Qi Yihan's gaze was complicated, as if he had a thousand words to say, but it all turned into a sigh.
"I never went to Ganzhao Temple to see her, precisely because I feared arousing the Emperor and Empress Dowager's suspicion. But I know, she wanted to go back."
This "she" naturally referred to the Wuzu princess, Qi Yihan's birth mother.
"She must have regretted it."
Women's intuition in matters of the heart is very accurate. Perhaps the princess had long discovered the late Emperor's ill intentions. But at that time, she was already pregnant, and the Wuzu tribe was no longer a place she could return to. With the vast world before her, there was no place for her to reside. She must have suffered greatly and regretted deeply.
Because of regret, she must have longed to return to her homeland.
"I want to go and see. If there's a chance in the future, I'll bring her back to be buried."
This was Qi Yihan's own wish, which was why he and the Emperor had different starting points in their search for the Wuzu royal tomb, though their ultimate goal was the same.
"I understand," Li Man'er said. "Don't worry, I'll go with you."
Qi Yihan couldn't help but reach out and embrace her. He had been restraining his emotions all along. Now that he was sure of Li Man'er's feelings, how could he possibly hold back? He wished he could hold her close at all times.
"I never thought you were this kind of Ninth Prince," Li Man'er feigned anger and pushed Qi Yihan away. "The important matters aren't finished yet! What are you thinking about?"
"It's not a major issue. Xiao Ruzhi is essentially under house arrest. His subordinates are not entirely without the possibility of surrender. If anyone is disobedient, kill a few leaders, and you can win over the hearts of the people."
Seeing that he had everything arranged, Li Man'er said, "Then you go ahead and attend to your business. I'll take this time to think about Elder General Xiao's pulse diagnosis."
Qi Yihan looked a bit helpless. "Are you still angry?" Angry that he had kept secrets from her.
Li Man'er rolled her eyes. "What do I have to be angry about?"
Qi Yihan couldn't quite figure out if she was truly not angry. His experience in this area was pitifully scant.
"I'm really not angry. You weren't anyone to me back then, and I even had to speak to you with respect. What does it matter if you didn't tell me?" Li Man'er spoke her true feelings. The matter of planning was a chain of events, and if any link broke, the game would be lost. Besides, when Qi Yihan first began his planning, he never expected her to be forced to participate. Her arrival in Mobei was entirely an accident.
Her inadvertently coquettish demeanor stirred a flame in his heart.
Qi Yihan didn't want to do anything inappropriate, so he changed the subject. "Do you have confidence in Elder General Xiao's health?"
"He should be fine for another six months. I can't guarantee more than that."
Qi Yihan said, "Then you rest for a while. I'll go take care of things and try to settle everything here as soon as possible."
"Alright."
Not long after Qi Yihan left, Xiao Qiniang arrived. She brought tea and pastries, looking as if she intended to have a long talk with Li Man'er.
Knowing that Xiao Qiniang was not aligned with the Xiao family, Li Man'er's hostility towards her lessened considerably. Moreover, like the original owner of this body, she too was a victim of a scummy father, so Li Man'er felt a bit of sympathy for her.
"Miss Xiao Qi, it's been a few days, and you seem to have lost weight."
Xiao Qiniang smiled and let out a long sigh, pouring tea for Li Man'er. "There are too many things weighing on my heart, it's inevitable to worry too much. I can't eat well, and I can't sleep well, so naturally, I've become a bit thin. However, my grandfather has been saved, Xiao Ruzhi will soon face justice, and I believe my brother will be back before long. Things will surely get better."
Her words carried a hint of melancholy, making one's heart ache a little.
"Sweetness after hardship."
"Yes," Xiao Qiniang glanced at Li Man'er and couldn't help but say, "When we meet again, should I call you Ninth Princess Consort?"
"I don't know. Perhaps I won't even get married!"
Xiao Qiniang was stunned, then couldn't help but say, "Sister Man'er is indeed different. No wonder the Prince can't take his eyes off you."
Li Man'er raised an eyebrow and scrutinized Xiao Qiniang. "It seems Miss Xiao Qi is also an outsider."
"The Prince is of noble status, handsome, and as radiant as a jade tree. Naturally, he attracts attention. However, Sister Man'er can rest assured. I know my place and will not do anything beyond my capabilities."
Li Man'er then said, "What do I have to worry about? What's mine cannot be snatched away, and what can be snatched away isn't truly mine. Moreover, we made an agreement: if he marries me, he cannot have any other women."
Xiao Qiniang's face paled in shock, unable to believe that Li Man'er could make such a demand. Even more absurd was that the Prince had agreed.
"Are you that confident? He is a Prince. Even if he loves you and dotes on you now, in the future, he will have secondary consorts and concubines. As long as he likes someone, he can have any woman he wants. Are you that confident that the Prince will keep his promise and only have you?"
"Who can say for sure about the future!" Ancient times allowed for multiple wives and concubines, a straightforward way of being promiscuous. Modern times have monogamy, so what? The law governs the number of people on the household registration, but can it control the restless hearts of men and women?
"If he stops loving me, he can just say it frankly. We can part ways peacefully. But if he's sneaky,哼, don't blame my knife for not recognizing him."
Xiao Qiniang had never imagined that a woman could have such astonishing thoughts. This completely overturned her understanding of the word "woman." Could it be like this?
Li Man'er picked up her tea and took a sip. "It's not your fault." There was a gap of several thousand years between them, so it was normal for Xiao Qiniang not to understand.
"If Sister Man'er has nothing else, you should rest. Tonight, things will surely come to an end, and tomorrow will be a brand new day."
"Miss Xiao Qi, could you tell me where my cousin and the others are?"
"The Prince feared they might be in danger and had already sent people to escort them to New City. Uncle Two and Uncle Three are now considered half-guilty, so they dare not act ostentatiously or do anything to harm the Li family members. You can rest assured."
Half-guilty?
As soon as Li Man'er thought about it, she understood. Xiao Ruzhi's crime of colluding with the enemy was conclusive. Although Xiao Ruduo and Xiao Ruqin were not directly involved, they could not escape being accused of knowing about it and not reporting it. Moreover, when Li Shu suffered misfortune, these two brothers likely contributed significantly. Elder General Xiao's disappearance might also be related to them. Once investigated, the Xiao family would be uprooted.
"Miss Xiao Qi, if your father is convicted, you will likely be implicated as well. Aren't you afraid?"
Xiao Qiniang said, "What's the use of being afraid? As long as my mother can get justice and my brother can be restored to his legitimate son status, what does it matter if I die? Moreover, Sister Man'er, don't forget that I have also done many things for the Prince. Offsetting merits against demerits, there will always be an explanation."
Li Man'er nodded and smiled. "You are right."