"Can't I be good to you?" Nan Gong Yu asked, half amused, half exasperated.
"I just feel a chill in my heart," Xiao Man mumbled softly.
Hearing this, Nan Gong Yu was both annoyed and amused. "I feel sorry that you've worked hard all day and want to wash your feet for you, but you think I have ulterior motives. Do you only want me to treat you badly before you're happy?"
"Then I'll definitely stay far away from you."
Nan Gong Yu was speechless. If he treated her well, she thought he had ulterior motives, and if he treated her badly, she'd immediately run far away. He had it so hard.
"Things here in Zhang County will soon be back on track, and those patients are gradually recovering. What do you plan to do next?"
"Gather information?"
"I need to return to the capital," Nan Gong Yu said while washing Xiao Man's feet. "Such a big incident has occurred in Jiang Province, someone must be held responsible."
"The Crown Prince is likely in trouble this time."
"Why do you think it's the Crown Prince?" Nan Gong Yu inquired.
"Nan Gong Yi, that man, is fond of money and beautiful women. The Jin family is his money bag. He doesn't lack money, so he doesn't need to get involved in such a mess."
"This is where weapons are being made."
"He doesn't even have soldiers, so where would he need weapons?" Xiao Man said slowly. "The remaining contenders are the Prince of Chu and the Crown Prince."
"The Prince of Chu married the daughter of the Duke of Chen, gaining the support of military generals. He's doing very well in the capital now," Nan Gong Yu said with a calm demeanor. "He also has a motive for illegally manufacturing weapons."
Xiao Man stared at Nan Gong Yu for a long time, making him feel uneasy. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm checking if you're sad."
"Why would I be sad?" Nan Gong Yu asked, confused.
"Another girl who fancied you is married to someone else. Aren't you sad?" Xiao Man teased.
Nan Gong Yu glared at Xiao Man helplessly. "Xiao Man, do you have to anger me?"
"Just joking," Xiao Man said seriously. "The Prince of Chu has been in Jiangnan for ten years. When the incident in Jiang Province happened, he was the first person people thought of. He's not stupid, how could he do something that would dig his own grave?"
"That's true. The mastermind behind Jiang Province is indeed the Crown Prince."
"Be careful with the two witnesses you have. Don't let them be silenced," Xiao Man warned.
"Don't worry, these two have already been secretly escorted to the capital. Those in prison are just decoys," Nan Gong Yu picked up a nearby cloth and wiped Xiao Man's feet dry. "Since you have nothing to do now, why don't you disguise yourself as my strategist and return to the capital with me?"
"Who says I have nothing to do?" Xiao Man retorted. "If it weren't for worrying that Mo Han would recklessly bury himself here, I would have left Jiang Province long ago."
Nan Gong Yu's eyes darkened slightly. "Are you worried about Xiao Luo?"
Xiao Man nodded. It was less about worrying for Xiao Luo and more about worrying for Du Gu Ming Yu. If Mu Rong Sheng Rui was in Pingxi City, then his target would definitely be Ming Yu!
"With Xiao Luo's ability, he shouldn't be no match for Xia Hou Ying."
"If it were just Xia Hou Ying alone, I wouldn't worry, but there are others in Pingxi City," Xiao Man said with some concern. "I suspect Yun Qi has changed commanders. My brother and the others have suffered consecutive defeats, which is unusual. If I don't go and see, I'll never be at ease. Therefore, I must go to Yunzhong City."
"I can't accompany you to Yunzhong City. Be extremely careful. Do not put yourself in danger, and do not make me worry."
"Don't worry, I'm just going to see my brother."
"I have to leave before dawn tomorrow, so I won't say goodbye."
"Alright."
Nan Gong Yu quietly left Zhang County and rushed back to the capital.
The Crown Prince had always been cautious and reserved, never giving anyone a chance to find fault. With such a major mistake this time, how could Nan Gong Yu let him off?
After Nan Gong Yu left, Xiao Man also decided to leave and head to Yunzhong City. Yunzhong City was a barrier that must not be lost. Moreover, Mu Rong Sheng Rui had already become suspicious, and she needed to buy herself time.
"Man'er, are you leaving?" Wen Mo Han's illness had completely recovered. Apart from a slightly pale complexion, he had returned to his former gentle demeanor.
"The situation in Zhang County has stabilized, and the common people infected with the epidemic are gradually improving. It's time for me to attend to my own matters."
"I've held you back," Wen Mo Han said apologetically. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been trapped in Zhang County for so long."
"Mother will stay here to help you until the people of Zhang County have recovered. She will likely return to the capital with you," Xiao Man said gently. "Next time, don't be so reckless. If even you get into trouble, who will save these people?"
"I'm sorry, it won't happen next time."
"You still want a next time!" Xiao Man chided. "If there's a next time, I won't help you anymore."
"Alright, no next time," Wen Mo Han said with a smile. "Where are you planning to go next, Man'er?"
"I managed to escape the capital by faking serious injuries, so I definitely can't go back. I want to visit my brother in Yunzhong City." They walked side by side on the streets that had returned to normal. The surviving common people greeted them one after another.
"Man'er, will you hate me for the mistakes of others?"
Xiao Man stopped. "Why ask such a question?"
"His Royal Highness Prince Qin... Prince Qin said... said you hate me."
Xiao Man was a little confused. "Why would I hate you?"
"He said that Wen Mo Yu is still alive, that he injured your brother, and that you find me loathsome just by seeing me..."
"Nan Gong Yu!" Xiao Man gritted her teeth. "Don't listen to his nonsense. He's spouting lies. I admit I hate Wen Mo Yu, but Wen Mo Yu is Wen Mo Yu, and you are you. The one who harmed my brother was Wen Mo Yu, not you."
"But Wen Mo Yu was raised in the Prime Minister's mansion. As the saying goes, love me, love my dog, hate me, hate my dog. Man'er, tell me the truth, did you give the jade bracelet I gave you to Prince Qin because you hated me?"
"The jade bracelet..." Xiao Man suddenly remembered. She raised her left wrist. The bracelet that Prince Qin had taken was now back on her wrist. "It's not like that. A' Yu told me that this bracelet has been passed down in the Prime Minister's family for generations and holds great significance for you. It's meant for the future mistress of the Prime Minister's mansion, so I asked him to return it to you."
Xiao Man looked at the bracelet on her wrist, then took it off and handed it to Wen Mo Han. "I clearly remember him taking it and saying he was returning it to you, but when I woke up from my serious injuries, I found it back on my wrist. Here, I'll return it to you now."
Wen Mo Han took the bracelet from Xiao Man's hand. "Man'er, do you know why I gave you this bracelet?"
"It was to make me reconcile with Wen Mo Yu," Xiao Man said truthfully, remembering what Nan Gong Yu had said. "But I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. I and Wen Mo Yu can never reconcile. She did something I can never forgive."
Wen Mo Han held Xiao Man's hand, his smile pale and fragile, his gentle eyes seeming as though they could be filled with pain at any moment.
"Man'er, I gave you this jade bracelet because I admire you. I want to be the one standing by your side, watching the spring and autumn with you, and growing old with you."