The butler’s lips curved slightly. Wen Ruyu was a master of seduction, rarely meeting his match. He even served as a strategist for His Highness the Prince of Qin. However, after encountering Princess Yongning repeatedly and failing, and now facing this seemingly delicate but strong-willed Shan Yuyan, he likely wouldn't get what he wanted.
"What I say comes from the heart, Your beauty has utterly captivated this insignificant Ruyu."
"I believe you've had too much to drink, young master," Shan Yuyan said without courtesy.
The butler lowered his gaze, concealing the smile in his eyes. "Lord Wen, please. His Highness awaits."
Shan Yuyan led her maid away. Wen Ruyu glared at her retreating back. "I complimented her beauty, why is she unhappy?"
"When a man you've just met rushes up to compliment your looks and declare himself captivated, your behavior is extremely impetuous. It's a credit to you that she didn't curse you out," the butler said without hesitation. "Or do you wish for Miss Shan to act like Princess Yongning and resort to violence?"
Wen Ruyu's expression stiffened. Whenever he thought of Xiao Man, all he saw was the scene of her cleanly piercing someone's throat. Even with a heart full of sweet words, he didn't dare speak them to Xiao Man, fearing he would die at her hands.
"Let's go. We mustn't keep the Prince waiting."
The two entered the Prince of Qin's study and closed the door. "Your Highness, the various sub-branches of Yaoyue Tower have been attacked and suffered heavy losses. Yaoyue Tower has now gone into complete hiding. Even our people find it difficult to track their movements."
"Rats cannot escape the cat's methods. An enraged cat will become a tiger, and once it's had its fill of playing, it will devour them," Nangong Yu said slowly. "Just keep an eye on their actions. Has Yunqi ceased hostilities?"
"Yes, Yunqi has stopped fighting and proposed peace talks." Wen Ruyu deeply admired His Highness; he had predicted Yunqi's desire for a truce and peace all along.
"Who is the current commander of Pingxi City?"
"It is Zhao Lian of Yunqi."
"Send someone to kill him."
Wen Ruyu almost fell off his chair. "Your Highness, isn't Yunqi's cessation of hostilities a good thing? If we send someone to kill their commander, aren't we actively provoking conflict?"
"This is precisely what this King wants to provoke," Nangong Yu said with a faint smile. He absolutely could not allow Murong Shengrui to appear in the capital of Yusheng. If Murong Shengrui recognized Xiao Man, it would bring immense danger to her, something he could not tolerate.
"Your Highness, please reconsider," Wen Ruyu advised. "Both nations have suffered heavy losses in war. A truce is beneficial for us. Moreover, General Xiao needs time to recuperate. If war breaks out again and something unfortunate happens to General Xiao on the battlefield... it will be difficult to explain to Princess Yongning."
Nangong Yu frowned and thought for a moment. "In that case, target Murong Shengrui. I want him unable to appear in the capital of Yusheng for a considerable time, at least until I can control the situation in the capital."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And Li Lin must be dealt with soon, lest the Empress Dowager continue to cause so much trouble." Nangong Yu recalled that when he went to kill Xu Ruohai, someone had already beaten him to it. Was the perpetrator from the General's mansion or the Imperial Advisor's mansion?
"Li Lin is always with the Empress Dowager, and we haven't found an opportunity to strike. Your Highness, rest assured, the moment he is alone, it will be his death day."
"There is another matter..." Nangong Yu tapped the table irritably. Tianji Pavilion had received news, which meant Xiao Man had also received it. To avoid being attacked from both sides, Xiao Man would likely choose to escape. Therefore, the cessation of hostilities was not good news for him; on the contrary, it was a sign, a sign that Xiao Man intended to escape!
"Does Your Highness have any other orders?"
"Keep a close watch on every move of the General's mansion, especially Xiao Man," Nangong Yu said with a furrowed brow. "If I have guessed correctly, this girl is likely contemplating fleeing the capital."
"Fleeing the capital?" Wen Ruyu was a little surprised. "Is she the type to run away?"
Nangong Yu glanced at him. Wen Ruyu did not understand Xiao Man, but he did. Xiao Man never fought a battle she wasn't sure of winning. She was ruthless to her enemies and even more so to herself. When she realized there was no chance of victory and the possibility of being attacked from both sides, she would decisively escape. However, this time, he would not allow her to escape from his side!
The capital was enveloped in a false sense of peace, yet the General's mansion was experiencing some turmoil. This was because Shan Yuyan had sent a visiting invitation to the General's mansion. Xiao Zhen looked at the invitation on the table, his teeth grinding.
Butler Lu lowered his head. Was this a show of force? Prince Qin had declared his intention to marry only their young lady, and now this woman residing in the Prince's mansion had sent an invitation to their young lady.
"General, this invitation..."
Xiao Zhen took a deep breath and forced a strained smile. "What do you think she wants?"
"She has likely heard that our young lady is unwell and has come to visit."
Xiao Zhen did not reply. Shan Yuyan was the orphan of the Shan family. The deaths of her parents were inexplicable. One died on the battlefield, and the other was assassinated while accompanying the Empress Dowager in the palace, sacrificing herself to save the Empress Dowager. While it seemed reasonable, there were too many coincidences. At the time, no one had investigated further because the Shan family had some ties to the former Qin, and many people were reticent and dared not inquire.
Seeing that Xiao Zhen did not reply for a long time, Butler Lu did not urge him. After all, this young lady of the Shan family represented the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager's hostility towards their young lady was evident. It was no wonder the General could not wear a pleasant expression.
"Send it to Shuiyue Xiaozhu. Let the young lady decide."
"Yes." Butler Lu sent the invitation to Shuiyue Xiaozhu. Xiao Man looked at it and said, "I will not see her."
Upon hearing this, Butler Lu immediately went to report. The young lady was more decisive than the General, refusing directly. He had also seen the young Miss Shan when she was young. At that time, the General and General Shan were both military commanders. General Shan, Dan Zhongyi, was quite capable. He had escorted the Prince of Qin onto the battlefield, only to die there. The General had sighed at the time. Who would have thought that years later, Dan Zhongyi's daughter would clash with the General's daughter?
The visiting invitation sent by Shan Yuyan to the General's mansion was returned. Butler Ye received it and was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Shan Yuyan to send an invitation to Xiao Man and immediately reported the matter to Nangong Yu.
"She sent an invitation to Xiao Man?" Nangong Yu asked with some confusion. What was Shan Yuyan trying to do, sending an invitation to Xiao Man?
"Does Your Highness need to offer some advice to Miss Shan?" Butler Ye inquired.
Nangong Yu shook his head. "Let her be. She is a sensible person, but provoking Xiao Man comes with a price, a price not everyone can afford."
"Your Highness will not stop her?"
"Since she directly sent an invitation to the General, it means she doesn't want me to interfere. Don't forget, in the General's mansion, there is still Xiao Zhen. The Empress Dowager's influence has recently suffered various blows, and it is inseparable from that person in the General's mansion. Let her go. She'll learn her lesson when she hits a wall."