"That's nonsense," Minister Wen chuckled upon hearing this. "What do you mean by fatal weakness? Those are strengths. You don't know how many people wanted to marry your father back then. There were even rumors in the capital that if you wanted to marry, you should marry someone like me. You, my boy, are still far behind me!"
Wen Mohan stood up and poured his father a cup of tea. "Thank you, Father, for understanding your son."
"A son grows up and doesn't listen to his father. I can't control you anymore." Minister Wen took the tea and sipped it. "Looking throughout the entire capital, only Xiao Man earns my respect."
"Didn't you always look down on Man'er?"
Minister Wen let out a cold snort and glared at his son. "I didn't like her because I disliked her troublesome nature. Everyone in our Wen family seeks stability, yet she's not someone who likes a peaceful life. If Xiao Zhen hadn't secretly protected her all these years, given her arrogant personality, she would have died a hundred times over by now!"
"In the future, your son will protect her."
"What ambition!" Minister Wen exclaimed angrily. "You'll be a henpecked husband in the future too!"
Wen Mohan immediately laughed. "Father, between husband and wife, it's not always one overpowering the other. As long as she's happy, I think anything is fine!"
"Get out!" Minister Wen gritted his teeth in anger. How could he have raised such an unpromising son, making him even more unable to hold his head up in front of Xiao Zhen!
Wen Mohan smiled as he left the study. Once outside, the smile vanished from his face. He vaguely sensed that Yun Qi had already discovered Xiao Man's identity. Tomorrow night's palace banquet would not be a pleasant one, and Yun Qi would definitely seize the opportunity to make a move!
"Go to the Prince of Qin's manor."
"Young Master, why are we going to the Prince of Qin's manor?" Wei Feng asked in confusion. Going to the Prince of Qin's manor at this time, it feels like you're provoking him, Young Master.
"I have a feeling of unease, and I need to do something to set my mind at ease."
"You know the Prince of Qin's feelings for Princess Yongning. If you rush to get engaged to Princess Yongning beforehand, the Prince of Qin might be furious with you. Aren't you walking into a fight by going there now?" Wei Feng advised. It's best not to provoke the Prince of Qin at this time; he's not someone to be trifled with.
"It concerns Man'er, so I cannot be careless."
Wen Mohan's visit caused Nangong Yu to frown. He clearly remembered that the last time Wen Mohan visited him uninvited, it was to declare war. What was he here for today? To show off?
"Your Highness, do you wish to see him?" Si Chen asked cautiously. His Highness had been unhappy for several days because of Wen Mohan's engagement to Princess Yongning. Wen Mohan's visit now might be to provoke the Prince.
"See him. Invite him in."
Wen Mohan maintained his composed demeanor. No matter when, he was always a gentle and refined scholar, as warm and gentle as the breeze.
"Your Highness, the Prince of Qin." Wen Mohan bowed, his manners impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
"What, are you here to show off?"
"No," Wen Mohan replied softly. "I suspect Yun Qi has already realized Man'er's identity."
"Mm." Nangong Yu merely grunted in response. He already knew about this, especially since Xiao Man had already clashed with Murong Sheng Rui.
"It seems you already know." Wen Mohan gritted his teeth. "Yun Qi knows Man'er's identity?"
"Murong Sheng Rui approached Nangong Yi and found her through Nangong Yi's hand," Nangong Yu said indifferently. "They even fought, and Man'er injured Murong Sheng Rui, but he escaped. If nothing unexpected happens, Murong Sheng Rui will definitely appear at the banquet tomorrow night."
"Do you have a plan to counter this?"
"None," Nangong Yu said coldly. "Besides, your fiancée is facing a crisis of marriage alliance, yet you come to me for advice. Don't you think you've come to the wrong place?"
A smile appeared on Wen Mohan's face. "Your Highness has decided to withdraw?"
"I advise you to stop daydreaming!" Nangong Yu looked up at Wen Mohan. "I warned you a long time ago that some people are not meant for you to meddle with."
Wen Mohan's smile remained unchanged. "I also told Your Highness long ago that for some people, once I've decided, I will never change. I am stubborn; once I've set my heart on someone, I won't change even if I die!"
"Even if Man'er doesn't love you, you won't give up?" Nangong Yu said cruelly. "You must also know that Man'er and I have already had intimate relations, right?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Your Highness merely acted as an antidote, by chance," Wen Mohan said calmly. "If Man'er loved you, why would she have agreed to marry me?"
Nangong Yu's expression became somewhat obscure, and a faint killing intent permeated the room.
Wen Mohan looked at Nangong Yu without fear. If he feared death, he would not be worthy of being a true scholar!
"Antidote?"
"Isn't it?" Wen Mohan's voice was warm and pleasant. "Man'er was poisoned by the Fire Charm Toxin. In desperation, she used Your Highness as an antidote. There was no romantic involvement between them."
*Crack!* The brush in Nangong Yu's hand snapped in two. Nangong Yu finally looked up at Wen Mohan, who wore a gentle smile. This smile was particularly dazzling in Nangong Yu's eyes.
"There was no romantic involvement between me and her?" Nangong Yu suddenly laughed. "How do you know there was no romantic involvement between me and her? Did she teach you swordsmanship hand-in-hand? Did she lean on your shoulder and teach you how to march and array troops? Or did she teach you how to please a woman?"
Wen Mohan calmed his mind. He had been careless. Xiao Man was not just Xiao Man. If one were to be precise, the relationship between those two was indeed more intimate than he had imagined. However, in terms of eloquence, Wen Mohan had never admitted defeat.
"Then Your Highness should be on full alert. After all, she taught swordsmanship hand-in-hand, taught marching and arraying troops, taught how to please women, and even the man she lulled to sleep at night is in the capital."
Nangong Yu slammed the table in anger. "Wen Mohan, do you really want to go and meet the ancestors of the Wen family?"
Wen Mohan remained unfazed. "I came only to discuss countermeasures with Your Highness, after all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn't it?"
Nangong Yu looked at Wen Mohan coldly. The lips of scholars were indeed sharper than knives. Yet, Wen Mohan knew too much. Why hadn't Xiao Man silenced him?
"Observe the situation calmly. Rash action will only put you at a disadvantage," Nangong Yu slowly sat down and said coldly. "Ultimately, it still depends on you, after all, Xiao Man is now your fiancée."
Wen Mohan nodded. "I understand. In that case, I won't disturb Your Highness any further."
Wen Mohan turned to leave.
"Stop."
"Does Your Highness have anything else?"
"You cannot insert yourself between Xiao Man and me. You should give up as soon as possible."
Wen Mohan turned around and looked at Nangong Yu, smiling. "Your Highness is too confident. You want too much, and Man'er may not be your top priority. But it's different for me; I only want her. Moreover, haven't I already inserted myself?"