Nangong Yi got up from the ground and extended his hand to Xiao Man: "Look at Xiao Wang's hand, it's all scratched. It hurts so much."
Xiao Man glanced at it: "A grown man, a little scratch is nothing. Besides, it's your hand that's injured, not your vital parts. It won't affect your visits to the pleasure houses."
Nangong Yi glared at Xiao Man through gritted teeth: "Xiao Man, you've changed. Don't you like Xiao Wang visiting pleasure houses anymore?"
Nangong Yi looked as if he had discovered a new continent: "Xiao Man, do you like me?"
Xiao Man glanced at Nangong Yi: "Hallucinations are a disease, they need treatment."
"I know, I'm handsome and charming. It's only natural that you like me. Anyway, we get along well. How about I ask the Emperor to grant us a marriage decree, and I'll marry you as my consort? Then we can go to pleasure houses and casinos together as a couple," Nangong Yi said, his eyes sparkling.
"Cough cough..." Nangong Yan coughed violently, "Thirteenth Brother, what you said..."
Xiao Man gave Nangong Yi a big smile. Nangong Yi thought to himself, Xiao Man really likes him. He actually quite likes Xiao Man too. Plus, they are kindred spirits. It wouldn't be bad to marry Xiao Man as his consort!
"Nangong Yi, I think you're itching for a beating!"
Nangong Yi quickly stepped back a few paces. Knowing Xiao Man, whenever she smiled so brightly, it meant she was about to strike!
"At worst, after I marry you, I won't go to pleasure houses anymore."
Xiao Man's figure was as fast as lightning. She instantly appeared in front of Nangong Yi and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying out and landing in a heap at someone's feet. That person, however, didn't even look, and stepped over Nangong Yi.
Nangong Yi let out a cry of pain: "Fourth Brother, Xiao Man is bullying me, and you're bullying me too!"
"A person? I don't see anyone," Nangong Yu replied coldly, glancing back before leaving indifferently.
"Fourth Brother, won't you stand up for me?"
Xiao Man walked forward with a beaming smile, mimicking Prince Qin. She stepped over Nangong Yi, who cried out in pain again. Zhou Kang quickly ran up to help him.
"Master, how many times have I told you that woman is ruthless, but you never believed me? Look, last time she pushed you down the stairs, and this time she tripped you and kicked you. Next time, who knows if she'll stab you!"
Zhou Kang muttered complaints about Xiao Man behind her. Xiao Man walked ahead leisurely, as if she hadn't heard a word. Nangong Yu slowed his pace, waiting for Xiao Man to catch up. Sudan Novel Network.
"Are you going to Lan Xiao Pavilion tonight?"
Xiao Man felt a chill run down her spine and replied with a fawning smile: "Your Highness, please don't joke. This humble girl is a lady of noble birth, how could I possibly go to such a place."
"I heard the new male performer is very beautiful."
"No matter how beautiful, he can't be as beautiful as Your Highness," Xiao Man said obsequiously.
Nangong Yu nodded with satisfaction. Good, you know your place. If she had dared to go to Lan Xiao Pavilion, he would have made sure there was no Lan Xiao Pavilion in the capital, no, he would have abolished the profession of male performers in the capital!
"On the way back to the capital, I heard you were attacked multiple times?"
"They weren't looking for me, they were looking for Prince Chu," Xiao Man said in a low voice. "It seems some people are very afraid of Prince Chu returning to the capital."
Nangong Yu's expression shifted slightly: "After all, Third Brother's birth mother was the Emperor's most beloved Consort, who once held his exclusive favor."
"In the deep palace, a ruler's exclusive favor is the most potent poison, killing without drawing blood," Xiao Man said with a sigh. "If you don't have the ability to protect those you care about, then don't let others know what you cherish. Otherwise, your enemies will only destroy it with even greater haste."
Nangong Yi stopped and looked at Xiao Man: "Are you... in a bad mood?"
A wry smile flickered at the corner of Xiao Man's lips: "I want to destroy someone, but I can't. It feels like a thousand claws are scratching at my heart, causing me great distress."
"Who do you want to destroy?"
"Someone who is already dead and should have been buried long ago." Xiao Man's eyes were icy, and her tone was as sharp as an ice blade. She would never allow her remains to remain in this world to be trampled upon by Murong Sheng Rui!
"Who is that person? I'll help you."
"If there's ever a need, I will certainly tell Your Highness!"
After ten years of absence, Prince Chu returned to the capital, and the Emperor was overjoyed. He drank a lot during the banquet. The civil and military officials all took note. Indeed, His Majesty doted on Prince Chu, his son, and many went to toast him.
Prince Chu maintained a kind smile and did not refuse anyone who offered a toast. His refined and friendly face became even paler due to the excessive drinking.
Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yan, who was being repeatedly plied with wine, and shook her head: "Prince Chu is quite good-tempered. If someone tried to force-feed Prince Qin wine like this, Prince Qin would make those who offered the wine tremble at the sight of it in the future."
Xiao Zhen, upon hearing this, turned to look at Xiao Man: "Man'er seems to have quite a good impression of His Highness Prince Qin."
Xiao Man's gaze shifted to Nangong Yu, who happened to look over: "Father is joking. Your daughter simply feels that among the princes, Prince Qin's personality is the most distinct, displaying his likes and dislikes openly. Prince Chu, on the other hand, always wears a mask, greeting everyone with a smile. Both lost their mothers at a young age. Prince Qin lives a more difficult life than Prince Chu, but he also lives more freely."
Xiao Zhen nodded in agreement: "Prince Chu has always been sickly and frail, unlike Prince Qin, who can go to battle and achieve great deeds. If Prince Qin did not have the military achievements he gained on the battlefield, he would probably have to live even more cautiously than Prince Chu."
"Indeed," Xiao Man agreed with a nod. "Father seems quite interested in His Highness Prince Qin today."
"It's not me who's interested in Prince Qin, it's you!" Xiao Zhen said irritably. He was here worried that his daughter would be deceived by Prince Qin's handsome face, but he had worried for nothing. Her daughter's gaze towards Prince Qin held no trace of affection!
Thinking of this, Xiao Zhen's head began to ache. His daughter didn't even like an outstanding man like Prince Qin, so who did she like? Xiao Zhen sifted through the information he had recently gathered, especially recalling the betting pool on Xiao Man's husband that was opened at the underground casino. Prince Qin was at the top of the list, with Nangong Yi ranking second.
"Man'er, could it be that you like Prince Qi?"
"Father, your daughter is merely friends with Prince Qi," Xiao Man quickly explained. "Your daughter has no interest in a wandering playboy."
"What is a wandering playboy?"
"Someone who falls in love with everyone they meet, licentious and without any bottom line."
Xiao Zhen immediately choked, but had to admit that Xiao Man's description was quite accurate. After all, Nangong Yi had confidantes all over the world. A man like that, let alone Xiao Man, he wouldn't look favorably upon. If Xiao Man liked Nangong Yi, he would have even more headaches.
"Then it can't be Xue Kun, can it?"
"Father, Xue Kun and I are worlds apart!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhen couldn't help but glance towards Prime Minister Wen and asked in a low voice, "Do you really like the son of that old fox, Wen?"