Xiao Man felt she should avoid going out lately, otherwise she feared the people on her suitor rankings would try to kill her.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard a call.
"Man'er." By the time Xiao Man looked in the direction of the voice, the person was already standing before her, holding a green silk oil-paper umbrella over her head. "The weather is so hot, why aren't you carrying an umbrella? What if you get sunburnt?"
Looking at Wen Mohan, who stood before her with a gentle, faint smile, Xiao Man was momentarily disoriented. After all, just a few days prior, Wen Mohan had been in pain, drowning his sorrows alone, a stark contrast to the jade-like gentleness he displayed now.
"Are you... alright?"
"Walk with me." Wen Mohan walked side by side with Xiao Man, the umbrella in his hand shielding her body and blocking out the scorching sun. "Man'er, do you think I'm spineless for agreeing to marry my sister to the Tenth Prince?"
"No, after all, this is Miss Wen's best way out. I was just worried you wouldn't be able to move past it. Seeing you well now puts my mind at ease," Xiao Man said truthfully, as Wen Moyu was, in a way, implicated because of her. Su Dan Novels.
"It has already happened, and there are still many days ahead. We must live well." Wen Mohan's gaze fell on a nearby stall where a vendor was crafting dough figurines. The stall owner was exceptionally skillful, and seeing two handsome young gentlemen standing before him, he immediately shaped two figurines in their likeness.
"Masters, two copper coins each. They are both good-looking and tasty."
Wen Mohan's smile widened upon seeing them. He dropped a few coins, took the figurines, and said, "Indeed, you are skillful. They are molded so lifelike."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement, acknowledging the exquisite craftsmanship. Wen Mohan handed one of the figurines to Xiao Man. As she reached out to take it, she realized he was offering her his own likeness.
Xiao Man glanced sideways at Wen Mohan, but he had already turned to look at other things. Xiao Man dismissed the strange feeling and continued walking with Wen Mohan.
"Normally, although I go out often, I rarely visit the marketplace. I never imagined there would be so many interesting things here." Wen Mohan held the umbrella with one hand, ensuring Xiao Man wouldn't be exposed to the sun, and carefully tucked the figurine into his robes, freeing his other hand to look at other items.
Xiao Man handed her figurine to Ying Xue to hold and leisurely followed Wen Mohan, strolling along. For some reason, she felt that Wen Mohan today was different from his usual self.
"Wen Mohan, are you really alright?"
Wen Mohan picked up a wooden comb, which was very exquisite. After paying, he tucked it into his robes and looked at Xiao Man. "What could be wrong with me?"
"I just feel you're acting strange today."
Upon hearing this, Wen Mohan's gaze flickered to a spot not far away before returning. He reached out to tuck Xiao Man's windblown hair behind her ear, his smile exceptionally gentle, yet his eyes pleaded, "Please, stay with me today. The Tenth Prince is coming to formally propose, and I fear I might lose control of myself, so I had to come out."
Xiao Man's eyes flashed with understanding, and she nodded.
However, the sun grew higher and higher. Even she, after walking for so long, was beginning to sweat profusely.
Wen Mohan thoughtfully led Xiao Man to Manyuezhai and ordered them to be served delicious pastries and iced tea.
Xiao Man proactively poured tea for Wen Mohan. Wen Mohan's smile remained unchanged, but it was heart-wrenching to behold. "If you don't want to smile, then don't. Your smile makes me uncomfortable."
Wen Mohan's smile faded slightly but did not disappear. "I'm actually quite happy today. I was wandering the streets, but I didn't know what to look at or where to go. Fortunately, I met you."
"Shall we play chess?" Xiao Man understood that only by distracting Wen Mohan could she prevent him from overthinking.
"Good." They moved to a chessboard and sat down. "I've never beaten you."
"Didn't you beat me last time in the Golden Hall?" Xiao Man said naturally. Wen Moyu was not her match; it was Wen Mohan who had taught her in secret.
Wen Mohan placed a chess piece. "I knew I couldn't hide it from you. The world is blind, always saying you are arrogant and good for nothing, yet they don't know you are like jade veiled by dust."
Xiao Man fell silent for a moment after hearing this. "Wen Mohan, do you blame me?"
"Why would I blame you?"
"The Tenth Prince's target should have been me. Miss Wen was implicated because of me. If it weren't for me..."
"It has nothing to do with you." Wen Mohan looked up, his eyes clear, showing no trace of blame. "The fault lies with those who scheme in the shadows. You are also a victim, and moreover, I don't want you to be harmed in any way."
Xiao Man silently placed another piece. She didn't know if Wen Mohan's words were sincere or feigned, but the fact remained that Wen Moyu had been implicated because of her.
"You don't need to blame yourself. This is Yu'er's trial," Wen Mohan said softly. "As a brother, I could only watch you both face danger, powerless to intervene. And I never want to experience that feeling of powerlessness again."
"You have already done well. Don't be too hard on yourself."
Wen Mohan's smile reappeared. "Today, let's have a good game. If I win, will you promise me one thing, Man'er?"
Xiao Man looked at the chessboard, thinking of how heartbroken Wen Mohan must be, and slowly nodded. "Alright."
"No backing out."
"Within my capabilities, I absolutely will not go back on my word."
Wen Mohan smiled again. He was most adept at gentle persuasion. If King Qin was like thousand-year-old ice that needed melting, he was the one who held the initiative, like spring rain, nurturing all things silently, permeating bit by bit.
"Then I absolutely cannot afford to lose. To have you agree to one thing for me is truly not easy." Wen Mohan was always so refined, even when he used to scold Xiao Man, he did so politely.
"Then you'd better be careful. I won't hold back," Xiao Man said earnestly. "I will use all my strength to defeat you!"
Wen Mohan simply looked at Xiao Man with a gentle smile. Do you know that I was already defeated? The night you saved me, I was defeated, defeated by your hands. From then on, I was unable to extricate myself, falling deeper and deeper.
They played chess for a full two hours, and in the end, Wen Mohan won by a single move.
"I never imagined your chess skills would improve so rapidly in such a short time. I'm impressed. Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Xiao Man asked frankly.
Wen Mohan clapped his hands, and immediately people filed in, bringing food that was as delightful in aroma and color as it was in taste. "After playing chess for so long, you must be hungry. Eat first. As for what I want you to agree to, I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you when I've thought of it, and I promise it won't be difficult for you."
"That's fine too." Xiao Man finally realized it was well past noon. The sun was setting, and it was already evening. She was so hungry her head was spinning. Without hesitation, she sat down in the chair Wen Mohan pulled out for her.