Nangong Yu brandished his long sword, mercilessly cutting down assassins, and Xiao Man also showed no mercy.
In the shadows, several gazes watched the combatants, their eyes flashing with interest, like hunters finding their desired prey.
The Crown Prince's eyes were cold, and a sinister curve touched his lips. "I never imagined that my fourth brother would be so eager, not even concealing his covetous heart."
"Your Highness, does Prince Qin wish to curry favor with the Grand General?"
"The person he wishes to curry favor with is not the Grand General, but Xiao Man!" The Crown Prince's gaze fell on Xiao Man, who was fighting desperately. As expected of Xiao Zhen's daughter, even surrounded, she showed no fear, her composure sparking a desire in him to destroy her.
"A knight in shining armor saving a damsel?"
"Pity this beauty is as formidable as any man," the Crown Prince said slowly. "Would such a woman beneath me possess a unique charm?"
The man behind him hesitated, not daring to reply. Few could fathom the Crown Prince's thoughts, especially since he had suffered losses at Xiao Man's hands. He couldn't tell how much of this was genuine.
Meanwhile, Nangong Cheng's gaze was fixed on Xiao Man, who was fiercely fighting. A bloodthirsty smile played on his lips. "I never expected Xiao Man's martial arts to be so formidable. Ji Peng, how confident are you of defeating her?"
"She is no match for me."
"She wasn't a match for Po Jun and Li San Niang either, yet they both fell to her," Nangong Cheng said softly. "I somewhat regret it. Marrying Xiao Man might have been more useful than marrying Wen Mo Yu."
Ji Peng remained silent. Xiao Man was incredibly cunning. Even such a flawless assassination attempt couldn't overcome her. However, forcing Xiao Man to reveal the Grand General's hidden strength was also a good thing.
"My Lord, what is Prince Qin plotting?"
"What else could he be plotting? A means to win over the Grand General's household!"
"Everyone says the eldest daughter of the Xiao family is skilled in martial arts. Seeing her today, it is indeed true," Nangong Yan said calmly. "Zhu Yun, tell me, what is fourth brother's intention in rushing out to save her?"
"To gain favor with the Grand General's household."
Nangong Yan shook his head. "He is likely after the person in the arena."
Zhu Yun's gaze swept over those in the arena. Nangong Yu had maintained a distance of three feet from Xiao Man, cutting down anyone who dared to sneak attack her.
"Isn't Prince Qin saving Xiao Man for the sake of the Grand General's household behind her?"
"Fourth brother holds military power; he has no need to curry favor with the Grand General's household. He is not interested in Xiao Zhen, but in his precious daughter." Nangong Yan said softly. "What should we do? Seeing how outstanding Xiao Man is, I am tempted to snatch her away."
"This subordinate does not find Xiao Man particularly outstanding, but rather troublesome. To be ambushed and attacked on a busy street in broad daylight suggests she is someone who attracts trouble."
Nangong Yan found this amusing. He glanced at the street below. Even surrounded by so many assassins, Xiao Man's face showed no fear. Truly, a tiger father breeds no dog-like daughters; neither Xiao Luo nor Xiao Man would disgrace the Xiao family's reputation.
At this moment, several more figures were rushing towards them. It was Wen Mo Han, who had already left. After parting ways with Xiao Man, Wen Mo Han had intended to return directly to his manor. Upon learning of the incident here, he immediately brought his hidden guards back to search for Xiao Man.
"Man'er." Wen Mo Han saw Xiao Man, covered in blood, fighting amidst the crowd, and was immediately terrified. Forgetting his own lack of martial arts skills, he rushed towards Xiao Man.
The hidden guards of the Prime Minister's manor dared not let their young master be in danger. They immediately cleared a path for Wen Mo Han, cutting down any assassins who dared to approach him. Xiao Man, amidst the fighting, saw Wen Mo Han charging in and felt a headache coming on. Wen Mo Han couldn't fight; why was he running over here, looking for trouble?
Though angered by Wen Mo Han's recklessness, Xiao Man's body moved. She actively left Nangong Yu's protective circle and moved towards Wen Mo Han. "Man'er."
"Why are you running over here, asking for death?" Xiao Man cursed as she killed assassins around her. "Is your head filled with tofu dregs? Can a delicate scholar like you barge into a scene like this?"
Wen Mo Han's face showed anxiety. "I've already sent someone to report to the authorities. Soldiers will be here to rescue us soon, Man'er. It will be alright."
"Why don't you quickly take your young master away!" Xiao Man yelled at Wen Mo Han's hidden guards. "He's lost his mind, and so have you?"
Wen Mo Han's hidden guards felt a collective flush of embarrassment. They had come to rescue Xiao Man, yet Xiao Man was now calling them brainless.
Under the protection of his guards, Wen Mo Han got closer and closer to Xiao Man. By the time Nangong Yu regained his senses, Xiao Man had already moved away from his side and was heading towards Wen Mo Han. Seeing Xiao Man moving towards Wen Mo Han, the string in Nangong Yu's heart tightened abruptly!
Xiao Man truly wished she could smash Wen Mo Han's head open to see if it was filled with tofu dregs. How dare he run towards her in such a dangerous situation.
"Is your head caught in a door?" Xiao Man snatched a saber, killing an assassin who was approaching Wen Mo Han with one strike, and shielded Wen Mo Han behind her. "Don't you even look at the current situation? How dare you come here?"
"Because you are here," Wen Mo Han said softly.
Due to the noise, Xiao Man didn't hear Wen Mo Han's words. "I'll tear open the encirclement in a moment and let your hidden guards take you away."
"I'm not leaving," Wen Mo Han insisted stubbornly.
"You're not leaving!" Xiao Man felt like punching Wen Mo Han to the ground. Did this kid know he was a burden here? She was already struggling to protect herself, and now she had to protect this boy!
"Do you know the consequence of not leaving is death?"
"Even if I die, I will die with you," Wen Mo Han stated decisively.
Xiao Man turned to look at Wen Mo Han. Wen Mo Han looked at her with determination, as if he were fearless in this deadly situation. However, Xiao Man's next words shattered Wen Mo Han's courage. "You want to die, but I don't!"
Wen Mo Han felt wronged, but he stayed close to Xiao Man, refusing to leave her side. Even though he knew he was a burden to Xiao Man without martial arts skills, he still didn't want to leave her.
Wen Mo Han's gaze suddenly shifted to the other side. Not far away, Prince Qin's hawk-like eyes were fixed on him coldly, like an eagle staring at a white rabbit, ready to bare its claws and tear apart the defenseless white rabbit. However, Wen Mo Han was not a meek white rabbit but a cunning white fox.
Wen Mo Han smiled. Xiao Man had moved from Prince Qin's side to his. In the end, he had a slight advantage. Prince Qin would scheme against her, tirelessly digging for her secrets, but he wouldn't. No matter what Xiao Man wanted to do, or how many secrets she hid, he would never investigate. What he cared about was always just Xiao Man herself.