourself?"
"Yes, I made them in the kitchen while you were keeping watch with your father and the others. I thought you'd be hungry when you returned after watching the New Year's Eve vigil. Who knew you'd go out with your sword as soon as you got back?" Nangong Yu refilled Xiao Man's cup.
Xiao Man felt a pang of guilt and quickly raised her wine cup, trying to conceal her unease. That wretched girl, Yingxue, hadn't even informed her that the Prince of Qin had arrived! If she had known, she wouldn't have rushed off to kill Wen Moyu.
"Then Your Highness..."
"I was worried, so I followed you," Nangong Yu said while eating dumplings. "Speaking of which, what was I like in your bed that made your blood surge?"
Xiao Man was in the middle of drinking when she heard this and choked, coughing uncontrollably. Her fair face instantly flushed crimson, and her eyes darted about wildly. "That... that was... I was spouting nonsense, I just wanted to anger her... I..."
A hint of a smile flashed in Nangong Yu's eyes, though his expression remained unchanged. His voice was steady and unhurried as he continued, "Have you seen and touched every inch of my skin?"
Xiao Man's tongue felt thick, and she dared not look at Nangong Yu's face. She was truly guilty. "I... I was talking nonsense, it was just... to provoke... Wen Moyu."
"Oh? Talking nonsense?" Nangong Yu picked up a dumpling and placed it in Xiao Man's bowl. "Then you're saying it was also a lie that you'd already tasted my flavor?"
Xiao Man felt a rush of heat to her head. The scene in Qingfeng Courtyard flashed through her mind. Her face turned so red it seemed as if it could bleed. She quickly shook her head, thinking she hadn't tasted him. Then, she felt that was wrong. Was the Prince of Qin asking if it was a lie? So she nodded again. Yes, it was a lie!
Seeing Xiao Man shaking her head and then nodding, the Prince of Qin's heart was filled with joy. "You're shaking your head and nodding. Have you tasted it or not?"
"Your Highness, it was all my foolish talk. Please don't..." Xiao Man's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the face before her, her entire being frozen. Their lips met, carrying a faint scent of wine and a thick atmosphere of intimacy.
A moment later, their lips parted. Nangong Yu looked at the stunned Xiao Man and asked in a seductive tone, "How did it taste?"
"A little... sweet."
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Qiutong roused Xiao Man from her slumber early and helped her dress and wash.
Xiao Man still felt a bit bewildered. What had happened last night? She went to chase after Wen Moyu, and the Prince of Qin waited for her in her room, even treating her to dumplings and Taohua Zui.
Then what? Xiao Man's mind went blank for three seconds. Then the Prince of Qin kissed her! And he asked her how it tasted. The crucial point was that she had actually answered, "A little sweet"!
No, no, this must be a dream. After all, it wasn't the first time she had dreamed of kissing the Prince of Qin. This time must be a dream too, otherwise, how could she have said such a thing?
Xiao Man shook off the thoughts in her mind, trying to comfort herself. It was a dream. How could the Prince of Qin possibly kiss her!
"Miss, please eat your breakfast quickly. We still need to pay New Year's greetings to the General."
Xiao Man nodded absentmindedly while eating. "Did we prepare gift bags for the younger sisters?"
"Everything is ready."
Xiao Man took a few hurried bites and then put down her chopsticks to pay New Year's greetings to Xiao Zhen. The others were already there; she was the last to arrive. "It seems I'm the latest."
"I knew you'd be lazy in bed, so I didn't have anyone rush you," Xiao Zhen said with a smile.
"Daughter wishes Father a Happy New Year. May you have good health and longevity, and may your martial arts career flourish."
"Good, good, good." Xiao Zhen handed her a large red envelope he had prepared. "Here, this is from your father."
"Thank you, Father."
"Happy New Year to Elder Sister."
"Happy New Year, younger sisters." Xiao Man distributed the gift bags she had prepared earlier to her three younger sisters. She then handed one to Chu Qingge. "Brother, Sister-in-law, Happy New Year. Sister-in-law is new to the family, so as your sister-in-law, I've prepared a New Year's gift for you too."
"I've prepared one for you as well," Chu Qingge said, handing a gift bag she had prepared to Xiao Man. "Where are you planning to go later? Shall we visit people together?"
"To the National Teacher's mansion," Xiao Man said gently. Regardless of what Feng Tianlan intended to do, she was still Xiao Man's teacher, and she naturally had to pay a visit.
"The National Teacher's mansion?" Chu Qingge understood. "The National Teacher saved you; you should go and express your gratitude."
Xiao Man set out with her maidservant. The Ba Bao Xiang Che carriage drove slowly along the road. The houses on both sides of the street were adorned with new couplets and hung with festive lanterns. Children played and frolicked at the entrances, creating a lively scene.
Xiao Man lifted the curtain, gazing at the bustling scenery outside, her heart feeling a little lighter. She didn't want to see Feng Tianlan, but she had to face her.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the National Teacher's mansion. Xiao Man alighted and looked at the imposing gate, a chill spreading through her heart. Master, when you took me as your disciple and taught me with all your heart, was there any sincerity? When you decided to poison me, was there any reluctance?
She knocked on the gate, and the butler opened it. Seeing Xiao Man, his old face immediately broke into a smile. "Miss has arrived. The National Teacher is in the reception hall."
"There are guests?" Xiao Man asked, confused.
"Minister Wen is here. The National Teacher is entertaining him."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man's footsteps faltered, and she instantly vanished. The butler was accustomed to this. Xiao Man arrived outside the reception hall but did not enter. Instead, she hid by the window to eavesdrop on their conversation.
However, their voices were too low, and Xiao Man couldn't hear clearly. She tried to move closer to hear better, but suddenly there was silence. Xiao Man found it strange. She looked up and saw the National Teacher standing by the window, her eyes, deep and unfathomable, filled with a smile. Sudan Novel Network.
"What are you doing hiding here?"
"Isn't it because you have guests? I was afraid of disturbing you." Xiao Man stood up and looked inside, seeing Wen Mohan smiling at her, her face flushing.
"I heard Butler Fu say Minister Wen was here, and I thought it was Prime Minister Wen. I didn't expect it to be Mohan."
"Don't you always like to sleep in? Why are you here so early today?" Feng Tianlan said as Xiao Man was about to climb through the window. "Go through the door."
Xiao Man had one foot on the windowsill and the other outside. Hearing Feng Tianlan's words, she retracted her foot and walked in through the door, bowing respectfully to Feng Tianlan.
"Happy New Year. I wish you eternal youth and to attain immortality soon."
"Man'er, you're talking nonsense again." Wen Mohan said with a smile. "How can you wish someone to attain immortality soon? Apologize to the National Teacher quickly."