Nangong Yu's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard. His peripheral vision swept across the hall, but he couldn't spot Xiao Man. Today was the tenth prince's wedding, and he had been told Xiao Man would attend, so why was she absent?
"Little Four, I'm asking you a question. Do you have a woman you fancy?"
Nangong Yu thought for a moment, "If I have a woman I fancy, I will definitely ask Father Emperor to grant us a marriage."
"Alright, if you like someone, tell me, and I'll grant you a marriage."
"Do you mean what you say?"
"My word is my bond!"
"Then that's good, I think Prime Minister Wen's daughter is very suitable."
The old emperor choked and glared fiercely at Nangong Yu, "If you thought she was suitable, you should have spoken up earlier, and I would have granted you a marriage. But now that she's betrothed to your tenth brother, you suddenly think she's suitable? It's too late! She can only be an unmarried woman."
"I was just joking, testing if Father Emperor truly keeps his word."
Hearing this, Consort Xian's face showed displeasure, but she quickly suppressed it.
In the hall, Wen Moyu felt as if her heart were being pricked by needles. She was already in such a state, and Prince Qin still chose to salt her wounds. He was truly heartless!
As the officiant announced the escorting to the bridal chamber, the new princess consort was led into the bridal chamber. The others gathered around Prince Han to toast him, congratulating him on winning his beloved. Several men who were close to Prince Han leaned in and said in low voices,
"Your Highness is truly fortunate. The new princess consort is ranked second on the Imperial Capital's Beauty List, and is also the foremost talent in the capital. She is gentle and virtuous. We are all envious."
Nangong Cheng smiled and thanked them, "There are many beauties in the capital. I, here, wish you all a good fortune in winning your beloved soon."
"Tenth Brother, congratulations." Prince Qi, Nangong Yi, swayed his jade fan, his white jade cup filled with nectar. "You don't know how many men in the capital envy you."
"Thirteenth Brother, it is you the men of the capital envy. With beauties on both sides, and confidantes all over the world, your fortune is truly great."
"Alas, how can I compare to Tenth Brother?" Nangong Yi nudged Nangong Cheng with his elbow, "Tell us, how did you win your lady's heart?"
Nangong Cheng smiled mysteriously, "That's a secret!"
"Tenth Brother, you're being unfair, keeping it all to yourself! I won't be your friend anymore!" Nangong Yi then went to find others, while Nangong Cheng went to greet guests.
Xiao Man stood under the eaves, her gaze clear and cold. She had not wanted to come today, but Old Madam, due to Yan Shi's matters, still resented the Yan family and did not wish to see Consort Xian, so she refused to come. Thus, her eldest legitimate daughter was pushed forward.
"Man'er," Wen Mohan walked over from the corridor, a smile on his face, composed and unhurried, "Why are you here alone?"
"This is Prince Han's mansion, I dare not wander around," Xiao Man said this while glancing towards a distance where several men were gathered, whispering to each other as they looked at Xiao Man. Although few knew about Wen Moyu's situation, it didn't mean no one did. Even with Xiao Zhen's threats, some still wished to defy the odds and seize Xiao Man.
Wen Mohan's expression turned slightly cold, "Rest assured, I will never let anyone harm you."
Hearing this, Xiao Man covered her mouth and chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing because you probably forgot about being chased like a cornered animal and then hiding behind me."
Wen Mohan's face flushed, "Fighting and killing are indeed not my forte, but if anyone wishes to plot against you with schemes and tricks, I will not permit it. After all, you are my savior."
"It was just a small gesture, we are long past square, why do you still care about it."
Wen Mohan led Xiao Man to another side, "For you, we are square, but for me, a life-saving grace is not something easily repaid. The weather is hot, let's go to the waterside pavilion, it's cooler there."
Xiao Man nodded and walked side by side with Wen Mohan towards the waterside pavilion. The Emperor, meanwhile, was playing chess with Nangong Yu under the waterside pavilion. When Wen Mohan and the others arrived, they found guards stationed there, so they diverted their path to the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
A maid brought pastries and tea. Xiao Man picked up a piece of pastry, crushed it, and threw it into the lake to feed the fish. The fish in the lake scrambled to eat it. Wen Mohan immediately brought the pastry plate closer, making it convenient for Xiao Man to pick up pastries to feed the fish.
"Look, those fish are actually golden," Xiao Man pointed at the fish in the lake, saying in surprise.
Wen Mohan leaned over to look, his body close to Xiao Man, quite intimately, "I've heard that golden carp are also called Koi, and those who see them will have good luck. Man'er will surely encounter good fortune today."
Princess Zhaoyao led a maiden in palace attire towards them.
"Li Zhaoyao, wasn't it said that Brother Mohan is here? Why can't I see him?" the maiden in palace attire asked coquettishly.
"Princess, don't be anxious. The servant said that Young Master Wen was heading this way. Perhaps we can find him if we look a bit more." Li Zhaoyao coaxed the maiden in palace attire in a gentle tone.
This maiden in palace attire was none other than the Crown Prince's full sister, Nangong Qin. Nangong Qin, fourteen years old, was at the age of budding romance. The first time she saw Wen Mohan in the palace, she fell for him and vowed to marry him.
However, this marriage was met with obstruction from both the Empress and the Crown Prince. How could Wen Mohan, as Prime Minister Wen's only son, marry a princess?
If they forced Wen Mohan to marry a princess, wouldn't Prime Minister Wen fight them to the death? Yet, this princess was also stubborn. Even though the Empress did not agree, she always found opportunities to see Wen Mohan.
Xiao Man, completely unaware of the approaching danger, was solely focused on finding an opportunity to slip away. Being in Prince Han's mansion was truly boring.
The wind blew her long hair, sweeping across Wen Mohan's chest. A faint fragrance entered his nostrils, and Wen Mohan couldn't help but move closer again.
Xiao Man clapped her hands, intending to sit down, but found that her hair had somehow become tangled in Wen Mohan's clothing buttons. Moving would pull at her scalp, causing pain.
Wen Mohan quickly held Xiao Man's head, drawing her closer, "Don't move, I'll untangle it right away."
Xiao Man tilted her head, allowing Wen Mohan to untangle her hair. But to outsiders, it looked as if Xiao Man was leaning into Wen Mohan's embrace. When Li Zhaoyao arrived with the Fifteenth Princess, they happened to see the two embracing affectionately, particularly intimately!
Nangong Qin saw this scene and felt a surge of blood to her head. She had always liked Wen Mohan, but he always avoided her, and her mother and brother didn't help her. Now, seeing Wen Mohan holding another woman, she was instantly enraged and strode towards the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Wen Mohan finally managed to untangle the long hair caught on the button. Xiao Man quickly moved away to create distance between them. However, she stumbled and fell backward. Wen Mohan quickly reached out and caught her waist, pulling her into his arms!
"In broad daylight, what are you two doing!" a stern shout came, echoing far and wide, disturbing the two people playing chess in the waterside pavilion.