Feng Tianlan felt a flicker of panic, but his face remained serene, betraying no hint of his unease. He fed Xiao Man a life-saving pill from his person. All he could do now was to keep her from dying and ensure she woke up; he was powerless beyond that.
Heavy, flustered footsteps approached. Xiao Zhen returned with imperial physicians. Seeing Feng Tianlan present, he immediately asked, "National Preceptor, how is Man'er?"
Feng Tianlan sighed and shook his head. He was truly helpless.
Xiao Zhen strode forward, looking at Xiao Man lying motionless on the bed, his heart filled with great unease. He pulled the imperial physician closer. "Quick, quickly examine Man'er."
The imperial physician immediately stepped forward to take Xiao Man's pulse. As his fingers touched her wrist, they jumped in alarm. This... was she nearing her end?
The imperial physician glanced back at Xiao Zhen, whose face was contorted with ferocity, as if he would kill the physician if he couldn't cure her. The physician swallowed hard and retook the pulse. No matter how he examined it, Princess Yongning was merely clinging to life, at any moment ready to depart this world!
"General... Princess Yongning is gravely injured."
"I know, I told you to save her!"
"General, this humble subordinate feels... it would be best to prepare for the funeral... General, please do not be angry..." Before the physician could finish, Xiao Zhen seized him by the collar.
"You quack! What nonsense are you spouting?"
"General, spare me! General, spare me! Princess Yongning has only a thread of life left, this humble subordinate is truly powerless!"
"Scram, quack!" Xiao Zhen roared in fury. How could his good daughter be dying? It was impossible. "Man'er, don't scare your father. Right, didn't you say you wanted to go play in the barracks? Wake up, and Daddy will take you there immediately."
"General..." He Qingyi looked at Xiao Zhen with some concern. "Eldest Miss will surely be alright."
"General, rest assured, my medicine can keep her alive," Feng Tianlan finally spoke. "As long as she is alive, there will be a way to save her."
Xiao Zhen's eyes reddened, his body trembling. "Who was beside Miss? How did she get injured?"
Ying Xue stepped forward. "It was assassins. Those people... all those people are dead. Not a single one survived."
"Who killed them?"
"The assassins were killed by everyone working together. The assassins were very powerful, and many more arrived. The hidden guards who were with Miss suffered heavy casualties." Ying Xue recalled Xiao Man's instructions. "It seems to be related to Yaoyue Lou."
"Impossible!" Feng Tianlan stated resolutely. However, he quickly realized his attitude was too intense. He immediately explained, "Yaoyue Lou's usual business is trade; they wouldn't engage in such acts of murder and robbery."
"National Preceptor, in those dark organizations, aren't human lives also commodities to be bought and sold? Someone once offered a hundred thousand taels to hire a killer from Jiuyu Lou to kill Miss. Yaoyue Lou might also have taken money from someone!"
"I think this matter is very suspicious and should be investigated thoroughly."
"I will find out. No matter who it is, I will not let them go!" Xiao Zhen felt his blood boiling. It seemed he hadn't been ruthless enough. Those people dared to attack his daughter. If so, they couldn't blame him for being merciless!
"I will investigate the matter of Yaoyue Lou."
"Thank you, National Preceptor."
"Man'er will be fine for the time being, General. Rest assured, I will save her."
Xiao Zhen nodded, watching Feng Tianlan depart. His gaze then fell upon another person in the room, her face deathly pale, swaying precariously as if about to collapse at any moment.
Wen Mohan felt his mind buzzing. Guilt and regret tormented him. He shouldn't have asked for Man'er's opinion. He should have found a way to send Man'er out of the imperial capital. Why hadn't he acted decisively? If he had, Man'er would be outside the imperial capital now, not lying here with only a breath left.
Wen Mohan took a few steps forward, his steps faltering. His left foot tripped his right, and he fell to the ground. The maids rushed to help him, but he flung them away. He struggled to get up but couldn't. Finally, he knelt on his knees, covered his face, and trembled as he wept.
"Master Wen..." Qiu Tong stepped forward but was stopped by Yin Zhu. Yin Zhu shook her head and signaled everyone to leave. In the room, only the unconscious Xiao Man remained, along with Xiao Zhen, who sat by the bed in silence, and Wen Mohan, who was uncontrollably weeping.
Xiao Zhen looked at Wen Mohan, who was crying so unrestrainedly, and felt a rush of emotions. The usually refined and restrained young master of the Wen family was crying like this because of Man'er's serious injury, which showed how deeply he cared for his daughter.
"Young man from the Wen family, stop crying. This has nothing to do with you."
"It's my fault, all my fault! I am too incompetent!" Wen Mohan said in a low voice. He was too indecisive, which led to Xiao Man's severe injuries.
Xiao Zhen stood up and helped Wen Mohan to his feet. "A true man does not shed tears lightly. Man'er will be fine; she will surely be fine."
Wen Mohan choked back sobs, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man. Her bloodstained clothes pierced his eyes and pained his heart. He should have pursued her the moment he noticed something was wrong with her at the National Preceptor's residence. If he had been there, he could have at least shielded her.
"General, you must be careful of the National Preceptor," Wen Mohan whispered into Xiao Zhen's ear, warning him. "Do not let him be alone with Man'er."
Xiao Zhen's body trembled slightly, appearing somewhat surprised. He didn't ask any questions, merely replied, "I understand."
"I wish to stay here and accompany Man'er. Is that possible?"
"Yes, I will have the maids change her clothes first."
"Thank you, General."
Yin Zhu and Xiang Xue changed Xiao Man into clean clothes and re-dressed her wounds. Then, they invited Wen Mohan in. Wen Mohan sat by the bed, holding Xiao Man's hand.
"You heartless girl, must you make me worry myself to death?" Wen Mohan sobbed. "It was my fault; I should have found a way to get you out of the imperial capital directly. Then you wouldn't have been injured."
"It was my stupidity. Seeing you were not right at the National Preceptor's residence, I didn't pursue you."
"It was my powerlessness. When you were in danger, I was completely unaware."
Wen Mohan rambled on by Xiao Man's bedside. Ying Xue stood outside the door, peeking in, feeling a great sense of guilt. Young Master Wen seemed quite frightened, but she couldn't say anything.
He Qingyi called away the concubines and young ladies from the mansion, preventing anyone from disturbing Xiao Man in Shuiyue Xiaozhu. The Third Concubine walked back with the Second Young Lady. "Will Eldest Miss really not make it? Then what about our antidote?"
A complex glint flashed in Xiao Xiang's eyes. "At this time, who would want to harm Eldest Sister?"
"She has offended so many people. Who knows who is behind this?" the Third Concubine whispered. "I heard Prince Han is dead. Eldest Miss and Prince Chu were also there when he died."