"Does no one know what he looks like?" Qu Yang suddenly recalled the person who always wore a mask yet exuded an ethereal aura. He hadn't considered it before, but indeed, no one knew his true appearance.
"Up to now, only a few of us have seen him: His Majesty, Eunuch Wei, you, and I. Every time we meet, this person wears a mask, clad in white, possessing peerless martial skills, and a meticulous yet treacherous mind. Killing such an individual would be difficult, and even finding his whereabouts might not be an easy task."
"Unless a person is dead, it's impossible to hide without leaving the slightest trace," Qu Yang stated calmly. "As long as he is alive, he will eventually reveal himself."
Xiahou Ying nodded in agreement. "Indeed. As long as he is alive, I will unearth him and tear him to shreds!"
"The immediate priority is to dissuade His Majesty from this idea. I have a feeling the Xiao family will not allow Xiao Man to be married off for political alliance!"
"It's not just the Xiao family; Xiao Man herself might also try to assassinate His Majesty to avoid the arranged marriage!" Xiahou Ying's concern was that Xiao Man, in her rage, might disregard everything and seek a fight to the death with His Majesty. In such a scenario, it would escalate from a personal conflict to a dispute between two nations, and potentially even plunge the world into chaos!
"This Xiao Man is truly audacious!" Qu Yang exclaimed, wondering how the Xiao family had raised their daughter. A proper young lady from a reputable family had been turned into a twisted, perverse, and volatile woman!
Xiahou Ying chuckled faintly. This was nothing compared to audacity. If Qu Yang knew that the deaths of Qian Yi Han and Bai Li Le Tian were inextricably linked to Xiao Man, and that Xiao Man was on intimate terms with the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry, his eyes would surely pop out.
"Since His Majesty has designated Xiao Man, we must eliminate the others at the banquet in three days. However, Xiao Man will surely not win the competition. How can we lure her into our trap?" Qu Yang furrowed his brow in thought.
"To scheme against her, we must take an unconventional path!" Xiahou Ying said slowly. "Imagine yourself as her. If you knew this was a trap set for you, how would you break it?"
"Would she fall into the trap?"
Xiahou Ying was stumped by this question, as he himself did not know if Xiao Man would fall for it. He couldn't fathom the Empress Dowager's thoughts before, and now, he couldn't fathom Xiao Man's.
"That will depend on your skill," Xiahou Ying said, patting Qu Yang's shoulder. "However, if you manage to design a situation where she falls into the trap, you'd better be careful that the trinket around your neck remains securely in place."
Qu Yang swallowed. "Can you not be so frightening?"
"I am merely offering friendly advice."
"Speaking of which, you seem to avoid Xiao Man like the plague. Why?" Qu Yang had been wanting to ask this question, waiting for Xiahou Ying to confess. Initially, Xiahou Ying had been very apprehensive about them interacting with Xiao Man. But after they had interacted with her, Xiahou Ying's attitude changed!
"She is very dangerous."
"No, you are afraid of us getting close to her. Xiahou, what exactly are you hiding?" Qu Yang couldn't fathom what Xiahou Ying was hiding, but it was definitely related to Xiao Man. "Why are you protecting Xiao Man?"
"I am not protecting her!"
"You are!" Qu Yang stated calmly. "Back in Yun Zhong City, why did you deliberately let Xiao Luo go?"
"Xiao Luo is not that easy to capture!" Xiahou Ying denied.
"Did His Majesty mistake Xiao Man for someone else?" Qu Yang was a master at deciphering people's intentions. His skill in observing expressions and speech had reached its peak. How could Xiahou Ying's petty tricks deceive him?
Xiahou Ying's silence indicated his resistance. Qu Yang softly said, "The first time I saw her, I only felt that this girl possessed an astonishing aura of malevolence. The way she looked at me was cold and unfeeling, and she gave me a feeling of familiarity yet strangeness."
Xiahou Ying turned his face away, refusing to reveal any emotion, lest Qu Yang see through him.
"Xiahou, the feeling she gives me is extremely similar to the Empress Dowager!"
Xiahou Ying looked up at Qu Yang in shock. When he saw the smile curving Qu Yang's lips, he instantly understood that he had been tricked!
"Foolish!" Qu Yang understood Xiahou Ying's thoughts and berated him. "His Majesty is acting recklessly, and you are following suit? The dead cannot come back to life. I can tell you clearly, unequivocally, that Du Gu Man has long since passed away, turned to dust, and will never return!"
The previous selection of concubines had eliminated many noble ladies. Fewer participants attended this banquet, only those who had given the correct answers last time.
Nangong Wu's gaze swept across the assembled young ladies. Today, only invited noble ladies were present, with the Empress presiding and Consort De assisting.
As her gaze landed on the empty seat opposite her, a flicker of surprise crossed Nangong Wu's eyes. Xiao Man wasn't here?
Seeing Xiao Man's seat empty, Qu Yang looked at the Empress on the main seat. "Empress, why is this person absent?"
"Princess Yongning is feeling unwell and confined to bed, unable to attend this banquet," the Empress explained. "Furthermore, she has the right to refuse any summons except from His Majesty."
"So presumptuous?" Qu Yang was somewhat astonished. Regardless of how arrogant and overbearing Xiao Man was, wasn't this utterly disrespectful?
"Her health is not good and cannot withstand strain. His Majesty pities her frail condition, hence granting her this privilege." The Empress looked at the assembled noble ladies. "These are the elites among our Yu Sheng noble ladies. The envoy will surely be able to select a suitable candidate."
Qu Yang bowed. He hadn't expected Xiao Man to so adamantly refuse to attend. The Protector General's mansion held considerable status in Yu Sheng. Would His Majesty truly get his wish?
"Next, it is the second question posed by our nation's Emperor." Qu Yang had people distribute the questions, but he also made sure to send the questions to Xiao Man of the General's mansion. This time, the question was specifically targeted at Xiao Man. If Xiao Man refused to appear, then she would be drawn into the trap!
Upon seeing the second question, the ladies present wore peculiar expressions. They all looked up at Qu Yang, wanting to ask if the question was too simple.
The first question was extremely difficult, eliminating two-thirds of the participants. Yet, the second question was so simple, asking what one plus one equals!
"May I ask, sir, isn't this question too simple?" someone immediately inquired. After all, even a three-year-old child knew what one plus one equaled, so testing them on it seemed utterly ridiculous? Su Dan Novel Network
"Miss, please answer the question. The question is not problematic."
Nangong Wu felt suspicious. Would Yu Sheng really pose such a simple question? Could it be a ploy? Her gaze unintentionally drifted to the Empress seated at the head of the table. Both the Empress and the Empress Dowager had instructed her to do her utmost to win the competition. She understood the Empress's intention: by using her marriage alliance, the Crown Prince would regain his freedom. But for whom was the Empress Dowager acting?