The carriage traveled smoothly out of the Imperial City, heading directly for Gan Ye Temple.
The group arrived safely at Gan Ye Temple. Xiao Man moved into the bamboo forest in the forbidden area of the back mountain. The bamboo forest was covered in formations, making it difficult for outsiders to enter. Moreover, with Master Wu You, whose Buddhist studies were profound, stationed there, even a master like Nangong Yu would not be able to enter the bamboo forest easily.
Master Wu You looked at the lifeless Xiao Man lying on the bed and felt a headache coming on. He sent the two maids away, stepped forward, and pressed a few points on Xiao Man's body.
The unconscious person slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Wu You, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.
"You little vixen, can't you let this old monk do something good?" Master Wu You couldn't help but complain. "You get worse each time. This time, you even made this old monk go and trick your father!"
Xiao Man sat up and leaned against the back of the bed. She said weakly, "This isn't tricking my father. I genuinely need to recuperate. It's not convenient for me to recover from my injuries in the Imperial City."
"I think you have other plans, don't you?" Master Wu You looked disgusted. What bad luck he had with friends! He was a monk, and because of his bad luck with friends, he had almost broken all his precepts.
Xiao Man did not deny it. In the Imperial City, everyone's eyes were on her. Only by leaving the Imperial City and stepping out of the chessboard could she act freely and see clearly which forces were lurking in the shadows, ready to strike.
"I definitely have plans. That's why I need your help."
"Or, perhaps this old monk should send you back."
"A monk is compassionate," Xiao Man said softly. "Look at me, covered in injuries. Can you bear it?"
"Karma and retribution."
"Indeed, karma and retribution," Xiao Man gritted her teeth. "I shouldn't have saved them back then. If they had all died, I wouldn't be suffering today!"
Master Wu You forced a smile. He couldn't possibly respond by saying she shouldn't have saved them. It was just that too many people and matters related to Du Gu Man had gathered around Xiao Man, arousing others' vigilance, so it was normal for her to end up in this situation. No, this little vixen, who always planned everything, had deliberately fallen into this situation, hadn't she?
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"To recuperate at Gan Ye Temple, to gain a sliver of hope for survival." Xiao Man looked at Master Wu You. "Master, how could you forget? These were words you said to my father."
Wu You was momentarily speechless. He simply twirled his prayer beads and began to chant. Xiao Man lay down to rest, having sustained serious injuries for this good show!
However, trading serious injuries for three years of freedom was worth it! Three years would be enough for her to recover to her peak strength!
The news that Xiao Man had been taken away by Master Wu You quickly spread throughout the Imperial City. Feng Tianlan was quite puzzled. Xiao Man was severely injured, and what was Wu You's intention in taking her away at this time?
"National Preceptor."
"How is it?"
"Master Wu You has indeed taken the eldest young lady to Gan Ye Temple. The hot springs at Gan Ye Temple are indeed beneficial for the eldest young lady's injuries. Her maids, Yin Zhu and Ying Xue, are attending to her."
"How... how is she?"
"She has not yet woken up. Master Wu You visits her daily to treat her. Due to the numerous traps in the bamboo forest, our people cannot get in, and we don't know the specific situation of the eldest young lady." Who would have thought that Master Wu You was not only an enlightened monk but also a master of medicine.
"With his help, Man'er might indeed have a chance of survival. This person does not participate in any conflicts, so Man'er is safer under his protection than in the Imperial City," Feng Tianlan said slowly. If there was anyone in the Imperial City capable of treating Xiao Man's severe injuries, it would be Wu You. However, he still had a hidden concern about Wu You.
"Have you found out if Wu You has contacted anyone under that person?" Feng Tianlan asked slowly after a moment of silence. Wu You had become sworn friends with that person years ago and had taught her medical skills, almost ruining his plans.
"No, apart from occasionally giving Dharma talks to his followers, Master Wu You has only met with the dignitaries of the Imperial City. The eldest young lady also visited him. In addition, there were the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Chu. He hasn't met anyone else."
"Keep a close watch. That monk is incredibly sinister. With Man'er in his hands, I must be cautious," Feng Tianlan said coldly. This person had a close relationship with that person, so he couldn't let his guard down.
"Yes, National Preceptor."
The old emperor was convinced by the imperial physicians that Xiao Man had little time left. He did not pay much attention to Master Wu You taking Xiao Man away to recuperate.
"Xiao Si, how is your recovery?"
"Am I not still lying in bed? Father, if you have me carried into the palace like this, the officials in the Advisory Council will impeach me for being spoiled tomorrow." Nangong Yu said weakly.
"Are you afraid of them? Remember last year, you said you would get married within a year. Do you have a marriage prospect now?" the old emperor asked while reviewing memorials.
Nangong Yu lay on his side on the couch, playing with a newly acquired white cat. The cat's personality was just like Xiao Man's. No matter how you tried to please it, it would ignore you. But if you played with its favorite cat toy, it would immediately become energetic!
Nangong Yu used the cat toy to entice the white cat. He watched the cat's plump body nimbly pounce at the cat toy in his hand. "Yes."
"Which young lady from the He family?"
"Miss Xiao."
The old emperor's hand paused while reviewing the memorials. "There are many young ladies in the Xiao family. Which one do you fancy?"
"Xiao Man." Nangong Yu dangled the cat toy, making the cat jump and run, but it just couldn't grab it. The enraged cat raised its claws and lunged at Nangong Yu's face, but Nangong Yu flicked it away with his finger, sending it tumbling on the couch.
"Why are you set on Xiao Man?"
"I suddenly feel that she looks alright, and her martial arts are also good." Nangong Yu continued to play with the cat. The cat was persistent and pounced again. Every time it couldn't get what it wanted, it would bare its claws at Nangong Yu, only to be flicked away again and land on the couch. The more Nangong Yu looked, the more he felt it resembled Xiao Man. When Xiao Man was angry, she would strike. When she realized she was outmatched, she would immediately concede.
The old emperor found this amusing. "Are you sure you want to marry her?"
"I find her moderately pleasing to the eye, and since the one-year deadline is approaching, I will reluctantly marry her."
"That's truly a hardship for you."
"No hardship, Father, quickly grant the imperial decree for our marriage." Nangong Yu sat up, picked up the cat, and began to rub it affectionately.
"I see, you don't sincerely want to marry Xiao Man. You want to use marrying Xiao Man as an excuse to avoid marriage!" the old emperor gritted his teeth, the scoundrel!
"Father, this son sincerely wants to marry her, truer than true gold!" Nangong Yu said earnestly.
The emperor did not believe him. He deliberately chose Xiao Man, who was severely injured and unconscious, and had been sent away. Whether she could return alive was unknown. This brat was simply looking for an excuse not to get married!
However, how could he know that Nangong Yu genuinely wanted to marry Xiao Man!