After a long time, Wen Mohan abruptly swept the cups, bowls, and plates on the table to the ground with a violent clatter. He trembled slightly in the darkness, just a little more, and he could have confessed his feelings to Xiao Man, but he missed it by just that much.
"Alas," a sigh came from behind. "Why the suffering."
Wen Mohan composed himself, looking at his soiled clothes. He couldn't help but frown. In the darkness, a figure walked out, holding clean clothes. "Put these on."
"Thank you," Wen Mohan took them and changed his clothes in front of Cen Yu. Cen Yu immediately turned away, his gaze fixed on the outside.
The lanterns were lit, and the night life of the imperial capital was about to begin.
"When did you arrive?" Wen Mohan asked as he changed.
"I happened to be on patrol at Manyue Pavilion today and saw you bring her. I was worried you wouldn't be able to control your emotions, so I stayed," Cen Yu's voice was soothing. "Mohan, must it be her?"
Wen Mohan tied his belt and straightened his clothes as he said, "It has to be her."
"Xiao Man's identity makes it very difficult for you to marry her. Not to mention your father won't agree, even His Majesty won't agree." Xiao Man's identity was too special. Which royal family member didn't desire Xiao Man? But none of them dared, for fear of arousing the Emperor's suspicion. Only the Tenth Prince was foolish enough to make a move openly, yet he still escaped from Xiao Man in the end.
Cen Yu suddenly had a thought: if Xiao Man hadn't escaped that day, perhaps everything would be different. Even if Xiao Man's reputation was ruined by Prince Qin, it would be better than her current state.
"No matter how difficult, I will not give up." Wen Mohan tidied his clothes and walked past Cen Yu. As they passed, he placed a hand on Cen Yu's shoulder. "Cen Yu, we are brothers, you will help me, right?"
Cen Yu didn't turn back, but nodded slowly, his voice resolute. "Naturally."
"Good brother, I thank you in advance." Wen Mohan pushed the door open and disappeared into the night, leaving Cen Yu alone to face the mess in the room. A hint of worry flickered across his brow. If Xiao Man had feelings for Wen Mohan, there might be room for maneuver. If Xiao Man favored someone else, Mohan would not have even a sliver of a chance!
"Xiao Man, Xiao Man, what makes you worthy of his deep affection!"
Returning to Shuiyue Xiaozhu, the sky had completely darkened. A jade disk hung high in the night sky. Xiao Man looked up at the round disk, feeling as if she had forgotten something.
"The moon is really round tonight."
Ying Xue nodded. "It is indeed round. After all, today is the fifteenth."
Xiao Man was stunned. "Today is the fifteenth?"
"Yes, today is already the fifteenth."
Xiao Man finally remembered. Today was the fifteenth, the day Prince Qin's poison would act up. She had to go to Prince Qin's mansion to collect some blood samples from him to research an antidote. She immediately went into the house to change, preparing to go to Prince Qin's mansion under the cover of night.
However, as soon as Xiao Man opened the door, she saw Xiao Zhen standing at the entrance.
"Father!"
"Going out so late?"
Xiao Man's eyes darted. "No, I just saw the moon was beautiful outside and was planning to come out to admire it, and have Qiu Tong prepare some small dishes and heat a pot of good wine for me."
"Perfect. I'll accompany you to admire the moon," Xiao Zhen was a little worried because of what happened during the day, fearing that some reckless person would plot against his daughter. He didn't want his daughter to suffer such unbearable humiliation.
Xiao Man almost bit her tongue, but her self-control had always been good. She immediately instructed, "Qiu Tong, prepare some small dishes and bring two pots of good wine to the courtyard. I'm going to drink with Father under the moon."
"Yes, Miss." Qiu Tong responded and went to prepare. The father and daughter sat at the stone table in the courtyard.
When the wine and dishes were served, Xiao Man immediately poured a cup for her father. "Come, Father, your daughter will toast you first. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and I'll find you a better one another day!"
Xiao Zhen took a mouthful of wine, and halfway through swallowing, he coughed so hard he choked. His eyes, like those of a tiger, glared at Xiao Man, exuding an imposing aura. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"This long night, Father, aren't you feeling lonely, bored, and cold?" Xiao Man said with an understanding look and refilled Xiao Zhen's cup. "There are three concubines in the backyard. If Father is tired of them, tomorrow morning, I'll go find Grandmother and have her buy a few girls like flower buds for your room!"
"Xiao Man!" Xiao Zhen rebuked, "Stop your foolish talk. Do you think your father is senile?"
Xiao Man smiled sheepishly. "I'm just afraid that Father will be lonely during this long night."
"Hmph, I think you dislike me."
"How could that be!" Xiao Man quickly moved closer to Xiao Zhen and leaned into his embrace. "My father is handsome, dashing, and a heroic man. How could your daughter dislike you? I love you too much to dislike you."
Xiao Zhen playfully tapped Xiao Man on the head. "You little rascal, you've become more and more improper, even teasing me."
"Daughter is just afraid Father will be depressed because of the Yan family incident and wants to make Father happy. Yet Father yells at me." Xiao Man got up from Xiao Zhen's embrace. "Father, punish yourself with three cups!"
"Alright, alright, I'll punish myself with three cups." Xiao Zhen chuckled, looking at his quirky daughter with immense affection. Xian'er, our daughter, has grown up. Do you see?
"Father, don't drink too much; it's bad for your health," Xiao Man urged as she saw Xiao Zhen drink several cups.
"My heart is happy, so it doesn't matter if I drink a few more cups," Xiao Zhen stroked Xiao Man's head. "Your mother passed away shortly after giving birth to you. As a man, I didn't know how to raise you. When you were little, you were exceptionally mischievous, more so than boys. Fortunately, you've now grown into a graceful lady. Your mother in heaven must be very happy."
"Father, tell me about Mother. How did Father and Mother meet?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
Xiao Zhen held his wine cup, a happy smile on his lips. "I met your mother at the border. She was like an orchid secluded in a valley, living alone. I was heavily wounded and dying..."
"A weed?"
Xiao Zhen flicked Xiao Man's forehead with his finger. "Don't be disrespectful. Your mother saved me then. I fell in love with your mother at first sight and secretly pledged our lives. The time I spent with your mother was the happiest of my life..."
At this point, a look of deep hatred flashed in Xiao Zhen's eyes. Although it was fleeting, Xiao Man caught it. Her mother's death was likely not simple. To evoke such hatred in her father, there must be many stories involved.
"And then?" Xiao Man pressed.
Xiao Zhen sighed, stroking Xiao Man's head with one hand, and drained his wine cup with the other. "Man'er, you must be well. Otherwise, even if I go to the netherworld, I will have no face to see your mother."