Steward Ye, upon learning of Luo Bingqing's disturbance outside, felt a headache coming on. He glanced at Si Feng, who was hiding behind a pillar, and said, "Look at the mess you've made!"
Si Feng was a little short on confidence. "This isn't my fault. If you hadn't missed the Crown Prince's spies infiltrating, I wouldn't have been ambushed. My pure body was defiled!"
Steward Ye choked back a mouthful of blood. After a long pause, he spat at Si Feng, "Go and ask Miss Shan to handle this matter. The Luo family are subordinates of His Highness after all. We can't make this public, lest she be too stimulated and take her own life. Then the Luo family will be furious with us."
"Can Miss Shan handle it?" Si Feng was reluctant. Someone whom His Highness brought back to the manor must be special in his heart. If he caused trouble with His Highness over Luo Bingqing's matter, he would be the one to suffer.
"They are both young ladies. It's better for her to handle it than for us." Steward Ye also found it inappropriate. If Miss Shan were to handle this matter, it would be equivalent to announcing to the outside world that Miss Shan was the mistress of Prince Qin's manor. However, it was also a good way to divert attention. He just didn't know if this Miss Shan was willing to be the sacrificial lamb.
"Perhaps you should go yourself. My identity is not suitable for exposure."
Steward Ye thought about it and agreed. Si Feng was His Highness's double and could not be exposed. So, he went to Shan Yuyan's courtyard himself and explained his intentions. Shan Yuyan listened, and her smile remained gentle. "If that's the case, then I shall be presumptuous. I hope His Highness will not blame me."
"He won't. Madam, please rest assured, His Highness will be grateful to you."
When Shan Yuyan appeared at the main gate with her maid, the gossiping commoners immediately fell silent. Shan Yuyan moved with graceful steps and personally helped Luo Bingqing up.
"Since you are pregnant, you should take care of yourself. How can you kneel on the cold ground like this? If your body is harmed, it will be unsightly." Shan Yuyan's tone was gentle, and every word was for Luo Bingqing's well-being. "Madam, please rest assured. Since you are carrying His Highness's child, His Highness is by no means an unfeeling person. His Highness is not in the manor on official business. Madam, please come inside with me. When His Highness returns, he will surely give you an explanation."
"Who are you?" Luo Bingqing asked with a frown. The lady before her was exquisite, truly beautiful, and had an exceptionally gentle demeanor. However, she had just returned to the capital and did not know about the beautiful young lady living in Prince Qin's manor, which was why she was surprised.
"I am an old acquaintance of His Highness. My father was a former subordinate of His Highness. His Highness, pitying my lack of a home, mercifully allowed me to temporarily reside in Prince Qin's manor." Shan Yuyan helped Luo Bingqing walk inside. "Madam, be careful of the steps. You are carrying a child now and must not be careless."
Luo Bingqing was greatly pleased to hear this and walked inside with her head held high and chest puffed out. In her opinion, Shan Yuyan was just someone trying to climb the social ladder. Since she was back, she would not let these shameless people climb onto her senior brother's bed!
It would be even better if she could give birth to a son. Then, with her son as her advantage, she would ascend to the position of Princess Consort Qin. Even that lowly woman from the Protector General's manor would not be able to shake her position!
Upon learning that Shan Yuyan had brought the person into the manor, Nangong Yu turned and headed for the General's manor. From this day forward, his Prince Qin's manor would likely not have any peaceful days.
Moreover, at this time, Xiao Man was having other thoughts. Nangong Yu felt overwhelmed. He was not afraid of trouble or danger, but he was afraid that Xiao Man would leave him. If she was determined to hide, he might not be able to find her. Therefore, he had to let Xiao Man know that her not leaving was his final bottom line.
"The good show at Prince Qin's manor, it truly never ends," Cen Yu said, pressing a wine cup into Wen Mohan's hand. "Congratulations on taking Jiang Province."
Wen Mohan smiled and clinked glasses with Cen Yu. "Thanks to your help. Without you, it would not have been easy for me to take Jiang Province in such a short time."
"We don't need to thank each other." Cen Yu downed the wine. "What are your plans next?"
Wen Mohan looked out the window and happened to see Nangong Yu's retreating figure. There would likely be many events at Prince Qin's manor soon. Regardless of whose child that young lady was carrying, everyone would assume it was Prince Qin's child. Prince Qin was always ruthless; whether this child could remain was entirely up to him.
"I'll make my plans based on what Man'er intends to do."
A faint gleam flashed in Cen Yu's eyes. Yun Qi had stopped fighting and would send envoys to negotiate peace soon. Xiao Man had offended the young emperor of Yun Qi, and this vindictive young emperor would likely not let her off easily.
"You are truly devoted to her."
Wen Mohan smiled at this. "You're only talking about me. What about you? Do you have someone you admire?"
Cen Yu smiled somewhat helplessly. "I'm too busy making money. Where would I find the time to look for someone I admire?"
"If you find someone you admire, don't forget to tell me," Wen Mohan said, patting Cen Yu's shoulder. "Let me share your joy."
Cen Yu smiled. "Alright, I'll tell you then. I hope you'll be happy."
"Of course, my good brother finds someone he admires, how could I not be happy?" Wen Mohan put down his wine glass. "I still have official business to attend to and need to get back. I'll treat you to drinks another day."
"Okay." Cen Yu saw him to the door and watched Wen Mohan's retreating figure. The smile on his face gradually disappeared. If, one day, you knew my heart's desire and were genuinely happy for me, I would be content even if I died.
Cen Yu sighed and turned back into the room. "The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches. My heart delights in you, but you do not know."
The weather was growing colder. Xiao Man, clad in a thin robe, sat by the window reading. Leaves drifted down from the branches and landed on the pages of her book. Xiao Man picked up a yellowed leaf, looked at its clear veins, and said softly.
"Autumn is nearing its end."
"When did you become melancholic about the passing seasons?" Nangong Yu's voice sounded. Xiao Man tucked the leaf into her book and looked up at Nangong Yu.
"Recently, with beauties by your side, you should be so delighted that you forget your worries. Why do you still think of me?"
Nangong Yu leaned over and sat on the windowsill, his leg bent, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man. "Yun Qi has stopped fighting."
"I know," Xiao Man replied calmly, as if this was not something worth worrying about.
"I am very uneasy," Nangong Yu said slowly. "Do you know why I am uneasy?"
Xiao Man rose and poured a cup of tea, handing it to Nangong Yu. Nangong Yu did not take it, quietly watching Xiao Man. "Give me some time, and I promise he won't be able to harm you."
Xiao Man again pushed the teacup forward. "Drink your tea."
Nangong Yu leaned closer to Xiao Man. "Can't you put my mind at ease?"
"If you can't be at ease, then how can we live?" Xiao Man teased. "If he wants to harm me, he'll have to see if he has the ability. I won't indulge him anymore."