"Why are you following me so late?" Xiao Man asked.
"I have something to discuss with you," Wen Mohan indicated for Xiao Man to sit down. He wanted to pour her some tea, but the house had been empty for so long that there wasn't even water, let alone tea.
Suddenly, as if a thought struck him, Wen Mohan opened a cabinet. It was filled with rows and rows of bottles and jars. He took out a jade pot and two cups, pouring one for Xiao Man. "Knowing you can't hold your liquor, I didn't dare to let you drink. This is Yang Zhi Gan Lu, which I collected specifically for you. Have a taste."
Xiao Man took the cup and took a sip. It was sweet and refreshing. "It must have taken a lot of effort to collect a whole jar of this."
"It certainly did take a lot of effort. However, if you drink it, then no amount of effort would be too much."
"I feel so honored," Xiao Man said, finishing the sweet drink and handing the cup back to Wen Mohan. "Another cup."
Wen Mohan smiled and refilled her cup. "Drink slowly, it's all yours."
Xiao Man's eyes lit up with joy. "Right, what did you want to discuss?"
Wen Mohan put down his cup, raised his eyebrows, and looked at Xiao Man seriously. "Man'er, do you want to get married?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this question?" Xiao Man asked as she sipped the sweet drink.
"Several princes have already come of age, and His Majesty is in his prime. The princes are busy forming factions and preparing for their future ascension to the throne. Money and military power are necessities. The Jin, Cen, and Shangguan families are the three major money bags, all currently in the imperial capital. Prince Qin, the Xiao family, and the Pei family, respectively, hold military power. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, with countless people supporting him. The Jin family supports Prince Qi. Prince Qin is the only prince holding military power. The Cen, Shangguan, Xiao, and Pei families are considered rich pickings by everyone."
"Mohan, you've forgotten someone."
"Who?"
"Yourself," Xiao Man said softly. "To achieve anything, one needs favorable timing, opportune location, and the unity of people. With money and military power, there's still one piece missing."
"Yes, I am also a piece of rich pickings," Wen Mohan said with a smile. "However, among everyone, your situation is the most dangerous."
Xiao Man did not refute this, because Wen Mohan was speaking the truth. Her situation was indeed the most perilous. She was now a princess personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, her father commanded the Shen Du Camp, and her brother held sway in Yun Zhong City. The Xiao family was at its peak, and she had become the most sought-after prize!
Wen Mohan paused for a moment, then continued, "If you wish to get married, you must choose someone who has no connection to royal power and no connection to powerful officials. Qin Zeyan is your best choice."
"Qin Zeyan and I are impossible."
"I imagine Qin Zeyan also understands this. The reason he chose to reveal your agreement at this time was also to help you."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. "Zeyan is a good person."
"Besides Qin Zeyan, whom you marry will make His Majesty restless," Wen Mohan said gently. "The Crown Prince already has the Xue family behind him. You will not be a concubine, but that doesn't mean the Crown Prince won't scheme about your marriage. For example, having Xue Kun marry you."
Xiao Man picked up her cup and took small sips of the sweet drink. "This person can be ruled out. Neither His Majesty nor my father would agree."
"Next, Prince Chu," Wen Mohan said as he saw Xiao Man's cup was empty and refilled it. "Prince Chu has lived in Jiangnan for a long time and has no influence in the imperial capital. If you are willing to be Prince Chu's consort, His Majesty would likely agree with a heavy heart. However, once Prince Chu marries you, the other princes will be restless. They will do everything in their power to prevent you from marrying Prince Chu. The best way..."
"Is to kill me."
Wen Mohan nodded. "Precisely. They would choose to kill you. As for Prince Qin, he holds military power and is the prince with the highest popularity besides the Crown Prince. He is also the person you are least likely to marry, because no one would permit it."
Xiao Man silently drank her tea. Of course, she knew this was why she adamantly denied any physical intimacy with Nangong Yu.
"As for Prince Han, his character is low-class and cruel. He is the least suitable. As for Prince Qi..."
"Prince Qi already possesses considerable financial resources, and with the military power of the General's Mansion, he could even usurp the throne," Xiao Man interjected. "I never considered marrying a prince."
"Then, I am also a candidate," Wen Mohan said, a slight blush on his ears. "If you were to marry me, the price you would pay would be the smallest."
"The price of your future is not small," Xiao Man said softly. "Marrying me would mean you would be sent out of the imperial capital, forever severed from the center of power."
"I don't mind."
"I do mind," Xiao Man said, looking at Wen Mohan. "Mohan, I know you are doing this for my own good, but this kind of act, sacrificing your future and the happiness of your remaining life, is foolish."
Wen Mohan did not reply. There were other paths to a future besides becoming a high-ranking official. As for the happiness of his remaining life, Xiao Man, did you know that you were the happiness of my remaining life?
"So, you don't intend to get married in the near future." As expected, Wen Mohan felt an inexplicable sense of relief. "If you want to avoid marriage openly, there is only one path: mourning the death of a parent."
"The only two people in the entire General's Mansion who could cause me to observe mourning are my father and Old Madam Xiao," Xiao Man said, putting down her cup. "And I have no intention of harming Old Madam Xiao."
Wen Mohan lowered his gaze. Xiao Man understood his meaning, but she was ultimately too soft-hearted. "There's no need for Man'er to act. I..."
"Mohan!" Xiao Man interrupted him, put down her teacup, and took his hand. "Such beautiful hands should not be stained with blood. Rest assured, I have this matter under control."
"Man'er..."
"Even if I worry that those blinded by power will not let me go," Xiao Man said slowly. "Thank you for considering me so carefully. Don't worry, I am not one to wait for death."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Wen Mohan asked softly. He had originally intended for Xiao Man to use the excuse of mourning to go to Cangzhou and avoid the turmoil in the imperial capital. As expected, she refused. She was, after all, a kind-hearted woman. Even though Old Madam Xiao had harmed her time and again, she still did not wish to kill her.
"You just need to protect yourself," Xiao Man said, releasing Wen Mohan's hand. She thought of Wen Moyu. She and Wen Moyu were already in a deadly feud. Facing Wen Mohan's kindness, she felt a pang of guilt. "Also, don't be so good to me. I don't deserve it."
Wen Mohan looked at Xiao Man in surprise, but only saw her retreating back. "Man'er... do you dislike me?"
Xiao Man shook her head. She was afraid that if she interacted too much with Wen Mohan, she wouldn't be able to bring herself to kill Wen Moyu. However, the pain Wen Moyu had inflicted on her brother and sister-in-law was something she could never forgive.
"It's good that you don't dislike me," Wen Mohan said gently. "You said we are friends. Isn't it natural to be good to friends?"