Murong Shengrui's eyes flashed with a hint of light, "Zhan Tianque is in Cangzhou?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes." Wen Moyu's eyes flashed with a vicious glint, "Your subordinate suspects that Xiao Man is not truly injured but is feigning it. As for her purpose, your subordinate cannot yet fathom it. However, Xiao Man and her brother Xiao Luo have a deep affection for each other. If Your Majesty can capture Yunzhong City's general Xiao Luo, and if Xiao Man is indeed not seriously injured, she will surely rush to Yunzhong City to save her brother."
"Miss Wen indeed has great skill. Unable to defeat someone yourself, you intend to use Your Majesty to exact personal revenge." Xiahou Ying said slowly, "Your Majesty, this woman cannot be trusted."
Wen Moyu coldly snorted, "I heard that General Xiahou suffered a loss at Xiao Man's hands. Does General Xiahou not wish for revenge?"
Xiahou Ying narrowed his eyes, staring dangerously at Wen Moyu. The fact that he had suffered a loss at Xiao Man's hands was known to very few people, certainly not including this woman!
"Xiahou, you have seen Xiao Man?" The young emperor, with a cold gaze, looked at his companion. Su Dan Novel Network
"Replying to Your Majesty, I have," Xiahou Ying said gently. "When I was ordered to pursue Prince Yu Sheng's Qin, I happened to encounter them together. Because I underestimated her, I was injured by her hidden weapons, and she even managed to rescue the Prince of Qin."
"How are her skills?"
"Average, not my match," Xiahou Ying stated truthfully.
"What is her temperament like?"
Xiahou Ying fell silent. Her temperament was calm and collected, as if everything were within her control. "Arrogant and overbearing, willful and capricious, with a bit of cunning."
The young emperor quietly observed Xiahou Ying, trying to discern any hint of guilt from him. However, there was none, as if everything he said were the truth.
"General Xiahou, do not be deceived by Xiao Man's facade. This Xiao Man is deep in thought and cunning. She is adept at feigning weakness to have men fight for her. She even instigated my brother and me to fall out. If you underestimate her, you will suffer."
Wen Moyu harbored deep hatred for Xiao Man. If not for Xiao Man, she would have been the high and mighty Princess of Qin, living in harmony with the man she loved and in close affection with her family. Her current predicament was all Xiao Man's fault!
Xiahou Ying sneered, "These are merely the tactics of women vying for favor in the inner court. A woman like you, who cannot even navigate the inner court, do you think you can manage on the battlefield?"
"Does General Xiahou look down on women?"
"This general does not look down on women, only on you."
"You..." Wen Moyu trembled with anger but was helpless. She was no longer the high and mighty lady of the prime minister's mansion, whom everyone fawned over. She was merely a traitor abandoned by her family and defected to the enemy. "Do not bully me..."
"Enough." Murong Shengrui interrupted their quarrel. "You say Xiao Man might be feigning serious injury?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, your subordinate merely suspects it. Xiao Man has been targeted for assassination multiple times. When she travels, she is always accompanied by numerous hidden guards, and two extremely formidable personal bodyguards, a man and a woman. That woman is petite and delicate, wields a greatsword, and is extremely powerful."
"Dugu Luo."
"Your subordinate heard Xiao Man call her 'A Luo'."
An unprecedented light erupted in Murong Shengrui's eyes. Dugu Luo was by Xiao Man's side! Yet, when he was at Gan'ye Temple, he had not seen Dugu Luo! Could the woman at Gan'ye Temple not have been the real Xiao Man, but merely a substitute? No, that woman showed no signs of disguise. However, Xiao Luo could be tested.
"Xiahou, prepare yourself. I want you to capture Xiao Luo."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Murong Shengrui looked at Wen Moyu, who still hadn't left, and frowned slightly.
"Is there anything else?"
"Your Majesty, your subordinate has a plan that will guarantee success." Wen Moyu's lips curved into a sinister smile. "Yunzhong City has my inside informant, and that person has only one request."
"A request?" Murong Shengrui narrowed his eyes dangerously. He detested people who bargained with him.
Wen Moyu quickly knelt down. "Please forgive Your Majesty. If this person acts as an informant, Your Majesty will be able to capture Xiao Luo and the traitorous general Dugu Mingyu with no effort. The other party hopes Your Majesty will hand Xiao Luo over to them for disposal afterward."
"Does this person have a grudge against Xiao Luo?"
"Not exactly, but against Xiao Man." Wen Moyu said cautiously, "Xiao Man's temperament is arrogant and overbearing, offending many enemies."
"Xiao Man's temperament is very unrestrained?"
Wen Moyu could not fathom the young emperor's intentions, unsure of his feelings towards Xiao Man. She carefully chose her words, "The Xiao family's military achievements are brilliant and highly favored by the Emperor of Yu Sheng. Xiao Man's upbringing has instilled an arrogant and overbearing temperament. She never puts anyone in her eyes, striking down princes and commoners alike, thus offending many people."
Murong Shengrui tapped his fingers on the tabletop, a habit he learned from Dugu Man. Dugu Man also liked to tap the table lightly when thinking.
"Granted. After I have utilized Xiao Luo, I will hand him over."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Wen Moyu left joyfully, unaware of the coldness in Murong Shengrui's eyes. If Xiao Man were merely Xiao Man, then Xiao Luo would be insignificant. But if Xiao Man were the person he was looking for, then Xiao Luo would be a crucial bargaining chip in his hands, not to be given to others!
Xiao Luo had engaged in battle for three consecutive days, but no one answered their challenge, so they had to withdraw. However, as they were withdrawing, a large number of enemy soldiers suddenly surged out from Pingxi City, charging forward with scaling ladders, showing a clear intent to attack.
"General, what does Yun Qi intend to do?"
"No matter what they intend to do, we must stop them here!" Xiao Luo commanded, ordering his men to engage. He felt a vague sense of unease. Yun Qi had disregarded the most basic rules of engagement, attacking them as they retreated. Utterly shameless.
"Xiahou Ying, I never expected you to be so shameless!"
"Has no one taught you that all is fair in war?" Xiahou Ying charged forward with his spear, entangling with Xiao Luo. They fought fiercely, neither giving way.
"Hurry and leave." Xiahou Ying lowered his voice, "The target is you."
Xiao Luo frowned. What was Xiahou Ying playing at? He was attacking them as they retreated, yet telling him to leave quickly. What was this, a stick followed by a carrot?
"I, Xiao Luo, am not a coward!"
"Someone wants to use you to lure Xiao Man to Yunzhong City!" Xiahou Ying said with a composed expression, but his tone carried urgency. For some reason, he did not wish for the emperor to meet Xiao Man.
Xiao Luo's expression finally changed. He exchanged a blow with Xiahou Ying and immediately separated. "Retreat."
"Not a single one shall be allowed to escape!" Xiahou Ying ordered the pursuit, but felt a growing unease. His Majesty had only sent him to engage, and he would certainly not be able to capture Xiao Luo. There must be a contingency plan, though he did not know what it was!
And that insidious woman, who relentlessly piqued His Majesty's interest in Xiao Man, using His Majesty to deal with Xiao Man, what was her ultimate goal?