Xiao Man stayed at the Qin Prince's mansion until dusk before slowly emerging.
As she turned the corner, she saw the Chu Prince's carriage waiting and immediately bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Please, come in, sir."
Inside the carriage, Nangong Yan stared at Xiao Man's neck for a long time. There were finger marks on her neck, indicating the negotiation had not gone smoothly. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine. Prince Qin is a bit short-tempered," Xiao Man said dismissively. "Although he didn't agree immediately, he was moved. With a little more push, he'll surely agree."
Nangong Yan handed Xiao Man a bottle of medicine. "This is for reducing bruises and promoting blood circulation."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Thank you for your hard work, sir. My fourth brother has a stubborn personality and doesn't listen to advice. I imagine this trip was very difficult for you. However, besides you, I cannot find anyone suitable for this matter. Please forgive me."
"I took this upon myself, and I am already grateful that Your Highness does not blame me as the task is not yet complete." Xiao Man spoke politely. "By the way, Prince Qi also visited Prince Qin's mansion today and arranged to see me tomorrow, saying he wants to eat steamed fish with lotus leaves. Would Your Highness like to join?"
"Thirteenth brother is coming?" Nangong Yan's thoughts stirred slightly. "Perfect. Tomorrow is my day off. I'll join Thirteenth brother and taste sir's steamed fish with lotus leaves."
The next morning, before dawn, Nangong Yi ran to the Chu Prince's mansion.
The young gatekeeper, recognizing him, opened the door and let him in.
Xiao Man usually woke up early for her training. She had only pretended to sleep in to avoid suspicion. After finishing her practice, when she felt it was about time, she prepared to go out and catch fish.
However, as soon as she opened the door, she saw Nangong Yi sitting by the entrance, covered in mud and water. Beside him, a bucket held several fish. Seeing Xiao Man open the door, he quickly stood up.
"Sir, you're awake! I've already caught the fish," Nangong Yi said, picking up a fish to show Xiao Man.
Xiao Man found it amusing. "You're covered in mud and water, and you didn't think to knock?"
"I was afraid of disturbing your sleep," Nangong Yi said with a smile, carrying the bucket as he followed Xiao Man inside. "I specifically chose fat and large fish today."
"Steamed fish doesn't need to be too big," Xiao Man said, going into the room to get a towel and clothes, placing them on a stool. "Wash up before coming in."
"Got it!" A gleam of triumph flashed in Nangong Yi's eyes. He washed himself with water from the缸 in the courtyard, changed into clean clothes, and came in. Xiao Man had already prepared the fish.
"Sir, what can I do?" Nangong Yi leaned in and asked.
"Your Highness is a guest today. You just need to sit and wait," Xiao Man said, pointing to a chair under the eaves and indicating for Nangong Yi to sit and rest.
"I want to help you." Nangong Yi shook his head and followed Xiao Man like a little tail. "Sir, I don't want to get married. Can you help me think of a way?"
"Hand me the lotus leaves," Xiao Man instructed without looking up. She took the lotus leaves from Nangong Yi and, while wrapping the fish, said, "Miss Du is a good girl. Your Highness, do not disappoint her."
"No matter how good she is, if she's not the one I love, it's useless," Nangong Yi said softly, staring at Xiao Man's back.
"The one you love?" Xiao Man thought carefully. "Nian Nu Jiao?"
"No."
"I heard she is pregnant. Congratulations to Your Highness on becoming a father soon." Xiao Man finished wrapping the fish and began selecting ingredients for a few side dishes. After all, they had important matters to discuss, and it couldn't be just a single dish of fish.
Nangong Yi lowered his gaze, his emotions hidden. He used to think that as long as Xiao Man was by his side, it would be enough. But now, even with Xiao Man nearby, he felt she was very, very far away, no matter how hard he reached out, he couldn't grasp her.
"Does sir like children?"
"I don't," Xiao Man said frankly. "They're too noisy."
"Children are supposed to be noisy," Nangong Yi sat down beside her, watching Xiao Man busily working in an orderly fashion. How happy it would be to come home every day and chat with the one he loved, and cook together?
"I've always wanted to live an ordinary life, to marry the woman I love, to come home every day, help her wash vegetables and cook, chat about daily life, have a son and a daughter, raise them, watch them get married and have children, and then grow old together. We'd go for walks holding hands, or drink tea and play chess in the courtyard. She'd sometimes playfully hide a couple of chess pieces, and I'd pretend not to notice, feigning defeat, until we both grew old and were buried in the same grave."
Xiao Man said as she chopped vegetables, "That kind of life is quite good."
"What kind of life does sir envision?"
"Me?" A smile played on Xiao Man's lips. "I don't like plain days."
"Does sir like excitement?"
"I like to give others excitement," Xiao Man said cryptically. Soon, the world would be in turmoil, and Nangong Yi's peaceful days would ultimately be in vain.
Xiao Man looked at the sun. It was getting late. She put the fish in the steamer and started cooking the dishes. Nangong Yi sat by the stove, tending the fire. In the rising steam, Xiao Man's expression was somewhat indistinct. The smoke formed a giant, phantom shadow behind her, like a monstrous beast about to devour the world.
Nangong Yi was startled. When he looked closely, Xiao Man was still Xiao Man, her expression still gentle. Her eyes were particularly brilliant, as if they held mountains and rivers, drawing people in.
The Chu Prince arrived precisely on time. The food was ready and placed on the table when the Chu Prince arrived. The Chu Prince brought out his treasured wine, and the brothers clinked glasses, neither of them bringing up the alliance.
Xiao Man secretly took a hangover pill and drank her wine in one gulp. "Prince Qi, we've eaten the fish and drunk the wine. It's time to discuss business."
Nangong Yi was a little drunk, his face flushed. He said with a smile, "Whatever my brothers decide, I will do."
Nangong Yan's smile was gentle and sunny, like a loving older brother. "Thirteenth brother, you're drunk."
"I'm not drunk," Nangong Yi poured himself another cup of wine and clinked it with Nangong Yan's. "Third brother, you have to protect me. Fourth brother is bad; he always takes what I like."
"You say you're not drunk, yet you say Fourth Brother would snatch your favorite things. Fourth Brother isn't the type to do that," Nangong Yan drank his wine and looked at Nangong Yi pouting with dissatisfaction, his smile growing even gentler.
Nangong Yi drank cup after cup. Suddenly, he grabbed Xiao Man's wrist. "Sir, tell me, is my Fourth Brother a bad person?"
"Bad people don't write those words on their faces. How would I know who is a bad person?" Xiao Man said subtly.
"Sir, you're bullying me too!" Nangong Yi hugged Xiao Man's arm, resting his head on her shoulder. "We are friends. You can't side with Fourth Brother and bully me."