Xiao Man placed a cooked meatball into Nangong Yu's bowl. "The interesting part is the process of seizing, what's the point if it's just handed to me?"
Nangong Yu couldn't help but laugh. "If you truly liked to plunder, you wouldn't have let me go back then."
Xiao Man smiled. She had her reasons for letting Nangong Yu go back then. As Murong Sheng Rui grew older, she had long felt a sense of crisis. If there were no opponents, it would be dangerous for both her and Yun Qi.
Nangong Yu was the opponent Xiao Man had chosen. He was about the same age as Murong Sheng Rui, intelligent, tenacious, and had grown up in a harsh environment. She had spent considerable effort to ensure Nangong Yu survived.
"Plunder does not mean slaughter," Xiao Man said softly. "I've always wondered if my fate back then was a result of the excessive blood on my hands, thus bringing about retribution."
"This is a world where the strong prey on the weak. If you want to survive, you must do so with all your might. If you don't kill others, others will kill you. You lost because you weren't ruthless enough," Nangong Yu said calmly. "Once war breaks out, the common people will ultimately suffer. Yet, resources are limited, and everyone wants them, inevitably leading to conflict. The only way to end war is through war."
"If the world were unified, would there be so many wars?" Xiao Man asked Nangong Yu, looking at him slowly.
"Naturally!" Nangong Yu nodded slowly. "With the world unified and no longer fragmented, emperors could redistribute resources, allowing resource-rich regions to aid resource-poor ones. Then, the people could live and work in peace, and no one would have to fight for survival!"
Xiao Man smiled. She knew Nangong Yu's ambition. The first time she saw him, Xiao Man understood that Nangong Yu was a man of great ambition. Over the years, he had endured silently, secretly building his strength, his primary goal being to seize the imperial power of Yusheng, and then gradually annex other kingdoms, ultimately realizing his dream of unifying the world.
"A fine dream."
"What is Man'er's dream?"
"World peace and unity."
"Then our dreams are the same." Nangong Yu raised his teacup. "Let's toast with tea to our wish coming true soon."
Xiao Man raised her teacup and clinked it against Nangong Yu's. "To us, may our wishes be granted soon."
Nangong Yu finished his meal, satisfied, and left. Xiao Man stood by the window, gazing out at the dark night, her expression complex. The cold wind howled, emitting a mournful sound.
"It's windy outside, Miss. Don't stand by the window catching a chill. Be careful you don't catch a cold." Ying Xue entered and saw Xiao Man standing by the window in thin clothing, the cold wind whistling in. The room's temperature had dropped considerably.
Xiao Man remained unmoved. "How are the preparations coming along?"
"Most of the preparations are done. We're just waiting for the right moment."
Xiao Man nodded. "The moment will come soon. The first day of the New Year is a good day."
"The first day of the New Year is indeed a good day. It's just that our brothers and sisters will have to work hard," Ying Xue chimed in. "By then, even if Emperor Yun wanted to stay, he wouldn't be able to."
A smile played on Xiao Man's lips. "He has been protected too well by me. He doesn't know the wickedness of human hearts or the allure of power. It's time he learned a lesson."
"Oh, right, Miss. There's a letter from Yun Zhong City for you," Ying Xue said, handing the letter to Xiao Man. "I wanted to give it to you earlier, but Prince Qin was here."
Xiao Man took it. The envelope only had "For Xiao Man's eyes only" written on it. She tore it open and took out the letter. Her face immediately broke into a radiant smile.
"Ying Xue, I'm going to be an aunt."
"The young madam is pregnant?" Ying Xue asked, surprised and delighted.
"Yes, brother said that sister-in-law is over a month pregnant. Because she's worried about the long journey and her health, they won't be returning to the capital this year," Xiao Man said with great joy. "I need to tell Father. He's going to be a grandfather."
"Miss... it's getting late..." Ying Xue couldn't stop her in time. Xiao Man had already dashed out like the wind. "Your cloak, it's cold outside!"
Ying Xue grabbed the cloak hanging nearby and hurried after her.
Xiao Man went directly to the main courtyard but found Xiao Zhen wasn't there. She went to the study but still found no trace of Xiao Zhen, a sense of unease growing within her. It was so late, and Father hadn't returned yet?
"Someone."
"Eldest Miss, what is your command?"
"Where has Father gone?" Xiao Man inquired.
"Replying to Eldest Miss, the General has not yet returned."
"Is Steward Lu here?"
The young servant glanced at Xiao Man, asking with some confusion, "Eldest Miss, Steward Lu has already left the General's mansion. Don't you know?"
"Steward Lu has left the General's mansion?" Xiao Man was perplexed. "When did he leave?"
"Today," the servant thought carefully. "I heard Steward Lu left on his own accord, saying he was old and wanted to return to his hometown to enjoy his twilight years."
"Uncle Lu has no one left at home. This General's mansion is his home. Where would he go to enjoy his twilight years?" Xiao Man couldn't help but worry about Steward Lu. His sudden departure from the General's mansion, had something happened?
The cold wind howled, the night was deep, and the breath she exhaled instantly turned into white mist. Xiao Zhen hid outside the inn, his hand gripping the hilt of his saber tightly. Yao Ran, that traitor, was staying in this inn.
"Master, everything is ready."
"Are there many people in the inn?"
"Although this inn is outside the city, it's located at a crucial juncture, with people coming and going. It's the only inn for miles around, so it's packed. Not only are the rooms full, but many people are spending the night in the hall."
Xiao Zhen couldn't help but frown. He had intended to ambush the Blue Moon envoy, Yao Ran. He hadn't expected Yao Ran to be so cunning, only setting off at dawn and traveling with a merchant caravan. He started lodging in bustling inns before dark. His men hadn't found an opportunity to strike along the way, which was why he had come himself.
"Is Yao Ran among the caravan?"
"Yes!" the dark guard replied. "He's accompanied by experts, and our men can't get close."
"Wait a while longer. Once everyone in the inn is asleep, then we'll make our move."
"Yes.
Inside the inn, it was boisterous. Since all the rooms were occupied, many people were sitting in the hall. They were in groups of three to five, playing dice games, drinking, gambling, and making a racket, far from the quiet atmosphere expected late at night.
In a private room upstairs, a man with a refined appearance opened the window a crack and looked down at the noisy hall. His gaze swept over several men sitting rigidly. These men were neither drinking nor gambling. They had their hands resting on their sword hilts, sitting in the hall and vigilantly observing their surroundings, their eyes occasionally glancing upstairs, clearly with ill intentions.