The street was in chaos late at night, with diligent cleaners bowing their heads to sweep the road.
Wen Mohan was drowning his sorrows in a quiet tavern, Wen Moyu had tired herself out and fallen asleep, and Madam Wen and Prime Minister Wen were consumed by grief. He couldn't show his emotions, so he could only get drunk alone in this small tavern.
Cen Yu looked at Wen Mohan, who was drinking downstairs, a flicker of pain in his eyes. Just as he was about to go down, a person walked in from outside and sat opposite Wen Mohan. It was Xiao Man.
After leaving Caiyun Lake, Nangong Yu had sent Xiao Man back to the General's Mansion. It was then that Xiao Man learned of Wen Moyu's misfortune, a scene that Wen Mohan had also witnessed.
Although this was an unexpected turn of events, Xiao Man felt she should still go and see Wen Mohan.
Upon seeing Xiao Man, a flicker of light appeared in Wen Mohan's pained eyes, only to quickly fade as he continued to drink. He didn't want to speak. Though he appeared unharmed, he was deeply wounded. His beloved sister had been violated, and his beloved woman might have fallen for someone else. This Qixi Festival had brought him only pain, a piercing pain.
Xiao Man also said nothing. She took a pot of wine, poured herself a drink, and accompanied Wen Mohan. Their acquaintance wasn't particularly close; before she saved him, they could even be said to dislike each other.
As Xiao Man drank her tenth cup, Wen Mohan put a hand on hers, saying, "A lady shouldn't drink too much; it's not good to get drunk."
"I have a good tolerance; I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk," Xiao Man said, looking towards the door where Yingxue and Xiangxue were waiting. "If I do get drunk, my two maids will take me home."
Hearing this, Wen Mohan slowly withdrew his hand. Watching Xiao Man drink cup after cup with him, he couldn't tell if he was drunk or if tears blurred his vision, making him unable to see Xiao Man's face clearly.
"Xiao Man, my heart aches so much."
Xiao Man's hand, holding the wine cup, paused. She then drained it in one gulp. "Mm, I know."
"At that moment, I truly, I truly wished I could kill that beast." Wen Mohan covered his face with his hand, sobbing uncontrollably. Everyone called him a graceful and refined young gentleman, but he only wanted to be a good brother who protected his sister. Yet, he lacked the ability to protect her, and couldn't even stand up to Nangong Cheng.
"I know." Xiao Man understood that pain deeply.
When her family was slaughtered before her eyes by Murong Shengrui, the pain was comparable to a thousand cuts, and she could only watch helplessly.
"Xiao Man, what should I do?" Wen Mohan cried profusely. He, who considered himself exceptionally talented and worldly-wise, was utterly at a loss when facing the humiliation of his loved one. The other party was a prince; could he only swallow his pride? Su Dan Novel Network.
"Heaven's justice is swift; there will be retribution. It's not that there is no retribution, but that the time has not yet come," Xiao Man said softly, handing a handkerchief to Wen Mohan. "He will face retribution."
Wen Mohan cried and laughed. Retribution. He never believed in retribution. If there were retribution, why were all those who ascended to the throne cruel and heartless? He hated them. He wanted everyone who had harmed his sister to pay the price! The Tenth Prince, and Prince Qin, Nangong Yu, too!
"Xiao Man, if someone hurt your brother, what would you do?" Nangong Yu clasped Xiao Man's hand, asking with intense gaze.
"Until death do us part."
Four simple words, filled with murderous intent.
In Xiao Man's heart, nothing was more important than her family. Although she was not the original Xiao Man, she now occupied her body and enjoyed the affection of the Xiao family father and son. Therefore, no one could harm her father and brother.
Wen Mohan smiled, releasing Xiao Man's hand. He took the handkerchief from her, covering his face, hiding all his pain and emotions. Xiao Man always saw his most vulnerable and painful side. He clearly only wanted Xiao Man to see his best self.
"Xiao Man, do you like Prince Qin?"
Xiao Man paused. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw you and Prince Qin offering flowers together today. Truly a match made in heaven, a golden couple."
As Wen Mohan spoke, his hand clenched into a fist, his fingernails digging into his flesh. He was afraid to hear Xiao Man's answer, yet he was also unwilling to give up without hearing it.
"You misunderstood," Xiao Man said softly. "Prince Qin already has someone he admires. Offering flowers together today was merely by chance."
"You truly don't like Prince Qin?" Wen Mohan pulled the handkerchief from his face and looked at Xiao Man, asking again.
Under Wen Mohan's sharp gaze, Xiao Man hesitated slightly.
But she still nodded slowly. Her relationship with Prince Qin was merely a cooperation. Prince Qin had someone he loved, and she was not in a position to love.
Wen Mohan felt a wave of relief. At least he knew that Xiao Man didn't like Prince Qin. No, Xiao Man didn't yet know Prince Qin's feelings for her. He was a man, and he understood too well the look in Prince Qin's eyes when he looked at Xiao Man—it was the look a man gave to the woman he loved. Prince Qin had harmed his sister, and he would never allow Prince Qin to take away the woman he loved, never!
Wen Mohan grabbed the wine pot and poured it directly into his mouth. Tonight, he would indulge himself. After tonight, that naive Wen Mohan would cease to exist!
Xiao Man didn't stop him, drinking cup after cup, quietly accompanying Wen Mohan.
At this moment, Wen Mohan didn't need comfort, but companionship. Her presence there was enough.
The waiter's gaze involuntarily drifted towards his master. Ever since Young Master Wen had come in to drown his sorrows, his master had been quietly accompanying him. He had clearly wanted to go down, but he had stopped because of Xiao Man's arrival. At this moment, Cen Yu's cold expression made him appear even more charming and pitiable.
The waiter couldn't help but swallow. Just as he swallowed, a golden leaf pierced his throat. He died instantly without even a cry, his body slumping down, a lecherous expression still lingering on his face, as if death couldn't wash away his filth.
Cen Yu didn't even glance at the waiter's corpse, a flicker of disgust on his face. He loathed people looking at him with lustful eyes the most.
Whenever someone looked at him that way, he wished he could gouge out their eyes. The reason he targeted Xiao Man was not because she was overbearing, nor because he liked Wen Moyu, but because of something Xiao Man had once said.
Cen Yu's gaze passed through the window lattice, looking down at the two people below, a man and a woman, sitting in silence, drinking wine, appearing exceptionally harmonious despite their lack of conversation. Cen Yu wanted to go down, but he knew that at this moment, Wen Mohan only wanted Xiao Man to accompany him.
"Fine, I'll spare you this time, Xiao Man. Remember this: if one day you dare to harm Mohan, I will make you regret being born into this world!"