The old madam disliked Xiao Man. After the carriage stopped at the palace gates, she didn't wait for Xiao Man and left directly with Xiao Ling.
Xiao Man didn't mind. Even though she couldn't see, her steps remained elegant, as if strolling through her own backyard.
"Look, it's Xiao Man!" Whispers rippled through the crowd. "They say her eyes were blinded at the Han Prince's manor. We thought it was a rumor, but it seems to be true now."
"The Han Prince is truly daring, to openly challenge the Protector General's Mansion."
"I heard the Han Prince is innocent, and someone blinded Miss Xiao's eyes and framed him."
"I think it's because Xiao Man's usual behavior was too arrogant, offending too many enemies. Who knows which enemy found the opportunity to blind her eyes. She brought it upon herself, don't you think?"
Everyone fell silent. The Protector General's Mansion was not to be trifled with. If others dared to be so presumptuous, they wouldn't dare. Just then, another figure approached, walking past everyone towards Xiao Man.
Seeing the person approaching them, Yin Zhu quietly reminded Xiao Man.
Wen Mohan stopped in front of Xiao Man, still gentle and refined: "Man'er, we haven't seen each other for days. How are your eyes?"
Xiao Man bowed. "Thank you, Young Master Wen, for your concern. They are much better. And thank you for the medicinal herbs you sent."
"I didn't know if it would help, so I sent them over. However, after not seeing each other for so long, Man'er and I seem to have become more distant. You used to call me by my name, but now you call me Young Master Wen." Wen Mohan's disappointment was evident, but Xiao Man couldn't see it.
"In the past, I was immature. Even if I didn't care about my own reputation, I should have cared about yours."
"Man'er, do you remember you owe me one thing?" Wen Mohan suddenly asked.
Xiao Man immediately recalled their chess game, where she had lost and promised Wen Mohan one favor. "I remember. Have you thought of what you want, Young Master Wen?"
"I have," Wen Mohan said with certainty. "I hope you will call me by my name from now on, instead of 'Young Master,' with such formality. We are friends, aren't we?"
Xiao Man fell silent.
In her heart, she didn't want too much involvement with Wen Mohan, as she had already identified Wen Moyu as an enemy, and Wen Moyu was Wen Mohan's own sister. She didn't want Wen Mohan to be caught in a difficult position between them.
"What, Man'er can't do it?" Wen Mohan's voice was full of disappointment.
"Mohan." After a moment of silence, Xiao Man changed her address. It was just a single word, yet Wen Mohan was overjoyed.
"I heard that Man'er's performance at the Xianle Pavilion stirred the capital, and everyone in the capital is saying you made a stunning debut." Wen Mohan walked alongside Xiao Man towards the palace. The whispering people immediately fell silent when they saw Wen Mohan and Xiao Man walking together.
Xiao Man smiled calmly. "It was just something I did out of boredom, singing for fun. It shouldn't be taken seriously."
"I heard others imitate your singing later. The lyrics were excellent, but I wasn't there at the time. I imagine Man'er sang them even better." Wen Mohan's tone was gentle and soothing, like a feather tickling one's heart.
Xiao Man's smile remained unchanged, her pace unwavering. At this moment, Wen Mohan reached out and took her hand. "Let's go this way, that path is longer."
Yin Zhu glanced at the eunuch hurrying towards them.
She didn't recognize the eunuch in the palace, but Wen Mohan did. Since Wen Mohan spoke, it meant the person behind the eunuch was not friendly towards her lady. She immediately guided Xiao Man in another direction.
Wen Mohan took the opportunity to lag behind, blocking the hurried eunuch.
"Your servant greets Young Master Wen."
"Isn't this Eunuch An, from Consort Xian's side? You seem to be in a hurry. Where are you going?" Wen Mohan asked politely.
"On the Consort's orders, to summon Miss Xiao to the palace for a talk," the eunuch replied quickly. After all, Wen Mohan's younger sister was the Crown Princess, their mistress's daughter-in-law. This elder brother-in-law was not to be offended.
"The General has decreed that anyone connected to the Han Prince's manor is forbidden from approaching Xiao Man." Wen Mohan's smile vanished. "Please return and inform Consort Xian that I don't care what she wants to do, but if she dares to touch Xiao Man, don't blame me for turning ruthless."
Wen Mohan's sudden change of expression frightened the eunuch into silence. He nodded in agreement, but he was puzzled why Wen Mohan, who should have been on their side, would protect Xiao Man. However, he dared not disobey and quickly turned back to report to Consort Xian.
Seeing the eunuch leave, Wen Mohan then caught up with Xiao Man and chatted and laughed with her all the way to the banquet hall.
Wen Ruyu shook his fan, covering his mouth as he laughed. "Your Highness, aren't you going to follow them? Be careful, the beauty might be snatched away."
Nangong Yu shot Wen Ruyu a cold glance and turned to walk in another direction. Seeing this, Wen Ruyu quickly followed. "Your Highness, I'm not joking. If I were a woman, I would also fall for Young Master Wen's gentle charm."
Nangong Yu's expression was displeased, but his demeanor was rather composed. "If nothing had happened between her and me, perhaps Wen Mohan would have had a chance. But unfortunately, from the beginning, he never stood a chance!"
Wen Ruyu immediately understood. Nangong Yu was referring to his intimate encounter with Xiao Man. With this connection, even if Wen Mohan was capable, he would have to retreat once he learned of it.
"I suddenly pity him." Wen Ruyu felt that while Prince Qin was an excellent friend, he was a terrifying enemy. This man always managed to scheme against everyone without them realizing it. He suspected that even Xiao Man had fallen into the net he had woven.
Nangong Yu glanced at Wen Ruyu. "Instead of pitying him, you should think about yourself. I heard your mother is going to ask His Majesty to arrange a marriage for you tonight."
"Which girl would dare to marry me?" Wen Ruyu's peach blossom eyes were filled with infatuation. "If she became my wife, and then went out and met any woman, they would all be 'sisters.' Wouldn't that be utterly disgusting? Among all the civil and military officials, unless they utterly dote on their daughters, who would be willing to marry their daughter to a rake like me?"
Nangong Yu found himself unable to refute this. However, the look in Wen Ruyu's eyes was filled with pity, which confused Wen Ruyu.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm wondering, if one day you meet a woman you like and want to marry her, but she is scared away by your countless female confidantes scattered across the land, where would you go to cry?"
"Absolutely impossible!" Wen Ruyu declared. "The woman I marry will certainly be gentle and virtuous, friendly with sisters. Moreover, as a man, having three wives and four concubines is the norm. To only marry one person is called jealous."
"What, have you set your sights on someone?"