"A formation is no match for me," Murong Sheng Rui said with a smug smile. It wasn't arrogance; he had learned quite a bit about formations, his own mother having taught him personally.
Ying Xue and Xiang Xue huddled together. "Did you add anything to it?"
"Yes, we added the Illusionary Dream Powder. It's colorless and odorless, extremely difficult to detect," Xiang Xue whispered. "By the time Miss returns, he won't be able to get out."
"Still, don't underestimate him," Ying Xue said calmly, as if a thought had struck her. Murong Sheng Rui was no fool. After all, he was someone their mistress had poured all her effort into teaching; he was not an ordinary person.
"Regardless, before Miss returns, we must guard this courtyard well."
Xiao Man walked down the street, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. There were many strangers on the street recently, hidden among the crowds, disguised as ordinary citizens. She could tell at a glance that these people were trained and not ordinary folk.
Just then, a light shone on Xiao Man's face. She turned her head away, avoiding the glare, and shielded her eyes with her hand. Only then did she look in the direction of the light. After a moment, Xiao Man followed the light and ascended a pavilion.
Seeing Nangong Yu standing on the pavilion, Xiao Man immediately walked forward and stood beside him. "There are many outsiders on the street."
"Yes, many outsiders have entered the capital recently. They are well-trained and quite vigilant."
"Are they from other countries?"
"No," Nangong Yu shook his head. "They should be the Crown Prince's men."
"It seems the Crown Prince can't hold back any longer."
"He has incurred the wrath of many this time. Because we are in the midst of peace talks, his punishment has been temporarily postponed. Once the peace talks are settled, it will be time to depose the Crown Prince."
"It seems Yun Qi's young emperor chose me, which makes him very uneasy."
Nangong Yu's face immediately darkened. "You're happy that Murong Sheng Rui chose you?"
Xiao Man couldn't help but smile. She looked into the distance, at the densely packed houses. The imperial palace was at the very center, its golden walls immediately recognizable.
"I can't say I'm happy, but for me, this is not the worst outcome yet." Xiao Man rested her hands on the railing. "The Chu King's Consort should be giving birth soon, right?"
"The Chu King's Estate has already prepared doctors and midwives, and even hired several wet nurses. What, are you planning to make a move on the Chu King's Consort?" Nangong Yu asked.
"If I wanted to make a move on her, I could have simply not saved her that time," Xiao Man said softly. "Those who want to make a move on the Chu King's Consort will not let such a good opportunity as her childbirth pass them by."
"The Chu King's Estate is now heavily guarded; not even a fly can get in."
"No matter how tight the defense, there will always be loopholes," Xiao Man said slowly. "The Crown Prince is preparing to cause trouble. What is the attitude of the Grand Uncle's Estate?"
"The Grand Uncle's Estate's attitude is very interesting," Nangong Yu turned and leaned against the railing. "The Crown Prince's faction is all working hard to rescue him, but the Grand Uncle's Estate has been completely silent."
"During the sacrifice ceremony, the Empress and the Crown Prince intended to make the Crown Princess take the blame. If the Crown Princess took such blame, she would face the fate of being deposed. Moreover, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had long been estranged; how could the Crown Princess possibly risk everything for the Crown Prince?"
"They have three children."
"The Crown Prince has more than three children," Xiao Man said coldly. "Children are like a woman's lifeblood, but for men... they are not that important."
"Nonsense, men value children just as much."
"Your Highness might as well ask the men around you. If they had a large mansion in a bustling area of the capital, only one such mansion, worth one hundred thousand taels, and their wife wanted a divorce, forcing them to choose between their children and the mansion, which would they choose?"
"I would choose the children."
"The mansion is insignificant to Your Highness. If it were the throne versus your children, which would you choose?"
"I would choose the children," Nangong Yu said without hesitation.
"Why?"
"If the children are gone, it is a permanent loss. Even if I have more children, they will not be the same ones. As for the throne, if I can't have it now, I will obtain it in the future. It's there anyway, it won't run away! The mansion is the same. What if it goes to a woman and children? With my capabilities, would I not be able to buy another mansion?"
"What if Your Highness was very poor and couldn't afford such a large mansion anymore?"
"Even if I had to live in a thatched hut, I would still want my children."
Xiao Man smiled. "Your Highness is one of the few who loves children."
"Mmm," Nangong Yu's face showed a trace of suspicious redness. "If it were children born to you, I would like them even more."
Xiao Man glanced at him. "Your Highness, the lady in your household should be showing signs of pregnancy by now."
"I was with you during that time. Whether that child is mine or not, you know best!"
"Why are you getting so worked up?" Xiao Man said slowly. "I told you to watch her carefully. The Empress Dowager sent her personal lady-in-waiting to your estate and forced you to take Yu Yan back into your household. She certainly won't allow Lady Luo's child to be born. Although her intentions are impure, the child is innocent. You should take better care of her."
"Don't worry. Luo Bing Qing is now under house arrest in my courtyard. All her needs are procured personally by Si Feng. It won't be easy for others to tamper with them."
"That's good."
"Oh, there's some good news you probably don't know yet."
"What good news?"
"Thirteenth Brother is going to be a father. The Qi King's Consort is pregnant."
"That is indeed good news. It seems I should prepare a generous gift to congratulate him."
As the night grew deep and quiet, Xiao Man finally returned to the General's Estate. As soon as she stepped into Shui Yue Xiao Zhu, Ying Xue greeted her.
"Miss, the Yun Emperor is here. He's in the room."
Xiao Man nodded, indicating she knew, and walked in carelessly. As expected, she saw Murong Sheng Rui sitting in the room, looking through the books on her desk.
"You're back," Murong Sheng Rui said naturally, putting down the book in his hand. "Are you cold? I just brewed some hot tea. Let me pour you a cup."
Xiao Man sat down beside him and looked coldly at Murong Sheng Rui, who was pouring tea. "Your Majesty Emperor Yun, have you made a mistake? This is my territory, and I dislike people who steal the show the most."
Murong Sheng Rui's smile did not waver. He placed the poured tea beside Xiao Man. "Top-grade Folanxia leaves. It's your favorite tea."
"Your Majesty Emperor Yun has likely made a mistake. I prefer Yuqian Longjing," Xiao Man said leisurely, her tone indifferent. "Could it be that Emperor Yun mistakes me for someone else's replacement?"
"Replacement?" Murong Sheng Rui picked up a cup of tea and took a sip. "A'man, you are truly heartless."
Xiao Man's eyes were filled with coldness. Who was truly heartless? Her family, her relatives, all slaughtered, their blood staining the ground, solidifying into black marks that no amount of water could wash away. All of this made her understand that some people, when they are heartless, are worse than beasts!