"Why do you assume I'm unwilling to stand by her side, to face everything with her?" Nangong Yu said slowly. Everyone believed his ambition was the world, yet they didn't realize some people and some matters were more important than his ambition. He did indeed possess the ambition to conquer the realm; power was merely a tool he used to protect himself and those he loved.
"Because Xiao Man is not just Xiao Man," Wen Mohan said cryptically. Nangong Yu couldn't help but frown. He knew Xiao Man wasn't just Xiao Man, but he wasn't sure if Wen Mohan's words meant the same thing he was thinking.
"What do you mean?"
Wen Mohan smiled, and spoke three words to Nangong Yu without making a sound. However, Nangong Yu understood what he said from Wen Mohan's lips. Wen Mohan had spoken a name: Dugu Man!
Nangong Yu's heart was struck by a tidal wave of shock. The fact that Xiao Man was Dugu Man was known only to those originally around Dugu Man, and to him. How had Wen Mohan found out? Had Xiao Man told him?
Impossible. Xiao Man would never joke about something like this. Even if she trusted Wen Mohan, she wouldn't reveal such a life-threatening secret to him. Wen Mohan was testing him.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I can tell you clearly: she is mine. No one will ever take her from me."
"Is that so?" Wen Mohan said lightly. "Then we shall wait and see."
"Wen Mohan, if you wish to meet your ancestors prematurely, I wouldn't mind giving you a hand," Nangong Yu gritted his teeth. Wen Mohan was truly a difficult person to deal with, stubborn, unwilling to admit defeat, and would go to the bitter end. Even if he knew Xiao Man didn't love him, he wouldn't give up.
"If I were to die at your hands, it would surely become an insurmountable chasm between you and Man'er. Then you would lose any chance of being with her," Wen Mohan set down his teacup. "Prince Qin, please proceed."
Nangong Yu stared at Wen Mohan for a long time, then lowered his brows. Getting Wen Mohan to give up wouldn't be difficult. All he needed to do was let Wen Mohan know that his affection for Xiao Man was not only a nuisance but also put her life in danger. Given Wen Mohan's character, no matter how much he liked her, he would choose to stay away from Xiao Man.
"Do you know that you bring a lot of danger to Man'er?"
"Your Highness, when you say that, you probably haven't considered how much danger you yourself have brought to Man'er, have you?" Wen Mohan's voice remained gentle. He had long since made up his mind about this person and would not give up, no matter what Nangong Yu said.
"It seems you have forgotten about Wen Moyu's matter."
"It seems Prince Qin has forgotten why Man'er was severely injured. And the attacker was reportedly your own kin."
Nangong Yu weighed the situation in his mind. If he were to kill Wen Mohan now, how confident would he be in concealing it from Xiao Man? His gaze swept over Xiao Man's courtyard. There were likely hidden masters within this courtyard. If he were to kill Wen Mohan, he definitely wouldn't be able to hide it. Sudan Novels.
"Man'er is currently in a precarious situation. I believe we should join forces. As for our grievances, we can settle them after dealing with external matters, what do you say?"
"I have no grievances with Your Highness, but I am very willing to join forces with Prince Qin. Perhaps we can start with tonight's events and get some interest for Man'er, what does Your Highness think?"
"Excellent, that is also my intention," Nangong Yu said slowly. "You handle the overt matters, and I will handle the covert ones. What do you think?"
Wen Mohan nodded with a smile. "Clear division of labor, couldn't be better."
"In that case, tomorrow, I request that Minister Wen submit a memorial impeaching the Empress. As the mistress of the central palace, she has caused such a great disturbance and cannot escape responsibility."
"And also impeach the Empress Dowager for detaining the daughter of a powerful minister, and the incompetence of the Imperial Guards, allowing assassins to run rampant within the Emperor's palace and the imperial city," Wen Mohan looked at Nangong Yu, his expression quite grave. "As for Your Highness, can you bring yourself to do it?"
Nangong Yu glanced at Wen Mohan. "Are you underestimating me?"
"After all, the Empress Dowager has favored Your Highness many times. Naturally, I worry that Your Highness will be unable to go through with it," Wen Mohan said faintly. "If Your Highness cannot bring yourself to do it, I can act on your behalf."
"You just do your part. As for other matters, I have my own plans."
"In that case, I shall await with anticipation."
The two remained silent, drinking tea, each with their own calculations, marking down today's events. Meanwhile, Xiao Man slept soundly. After such a magnificent performance, she had finally left the palace. She needed to rest well, gather her strength, and then deal with these people one by one!
The next morning, the Censorate impeached the Empress for moral failing, leading to turmoil in the harem, and the incompetence of the Imperial Guard Commander, who allowed assassins to run rampant in the palace. Wen Mohan, on the other hand, impeached the harem for interfering in state affairs and coercing the daughters of officials to threaten powerful ministers.
Suddenly, the imperial court erupted in chaos. The Emperor felt a headache coming on. Watching his civil and military officials jointly impeach his personal guards and his harem, he didn't know how he felt.
The Censorate officials, citing the near endangerment of the Emperor's person during last night's harem disturbance, presented their arguments with earnest sincerity, all for the Emperor's safety. They listed several crimes of the Empress and the Imperial Guard Commander, all of which were logical and reasonable. He couldn't scold them, for the ministers were acting in his best interest!
However, Wen Mohan's impeachment of the harem for interfering in state affairs made the Emperor feel complex and indescribable. The Empress Dowager had indeed detained Xiao Man to coerce the General's mansion. But why would harem women want to coerce the General's mansion? The General's mansion held military power, and Xiao Man was Xiao Zhen's prized possession, his lifeblood. Could it be that the Empress Dowager wished to emulate Yun Qi Dugu Man and wield power over the court?
The Emperor then recalled what Hu Wan had said. Hu Wan had mentioned that the Empress Dowager had always doted on her juniors and was deeply respected by several princes. The Emperor felt an ominous unease, even feeling that the throne beneath him was unstable. However, he showed no outward reaction. He reprimanded Wen Mohan, ordered the two Imperial Guard Commanders to be given fifty lashes each, their stipends halved for six months, and sent numerous gifts to the General's mansion to comfort Xiao Man. On the surface, this matter was considered concluded.
At Water Moon Pavilion, Xiao Man was having breakfast. Dongfang Wei sat beside her, wolfing down his food. "Last night was so exciting! You should have seen it. Oh my, the imperial palace is truly full of hidden talents."
Xiao Man ate as she asked, "Tell me what happened."
"The Emperor's Chenze Palace had many experts. It suffered the least damage in the entire palace. Next was the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace. The two old eunuchs beside the Empress Dowager were exceptionally formidable."
Xiao Man thought carefully about the eunuchs beside the Empress Dowager. Apart from Eunuch Li, there seemed to be another eunuch named Xu. Eunuch Li usually served her personally.