"Young miss, what happened?" the third concubine and her daughter rushed forward.
Xiao Man gave a bitter smile, "Encountered assassins and sustained some injuries."
"Is it serious?" Xiao Xiang quickly asked.
She wasn't genuinely worried about Xiao Man, but rather relied on Xiao Man for survival. If anything were to happen to Xiao Man, Madam Yan would surely take their lives.
"Don't worry, I won't die," Xiao Man closed her eyes. The guards carefully carried her into the house. Qiu Tong and Ying Xue quickly helped her onto the bed and settled her in.
Doctor Ye came to examine her pulse. As he was diagnosing Xiao Man, a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, and he looked at Xiao Man. He wanted to ask something but ultimately said nothing. He handed two bottles of medicine to Qiu Tong.
"The white one is for external application, and the green one is for internal consumption."
"Thank you, Doctor Ye," Qiu Tong accepted.
As Ye Qing tidied his medical kit, he chatted with Xiao Man, "Ever since I entered the manor, your injuries have been constant. I'm practically your personal doctor."
"To have such a skilled doctor as my personal physician, I am indeed fortunate," Xiao Man said with a smile.
"Young miss, you flatter me. I shall take my leave. Young miss, please rest well." Ye Qing finished packing and then lowered his voice to remind her, "Try to take less of some medicines; it might harm your body."
Xiao Man's smile remained unchanged, and she merely nodded in acknowledgment. As for whether she would follow his advice, that was another matter.
When Ye Qing returned to his courtyard, he found someone in his room. He paid it no mind, "Don't worry, the injury isn't severe. The state of weakness is merely an illusion caused by her self-medication."
"You mean, it's because of her self-medication?" Nangong Yu asked in surprise.
"Yes, what's wrong?" Ye Qing asked slowly. "You seem a bit off today. This is the manor of the Protector of the State. Xiao Zhen is also here. If you barge in like this, aren't you afraid of being discovered?" Su Dan Novel Network.
"Xiao Zhen is busy investigating the culprit who injured Xiao Man and has no time to bother with me," Nangong Yu said softly. "Ye Qing, Xiao Man's injuries today are exactly the same as my injuries five years ago."
Ye Qing raised an eyelid and sighed, "It's been five years. Du Gu Man is also dead. Why do you still dwell on it?"
"You said yourself that even you might not be able to guarantee not injuring this prince. Looking across the realm, how many people do you think can achieve that?"
"Those who have undergone specialized training should be able to."
Ye Qing was somewhat helpless. Du Gu Man had almost become Nangong Yu's nightmare. That year, Nangong Yu had been utterly defeated. Du Gu Man had spared his life, but it had dealt a severe blow to his pride. If Du Gu Man were still alive, it would be one thing, but she was dead.
"Is Xiao Man truly the eldest young miss of the Protector of the State's manor?"
Ye Qing slightly started, "You suspect she's an imposter?"
Nangong Yu remained silent. There were too many inexplicable mysteries surrounding Xiao Man. One after another, they all told him that Xiao Man was problematic. He repeatedly warned himself not to be swayed by Xiao Man, yet his heart was uncontrollable, always wanting to draw closer to her, even closer.
"It's impossible. If Xiao Man were an imposter, Xiao Zhen wouldn't fail to recognize her. Don't forget, Xiao Man is Xiao Zhen's most beloved daughter. Furthermore, do you think a disguise could deceive my eyes?"
"Yes, Xiao Zhen, though seemingly careless, is actually very meticulous. He would never mistake his own daughter. Therefore, I suspect someone in the Protector of the State's manor is colluding with Yun Qi."
This statement stirred up a storm, and Ye Qing was shocked, "You suspect Xiao Zhen has defected to the enemy?"
Nangong Yu shook his head, "Based on my understanding of Xiao Zhen, he wouldn't do that. However..."
"Young Miss Xiao?" Ye Qing shook his head, "No, she wouldn't."
"Why are you so certain?"
"I accidentally heard her mention Yun Qi, and her eyes were filled with coldness, as if she would fight Yun Qi to the death." Ye Qing poured a cup of cold tea and drank it down. "I believe Xiao Man wouldn't collude with Yun Qi. Otherwise, why would she personally go out to kill Yun Qi's spies?"
"I also know she wouldn't. But I fear she's being used." Nangong Yu was particularly concerned about Xiao Man's injuries. "Du Gu Man, you also know her. Even this prince cannot bring himself to hate her."
Ye Qing stood silently to the side. When the news of Du Gu Man's death in the Yun Qi palace arrived, he felt a pang of sadness. If not for her sparing Nangong Yu's life back then, Nangong Yu would have died long ago, and he himself would likely still be traveling and practicing medicine as an unknown wandering doctor.
"Since you're so bothered, then let's destroy Yun Qi," Ye Qing said slowly. "You owe her a life; consider it revenge for her."
Nangong Yu stood up, "Yun Qi must naturally be destroyed. Ye Qing, this prince always feels that Du Gu Man is still alive, as if lurking by this prince's side."
"It's impossible for her to be alive. If she were, how would the Du Gu family have fallen to such a state?"
Nangong Yu did not reply. Whether others believed it or not, he always felt Du Gu Man was not dead. Not only was she not dead, but she was also hidden within Yu Sheng, hidden by his side. His actions of taking Tian Gan openly and secretly contacting Du Gu Ming Yu were all aimed at luring Du Gu Man out. Du Gu Ming Yu was the only survivor of the Du Gu family. If Du Gu Man were still alive, she would not abandon him. And Tian Gan was Du Gu Man's sword. If she wanted to reclaim these two things, she would have to seek him out, and he was waiting for her.
The pale moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled light spots on the floor. In the moonlight, Nangong Yu quietly sat on Xiao Man's bed, gazing at the sleeping Xiao Man. At this moment, Xiao Man was like an immortal who had fallen into the mortal world. Her exquisite features, illuminated by the moonlight, seemed to be imbued with a holy glow, inexplicably captivating.
Suddenly, her sleeping eyes opened, and a chilling aura shot out from them. Nangong Yu felt a bright light rushing towards the vital point of his throat. Fortunately, he acted quickly and sealed Xiao Man's acupoints. Nangong Yu glanced at the dagger just an inch away from his throat, his Adam's apple bobbing. Even in her sleep, her vigilance was so strong, and her first move was a killing blow. How insecure must she be to be so alert?
When Xiao Man was restrained, she was filled with shock. Who was it? Who had entered her room without her noticing?! Due to her injuries, her vigilance had decreased. She hadn't even noticed someone approaching her. If that person had intended to kill her, she would have died countless times over.
The candlelight flickered on, and Xiao Man finally saw clearly the person sitting by her bedside. It was Prince Qin, Nangong Yu. Xiao Man immediately relaxed with relief. It was Prince Qin. However, the relief she had just felt was immediately replaced by renewed tension! Prince Qin intruding into her private chambers at this hour, she didn't believe it was to visit her!