"More money!"
Having been humiliated by a hundred taels last time, Nangong Yu's temper flared. "Give money? What do you take me for? A male escort from Lan Xiao Ge?"
"This humble subject didn't mean it that way. I mean, I'm not someone who reneges on her debts!" Xiao Man was flustered. Though it was said that one could die content beneath a peony, she didn't want to die!
Heaven above, why, oh why, had she run into Prince Qin's mansion again and forced herself upon him a second time? The first time, she could blame it on taking a wrong turn, but the second time, it couldn't possibly be a mistake.
Lan Xiao Ge and Prince Qin's mansion were in completely different directions. Could it be that it wasn't a coincidence at all, but that she had been coveting Prince Qin's beauty all along? Otherwise, how could she explain finding Prince Qin directly when her mind was not clear?
"Since that's the case, tell me, how do you intend to take responsibility?"
"Res... Res... Responsibility?" Xiao Man was stunned. Wouldn't she be the one at a disadvantage in this situation? She hadn't asked Prince Qin to take responsibility, and now he wanted her to?
"What, you don't want to take responsibility?" Nangong Yu sat up, leaning slightly forward and looking down at Xiao Man. "You said you would be responsible for your words, but now you don't want to be responsible for your actions?"
"I will!" Xiao Man gritted her teeth. She was in the wrong, having come to Prince Qin's mansion and forced herself upon him. She should take responsibility. "Your Highness, tell me, how should I be responsible?"
"You ruined my reputation. I am your man now. Tell me, how should you take responsibility?"
"Your man?" Xiao Man was dumbfounded.
"What, am I not your man? Isn't it you who trespassed into my home, climbed into my bed, and took your woman?"
Xiao Man shrunk her neck. "Yes."
Seeing Xiao Man's compliance, Nangong Yu was secretly pleased. "Since I am your man, shouldn't you be responsible to me and give me an official title?"
Xiao Man felt bewildered. A man, and a man of great power and breathtaking looks, was asking her for an official title? The situation felt completely out of place, yet she found Prince Qin's words to be quite reasonable.
"It's only right."
Prince Qin suppressed his smile and said earnestly, "Then from now on, I am your only man. Think carefully about when you will marry me and give me an official title."
Marriage… Xiao Man had never even considered it. However, having forced herself upon Prince Qin twice, she couldn't come up with any excuses, no matter how many she had.
"I'll go home and discuss it with my father first. I'll tell Your Highness once I've discussed it!"
"Very good." Nangong Yu stood up to get dressed. Xiao Man quickly turned her face away, blushing profusely. Nangong Yu chuckled at her reaction. "Now, you can tell others openly that you've seen and touched every inch of my skin, and tasted my essence."
Xiao Man wished she could disappear into the ground. His words made it sound as if she had been coveting Prince Qin's beauty for a long time, but that wasn't the case at all. It was pure coincidence. She would never admit that she had been secretly lusting after Prince Qin for ages!
Seeing Xiao Man's face turn so red it could almost bleed, Nangong Yu stopped teasing her. "I'll get you some clothes."
Xiao Man blinked, only then realizing that her own clothes were no longer wearable. A moment later, Nangong Yu returned with a set of women's clothing and placed them by the bed.
"Do you need my help?"
"You go out. I'll dress myself."
Seeing Xiao Man's shy demeanor, Nangong Yu's breathing deepened, and his eyes grew intense. He yearned to dote on her, but he dared not. Last night had been too unrestrained, and Xiao Man had just woken up, her body weak. He feared she wouldn't be able to bear it.
"I'll go out first." Nangong Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his desire, and left quickly. Once the door was closed, Xiao Man hurried to put on the clothes. She didn't dare bid farewell to Nangong Yu and instead climbed out the window. If she stayed any longer, she feared she wouldn't be able to leave Prince Qin's mansion!
While Xiao Man was with Prince Qin, chaos had erupted in the General's mansion. The person who had been in a coma had suddenly disappeared, throwing everyone into a panic. They searched everywhere, and just as they were at a loss for what to do, Xiao Man returned.
"Miss, are you alright?" several maids asked, their eyes red.
"I'm fine. Bring me hot water. I need to bathe and change." Xiao Man calmly instructed. Xiao Zhen, upon receiving the news, arrived with Ye Qing to take Xiao Man's pulse, but Xiao Man nervously dodged him.
"You're awake, that's wonderful. Why didn't you say anything before running off? Let me take your pulse to see if the poison has been resolved."
"Yes, let Doctor Ye examine you." Xiao Zhen was also uneasy. Xiao Man's awakening was good news, but her sudden disappearance worried him greatly, especially given the serious nature of the Yan Zi poison.
Xiao Man hesitated for a moment before finally extending her hand. Ye Qing took her pulse, his expression changing. His gaze fell upon Xiao Man, who had changed into clothes with a high neckline, completely covering herself.
"Your body is no longer in critical condition. The residual toxins in your body can be eliminated with two more doses of medicine. Also, take care of yourself. You were just poisoned, and your body is still very weak."
Ye Qing's words were vague, but Xiao Man understood. However, she couldn't help it. She had not only used Prince Qin as an antidote again but had also been caught red-handed. Now, Prince Qin was clearly forcing a marriage, and she didn't know how to explain it.
"Are you really alright?" Xiao Zhen asked worriedly. "Man'er's complexion doesn't look good."
"Rest assured, General. The poison has been resolved. The remaining trace amounts will be cleared soon." Ye Qing left two prescriptions, one for clearing residual toxins and another for strengthening the body. Xiao Zhen immediately ordered someone to fetch the medicine.
After leaving the General's mansion, Ye Qing headed straight for Prince Qin's mansion. A vague suspicion gnawed at him, though he was reluctant to believe it.
However, when he saw Prince Qin sitting at his desk, his face beaming with joy and the marks on his neck clearly visible, everything became clear. Xiao Man's disappearance last night had been with Prince Qin.
Seeing Ye Qing return, Wen Ru Yu immediately sidled up to him. "Ye Qing, you're late. You missed the good show last night. Our proud Prince Qin was once again taken by someone last night..."
Nangong Yu shot him a dangerous glance. Wen Ru Yu quickly amended his statement. "His Highness finally embraced the beauty last night. Truly a cause for celebration."
"Is that so? Then congratulations to His Highness," Ye Qing said casually. Xiao Man had sought out the Prince the moment she woke up, proving that her heart truly belonged to Nangong Yu. "However, her body is weak. Why did she come to Prince Qin's mansion?"
"It's good that the poison is resolved. The process doesn't matter." Nangong Yu's smile was radiant, as if he was savoring the memory. He was oblivious to the sting in others' eyes, or perhaps he knew and simply didn't care.