"A ruler with such a small mind," Prime Minister Wen sighed, lamenting that the young Emperor Yun Qi would use ten cities as a dowry to force Xiao Man into a political marriage simply because she had stabbed him. To torment someone to such an extent—was this not the act of a foolish ruler?
Wen Mohan lowered his gaze. Murong Sheng Rui was not proposing marriage to Man'er out of revenge; he knew very well that Murong Sheng Rui must have recognized Xiao Man's identity, which was why he was going to such lengths to ensure her marriage to Yun Qi.
"Master, do you think the Xiao family's girl will be unable to withstand the pressure and agree to marry into Yun Qi herself?"
"That girl's temperament is even more fiery than her father's. She likely won't," the Prime Minister replied, though not with certainty. After all, Xiao Zhen was extremely loyal to the Emperor. Whether loyalty or his daughter was more important, he truly didn't know.
"Father, if sacrificing me alone can bring peace to the world, would you sacrifice me?"
Prime Minister Wen opened his mouth, unable to answer, for he did not know if he would choose to sacrifice his son. If the peace of the world could be bought with one life, he might very well sacrifice his own son!
Wen Mohan understood his father perfectly. If sacrificing one person could ensure world peace, his father would surely sacrifice his son for the sake of all people!
"Xiao Zhen... Xiao Zhen might also sacrifice Xiao Man."
Wen Mohan was uncertain. The Great General had always been loyal to the Emperor and the country. Tonight, when the young Emperor of Yun Qi chose Xiao Man as the candidate for political marriage, the Great General had not uttered a single word!
"What can be done about this?"
"We are powerless," Prime Minister Wen gritted his teeth. "If you two were already married, then Xiao Man would be considered part of the Wen family. But you are merely engaged, and the Xiao family could break the engagement at any time!"
"I will not let Man'er go for political marriage," Wen Mohan said calmly. "Even if it means defying heaven!"
"Han'er, do not act rashly," the Prime Minister said calmly. "Perhaps Xiao Zhen will not hand Xiao Man over."
"We cannot always rely on others," Wen Mohan's eyes grew distant. If it were not an absolute last resort, he did not wish to resort to such methods. If His Majesty were to know about that matter, Xiao Man would only be safe for a temporary period.
"In any case, do not act impulsively. Xiao Zhen dotes on this daughter like a precious treasure; he may not be willing to hand her over for political marriage..."
"Let's wait and see for now," Wen Mohan also hoped Xiao Zhen loved his daughter more than anything.
As soon as Xiao Zhen and his daughter returned to their residence, their composed demeanor vanished: "Why would the young Emperor of Yun Qi specifically request you?"
Xiao Man guiltily touched her nose. "Last time, wasn't Brother surrounded and in great danger in Yun Zhong City? Daughter... daughter was worried and secretly went to take a look. I happened to witness the young Emperor of Yun Qi plotting against Brother. In a moment of desperation, to save Brother, I took advantage of his unpreparedness and fiercely stabbed him..."
Xiao Zhen's expression was one of indescribable complexity. After a long pause, he sighed. "So, he specifically requested you for revenge, not because he knows about the Scarlet Feather Cavalry?"
"This... He likely knows about the Scarlet Feather Cavalry as well," Xiao Man shivered slightly. "Daughter was indeed with the Scarlet Feather Cavalry to save him at that time."
Xiao Zhen's head began to ache severely. He had thought that as long as he did not attend the banquet, nothing would happen, but it turned out they were coming for his daughter!
"Don't be afraid, with Father here, no one will dare touch you!"
"Father, the Emperor wants the ten border cities but doesn't want to bear the infamy himself, so he will surely put pressure on you," Xiao Man moved behind Xiao Zhen and massaged his shoulders. "Father, you must hold firm."
"If Father can't hold firm, I'll sell you off, and you'll go out and cause trouble every day!"
"Father, daughter knows she was wrong, but it was unavoidable at the time!"
"Why didn't you strike more decisively back then and stab that scoundrel to death?" Xiao Zhen said fiercely. "If you had killed him, there wouldn't be all this trouble today!"
Xiao Man suddenly smiled. So, her father was angry because she hadn't been ruthless enough!
"Next time, daughter will surely strike hard and ensure he dies a most painful death!"
"Hmph, first bullying my son, and now bullying my daughter. Do they really think the people of my Xiao family are easy to bully!" Xiao Zhen's expression turned cold. "I'd like to see who can force you into a political marriage!"
"Father, what if the Emperor forces me?"
"He is not qualified!" Xiao Zhen said coldly. "If it comes to that unavoidable point..."
Xiao Zhen paused. "Father will do his utmost to ensure you leave here safely."
"Father, if we have to leave, we'll leave together as a family!" Xiao Man said without hesitation. "As a family, we advance and retreat together."
"Silly child," Xiao Zhen patted Xiao Man's head. "It's just a precaution. Things may not escalate to this point. However, remember, no matter when, preserve your own life!"
"Father, as a precaution, let's agree on a secret code," Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. During critical times, critical actions must be taken. To be safe, they needed to leave each other information.
"What kind of secret code?"
Xiao Man picked up a pen and paper from the desk. "Five stars mean safety, no need to worry. Four stars mean trouble encountered. Three stars mean aid is needed, and one star means extreme danger."
"What about two stars?"
"Two stars mean the person persecuting us is someone close by."
Xiao Zhen was slightly startled. "Why do you think the person persecuting us would be someone close by?"
"Because the human heart is unfathomable," Xiao Man's expression turned slightly cold. "If, one day, daughter meets misfortune, she will leave a message for Father."
Xiao Man extended her left hand. "If daughter breaks her thumb, it means the person persecuting her is family. If it's the index finger, it's a friend. If it's the middle finger, it's a regular enemy. If it's the ring finger, it's someone intimate..."
Xiao Zhen looked at Xiao Man's hand. "And the pinky finger?"
"The pinky finger represents only one person," Xiao Man said slowly. "The Imperial Advisor, Feng Tianlan."
Shock filled Xiao Zhen's eyes. Man'er was truly wary of the Imperial Advisor. What had the Imperial Advisor done to make her so defensive?
"Man'er, has the Imperial Advisor done something to harm you?" Xiao Zhen finally voiced the doubt that had been hidden in his heart for a long time.
"Father, I suspect the true owner behind Yaoyue Tower is the Imperial Advisor. I even suspect he is the one who killed Chan Master Wuyou," Xiao Man said slowly. "Furthermore, daughter discovered that the Imperial Advisor has a close relationship with the Empress Dowager."
Xiao Zhen frowned deeply. "He shouldn't harm you."
"Whether what he does is for my own good or to harm me is decided by me," Xiao Man said calmly. "Father, it's not that daughter doesn't trust Master. While our mansion's most skilled dark guards cannot infiltrate the Imperial Advisor's manor, daughter was still ambushed there." Sudan Novel Network
"Didn't you say it wasn't him?"
"I only said it wasn't him who acted, but it's possible he condoned it."
Xiao Zhen's eyes changed slightly. "Father understands. Don't worry, Father will remember everything you've told me."