"These three have actually joined forces?" Wen Xiang was somewhat disbelieving. Looking at the King of Qin, he didn't seem like someone who would cooperate with others, especially not his own brothers. Wasn't he afraid of being betrayed!
"Yes, they've secretly joined forces. The strategist beside the King of Chu acted as the go-between," Wen Mohan explained. The King of Qin might not want to join forces with others, but since Man'er personally intervened, he had no choice but to agree. "Besides, there's another matter. I wonder if Father is aware of it?" Sudan Novel Network
"What else is there?" Chancellor Wen felt a tremor of apprehension. He only hoped to get through the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony smoothly, without any further incidents.
"The Young Emperor Yun Qi has sent a letter of state to Yusheng Imperial Capital, proposing a marriage alliance and seeking to marry a noble daughter of Yusheng as his Empress."
Chancellor Wen breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, realizing it was about the marriage alliance. "I have already heard of this matter, but the letter of state has not yet reached the Imperial Capital. It is likely on its way."
"I have secretly sent people to intercept the letter of state. The marriage alliance document from Yusheng will never reach the Imperial Capital."
"What?" Chancellor Wen jumped up in alarm. "Are you trying to overturn the heavens?"
"It's not that I'm trying to overturn the heavens, but that Young Emperor Yun Qi's intentions are not good."
"He's naturally ill-intentioned. His purpose in coming is not a marriage alliance, but to gather information."
"Father, Young Emperor Yun Qi's target is Man'er."
Chancellor Wen's eyelids twitched, and he quickly asked, "How has that dead girl Xiao Man gotten involved with Young Emperor Yun Qi again?"
"Young Emperor Yun Qi led troops to besiege Yunzhong City, intending to capture Xiao Luo alive. Man'er secretly went to rescue him and took the opportunity to stab Young Emperor Yun Qi, nearly killing him!"
"This girl, still as arrogant as ever!" Chancellor Wen exclaimed. The children of the Xiao family truly had spirit. Both sons and daughters were outstanding. "She has my full approval. Well stabbed!"
"Father, we are discussing Young Emperor Yun Qi's intention of revenge!"
"Does he think he can marry Xiao Man just because he wants to?" Chancellor Wen snorted coldly. "Let alone Xiao Luo who guards Yunzhong City, even Xiao Zhen would not agree. If His Majesty still wants these two great generals, he wouldn't dare send Xiao Man for a marriage alliance?"
"What if Yun Qi offers ten border cities as a betrothal gift?"
"Impossible. Young Emperor Yun Qi is not crazy. How could he exchange ten border cities for a woman?" Chancellor Wen shook his head incessantly. Unless Young Emperor Yun Qi had lost his mind, it was absolutely impossible to exchange ten border cities for a woman!
"Father, not just ten cities, I'm afraid even twenty cities, Young Emperor Yun Qi would be willing to give!" Wen Mohan said with worry. "Man'er has subdued the Red Feather Iron Cavalry who rebelled against Yun Qi."
Chancellor Wen was so frightened that he fell back onto the ground. He fumbled to get up, but eventually gave up. "This girl is truly more troublesome than her father and elder brother. We must intercept the marriage alliance document. Are the people you sent reliable? No, this matter should be handled by me."
Nangong Yu, who had been missing for several days, finally reappeared. Looking exhausted, he tapped on Xiao Man's window.
Xiao Man opened the window and looked at the weary Nangong Yu, seeing the stubble on his face. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Did you go out to steal?"
Nangong Yu shot Xiao Man a glare, then leaped inside, closing the window behind him and shutting out the cold. He went straight to Xiao Man's bed.
Xiao Man watched Nangong Yu shamelessly occupy her bed and sat down beside him. "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
"I haven't slept well for several days trying to prevent the marriage alliance document from entering the capital. Let me sleep for a while." As he spoke, Nangong Yu moved inward and patted the spot beside him. "The ground is cold. Come to my side."
Xiao Man was both amused and annoyed. "Am I a dog? You beckon and I come?"
Nangong Yu turned sideways, opening his bloodshot eyes. "Do you want me to come and get you? If I make a move, it won't be just a simple hug."
Xiao Man gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes fixed on Nangong Yu. She pondered the possibility of winning if she fought Nangong Yu now. If she won, she could naturally throw Nangong Yu out. But if she lost... Xiao Man considered the consequences and didn't dare to act.
Nangong Yu sat up and patted the spot beside him again, signaling Xiao Man to come over. Xiao Man stood up, walked slowly to the bedside, and smiled at Nangong Yu. Nangong Yu instinctively shrank inward. Xiao Man's smile was bright, but he found it chilling!
Seeing this, Xiao Man's pent-up frustration vanished. She then got onto the bed. Nangong Yu wanted to move closer, but meeting Xiao Man's meaningful smile, he didn't dare.
"Aren't you sleepy? Sleep. If you can't sleep, I can give you some medicine that will guarantee you sleep for three days and three nights," Xiao Man said in a gentle tone, yet with an indescribable danger.
Nangong Yu sighed. As expected of his woman, even her threats were spoken with such tender affection. "I just want to have a good sleep. I won't do anything. It will be winter solstice soon, and there are many things to do."
Xiao Man reached out and gently patted Nangong Yu's body. "Sleep."
Nangong Yu took Xiao Man's hand, then pulled Xiao Man into his embrace. Smelling the pleasant scent from Xiao Man, he gradually fell asleep. Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu's sleeping face and sighed softly. "Sleep, sleep peacefully. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to sleep for a long time to come."
Qu Yang stood at the gates of Yusheng Imperial Capital. The moment he stepped forward, he flinched back in fear. This majestic and prosperous city gave him a chilling feeling, as if it were a wide-open net, with hunters hidden behind it, waiting to harvest the lives of their prey at any moment.
"Young Master."
Qu Yang took two steps back. "We will camp outside the city. We cannot rashly enter."
"But if we don't enter the city, how can we gather information?"
Qu Yang recalled Xia Hou Ying's warning. At first, he thought Xia Hou Ying was exaggerating, but when he personally arrived at Yusheng, he found that he didn't even dare to step through the gates of Yusheng Imperial Capital. This city exuded a dangerous aura. He knew that once he stepped inside, he would surely die!
Qu Yang and his entourage camped outside the city. Qu Yang ordered his accompanying guards to disguise themselves as ordinary civilians and enter the Imperial Capital to gather information. However, they were not to go near the General's mansion. Instead, they were to go to the markets and teahouses and chat with ordinary people to glean some news.
"Sir, why are we not entering the city? It would be more convenient to gather information by entering the city, and it would be easier to hide our identities."
Qu Yang frowned deeply. "I don't know why, but I feel a chill down my spine. Yusheng Imperial Capital gives me a very dangerous feeling."
"Perhaps it's because the winter solstice is approaching, and Yusheng has strict security. After the winter solstice, it might be safer to enter the city."
"Perhaps," Qu Yang said softly. He was particularly sensitive to danger, which was why he was always able to escape perilous situations.