"I did not kill my senior brother!" Wan Duzi immediately retorted.
Xiao Man pressed her fist against her lips, coughing softly, her voice growing weaker and more feeble: "But Brother Ye doesn't believe me. After all, the Medicine King senior was killed by your unique poison."
"That was Feng Tianlan framing me!" Wan Duzi was somewhat exasperated. If he hadn't known Xiao Man's animosity towards Feng Tianlan, he would have wanted to kill Xiao Man to get revenge on Feng Tianlan!
"Do you have proof?" Xiao Man asked faintly. "Without proof, it is slander."
Wan Duzi instantly drooped like a deflated eggplant: "That brat is truly worthless, not believing this old man."
"Senior, is it a deal?" Xiao Man asked again. "You teach me medical and poisonous arts, and I will provide you with a place of refuge, and help you resolve the misunderstanding with Brother Ye. How about it?"
"Can you make him believe me?"
"I can make him know the truth." Xiao Man spoke with difficulty, as she had been seriously injured by forcefully activating the Tian Gan. Waking up was purely by willpower.
"Deal."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man showed a satisfied smile: "I need to sleep for a few days. I will arrange a place for the senior first."
"Ying Xue."
Ying Xue quietly pushed the door open: "Miss."
"Take the senior to the place to stay. I need to rest now."
"Yes, Miss."
Ying Xue helped Xiao Man lie back down on the bed. Xiao Man fell asleep again, as if she had never woken up. Wan Duzi was somewhat puzzled, and reached out to poke Xiao Man. He was sure Xiao Man had truly fainted, and his confusion deepened.
Wan Duzi took Xiao Man's pulse. Her pulse was still weak and erratic. Logically, in such a condition, she should not have woken up, yet Xiao Man had!
"Little monster! Black-hearted girl, does that kid Nangong Yu know how dark your heart is?"
Upon hearing this, Ying Xue's expression darkened: "Senior, please."
Wan Duzi stared at Ying Xue for a moment, then picked up the box by the bed and threw it to Ying Xue: "One pill a day. Give it to her on time each day. It will help her recover."
"Thank you, senior." Ying Xue's eyes brightened, and she quickly put it away. "I will take you to your lodging."
After Wen Mohan returned from the Prime Minister's mansion, he stayed in his study. Dark guards entered and exited. Prime Minister Wen felt uneasy, but his son had instructed that no one be allowed in. Even he was blocked by the guards at the door.
"My lord, is Han'er alright?"
"He hasn't eaten or drunk for two days. Even a man of iron cannot endure this!" Prime Minister Wen stomped his feet in anger. "Calamity, that calamity! Why didn't she just die!"
Prime Minister Wen's wife slapped Prime Minister Wen, causing him to flinch immediately. "Nonsense! She's not dead yet, and our son is already like this. If she dies, won't he go through more torment?"
Prime Minister Wen gnashed his teeth fiercely. The prize cabbage he had cultivated with all his heart had been defiled by the pig raised by Xiao Zhen. He was furious. He despised Xiao Zhen the most, and by extension, Xiao Man. Arrogant, presumptuous, always showing herself in public, and not content with domesticity. Such a woman was not worthy of being their Wen family's daughter-in-law!
The daughter-in-law of their Wen family must be gentle and virtuous, a capable helper to her husband. And look at Xiao Man, she was nothing like a capable helper!
"I have come to terms with it now. As long as my son is well, he can marry whomever he wishes." Prime Minister Wen's wife took a tray from a maid and walked towards the study. The guard at the door blocked her way.
"Madam, young master does not wish to be disturbed by anyone."
"Han'er, it's mother. I've brought you food." Prime Minister Wen's wife called out loudly.
"Come in."
Prime Minister Wen's wife was overjoyed to hear Wen Mohan allow her in. The guard opened the door for her. Prime Minister Wen wanted to follow, but his son had not spoken, and the guard would not let him in!
It was truly rare to be a father so humiliated. At home, he needed his son's permission to enter his study!
Prime Minister Wen's wife placed the food on the table and looked at the busy Wen Mohan, feeling a pang of pity. "Han'er, you haven't eaten for two days. How can your body withstand it? Please eat something first."
"Just put it down," Wen Mohan said without looking up.
Prime Minister Wen's wife gritted her teeth, snatched the brush from Wen Mohan's hand, and stuffed the chopsticks into his hand: "Eat. If you ruin your health, and that young lady from the Xiao family wakes up, it will be a gain for someone else!"
Wen Mohan frowned, looking at the chopsticks in his hand: "I don't want to eat."
"You have to eat even if you don't want to. You must eat, if only for Xiao Man's sake!" Prime Minister Wen's wife knew that Xiao Man was her son's Achilles' heel. To persuade her son, she had to use Xiao Man as leverage!
"Mother, my heart is very chaotic."
"Mother knows. You are heartbroken that Xiao Man was seriously injured, and you want to find the killer. But you cannot disregard your own health. If Xiao Man knew, she would certainly be angry that you don't take care of yourself." Prime Minister Wen's wife handed the bowl to Wen Mohan's other hand. "Eat. Eat your fill so you have the strength to avenge that girl."
"Didn't Mother dislike Man'er?"
"Mother admits, Mother indeed dislikes her. She is flamboyant and unruly, not a woman content with domesticity. But my son likes her, what can I do? I cannot make my son difficult, can I?" Prime Minister Wen's wife's eyes welled up with tears. "As long as you like her, your father and I will cast aside all pretense and fulfill your wish. When she wakes up, Mother will personally go to the General's mansion to propose for you!"
"Really?" Wen Mohan asked excitedly.
"Really!" Prime Minister Wen's wife urged Wen Mohan to eat while also serving him food. "However, before that, you must take good care of yourself. If you wear yourself out, how will you care for her?"
"Thank you, Mother." Wen Mohan immediately shoveled food into his mouth. That's right, he had to take care of himself. Otherwise, it would be a gain for the Prince of Qin. He finally understood now. He had been waiting, waiting for Xiao Man to actively discover his feelings for her, but he couldn't wait any longer!
Prime Minister Wen's wife breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her son clean up all the food she had brought. She collected the bowls and chopsticks and went out. Prime Minister Wen rushed to meet his wife when she came out. Seeing that all the food was gone, he couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
"You still have your ways. How did you convince him?" Prime Minister Wen walked alongside his wife.
"Alas, Han'er truly loves her to the bone. If Xiao Man can survive, we will go to the General's mansion to propose."
"What? Marry Xiao Man? I do not agree!"
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Wen's wife immediately put down the tray and slapped Prime Minister Wen: "For your insignificant pride, do you want to force our son to his death? Yu'er is already gone. If Han'er has any mishap, Wen Chang, I will not let you off!" Su Dan Novel Network
"A woman's opinion!" Prime Minister Wen blocked his face. "Do you know that if he marries Xiao Man, Han'er's future will be ruined? The alliance between a powerful official and a prominent minister is a major taboo!"