"Miss, are you alright?"
Xiao Man sat up, calmed her breathing, and after a long moment, opened her eyes. A chilling glint filled her dark pupils, and a tragic smile curved her lips. Even in death, Murong Sheng Rui would not let her go. Good, very good!
Yin Zhu was startled by Xiao Man's appearance. She had never seen Xiao Man look so terrifying, as if she could devour people. "Miss, did you have a nightmare?"
Xiao Man closed her eyes, then opened them again moments later, her demeanor returned to normal. "Yes, I had a nightmare. I'm fine now."
Yin Zhu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly poured Xiao Man a cup of hot tea to rinse her mouth.
The carriage stopped at the palace gates. As Yin Zhu helped Xiao Man alight, they saw two figures waiting nearby. It was Nangong Yan and Zhu Yun. Nangong Yan sat in a wheelchair, his handsome face adorned with a friendly smile. Sudan Novel Network.
Xiao Man bowed. "Your Highness Prince Chu."
"No need for formalities." Nangong Yan rose from his wheelchair. "It's rare to meet like this, let's go into the palace together. However, I am not well and cannot walk for long distances."
Xiao Man nodded and fell a step behind Nangong Yan as they headed towards the palace gates. Those around them looked on with confusion. "Who is with Xiao Man?"
"It seems to be Prince Chu."
"How does Prince Chu know Xiao Man?"
"I don't know."
"Third Brother." Nangong Yi waved enthusiastically. "Xiao Man."
Xiao Man sighed. "Among all the princes, he is the least like a prince."
Nangong Yi walked towards them. "Third Brother, you've finally returned to the capital. Are you feeling better?"
"Much better. I can walk a few steps now." Nangong Yan's voice was gentle, his smile serene, as if his frailty were of no great consequence to him.
"If you can't walk, tell us. I'll have Zhou Kang carry you."
"No need. Zhu Yun brought the wheelchair." Nangong Yan gestured behind him. Zhu Yun pushed the wheelchair, following them silently.
Nangong Yi stepped back to look at Xiao Man. "I heard from your father that you were unwell and returned to Cangzhou to recuperate. Are you fully recovered? How about we go gambling at the casino another day? A new casino just opened in the capital. My luck has been bad, and I've lost a lot of money. Could you help me win it back?"
Xiao Man glanced at him. "You have plenty of money. Why fret over a few small losses?"
"I lost a hundred thousand taels!"
Xiao Man stumbled, nearly falling. Nangong Yan quickly reached out to steady her, preventing embarrassment.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Be careful, the path is a bit slippery." Nangong Yan withdrew his hand, his smile unwavering.
Xiao Man leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Whose casino is it?"
"I heard it's Shangguan Jin's. It's called 'Beauty Manor.' It truly lives up to its name. All the dealers are beauties, with graceful figures and seductive charm, attracting countless 'hungry wolves' to gamble. Beauty Manor is making a fortune."
"You were so captivated by the beauty of the dealer that you threw away money to please her?"
Nangong Yi rubbed his nose. "That girl was truly beautiful, pure and cute. You would like her if you saw her."
Nangong Yi walked to Xiao Man's other side and continued beside her. "Shangguan Jin understands men's hearts too well. That Beauty Manor is simply a paradise for men. Any girl you pick out from there is devastatingly beautiful!"
"Lust is a sharp blade!"
"Xiao Man, the ancients said that food and sex are natural desires. I am merely going with the flow."
Xiao Man listened, merely offering a faint smile, saying nothing further.
Nangong Yi's fondness for beautiful women was well-known. In the capital, if one visited any brothel and requested a particular beauty, she might well be Prince Qi's confidante. Therefore, when people went to brothels, they would first inquire if the courtesan had any connection with Prince Qi, to avoid conflict.
"Third Brother, you've been in Jiangnan for ten years. Do you have any potential consorts in mind? Father has been very concerned about our marriages lately. Fourth Brother is being pressured incessantly."
Nangong Yan replied, "My health is poor. Getting married would only be a burden to the young lady."
"Third Brother, that's not right. Life is short, so we must enjoy it to the fullest. Third Brother, quickly marry a beautiful princess, have a strong son, and with a lovely wife and concubines and children around you, all your illnesses will vanish."
Nangong Yan actually nodded solemnly upon hearing this, his smile exceptionally sincere, as if he had genuinely taken Nangong Yi's words to heart.
Nangong Yan's body was ultimately too weak, and he couldn't walk much further. He got into the wheelchair, with Zhu Yun pushing him from behind.
"Third Brother, why is your health still so frail? We'll have the imperial physician examine you later and give you some tonic. The doctors in Jiangnan are all incompetent!"
"My health has always been this way, it has nothing to do with the doctors."
"Any doctor who can't cure you is a quack!" Nangong Yi stated decisively. "I've heard that the Medicine King, Ye Qingti, has excellent medical skills. I'll have someone look for him and invite him to diagnose and treat Third Brother."
"The Medicine King's whereabouts are erratic, he's not easy to find." Nangong Yan's peripheral vision noticed Xiao Man. Her complexion was somewhat poor, even worse than his, a physically weak person.
"Miss Xiao, are you feeling unwell?" Nangong Yan inquired.
Xiao Man shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, Prince Chu. I am fine."
"Third Brother, don't worry. Xiao Man's health is much better than yours. She can punch a horse to death!" Nangong Yi said exaggeratedly. "She almost killed me."
"Who told you to gallop your horse in a crowded area?"
Nangong Yi was in the wrong. "Was I galloping my horse wildly? The horse was startled. Without a word, you punched my horse to death, not to mention beat me up. How unfair!"
"For this matter, I apologized and treated you to a meal. You still hold a grudge. How petty." Xiao Man glared at him.
"How could I hold a grudge against you? I'm just telling Third Brother that your health is better than his." Nangong Yi lowered his voice and whispered in Xiao Man's ear. "A newcomer has arrived at Lan Xiao Pavilion. Her brow is like a willow leaf, her beauty rivals Pan An, her skin is like fine jade, her figure is graceful, and her martial arts are first-class. After the palace banquet, I'll take you to see her?"
Xiao Man looked sideways at Nangong Yi with a radiant smile. Nangong Yi was momentarily blinded by her smile. Xiao Man suddenly stuck out her foot, tripping Nangong Yi and sending him sprawling onto his face.
Nangong Yan looked with concern. "Thirteenth Brother, are you alright?"
Nangong Yi gasped in pain and looked at Xiao Man. "You tripped..."
"Your Highness Prince Qi, how can you be so careless when walking at your age? You must be hurt. Zhou Kang, hurry and help your master up."
Zhou Kang shot Xiao Man a venomous glare. He felt this woman was too malicious. The last time at Feixian Tower, she had pushed their master downstairs, and today, in front of everyone, she had tripped their master. She was truly wicked!