"I heard she's been causing trouble in the palace?" Nangong Yu frowned. "Grand Empress Dowager, please don't spoil her too much. She's been a troublemaker since she was a child, causing chaos wherever she goes. You must take care of yourself and not indulge her, lest you get angry."
The Empress Dowager found it amusing. "Now that she's unwell, even if she wanted to cause trouble, she'd be too weak."
Nangong Yu's tone was rather cold. "When I first returned to the capital, I saw her chasing and hitting the Thirteenth Prince on the street, full of life and incredibly arrogant. A while ago, she was injured and unconscious. The imperial physicians said it was a miracle she survived. I really can't imagine what she looks like when she's weak."
"She grew up with Prince Qi, and they have a deep bond. It's common for them to spar." The Empress Dowager carefully observed Prince Qin's expression, trying to find any flaw.
"That's true." Nangong Yu stood up. "Since I'm here, your grandson will go and see her." Sudans novel network
The Empress Dowager watched Prince Qin's departing back, her eyes full of doubt. Could the Emperor be telling the truth? Did Prince Qin not truly like Xiao Man, but used marrying Xiao Man as an excuse to avoid marriage? Xiao Man was confined in the palace, and the Thirteenth Prince immediately went to plead for her, but Xiao Si made no move at all. Did he really not like Xiao Man?
But a man, no matter how great, could only escape for a while, not forever. He would have to marry eventually!
"Little Li Zi."
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager."
"Go and watch him."
"Your servant obeys."
Nangong Yu swaggered into Changle Palace. As soon as he entered, he saw Xiao Man selecting flowers with scissors amidst the bushes, apparently to put them in a vase.
In his eyes, the Xiao Man of the past was radiant, flamboyant, even a little cunning. But this Xiao Man now was gentle, serene, and as well-behaved as a girl next door. Both contrasting temperaments captivated him.
Nangong Yu watched quietly, not disturbing her. At that moment, Teacher Zhong came out from within. "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qin."
Xiao Man turned her head at the sound and saw Nangong Yu standing behind her, unsure how long he had been there.
"Greetings to His Highness Prince Qin..."
"Rise." Nangong Yu interrupted Xiao Man's greeting. "I heard you've been causing quite a stir since you entered the palace two days ago, so I came to see."
Xiao Man played with the scissors in her hand and said in a gentle tone, "It's my body that's not cooperating. I have indeed caused some trouble."
Nangong Yu took the scissors from Xiao Man. "Which one do you like? I'll get it for you. Since you're unwell, let others do these small tasks. These scissors are sharp; if you cut your hand, the Great General would be heartbroken."
"I'm not made of mud, how could I get hurt so easily?" Xiao Man's voice was like a playful scolding, yet tinged with annoyance. To Nangong Yu's ears, it was like a feather brushing against his heart, making him feel ticklish, and he longed to pull her into his arms and cherish her.
"Princess, you are not feeling well. Please come out quickly." Teacher Zhong reached out to help her out.
Nangong Yu turned, and the scissors in his hand stabbed towards Teacher Zhong's arm. Teacher Zhong was startled and quickly withdrew his hand. The scissors in Nangong Yu's hand pierced Teacher Zhong's sleeve and cut down a vividly blooming black chrysanthemum, which he then presented to Xiao Man.
"Is this one good?"
"Of course, it's excellent, chosen by Your Highness." Xiao Man took it.
Nangong Yu smiled slightly and continued to pick flowers, his gaze falling on a 'Yao Tai Yu Feng' plant. "This 'Yao Tai Yu Feng' is also blooming nicely."
Xiao Man glanced at the displeased Teacher Zhong, then at the seemingly relaxed Prince Qin, and wondered if they had a grudge. Prince Qin's action just now clearly intended to cripple Teacher Zhong's hand.
Nangong Yu cut many flowers for Xiao Man. He stopped only when Xiao Man said she had enough, playing with the scissors and glancing at Teacher Zhong. "Are you truly done?"
"Yes, we're done. I'm afraid even all the vases in the room won't be enough."
Nangong Yu extended his hand to help Xiao Man out. However, Xiao Man, holding flowers in one hand and her skirt in the other, walked out herself. Seeing this, Nangong Yu withdrew his hand and acted as if nothing had happened, following Xiao Man towards the inner hall.
As Nangong Yu passed Teacher Zhong, he glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Teacher, you should be careful. Don't extend your hand when you shouldn't, and be cautious not to touch what you shouldn't, lest your hand be chopped off."
A cold glint flashed in Teacher Zhong's eyes, but his expression became even more gentle, as if he were indifferent to everything.
"I have learned my lesson."
Yin Zhu brought a vase for Xiao Man. Xiao Man placed the flowers on the table. Nangong Yu appropriately handed her the scissors to trim the branches. Xiao Man would insert a flower, and he would hand her another. There was great tacit understanding between them.
"I heard you accidentally ate jasmine pollen yesterday?" Nangong Yu's voice revealed no emotion. Xiao Man's hand, arranging flowers, paused slightly, then she continued as if nothing had happened.
"The people in the Imperial Kitchen didn't know I was allergic to jasmine pollen."
Nangong Yu's eyes flashed with coldness. If he couldn't guess this was the Empress Dowager's doing, he'd be a fool. That Thirteenth Prince was too rash, needlessly causing Xiao Man suffering.
"The Thirteenth Prince barged into Cining Palace on the first day you entered the palace, and two beauties entered your residence the next day."
Xiao Man's lips twitched. "He certainly enjoys his good fortune."
Seeing Xiao Man's calm demeanor, even a hint of schadenfreude, Nangong Yu understood that Xiao Man truly considered Nangong Yi a friend and never had romantic feelings for him. At the same time, he felt a sense of defeat. This woman was always carefree, treating the Thirteenth Prince the same way, and he wouldn't fare any better.
"A guest will be coming to my residence in a few days, the orphan of one of my old subordinates," Nangong Yu said with a complex expression. "She has nowhere to stay upon her return to the capital, and I should look after her."
"It's a girl, isn't it?" Xiao Man said nonchalantly.
Nangong Yu looked at Xiao Man in surprise. "Was I that obvious?"
"If it were a man, why would you tell me? This means your old subordinate's orphan is a girl," Xiao Man inserted the last flower into the vase. "And a beautiful girl, who also has a connection to the Empress Dowager. You came from Cining Palace, so it's likely the Empress Dowager placed her in your residence."
Nangong Yu sighed. That was right. How could such an astute woman, who had lived in the deep palace for many years and raised an emperor, possibly hide her subtle thoughts from her?
"Since I couldn't hide it from you, I decided to tell you directly." Nangong Yu took the scissors from Xiao Man's hand. "People in the palace have many intentions. Be very careful. It's alright to bother others, but don't hurt yourself."
Xiao Man smiled. "You know my nature. I never suffer losses. However, I must first congratulate His Highness Prince Qin on his good fortune."