Murong Shengrui's eyes flashed with a sharp glint. "Is she learning it specifically to cook for other men?"
"Not exactly, she made it for a girl," Nangong Yi's gaze was hazy, as if lost in memory. "That girl's parents had both passed away, and she was perpetually melancholic. She heard that girl loved her mother's wontons the most, so she learned to make wontons for her, to comfort her."
"She is truly a kind woman. Hearing you speak of her, I am even more eager to meet this kind girl," Murong Shengrui said with a smile. "I hope she finds a good home and lives a life of happiness and peace."
"A good home?" Nangong Yi sneered. "What kind of home is a good home?"
"Naturally, a home that can shield her from worries, sorrows, hardships, and grief, a home that will be her lifelong support, that is a good home."
"Will there be such a home?" Nangong Yi asked with a wry smile. "Where in this world can one find such a home? Even if born into royalty, one cannot be free from worries and sorrows, from grief and hardship, for an entire lifetime."
Murong Shengrui also let out a mocking laugh. "Indeed, where in this world can one find such a young man, such a family? By the way, after all this talk, I still don't know who the girl you like is."
If it were an acquaintance, Nangong Yi would have found it difficult to speak. But since Murong Shengrui was a stranger, people often found it easier to confide in strangers than in those close to them.
"She is the young lady of the Protector-General's Mansion."
"I know, it's the Third Miss, Xiao Ling!" Murong Shengrui stated confidently. "I heard you almost married her back then."
"Her? Is she worthy?" Speaking of Xiao Ling, Nangong Yi seemed to recall an unpleasant past. He frequented brothels but never forced anyone, nor did he ever make advances towards any woman from the General's Mansion. Yet, this woman had made him lose face in front of Xiao Man!
"If not her, then perhaps..." A name flashed through Murong Shengrui's mind, and his heart tightened. He had met all the young ladies of the General's Mansion. If it wasn't Xiao Ling, it certainly wouldn't be Xiao Xiang. Xiao Xiang was too calculating; Nangong Yi would never fancy her. And it couldn't be Xiao Ting, who was still a young maiden yet to reach her coming-of-age. Then, there was only one person left!
Nangong Yi gave a wry smile. "We grew up together since childhood. Logically, our feelings should be deeper than others. She pities orphaned girls who have lost their parents. She admires the handsome Fourth Brother. She appreciates the refined scholar from the Wen family. But she overlooks me. In her eyes, I am hopeless, a wastrel, a good-for-nothing. Even though I have always been by her side, she has never shown even a hint of affection. Tell me, is she not heartless?"
"How can a daughter not be moved by a distinguished and handsome prince like Your Highness?"
"Why wouldn't she be? She is." Nangong Yi felt the humid air was making him uncomfortable. Coupled with the late hour, there were fewer people on the street, with only occasional drunks stumbling past, muttering drunken nonsense.
The couple running the stall were beginning to pack up, but they did not disturb the two men who were talking. His Royal Highness Prince Qi was a regular customer here. In the past, Miss Xiao would also visit from time to time. Recently, she had been coming less often, perhaps they had had a disagreement, and His Royal Highness Prince Qi was troubled.
After packing up, the stall owner brought over a bottle of homemade fruit wine. "Your Highness, this is our own brewed fruit wine. The young lady loves this fruit wine the most. But I haven't seen her come for wontons in a long time, so I haven't had a chance to give it to her. If Your Highness has the time, please take this fruit wine to her."
Nangong Yi took the wine bottle and quickly took out a silver ingot. The stall owner quickly waved his hands. "No need, no need. The young lady already paid with silver. She said your wontons are paid for by her, enough to eat for a lifetime." Su Dan Novel Network
Nangong Yi's initially dejected mood immediately became cheerful. "Did she really say she'd pay for my wontons for a lifetime?"
"Indeed she did," the stall owner said with a beaming smile. "You haven't been coming to eat wontons together recently; you must have had a disagreement. Take this opportunity to deliver the fruit wine and say a few soft words to her. She is a very kind-hearted person; she will surely forgive you."
Nangong Yi, holding the fruit wine, happily headed towards the Protector-General's Mansion, not caring that it was very late and Xiao Man was likely already asleep.
Murong Shengrui followed behind, watching Nangong Yi hum a tune and skillfully scale the wall to enter. He did not follow but found a tall tree nearby, from which he could see Xiao Man's courtyard, and leaped up into it.
As Nangong Yi scaled the wall, he was discovered by the hidden guards. The guards immediately alerted Ying Xue. Ying Xue sighed helplessly, wondering if all the men of the Nangong family enjoyed scaling walls in the middle of the night.
Nangong Yi crept to Xiao Man's window and gently tapped on it. The window was suddenly pushed open, hitting Nangong Yi in the face. The pain twisted his features, and two streams of blood flowed from his nose like waterfalls.
Xiao Man, wrapped in a thin quilt with her long hair cascading down her back, yawned as she looked at the disheveled Nangong Yi outside. She frowned. "In the middle of the night, you appear dressed like this. Did you come specifically to scare me?"
Nangong Yi wiped his nose and glared resentfully at Xiao Man. "When you opened the window, couldn't you have given me a warning? Look, you've made my nose bleed."
Xiao Man covered her mouth and giggled, quickly handing Nangong Yi a handkerchief. "Quick, wipe it. Be careful, the Princess of Qi might be heartbroken when she sees it when you get home."
"Why are you bringing up the Princess of Qi all of a sudden?" Nangong Yi grabbed Xiao Man's wrist and took the tea cup from her hand, drinking the fruit wine in one gulp. He smacked his lips thoughtfully. "It's a bit sour, and a bit sweet. What kind of wine is this?"
"Orange wine," Xiao Man refilled another teacup. "It has a good taste and doesn't make you drunk, which I like very much."
Nangong Yi leaned on the windowsill, facing Xiao Man. "Uncle Wonton told me you've paid for my wontons for a lifetime?"
Xiao Man glanced at Nangong Yi. "So you won't keep resenting me for making you taste-test wontons. I'll pay for your wontons for a lifetime, so you can eat your fill."
"But I want to eat the ones you make with your own hands. What can be done about that?"
"Even though it's night, you're dreaming too big!" Xiao Man rolled her eyes. "I want to eat ready-made ones too."
"Then, I will make wontons for you for a lifetime, is that alright?" Nangong Yi asked earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man put down her wine cup and looked at Nangong Yi seriously. "Nangong Yi, the Princess of Qi is a good girl. Don't fail her."