"Who knows that Man'er has recovered from her injuries?" Wen Mohan inquired.
"Besides those close to Man'er, it's just the two of us," Nangong Yu looked at Wen Mohan. Those who knew of Xiao Man's recovery, aside from her trusted family and subordinates, were only Nangong Yu and Wen Mohan. "As for my side, only Ye Qing, Si Chen, and Si Ye are aware."
"Only Wei Feng knows on my end," Wen Mohan said quickly. This matter was too critical to let others know.
"Then who leaked Man'er's situation?" Xiao Zhen also looked puzzled.
"It wasn't just Wei Feng who knew about this, was it?" Nangong Yu said after a moment of silence, looking at Wen Mohan. "Did you forget someone?"
"Only Wei Feng was with me..." Wen Mohan suddenly remembered. "Right, Cen Yu also knows."
"Cen Yu?" Nangong Yu frowned. He recalled Xiao Man mentioning how she had offended Cen Yu in some way, leading Cen Yu to bribe an姨娘 (concubine) in her household to try and kill her. Sudana Novel Network.
"Your Highness, rest assured, Cen Yu will not leak Man'er's affairs."
"Are you sure?"
"I believe him."
Nangong Yu sneered and did not reply, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man's room. He didn't know when Xiao Man would recover her spirits. He also hadn't expected Wuyou to be her adoptive father, and for no one to know about it.
Wen Mohan was slightly displeased by Nangong Yu's disbelief in Cen Yu, but he said nothing. Cen Yu had known him for many years; they were close friends, and he was well aware of Cen Yu's character. Knowing that Man'er was the woman he loved, Cen Yu would never harm her.
"Prince Qin, you should return to your mansion. After all, the Empress Dowager has placed someone in your Qin Prince's mansion," Xiao Zhen suggested, having loitered outside the door for a long time, now that Nangong Yu was present.
Nangong Yu thought of the woman named Lianyi and frowned slightly. The women around the Empress Dowager were not simple. If he were to stay out all night, news would likely reach the palace by tomorrow. He didn't care for himself, but he feared that those in the palace might turn their attention to Xiao Man.
Nangong Yu was annoyed. He had initially thought he could use Xiao Man's serious injury as an excuse to not marry, but now he had inadvertently pushed her into the spotlight!
After careful consideration, Nangong Yu stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Man'er, I'm returning to my mansion now. Send someone to find me if anything happens."
There was no reply from within. Nangong Yu knew Xiao Man had heard him. He nodded to Xiao Zhen and vanished into the darkness.
As soon as Nangong Yu left, Xiao Zhen looked at Wen Mohan. "You rascal..."
"General, please rest in the side chamber for a while. I will stand guard here," Wen Mohan said gently. "Tomorrow, General, you will have quite a few people and matters to deal with."
Xiao Zhen's brows furrowed. Wuyou's passing meant the Emperor would surely instruct him to bring the person back to the mansion, especially since Xiao Man was not only his daughter but also a princess personally conferred by the Emperor.
"Very well, I'll be next door. Call me immediately if anything comes up."
"Alright."
Wen Mohan watched Xiao Zhen leave, then sat down on the ground by the door, leaning against it. Listening to the soft sobs from inside, his heart was in turmoil. He had rushed back day and night, hoping to surprise her, only for someone to secretly sabotage it. A glint of murderous intent flashed in Wen Mohan's eyes. Why did those people want to hurt her again and again?
Xiao Man clutched Wuyou's kasaya, tears silently falling. She had known Wuyou since she was young, taking him as her adoptive father and learning medicine. Later, she had become a disciple of Feng Tianlan. She respected Feng Tianlan, but from the bottom of her heart, she trusted Wuyou. Otherwise, she wouldn't have entrusted her life-saving trump card to him for safekeeping.
Yet her trust had transformed into a sharp sword that took Wuyou's life. If she hadn't depended on him so much, would he still be that monk of wine and meat, who loved to eat meat, enjoyed drinking, and occasionally bickered with her? But now, that person was gone.
He would never again ask her to find him fine wine, nor would he steal the daughter red she hid. That old monk who had secretly protected her was gone forever. He had turned to dust and vanished from the mortal world.
As the morning light shone in, Xiao Man looked up at the piercing light outside. She rose from the ground. A night had passed. All the sadness had to be put away. The road ahead was long. No matter who the enemy was, she was determined to make them pay with blood!
Suddenly, something fell from Wuyou's kasaya, rolling to a stop beside the meditation cushion. In the sunlight, the crimson bead emitted a soft glow.
Xiao Man bent down and picked up the Phoenix Bead from the ground. Her gaze fell upon the messy meditation room. The room had been ransacked. Those people were looking for something! To prevent the Phoenix Bead from falling into the wrong hands, Wuyou must have swallowed it, thus preserving it.
A hint of confusion flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. Had those people been after the Phoenix Bead? But only two people knew she had it: Nangong Yu and Wuyou! And she had given the Phoenix Bead to Wuyou for safekeeping. Only the two of them knew about this!
The door to the meditation room finally opened. The guard at the door hurried to meet them, only to see Xiao Man holding Wuyou's kasaya, her expression grief-stricken.
Xiao Zhen felt a heavy ache in his heart. He had never seen his daughter like this.
"Father," Xiao Man's voice choked. Xiao Zhen pulled her into his embrace.
"Father is here, Father is here," Xiao Zhen gently patted Xiao Man's back. Although he didn't know when Xiao Man had met Monk Wuyou, seeing his daughter so heartbroken, their bond must have been deep.
"Let's go home," Xiao Zhen took a deep breath, a cold, bloodthirsty light flashing in his eyes. He would see who dared to lay a hand on his daughter once they returned to the capital!
Xiao Man shook her head. "I want to pray for the old monk for seven days and help guide his departed soul. Father, you should return to the mansion first. Come back for me in seven days."
"But..."
"General, do not worry. I will stay here with Man'er," Wen Mohan immediately said. "I will take good care of Man'er."
Xiao Zhen gritted his teeth. "Fine. Father will come back for you in seven days."
Monk Wuyou was a highly respected monk, and many followers came to Gan'ye Temple to pay their respects. Xiao Man, dressed in plain white, knelt in the Hall of Longevity, praying for Wuyou.
Wen Mohan stood by her side quietly. He knew Xiao Man was grieving and understood that she didn't need comfort but companionship. All he could do was quietly accompany her.
"Man'er, it's time," Wen Mohan reminded Xiao Man. Seven days had passed, and if she continued like this, her body would not endure.
Xiao Man looked up at the memorial tablet of longevity, hiding the pain in her eyes. She wanted to get up but couldn't stand after kneeling for so long. Wen Mohan quickly stepped forward to help her.
"It's time to return to the Imperial City," Wen Mohan said softly. Only by returning to the Imperial City could they find out who had attacked Wuyou.
Xiao Man nodded slowly. "It is time to return to the Imperial City. Some debts must be settled."