"Princess Yongning, she is already so pitiful, can't you be generous and spare her a way to live?" Immediately, someone spoke up in her defense.
"Exactly, Princess Yongning, you've already become a princess, how can you be so petty? Isn't she just a concubine? Keep her by your side and let her serve you well." Nian Nujiao heard this and almost lunged to bite the speaker to death. Who wanted to serve Xiao Man? She wanted to be Prince Qi's consort!
"That's not right. How did Prince Qi's concubine get involved with Princess Yongning? Could it be that Princess Yongning wants to be Prince Qi's consort?"
This remark was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up countless ripples: "What? Princess Yongning wants to choose Prince Qi as her husband? What should we do, I bet on Lord Wen!"
"You bet on Lord Wen, I bet on Prince Qin!"
"At least you guys are somewhat close, I'm even worse off, I bet on the head of the Cen family."
Xiao Man's face darkened. The destructive power of rumors was truly immense. Without saying a word, she was branded as Prince Qi's fiancée!
Nian Nujiao had originally intended to use the commoners to force Xiao Man to intervene and stay in Prince Qi's mansion. Who knew the commoners were only concerned about winning money? If this continued, her goal would not be achieved!
"Princess Yongning, this humble one will not compete with you for Prince Qi. This humble one is willing to be a servant or even a slave, only begging Princess Yongning not to drive me out of Prince Qi's mansion. This humble one and Prince Qi are truly in love. I do not seek a formal title, only to remain by Prince Qi's side to serve him."
"Heavens, is Princess Yongning really going to be Prince Qi's consort?"
"That's great, I bet on Prince Qi!" someone shouted excitedly, but their voice was drowned out by the multitude, making it impossible to hear clearly.
"I heard that a few days ago, during the royal hunt, a young lady's purity was ruined. Could it be Princess Yongning?"
"It's possible. Otherwise, why would Princess Yongning reject the heavenly Prince Qin and choose the dissolute Prince Qi?"
"Absolutely impossible. Have you forgotten Princess Yongning's combat skills? Prince Qi is no match for her and is repeatedly beaten by her!"
"Then why would Princess Yongning marry Prince Qi?"
"It must be that Prince Qi's glib tongue tricked Princess Yongning's heart!"
For a moment, everyone looked at Xiao Man with pity. Being deceived by a rake like Prince Qi was one thing, but to have his favorite concubine come knocking like this, how pitiful she was.
Nian Nujiao saw that things were not developing as she expected. She was the victim, the one being pressured by Xiao Man, so why were these people sympathizing with Xiao Man?
"Princess Yongning, even if you dislike this humble one, but... the child in my belly is innocent. He cannot be without a father."
The gossiping commoners continued to lament that their bets were lost, and Princess Yongning had actually chosen Prince Qi as her husband. Hearing Prince Qi's favorite concubine claim to be pregnant, they looked at Xiao Man with even more pity.
"Princess Yongning is so pitiful. Before she's even married, a concubine is already showing her belly and forcing her way in."
"In operas, this is called storming the palace, isn't it?" someone asked excitedly. "Is this concubine trying to force Princess Yongning to give up her position using her pregnant belly?" Su Dan Novel Network
"If Princess Yongning gives way, will she then choose someone else as her husband?" The crowd looked at each other.
"Princess Yongning, just fulfill their wish. Prince Qi is not suitable for you!"
"Exactly. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Prince Qi has confidantes all over the world, he is charming and affectionate. Today it's a concubine forcing her way in with a pregnancy, tomorrow it might be a confidante with a child. Why not choose Prince Qin?"
"Choose Lord Wen. Lord Wen is gentle and refined, self-disciplined, and kind to everyone."
"The scholar is good, the scholar can enter the family through marriage!"
"Choose me, I can also enter the family through marriage!" In the crowd, someone volunteered. The commoners looked at the person, stared for a while, and then let out sounds of disdain.
"Choose Prince Qin, Prince Qin is good."
"Prince Chu is also not bad."
"Lord Wen, Lord Wen is the best!"
Xiao Man was surrounded by the commoners, who were enthusiastically promoting the benefits of various candidates: the cool, domineering, and arrogant Prince Qin; the gentle and amiable Lord Wen; the frail and delicate Prince Chu; the charming and passionate head of the Cen family... Xiao Man's face was so dark it could drip water. The commoners were truly worried sick about her marriage!
Seeing Xiao Man's increasingly dark expression, Nangong Yu felt too embarrassed to gloat by her side and was about to step forward to help Xiao Man out of her predicament. At this moment, the National Preceptor arrived, treading on the wind, like an immortal descending into the crowd.
The commoners who had surrounded Xiao Man quickly retreated, not daring to approach, lest they defile the sacred white robes: "Esteemed National Preceptor."
Feng Tianlan's expression was calm, his eyes gentle. Without a word, he subdued the crowd. Xiao Man muttered in her heart, her master was even more like a charlatan than that old swindler Wu You!
Suddenly, Xiao Man extended her hand and, as if playing a prank, pulled off the National Preceptor's veil. Those around gasped. Everyone had been speculating why the National Preceptor always wore a veil, perhaps because his appearance was disfigured and extremely ugly. Now, Xiao Man had removed his veil in front of everyone. Beneath the veil was a face as pure and beautiful as jade, evoking no thought of disrespect.
"Mischievous." With that, Feng Tianlan grabbed Xiao Man and ascended into the sky, leaving behind a crowd of stunned people, still immersed in the sacred radiance of the National Preceptor, unable to extricate themselves.
Nangong Yu watched Feng Tianlan's receding figure, a mocking sneer curling his lips. Pretending to be a detached immortal, unconcerned with worldly affairs, was merely to conceal your wolfish ambitions. One day, your mask will be torn off, and the world will see your wicked face!
At the National Preceptor's mansion, Xiao Man knelt on the ground, rubbing her knees, then massaging her waist. After the National Preceptor had brought her back to the mansion, she was punished with kneeling. It had been an hour, and the National Preceptor had not told her to rise. Her legs were about to break.
Xiao Man made various noises, attempting to attract the National Preceptor's attention, hoping to end this inhuman torture as quickly as possible. If she could defeat him, she would have jumped up and fought Feng Tianlan!
Xiao Man secretly observed Feng Tianlan. Feng Tianlan maintained a calm and detached demeanor at all times, as if he were a person devoid of desires. Xiao Man cursed inwardly.
You hypocritical gentleman, cruel and despicable villain, dirty and lewd schemer... Xiao Man used every curse word she could think of in her mind to describe Feng Tianlan. However, after she finished, Feng Tianlan still showed no intention of letting her up.
Feng Tianlan had long seen through Xiao Man's little tricks and deliberately ignored her, diligently perusing the Buddhist scriptures in his hand, like a Buddha transcending the secular world. The veil that had been removed was not put back on, and his pure face seemed to shine with a divine light.