Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu with confusion. She didn't quite understand his words. If Nangong Yu loved Xiao Man, even if marrying her was difficult, it wouldn't be unattainable if he truly wanted to. But why did he say it was impossibly distant? Moreover, Xiao Zhen doted on Xiao Man the most. If Xiao Man insisted on being with Nangong Yu, Xiao Zhen wouldn't hesitate to give up his military power.
A sudden sense of loss, even a touch of unwillingness, welled up in Xiao Man's heart. Nangong Yu loved Xiao Man; if one day he knew she wasn't Xiao Man, would he still treat her this way?
As Nangong Yu's face drew closer, Xiao Man, with a guilty conscience, turned her head away. Nangong Yu's lips brushed past her cheek. "It's getting late, you should go back and rest. I'm also very tired and want to rest early."
Nangong Yu sighed. Could he not rush things?
"Alright, since you're not feeling well, rest early." Nangong Yu helped Xiao Man lie down, tucked her in, and said, "I'll come to see you another day."
Xiao Man nodded and watched Nangong Yu leave. Only then did she slowly close her eyes. After a long time, she opened them again, the struggle in her eyes gone. No one could stop what she had to do. She wouldn't allow herself to be lost in romantic sentiments!
The next day, Nangong Yan returned from court and went to find Xiao Man. Xiao Man was in the courtyard, watering medicinal herbs.
"Sir."
"Greetings to Your Highness. You've come in such a hurry; is there any fresh news from the morning court?" Xiao Man put down the watering can and asked.
"There was quite a bit of business in court today. Ministers from the Grand General's faction impeached many civil officials, and the Prime Minister impeached many military officials. All these people were more or less connected to the Crown Prince. However, let's put that aside for now. Sir, please accompany me to Prince Qi's manor."
"Was Prince Qi also impeached?" Xiao Man asked calmly. After all, Nangong Yi being impeached wasn't new. The censors had submitted at least eighty memorials impeaching him, yet he still acted as he pleased.
"No, it's just that Consort Nian, who was pregnant in the thirteenth prince's manor, accidentally fell into the water and died. That was the thirteenth prince's first child, and he must be heartbroken. So, he wants to ask for your company to visit him."
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness. Allow me to change my clothes." Fell into the water? Nian Nu Jiao is dead? Xiao Man was filled with questions, but her expression remained calm. After changing her clothes, she left with Nangong Yan.
Prince Qi's manor was quiet, with no white silk banners hung. Nian Nu Jiao was not Prince Qi's official consort, merely a concubine. Even in death, the manor wouldn't hold a formal mourning ceremony.
Nian Nu Jiao's body was placed in the small courtyard where she resided. Nangong Yi had dismissed all the other beauties from his manor, leaving few people. When the two arrived, Nangong Yi was standing by the coffin, his expression cold, showing no discernible joy or sorrow.
"Thirteenth brother."
Nangong Yi heard the voice and turned around. Seeing Nangong Yan arrive with Xiao Man behind him, his gaze fell on Xiao Man. Xiao Man's complexion was still a little pale, likely due to yesterday's events and not yet fully recovered.
"Third Imperial Brother, Sir Xiao." Nangong Yi walked up and stopped them. "Let's go outside; it's too stuffy here."
"Thirteenth brother, my condolences."
Nangong Yi gave a bitter smile. "It seems this child and I were not fated."
Nangong Yan immediately walked out with Nangong Yi. As they exited the courtyard gate, Nangong Yi accidentally caught his foot on the threshold and almost fell. It was Xiao Man who reached out and steadied him, preventing him from losing his composure.
"Thank you, sir." Nangong Yi quickly said.
"Watch your step." After Nangong Yi stood straight, Xiao Man withdrew her hand. Nangong Yan and Nangong Yi walked side by side, with Xiao Man a step behind them.
"I don't know how the servants attend to their master. The master accidentally fell into the water, and no one noticed," Nangong Yan said gently. "You, my brother, are too lenient with your subordinates. Today, it was a concubine who accidentally fell, and no one noticed. If, one day, other important guests were to fall and something happened, what then?"
"Third Imperial Brother, you are right. I will properly reprimand the household servants." Nangong Yi's voice sounded somewhat low. Nangong Yan thought that it was probably because his first child had died before even being born, and he must be heartbroken.
"The Crown Prince has arrived."
The two exchanged a glance and immediately went to meet him. Indeed, they saw the Crown Prince approaching. "Greetings, Crown Prince Imperial Brother."
"Rise. Third brother is here too." A flicker of wariness crossed the Crown Prince's eyes, but his expression remained gentle. "I heard that the Thirteenth Prince's beloved consort accidentally fell into the water, resulting in two deaths. I've come to offer my condolences. Thirteenth brother, are you alright?"
"Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince Imperial Brother. This subject is fine."
"Don't be too sad. You will have other children." The Crown Prince comforted him. "I have specifically found two beauties for you. Take a look, do you like them?"
As soon as the Crown Prince entered, Xiao Man noticed two beauties following behind him, dressed very simply. At first glance, they seemed pure and charming. Upon closer inspection, one noticed that these two had captivating eyes that made one's bones tingle.
"Crown Prince Imperial Brother, Thirteenth brother is about to be married." Nangong Yan reminded the Crown Prince. Nangong Yi's wedding was imminent, and if he took in two beauties at this time, it would be difficult to explain to the Grand Tutor's manor.
"Look at my memory, I've forgotten that Thirteenth brother is about to get married." The Crown Prince waved his hand. "However, as a prince, it's only natural for Thirteenth brother to have a few close companions. One cannot possibly prevent other beauties from entering the manor just because he is marrying the daughter of the Grand Tutor's manor, can one?"
Nangong Yi remained silent. His peripheral vision noticed Xiao Man's expression, only to find that Xiao Man's eyes were staring intently at the two beauties brought by the Crown Prince, as if she were about to drool!
Nangong Yi felt a pang of distress. "Crown Prince Imperial Brother's kind intentions are appreciated, but this subject has no fortune to accept them."
The Crown Prince, upon hearing this, was not angry. "I thought Thirteenth brother enjoyed beauty, and I brought two beauties for you, hoping you would be happier. Unexpectedly, it has instead displeased Thirteenth brother. I ask for your forgiveness."
"Crown Prince Imperial Brother worries too much. In the past, this subject was foolish. Now that my wedding is imminent, how can I be as extravagant as before?" Nangong Yi's expression was listless. "This subject is feeling unwell and will not detain Crown Prince Imperial Brother and Third Imperial Brother any longer."
"Then, Thirteenth brother, rest well. We shall take our leave." Nangong Yan immediately took his leave.
"Sir Xiao." Nangong Yi saw Xiao Man about to leave and quickly called out to her.
"Prince Qi."
"This prince feels unwell. I've heard that Sir Xiao's medical skills are superb. Could I trouble you to examine me?" Nangong Yi looked at Nangong Yan. "Third Imperial Brother, you don't mind lending Sir Xiao to me, do you?"
"Thirteenth brother, where are you being so formal? If Sir Xiao can be of help, I, your brother, am also very pleased." Nangong Yi immediately said, "Please trouble Sir to treat Thirteenth brother."
"It's a small matter. Your Highness, please go first."