The person who arrived was the Thirteenth Prince, Nangong Yi.
Nangong Yi was also a notorious figure in the capital. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, frequenting brothels and gambling dens with a retinue of sycophantic friends. He had a somewhat adversarial but friendly relationship with Xiao Man. Given their similar ages and shared proclivities, they eventually became friends.
"I just wanted to scare you. Why did you run out alone?" Nangong Yi asked in confusion.
"And you? Why did you run out too?"
"I was bored. Watching those people flatter each other, don't you find it tedious?" Nangong Yi leaned on the railing next to Xiao Man, mimicking her posture, and began counting the fish in the lake. He kept losing count, "Hey, how many fish are actually in this lake?"
"A lake full of fish."
Nangong Yi burst into laughter. "Right, you're absolutely correct, a lake full of fish. By the way, Xiao Man, why haven't you been out playing recently? A new restaurant just opened in the capital, and it's incredibly delicious. We should go try it together sometime."
"Don't you know my grandmother beat me half to death, and I'm recuperating at home? Besides, my father is here. If I go out and cause trouble, he'll be angry. Let's wait until he returns to the barracks," Xiao Man said lazily. She reached out, plucked a peony, and began tearing off its petals one by one, tossing them into the lake, enticing the fish to fight over them.
Nangong Yi snatched the peony from Xiao Man's hand. "Even though peonies are considered unfashionable, you don't have to be so brutal to flowers. Moreover, Consort Xian adores peonies. Aren't you afraid she'll cause trouble for you after you mocked her so in the main hall?"
"I hit you, and Consort De didn't cause me any trouble, did she?"
"That's because my mother is understanding and knows I was in the wrong!" Nangong Yi said with a smile. "How can she compare to my mother?"
"Yes, yes, Consort De is understanding, beautiful, and kind."
Nangong Yi circled Xiao Man and then reached out to pinch her cheek. "Xiao Man, you're actually saying nice things? Is someone impersonating you?"
Xiao Man slapped Nangong Yi's hand away. Nangong Yi winced, rubbing his hand. "You hit that hard? It must be me."
"You're about to be crowned a prince, aren't you?" According to Yùshèng's ancestral laws, princes are required to leave the palace and establish their own residences upon reaching the age of sixteen, with the exception of the crown prince. The Thirteenth Prince had already passed this age.
"Mmm, I'll be moving out of the palace next month. Let's go, I'll show you where I'll be living. In the future, when I live outside the palace, it'll be even more convenient for me to visit you." Without further ado, Nangong Yi grabbed Xiao Man and ran.
When Nangong Yu emerged, he saw Nangong Yi dragging Xiao Man away. His expression instantly turned cold, and his eyes dimmed. He had come out because he was worried about Xiao Man, only to find her arranged to go with his thirteenth brother.
"My Lord, shall we follow?"
Nangong Yu turned and walked away. Why would he follow? To watch them engage in tender affection?
Xiao Man was being dragged along by Nangong Yi, her expression one of helplessness. After running for a while, she stopped and shook off Nangong Yi's hand. "Just lead the way. What sort of propriety is it to be pulling and dragging like this?"
"Xiao Man, when did you become so prim and proper?" Nangong Yi asked in confusion. She hadn't been this hesitant when they fought. However, being habitually careless, he didn't give it much thought and led Xiao Man directly towards his residence.
Nangong Yi chatted as they walked, "My residence is quite impressive. My fourth brother used to live next door, but he left the palace and established his own domain early on, so his palace has been uninhabited for a long time... Xiao Man, where did you go?"
Nangong Yi spoke for a while without receiving a reply. He turned around and saw that Xiao Man was nowhere to be seen.
Just then, a figure flashed past the corner. Nangong Yi quickly gave chase. "Xiao Man, where are you going? You're going the wrong way!"
Xiao Man had been following behind Nangong Yi, but after a few steps, Nangong Yi had vanished. With her cultivation, it was impossible for Nangong Yi to disappear in the blink of an eye. She immediately stopped. Was this a formation?
An alarm bell rang in Xiao Man's heart. Someone in the palace was proficient in arcane formations. This entire situation was likely orchestrated against her. But she wondered what their objective was.
Xiao Man located the formation's core and, upon breaking free, saw Nangong Yi's disappearing figure around the corner. She quickly pursued him. Had this fellow Nangong Yi not even noticed that she wasn't behind him?
Xiao Man hurried after him, following the figure to the entrance of a palace. She looked up at the plaque, which read 'Chong Hua Palace'. It was likely a palace where princes resided, so this must be Nangong Yi's residence.
Xiao Man hesitated for a moment before stepping into Chong Hua Palace.
In the main hall of Chong Hua Palace, Nangong Yi lay on the ground, a dagger lodged in his chest, unconscious.
Xiao Man was shocked and rushed forward to examine Nangong Yi's injuries.
After assessing Nangong Yi's wounds, Xiao Man realized that although he was still breathing, his injuries were extremely severe. Her mind raced.
She had been trapped, and Nangong Yi had been gravely injured. All of this was likely aimed at her. Nangong Yi was a prince, and an assassination attempt on a prince, even her father, would not be able to protect her!
Xiao Man immediately gave Nangong Yi the heart-protecting pill she carried to stabilize his vital pulse. She then gently laid him down. After taking a few steps, she reached the doorway, turned to face Nangong Yi's direction, and feigned entering the room. With her internal energy, she controlled the dagger to pull itself from Nangong Yi's chest and, instead, thrust it into her own.
As Xiao Man fell to the ground, she faintly heard footsteps approaching from outside.
What a well-executed play, not only scheming against her but also eliminating a competitor. However, she would not let them have their way!
Nangong Yu, who had intended to return to the banquet hall, suddenly felt like visiting the palace where he had resided as a prince. He thus headed towards Chong Hua Palace. This Chong Hua Palace was indeed the residence of Prince Qin, Nangong Yu, when he was a prince in the palace.
As Nangong Yu arrived at the entrance, he saw a person lying on the ground. The attire was familiar to him, so he hurried over. He saw Xiao Man lying pale on the ground, a dagger in her chest. Not far away, Nangong Yi lay on the ground, covered in blood, his life or death uncertain.
Nangong Yu quickly checked Xiao Man's breathing. Upon finding that she was still alive, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Someone, quickly call for the imperial physician!"
In the banquet hall, a joyous and harmonious atmosphere prevailed, with guests enjoying themselves. A young eunuch rushed in, "Your Majesty, something is amiss!"
The old emperor looked at the flustered eunuch with displeasure. "What has happened?"
"The Thirteenth Prince has been assassinated and is in critical condition. The eldest daughter of the Protector General's mansion, who was with him, is also severely wounded and unconscious. They are both currently in Chong Hua Palace."