"What, you think I'm afraid of you?" Xiao Zhen retorted. While he was grateful to Wen Mohan for saving Xiao Man, it was Wen Mohan who saved her, not Wen Chang. He wouldn't tolerate any arrogance from Wen Chang.
"Father, please say less," Xiao Man pleaded softly. "Mohan is injured like this because of me. It's only right for Prime Minister Wen to be angry. It's fine if he scolds me a few times to vent."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhen turned his head away and ignored Wen Chang.
"Guards, take the young master back to the mansion."
"Be careful, don't split the wound," Xiao Man quickly instructed.
Prime Minister Wen shot Xiao Man a glare, then ordered his men to take Wen Mohan away. To his surprise, Wen Mohan was clinging tightly to Xiao Man's hand, refusing to let go no matter how hard they tried to pry him off. His old face turned crimson, and he glared at Xiao Man with murderous eyes.
Xiao Man quickly tugged hard. However, Wen Mohan only gripped tighter. At the same time, Xiao Man looked at Prime Minister Wen innocently, his eyes clearly conveying: See? It's your son who won't let go.
Prime Minister Wen choked on a mouthful of blood, almost spitting it onto Xiao Man's face!
"Useless thing!" After a long pause, Prime Minister Wen turned to Wen Mohan, who was lying on the bed, and said fiercely, "To get yourself into such a state for a woman, how pathetic!"
A hint of a smile flickered in Xiao Zhen's eyes. Seeing Wen Chang's furious rage, he felt refreshed, and the gloom caused by Xiao Man's assassination attempt dissipated significantly.
"The person will stay in your General's mansion for now. Take him back to the Prime Minister's mansion when he wakes up!" Prime Minister Wen gritted his teeth. "Gui Yi, you stay here and watch the young master carefully."
"Yes, sir."
Prime Minister Wen stormed into the General's mansion with his men and stormed out again with his men. Those who had gathered outside to watch the spectacle looked on in amazement.
"Quick, quick, pay up! You lost, Prime Minister Wen returned empty-handed!"
"It seems that Miss Xiao's husband can only be the Prime Minister's son!" In the capital city, everyone rushed to the gambling houses, betting on Wen Mohan to become Xiao Man's husband. No one paid any attention to the Prince of Qin.
Si Chen and Si Ye watched the Prince of Qin venting his fury on the training grounds and both sighed. It seemed their master was truly furious.
"That heartless woman, Xiao Man. How much has this master done for her, how many injuries has he sustained? And yet, she brings another man home and takes meticulous care of him!" Si Ye grumbled discontentedly.
Si Chen remained silent. He had to admit that Wen Mohan was indeed better at coaxing women than their master. However, Xiao Man was not an easy woman to coax. Otherwise, why would she still refuse to acknowledge their master after their intimate encounter?
Suddenly, Nangong Yu spat out a mouthful of blood, startling the two. They rushed forward, "Master, are you alright?"
Nangong Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I'm fine."
"Tsk tsk, look at your pathetic state," Ye Qing swaggered in and placed two fingers on Nangong Yu's wrist. "Anger overwhelming you, spitting blood is good."
Nangong Yu withdrew his hand, regaining his composed demeanor. "When did you arrive?"
"I went to the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest and just returned today. As soon as I got back, I saw you displaying your divine might, conquering all sides." A flicker of worry flashed in Ye Qing's eyes. "You've tested the forces behind Xiao Man, haven't you?"
Nangong Yu's expression changed slightly. "Hundred Flowers Pavilion."
Ye Qing was somewhat surprised. The Hundred Flowers Pavilion had been established for over ten years, and Xiao Man was only a teenager. Was there someone behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, or did she found it herself?
"Is there someone behind the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"
"I don't know." Nangong Yu headed towards the study. When he discovered that Xiao Man's backing was the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, he was quite shocked.
The people the Hundred Flowers Pavilion associated with were all wealthy and influential. They had connections in both the court and the martial world. In recent years, they had achieved considerable success in the capital, and moreover, the Shangguan family was involved!
The Shangguan family was truly rich enough to rival a nation, with deep roots. Shangguan Jin, the head of the Shangguan family, was unfathomable. After entering the capital, he navigated among various forces and, within a short period, established a firm foothold. If the Xiao family, with its military power and profound financial resources, were to rebel... it wouldn't be impossible for this prosperous world to see a change of dynasty!
"I found some medicinal ingredients in the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest this time. I don't know if they will be effective against your poison," Ye Qing paused. "If you can't find a way to detoxify yourself, what will you do?"
"It's fate." Nangong Yu sat down beside him.
"If it comes to a desperate situation, transfer the่ poison to me." Ye Qing seemed to have made a great decision. "You cannot die. You still have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders."
"What do you take me for?" Nangong Yu said coldly. "The world will not collapse without me, Nangong Yu. I'm just unwilling."
"Perhaps a solution can be found before the deadline," Ye Qing comforted him. "Xiao Man's medical skills are not bad."
"I hope we can find one." Nangong Yu said slowly. "I summoned you because I received some news."
"What news?"
"Wan Du Zi has come to the capital."
Ye Qing's expression changed, his eyes filled with killing intent. "Wan Du Zi, good! I was looking for him everywhere, and he's appeared on his own. The shame of my master's murder is irreconcilable. I will kill him to avenge my master!"
Nangong Yu was silent for a moment. "Furthermore, there is another piece of news."
"Is it related to Wan Du Zi?"
"I don't know if it's related, but the timing is too coincidental." Nangong Yu said slowly. "Feng Tianlan is returning."
"The State Preceptor..." Ye Qing frowned. "There should be no connection between them."
"I do hope there is no connection," Nangong Yu said slowly.
After all, Feng Tianlan was Xiao Man's teacher. For some reason, upon learning that Feng Tianlan was returning, Nangong Yu felt a pang of worry, though he himself didn't understand why.
"Xiao Man took Wen Mohan away..." Ye Qing had just mentioned this when Nangong Yu's brow furrowed in displeasure, as if he didn't want to hear it.
"Don't be angry. In my opinion, Xiao Man might not necessarily like Wen Mohan. It's just that Wen Mohan was injured saving her, and she couldn't just ignore him." Ye Qing said gently. "Have more confidence. Do you think you are inferior to Wen Mohan?"
"Him? This King doesn't fancy him!"
"Then that's right. You and Xiao Man have already been intimate, and you saved her life. It won't be easy for Wen Mohan to insert himself between you." Ye Qing comforted him. "So, don't be sulking here anymore."
"She is always so guarded towards this King. She only ever calls me 'Your Highness,' yet she calls Wen Mohan by his name. No matter how I try to probe her, she stubbornly refuses to acknowledge our relationship."
Ye Qing rubbed his nose. If he were Xiao Man, after accidentally having intimate relations with the Prince of Qin, he wouldn't dare to admit it either. After all, the Prince of Qin had a fearsome reputation, and more importantly, for the Prince of Qin himself, this was a profound humiliation.