Xiao Xiang stood aside, her face full of thought. "It's strange, really. His Highness Prince Qin first asked if Elder Sister had gone out. Elder Sister, lost in thought, didn't answer Prince Qin. I suppose it was Elder Sister's attitude that angered Prince Qin, which is why he stopped Elder Sister from leaving. But I didn't expect Elder Sister to try and force her way out, leading to Prince Qin tearing her clothes."
Xiao Man glanced at Xiao Xiang, remaining silent. Her words, while seemingly defending her, were actually telling the Old Madam that she had angered Prince Qin, prompting his actions.
The Old Madam looked at Xiao Man's aggrieved face and sighed, "Why did you provoke him? Don't you know who he is? Even your father shows him respect."
"Grandmother, your granddaughter was truly terrified of His Highness Prince Qin. Seeing his fierce expression as he questioned me, I was so stunned that I couldn't answer. Who knew he was about to strike, and in my panic, I wanted to get away from him. I never imagined Prince Qin would be so reckless..." Xiao Man trailed off, her eyes already red, looking on the verge of tears.
The Old Madam frowned. "Enough, enough. Hurry and change your clothes. If anyone sees them, it will cause further trouble."
"Yes, Grandmother."
The Old Madam then left with her entourage. Qiu Tong helped Xiao Man up and brought her another set of clothes. As she was about to help Xiao Man change, Xiao Man stopped her. "You may go rest. I can change myself."
After everyone had left, Xiao Man removed her clothes and looked at her shoulder.
In the candlelight, a patch of skin on her smooth, jade-like shoulder was clearly a different color from the rest.
Xiao Man felt at it for a moment, then peeled off a piece of fake skin, revealing a bite mark on her shoulder.
Xiao Man took some medicine and poured it onto the wound. She needed it to heal quickly. If anyone in the household found out, they would torment her to death.
"I never expected the person in the hot spring to be Prince Qin. Fortunately, I managed to smooth things over."
Xiao Man was still somewhat shaken. She had heard rumors about Prince Qin; he was well-known in the capital. After all, they had long occupied the top positions on the capital's popularity charts, though her reputation wasn't exactly good.
"Si Ye, have you investigated everyone?"
As they left the West Courtyard, Nangong Yu asked coldly.
"Replying to Your Highness, everyone has been investigated. All young ladies, madams, maids, and governesses from various households – anyone female – has been searched. Only one person has bruising on her shoulder; everyone else is unharmed. That person is an old woman. Your Highness, are you sure you left a mark on that young lady's shoulder?" Su Dan Novel Network.
"I am absolutely certain," Nangong Yu stated definitively. He had tasted blood, and moreover, he had been enraged and hateful at the time, not holding back when he bit down.
Thinking of this, Nangong Yu reached up and touched his own shoulder, gritting his teeth. That woman hadn't gone easy on him either!
Si Ye felt very depressed. He truly couldn't understand how that young lady had been so elusive!
Their Prince was the number one figure on the capital's male popularity chart. So many women went to great lengths just for their Prince to glance at them. This young lady, however, slept with their Prince and then refused to acknowledge it!
"Did anyone leave the mountain?"
"Your subordinate has reviewed the registered pilgrims. Everyone is still in the temple; no one has left the mountain. Your Highness, could it be someone from outside the temple?" Si Ye's suspicion was understandable, as they had searched everyone in the temple and found no one.
"Impossible. It must be someone from the temple, and that person must be hidden among the pilgrims. But how did she manage to evade such a thorough search?" Nangong Yu was somewhat vexed. This was the first time he had been so troubled by a woman.
The first time she escaped was when his poison flared up, and he was incapacitated by her!
The second time she escaped again, it was a complete humiliation!
"Your Highness, did you get any other clues when you encountered that young lady this time, besides the injury on her shoulder?"
"Isn't the injury on her shoulder obvious enough?" Nangong Yu asked irritably. If they could still lose her with this clue, did she have supernatural abilities, or could she instantly heal wounds?
"This... this is because we haven't found the person yet," Si Ye said sheepishly. "Your Highness, I meant other characteristics, such as the material of her clothes or any jewelry she was wearing?"
"It was pitch black. You're asking me what clothes she was wearing or what jewelry she had on? If I could have seen those details, wouldn't I have been able to see her face?"
Si Ye slapped himself. "Then, Your Highness, did you hear her speak?"
"From the moment I caught her, she didn't say a word. She immediately attacked me. Only when I bit her did she let out a muffled groan. How could I possibly identify her from that?"
Nangong Yu was agitated. He couldn't find the person he was looking for, yet Xiao Man and Wen Mohan were sitting together playing chess, and their affectionate gazes flashed into his mind, causing his head to pound.
Si Ye also felt that this woman was truly capable. Under their strict guard, she had plucked their Prince, this high and lofty flower, and had escaped repeatedly. Not only their Prince but also their faces had been torn off and stomped on mercilessly!
"Si Ye, go investigate the relationship between Master Wuyou and Xiao Man. This Prince suspects that old bald donkey is hiding something from this Prince... Never mind, this Prince will go see him himself."
Nangong Yu found a jar of good wine and took it to find Wuyou.
However, Wuyou kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, tapping his wooden fish and chanting scriptures, ignoring the temptation of fine wine.
"Ten-year aged vintage, Autumn Moon White. Are you truly not going to drink?"
"Amitabha, Your Highness Prince Qin, this old monk is a man of the cloth," Wuyou said with a straight face. The wrinkles on his face remained still, but his darting eyes revealed his inner thoughts.
Nangong Yu opened the seal. The aroma of wine instantly wafted out, filling the entire room with its rich fragrance.
Wuyou swallowed, his wooden fish tapping more enthusiastically. The Buddhist scriptures he chanted turned into: "Though Autumn Moon White is good, I prefer Nu'er Hong. Nu'er Hong, Nu'er Hong..."
Nangong Yu found it amusing. Wuyou preferred Nu'er Hong, the older, the more mellow and fragrant. Wuyou was unmoved by this ten-year-old Autumn Moon White. Nangong Yu didn't believe Wuyou didn't want to drink Autumn Moon White, but rather that his offer wasn't enough!
"I also have a jar of ten-year Nu'er Hong. Although it's not as mellow and fragrant as the thirty-year one, it's still drinkable." Nangong Yu picked up a wine cup, poured a glass, and savored it. "If Master Wuyou doesn't wish to drink it, I'll drink it myself when I return."
Master Wuyou threw down his wooden fish, snatched the wine pot, took a large gulp, smacked his lips, and said with enjoyment, "You sly little thing, just like that girl, you're good at deceiving this old monk. However, I can only answer one question. Think carefully before you ask."