"Right, it's missing that mechanism box!"
"Wuyou has been carrying that mechanism box with him for at least ten years. Ten years ago, Xiao Man was only five years old. How could she possibly have something like a mechanism box?" Nangong Yu felt that the fog was heavy, thinking that parting the fog would reveal the moonlight, but after the fog, there was still fog.
Nangong Yu remembered asking Wuyou what it was. Wuyou said it was entrusted to him by a deceased friend to keep, and he didn't know what was inside.
He asked Wuyou when his deceased friend would come to retrieve it.
Wuyou replied that he hoped she would never have to use it.
Nangong Yu's heart was filled with deep confusion, always feeling that he had overlooked something.
"One day, this prince will uncover all your secrets!"
Xiao Man had won the chess game and was in a good mood, her pent-up frustration released. What if he was the King of Qin? If he made her unhappy, she would still defeat him and make him retreat in disarray.
Thinking of the King of Qin's astonished expression, the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upwards. Serves him right!
"You're so happy, did something good happen?" Wen Mohan's voice came.
Xiao Man stopped in her tracks and looked at Wen Mohan. Today, Wen Mohan was wearing an ice-blue robe, which made him even more like a graceful and gentle, amorous figure. "Last night, thank you."
Wen Mohan walked alongside Xiao Man. He had initially thought Xiao Man was an arrogant, rude, and untalented dandy. Even if she was a dandy, she wouldn't let others be dandies either. She had practically beaten up all the young masters in the capital. But recently, he realized that he had been blinded.
"Madam Sheng praised you, saying your temperament was as beautiful as an orchid and your talent as abundant as a fairy. I was wondering how much money the Protector General's mansion spent to get Madam Sheng to praise you so highly. Now it seems she was telling the truth!"
"It's because Madam Sheng taught well," Xiao Man said modestly.
"Is it because Madam Sheng taught well, or because you are inherently so? We both know." Wen Mohan's gaze fell on the clothes Xiao Man was holding. "These clothes..."
"The King of Qin paid for them, saying it was an apology for last night's incident," Xiao Man continued. "Regarding last night's incident, I hope no third person will ever know."
Wen Mohan nodded silently. Xiao Man had saved his life, and privately, he didn't want the King of Qin to know that the person he was looking for was right by his side.
Although Wen Mohan didn't know what happened after Xiao Man trespassed into the forbidden area, he understood that if the King of Qin knew that Xiao Man was the one who trespassed, it would bring her immense trouble.
"Normally, stay away from the King of Qin if you can," Wen Mohan reminded Xiao Man.
The Protector General's mansion was a military family, holding military power. The King of Qin was immensely powerful and ruthless. If the two mansions were too close, it would arouse the emperor's suspicion. If Xiao Man got involved with the King of Qin, it would be asking for trouble.
"Don't worry, I'll stay far away from him." Xiao Man had no intention of provoking the King of Qin. The King of Qin, outwardly powerful, was actually treading on thin ice. What she needed to do now was to lie low and wait for an opportunity. Why would she push herself out so early to attract attention?
"Last time, you saved my life, and I owe you one. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll go through fire and water without hesitation," Wen Mohan's voice was gentle and exceptionally pleasant.
"We're even now." Xiao Man said calmly. "You helped me last night too, so we're even."
"By the way, there's something I wanted to ask you." Wen Mohan suddenly remembered something. "Do you know Liang Zichu?"
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged. "Yes, I met him once. He wrote a poem, and his writing was quite good."
"This person has gone missing. Some say you asked him out, and he never returned." Wen Mohan quickly explained, "I'm not suspecting you, but rumors can be very hurtful, especially to a young lady like yourself. Your reputation is very important."
"I never asked him out. I only met him once, and we're not related. Why would I ask him out?" Xiao Man said slowly. "Honestly, I don't even remember what he looks like. You know how strict the rules are in the General's mansion, and my grandmother dislikes unruly people the most. I've suffered a lot. I've been studying etiquette with Madam Sheng recently, so I wouldn't have had the time to ask him out."
"That's true. It must be someone making things up out of thin air," Wen Mohan explained. "Right now, so many people are watching the Protector General's mansion, and you are so free-spirited that it's hard not to draw attention."
"A clear conscience fears no accusation. I'm not one to shy away from trouble either." Xiao Man stopped at the courtyard entrance. "I've arrived, so I won't invite you in for a chat. Only the women of the mansion live in this courtyard. If Grandmother finds out, I'll have to be lectured again."
"Okay, hurry inside." Xiao Man bowed slightly and nodded before turning to go in. Wen Mohan watched Xiao Man disappear from view, hid the glimmer in his eyes, and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, he saw someone standing behind him and took a step back in surprise before realizing who it was. Su Dan Fiction Network
"Young Master Wen, why are you standing outside?"
Xiao Xiang smiled, bowed, and then looked into the courtyard, but saw nothing.
"Just passing by, about to leave. Are you returning from outside, Second Miss?" Wen Mohan's gaze fell on the bouquet of flowers Xiao Xiang was holding. The petals were white, and the stamens were blue. He couldn't help but look twice.
"I had nothing to do, and I saw these wildflowers were beautiful, so I picked some." Xiao Xiang's eyes were full of spring, and as if remembering something, she took out an exquisitely embroidered pouch from her sleeve and shyly handed it to Wen Mohan. "This is for you."
Wen Mohan looked at the pouch in Xiao Xiang's hand but did not accept it. "Second Miss, please forgive me. Men and women should maintain propriety. I cannot accept anything from Second Miss, lest it harm Second Miss's reputation."
Xiao Xiang looked up at Wen Mohan, only to see him bid farewell and leave, walking away with complete composure, without any lingering attachment. The smile on her face gradually disappeared. Did Wen Mohan come here not to see her?
"Second sister, you're back, why aren't you coming in?" Fourth Miss Xiao Ting came out of the courtyard and saw Xiao Xiang's unhappy expression. She followed Xiao Xiang's gaze and saw Wen Mohan's retreating back. "It's Young Master Wen, isn't it? Young Master Wen brought Eldest sister back."
"What did you say?" Xiao Xiang turned around and asked Xiao Ting.
"Young Master Wen, yes, he brought Eldest sister back. They were talking and laughing the whole way. Second sister, does Young Master Wen like Eldest sister?" Fourth Miss asked with a look of innocent innocence. "Young Master Wen is the eldest son of the Prime Minister's mansion. He is handsome and talented, and Eldest sister is also the legitimate eldest daughter of the mansion, with unparalleled beauty. Both their status and appearance are well-matched. It's natural for Young Master Wen to like Eldest sister."