"A'yu, have you found any trace of the National Preceptor?"
"His whereabouts are not easy to track. It seems there's a force behind the scenes concealing his movements."
"It must be the Yaoyue Tower," Xiao Man said as she finished bandaging Nangong Yi's wound. "The influence of Yaoyue Tower spans across various countries and regions. It cannot be underestimated."
"It seems the National Preceptor's ambitions are indeed significant."
Xiao Man nodded in agreement. Feng Tianlan's schemes likely encompassed the entire realm. As for his identity, Xiao Man had a faint suspicion. The old monk likely knew Feng Tianlan's true identity but remained silent, probably out of fear.
"A'yu, do you know anything about the First Qin era?"
Nangong Yu shook his head. "Not much. After all, the four kingdoms are tight-lipped about the First Qin, and the palace records concerning it are scarce. Do you suspect the National Preceptor is connected to the First Qin?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "It's not that I suspect he has a direct connection to the First Qin, but rather that his clandestine schemes might be related to it."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed that items related to the First Qin are basically all produced by Yaoyue Tower?" Xiao Man sighed with some helplessness. Feng Tianlan was bringing the long-dormant First Qin back into prominence, and the implications were far from simple.
"Yaoyue Tower, and things related to the First Qin?" Nangong Yu pondered, then his eyes widened. "Things related to the First Qin... the Phoenix Pearl..."
Nangong Yu suddenly looked at Xiao Man. Xiao Man touched her face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"The Phoenix Pearl is in your possession!"
Xiao Man's expression changed. She clearly remembered revealing the information, luring Yu Qianmo to snatch the Phoenix Pearl, and then intercepting it midway, causing the Phoenix Pearl to disappear. Nangong Yu hadn't suspected her because she seemed unrelated to the Pearl. Now, she had inadvertently confessed!
Xiao Man rubbed her nose. "How did you guess?"
"If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have thought of it," Nangong Yu cursed himself for being foolish. Ever since he discovered Xiao Man's true identity, he had intentionally helped her conceal it. But he had forgotten that the things he couldn't figure out were always related to Xiao Man. No one else could have so quietly tricked the Phoenix Pearl away from Yu Qianmo!
Xiao Man smiled. Even if he guessed, she wouldn't hand over the Phoenix Pearl.
"Since it's with you, keep it safe. If others find out, it will be difficult to resolve."
"Don't worry, that thing isn't with me anymore," Xiao Man said with a beaming smile. "I gave it away."
Nangong Yu paused, then relaxed. If she gave it away, it was her own property, and it was natural for her to do so.
"As you wish," Nangong Yu said slowly. "I've come today to remind you of something else. For the Mid-Autumn Festival, it's best if you avoid entering the palace to prevent your identity from being exposed."
"I'm just curious. My disguise skills are impeccable. How can you all see through my disguises?" Xiao Man expressed her frustration. In the past, her disguise skills were always successful, but recently, she had suffered repeated failures. No matter how she disguised herself, Wen Mohan could always recognize her at a glance.
It was one thing for Wen Mohan to recognize her, but even Nangong Yi could see through her, which left her feeling helpless!
Nangong Yu chuckled upon hearing this. "If I changed my appearance and hid among the common people, could you recognize me?"
"Yes," Xiao Man replied without hesitation. "One can change their appearance, but a person's gaze and demeanor cannot be altered."
"Exactly."
Xiao Man covered her forehead with her hand, finally realizing where she had been negligent. "But to recognize someone, they must be very familiar with them. You all..."
Xiao Man stopped speaking mid-sentence. Was she not familiar with Nangong Yu? Was she not familiar with Wen Mohan? She and Nangong Yi had grown up together!
"Today, I'm truly grateful to Nangong Yi; otherwise, I would have been in grave danger," Xiao Man said slowly. "Normally, I find him unreliable, flirtatious, and lecherous, but I didn't expect him to be dependable at times."
Nangong Yu reached out and tucked a strand of Xiao Man's hair behind her ear. "Man'er, none of the imperial family members are easy to deal with. They often show only the side they wish others to see. If they were truly foolish, they wouldn't have survived this long."
"I naturally understand that," Xiao Man said without changing her expression. "I heard that things have been quite eventful in the Crown Prince's mansion recently."
"Is that woman yours?" Nangong Yu inquired. The Crown Prince had recently acquired a beauty, cherishing her like a treasure, and made her his beloved concubine. He spent every night in her chambers, indulging in sensual pleasures. Even the Crown Princess, Xue Ning'er, had lost his favor.
Xiao Man shook her head. "She's not mine, but I did add a spark to the fire."
"What fire?"
Xiao Man signaled for Nangong Yu to move closer and whispered a sentence in his ear. Nangong Yu's expression became somewhat indescribable. He stared at Xiao Man for a long time before slowly saying, "This Prince is full of vigor and strength. I have no need for medicine. Would you like to try?"
Xiao Man's face changed. She grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at Nangong Yu. "It must be difficult for His Highness Prince Qin. You are young and vigorous, yet you lack a woman to accompany you, to warm your bed. I imagine you must be quite stifled. Perhaps now that the Empress Dowager has returned, she can pick ten or eight young ladies from noble families for you to..."
Nangong Yu covered Xiao Man's babbling mouth. After a moment, he released her. "You're jealous."
"You're overthinking it. I wouldn't be jealous. If Your Highness likes..."
"I only like you," Nangong Yu said, pressing his forehead against Xiao Man's. "My eyes and heart only contain you. I only want you. You alone are almost too much for me; another ten or eight would be the death of me!"
Xiao Man turned her head away, cursing herself for being so easily flustered. Why was she getting angry?
Seeing Xiao Man's demeanor, Nangong Yu reached out to rub her head, but Xiao Man dodged. Nangong Yu's lips curved into a bewitching smile, and he whispered in her ear, "From now on, if I hear you say you'll find women for me, I will punish you severely."
"It's not me who wants to find women for you, it's the Emperor, it's the Empress Dowager!"
"I don't care about others, but you absolutely cannot," Nangong Yu said proudly. "This Prince has very high standards. I don't fancy just any woman. Up until now, you are the only one I've fancied."
"Should I feel honored, then?" Xiao Man asked irritably.
"No, *I* am honored," Nangong Yu cupped Xiao Man's face. "I am honored that you came into my life. I once thought you were a dream too far beyond my reach, that even if I spent my entire life, I could never be your man. I could only hide my love for you deep in my heart. Yet, I never imagined that Heaven would be so kind to me, sending you back into my life."