Wen Mohan departed with his usual refined gait and courteous demeanor, a behavior that drove Nangong Yu to madness!
"Shameless scoundrel!" Nangong Yu grabbed the official documents from the table and hurled them to the ground. How could there be such a shameless person in this world! Knowing that Xiao Man had been intimate with him and shared past affections, this man not only refused to retreat but became even more determined!
Si Chen shrank into a corner in silence. His Highness was truly digging his own grave. Knowing that Young Master Wen's silver tongue could revive the dead, he still chose to argue with him. Wasn't this deliberately making things difficult for himself?
Si Ye tugged at Si Chen's sleeve, "Why don't we go beat up Wen Mohan and vent Your Highness's anger?"
"Do you think the Wen family's hidden guards are just for show?" Si Chen bared his teeth. Go beat up Wen Mohan? Ever since Wen Mohan's near-death experience, he had many guards. The Wen family was also a prominent clan of a hundred years; how could they not have experts by their side? If they dared to act rashly, one wrong move could cost them their lives!
"Your Highness, for tomorrow's banquet, are there any preparations needed?"
"Do everything you can to prevent Murong Shengrui from entering the palace," Nangong Yu sighed. Even though he knew it would be futile, he couldn't bear to do nothing and let Murong Shengrui swagger into the palace. He wasn't happy. Wen Mohan was right; their enemy was Murong Shengrui!
He and Wen Mohan were not enemies, at best, they were rivals in love!
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Also, give Xiao Man a heads-up. Wen Mohan already knows."
"Why inform Princess Yongning?"
A smile curved Nangong Yu's lips. "Once she knows, she'll understand that the Wen family's sacrifices for her were in vain. Before the peace talks, breaking off the engagement with Wen Mohan could still preserve Wen Mohan's future."
"Will Princess Yongning break off the engagement?"
"She will. The key lies with Wen Mohan. Wen Mohan will definitely use every means to stop Xiao Man from breaking off the engagement." Speaking of this, Nangong Yu felt a headache coming on. Who would have thought that he, one day, would also use every means for a woman!
General Hu Wanlai delivered the Emperor's oral decree to the General's mansion, ordering Xiao Man to attend the palace banquet tomorrow night. Xiao Man accepted the decree, her face showing no trace of anxiety. She ate, drank, and slept as usual.
Dongfang Wei, hidden in the shadows, watched Xiao Man, who was acting normally. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes. "A Luo, does Young Emperor Yun Qi know Xiao Man?"
Dugu Luo chewed on pastries and nodded, "They know each other."
"Are they on good terms?"
Dugu Luo tilted her head and pondered, "They used to be, but not anymore."
Dongfang Wei immediately began to imagine a dramatic scene of young love blossoming, mutual admiration, followed by the girl's tragic betrayal by the boy, leading to hatred and a vow of eternal enmity!
The more Dongfang Wei thought about it, the more convinced he was. He nodded approvingly, "Is Young Emperor Yun Qi a lecher?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Lecher?" Dugu Luo looked at Dongfang Wei with a hint of daze. "What is a lecher?"
"It means liking to sleep with many girls," Dongfang Wei's face flushed. It was a sin to discuss such matters with such an innocent girl!
"No, he always pestered A'Man to sleep with him."
Dongfang Wei's eyes nearly popped out. So it was indeed a case of young love and hatred born from it!
"Does Xiao Man sleep with him?"
"When they were little, she often slept with him. Later, when Murong Shengrui got older, she stopped sleeping with him." Dugu Luo thought carefully. "However, he always sneaked into A'Man's sleeping quarters after she fell asleep."
Dongfang Wei covered his face with his hand. This foolish girl, he was talking about Xiao Man, not Dugu Man!
"A Luo, I'm talking about Xiao Man, the one in the courtyard!"
"I'm talking about her too!" Dugu Luo said earnestly.
Dongfang Wei gave up. It was foolish of him to be so serious with a girl with impaired intellect!
"What is Xiao Man's relationship with Murong Shengrui?" Dongfang Wei asked directly.
Dugu Luo quickly stuffed several pastries into her mouth, her cheeks bulging high. As she chewed, her cheeks trembled, resembling a little squirrel stealing food. She then looked at him with innocent eyes.
Dongfang Wei sighed. Indeed, asking directly wouldn't work. Although Dugu Luo had impaired intellect, she treated Xiao Man's words as commands. If he wanted to know something, he could only probe indirectly, guessing and piecing things together. If he asked directly, this girl would feign madness and play dumb, refusing to tell him no matter what!
Tonight's palace banquet was not a feast of Hongmen, but it was more significant than one!
Xiao Man looked at the heavy ceremonial robe of a princess and resignedly let her maid put it on. It was the first time she was wearing such a robe, and in such an occasion, one could not afford to give anyone room for criticism.
"Miss, the princess's ceremonial robe is so beautiful."
"Naturally, it is beautiful. It is woven from the finest materials, how could it not be?" Xiao Man said softly. "Tonight, Yin Zhu will accompany me to the banquet."
"Miss, let me accompany you to the banquet instead," Ying Xue said uneasily. If the Cloud Emperor suddenly made a move, she could at least shield her mistress.
"Yin Zhu is enough to go with me. Don't worry. After all, this is on Yusheng's territory. If he wants to make a move, he'll have to consider it. Yun Qi is his only heir, unlike Yusheng, who has many descendants."
"Your servant still feels uneasy."
"There's an old saying: fortune or misfortune depends on oneself; if it's bound to happen, it will come." Xiao Man said with a sigh. "As long as I deny it, no one can do anything to me!"
"That's true. Miss is now engaged. Even Young Emperor Yun Qi cannot forcefully take another man's wife!" Ying Xue felt a little more at ease. "Your servant will wait with people outside the palace. If anything happens, Miss, just give the signal. Your servant will protect you even if it means death!"
"You silly girl, always talking about death, it's unlucky!"
"Your servant was wrong."
"Rest assured and guard the home. If he wants to scheme against me, he'll have to see if he has the ability!"
"Yes, Miss."
The young ladies attending the banquet were all dressed like blooming flowers on a branch. At a glance, it was a riot of colors, as if spring had arrived early.
After disembarking from the carriage at the palace gate, Xiao Man walked into the palace with her hands clasped within her sleeves. Yin Zhu followed closely behind.
"Greetings, Princess Yongning."
"No need for ceremony," Xiao Man gently instructed, truly a far cry from her usual overbearing demeanor.
He Qingyi walked alongside Xiao Man, "Look at these young ladies, their years like flowers, full of youthful spirit. At a glance, I thought spring had truly arrived, with all flowers blooming. It's truly delightful to see."
"Indeed," Xiao Man replied, taking over the conversation. "I wonder which young gentleman has caught the eye of these ladies."
Just as He Qingyi was about to say something, snow suddenly began to fall from the sky. Seeing the snow, the young ladies' faces lit up with surprise, and they each asked their maids to fetch umbrellas from the carriages.