Xiao Man reached out to feel Wen Mohan's temperature. "Your fever hasn't gone down. How are you going to attend the capping ceremony tomorrow like this?"
"Don't worry, the capping ceremony isn't that complicated," Wen Mohan said as he put on his clothes. "It's nothing."
"It's nothing? I think you don't cherish your body at all." Xiao Man wiped the water from her hands, took a pill from the medicine box, and put it into Wen Mohan's mouth. "One by one, none of you make me worry."
Wen Mohan's eyes dimmed. He knew who Xiao Man meant by "one by one." A hint of sourness welled up in his heart. "Whenever this happens, I feel useless as a scholar. Faced with assassins, I can't do anything. When you are framed, I am also powerless."
"Nonsense, who says scholars are useless? The brilliant strategists, aren't they all scholars? Those who are both learned and martial are few and far between," Xiao Man said with a smile. "You rest for a while, and then you can go back to the Prime Minister's mansion."
"Alright," Wen Mohan replied softly, continuing to put on his clothes slowly and with difficulty. Sudan Novel Network.
"Miss, Chu..." Qiu Tong came in to report, but before she could finish, a figure barged in.
"Little Sister Xiao, I'm back." Chu Qingge, dressed in a fitted outfit, was spirited and heroic. She had become darker and thinner during her time at the border, but more energetic overall.
"Sister Chu, you're finally back." Xiao Man grabbed Chu Qingge's hand. Although she knew Chu Qingge would be fine at the border, in times of war and chaos, there could be oversights. Seeing her in person was always more reassuring. "You look so happy, have you captured my brother?"
"Of course, who do you think I am!" Chu Qingge eagerly showed Xiao Man the bracelet on her wrist. "Isn't it beautiful? My brother gave it to me."
Xiao Man looked at the bracelet and covered her mouth, chuckling. "My brother told me this bracelet was left to him by our mother, to give to his future wife. Sister Chu, chasing after your husband for thousands of miles, it hasn't been easy. Congratulations, Sister Chu, for getting what you wished for."
"You little rascal, you dare to tease me. Let me see how I'll deal with you..." Chu Qingge was about to tickle Xiao Man when she noticed that besides Xiao Man, there was another person in the room. He was putting on his clothes, his eyes slightly red, with tears at the corners of his eyes, looking like someone who had been bullied.
Chu Qingge looked at Wen Mohan, who was awkwardly putting on his clothes with a wronged expression, and then at Xiao Man, who was calm and composed. "You... you..."
Chu Qingge had already imagined a dramatic scene. She hurriedly pulled Xiao Man aside. "Little Sister Xiao, you are ruthless! Do you know who he is? The beloved son of Prime Minister Wen. You dare to abduct him and force yourself on him? Aren't you afraid that old fox Wen will fight you to the death? Even though Wen Mohan is very handsome, your life seems more important, doesn't it?"
Xiao Man looked confused. "Sister Chu, what are you talking about?"
"But, Sister admires you, you're amazing. If I had your courage, I would have captured your brother long ago!" Chu Qingge said cheerfully. "Quick, tell me, how did you make our Young Master Wen submit? Did you abduct him in the street, or did you knock him out and carry him back?"
"He came himself." Xiao Man, not yet understanding what Chu Qingge was talking about, answered truthfully.
Chu Qingge gave her a thumbs up. "Amazing, you managed to make Wen Mohan come to you willingly. What aphrodisiac did you give him?"
"No, I just gave him a pill." Xiao Man explained. Wen Mohan, standing to the side, was struggling to suppress his laughter, which made his wounds ache faintly.
"What kind of pill? An aphrodisiac?"
Xiao Man's expression turned to black lines. "Did you misunderstand?"
"No misunderstanding. Did I come at the wrong time and interrupt your good deed? Is it still too late for me to leave now?" Chu Qingge asked with a wink. I never thought you were such a Xiao Man, so daring! You dare to give Wen Mohan an aphrodisiac. Aren't you afraid he'll settle accounts with you afterward?"
"Stop being silly. He was injured because of me, and I was just changing his dressing. As for the medicine, he had a fever, so I gave him fever-reducing medicine. It's not what you think. Besides, am I such a despicable and shameless person?" Xiao Man quickly explained. "Don't talk nonsense and ruin his reputation."
"Just changing the dressing?" Chu Qingge clearly didn't believe it. Changing a dressing was a job for the imperial physician; why did Xiao Man have to do it herself?
Her gaze shifted to Wen Mohan. He had already finished dressing and had regained his appearance as a graceful young master, as warm and gentle as jade. His gaze towards Xiao Man was full of deep affection, unhidden.
"Just changing the dressing!"
Chu Qingge lowered her voice and asked, "Little Sister Xiao, tell me honestly, do you like Wen Mohan?"
Wen Mohan perked up his ears, his heart pounding. He also wanted to know the answer.
Xiao Man created some distance between herself and Chu Qingge. She was afraid that if Chu Qingge continued to make a scene, she would have no face left to see Wen Mohan. She quickly changed the subject. "You just got back, didn't you? Have you seen your parents and brother after returning to the capital?"
"Not yet. I couldn't wait to see you as soon as I returned to the capital." Chu Qingge smiled brightly. "When I returned to the capital, guess what your brother told me?"
"I don't know."
Chu Qingge suddenly became like a shy young girl. "He told me to wait for him obediently in the capital, and he would come back to marry me."
"Then congratulations, Sister Chu. No, should I call you Sister-in-law now?"
"Oh, you're so annoying. We're not married yet. You can call me Sister-in-law after we're married." Chu Qingge exuded happiness. "I'll go back to the mansion first, lest my parents worry."
"Okay, let's meet again another day."
Chu Qingge arrived in a whirlwind and left in a whirlwind. Xiao Man was also happy for her. She had been worried about unrequited love, but it seemed these two were mutually affectionate. It was a case of perseverance rewarded.
"It seems the General's mansion is going to have a celebration."
"Yes, Sister Chu has liked my brother for a long time. Now that her perseverance has paid off, I'm happy for them too." Xiao Man said with a smile. "I must tell my father about this, and have him prepare the betrothal gifts and send a matchmaker."
"Your brother hasn't even returned yet, and you're already rushing to prepare."
"He's a rough fellow, he doesn't understand these things. As his sister, I naturally have to consider more for him. Moreover, I really like the idea of Sister Chu becoming my sister-in-law." Xiao Man said happily. "We can't let my future sister-in-law be wronged just because there's no lady of the house."
Wen Mohan watched Xiao Man, her face beaming, as she instructed a maid to check if the Great General had returned, and ordered an inventory of the storeroom to prepare betrothal gifts for Xiao Luo, looking extremely concerned. Looking at Xiao Man like this, Wen Mohan felt deeply content.
Chu Qingge's perseverance was rewarded, but when would he be able to win his beloved beauty?