# Chapter 11: Murmurs
Weiyang walked to the window of the pavilion, set the fruit plate on the table, and gently nudged Man Cheng, who was gazing blankly out the window. "What are you looking at?"
Man Cheng snapped back to reality, smiled, and said, "Your lotus pond is blooming so beautifully. Let's go sit in that pavilion for a while, shall we?"
"No," Weiyang said gloomily. "Wouldn't that let everyone see us together?"
Man Cheng fell silent for a long moment, then asked, "Are you scared being with me? Do you regret it?"
Weiyang leaned against his back and softly said, "I'm a little scared, but I've never regretted it. What about you, Man Cheng?"
Man Cheng turned around, took her hand, and sat down beside her, smiling as if nothing were wrong. "As for me, I'm not afraid of anything under heaven."
Weiyang smiled, then顺势 sat on his lap, leaning into his embrace. "Are you thirsty? Have some fruit."
Man Cheng pouted, looking like a child begging his sister for favor, and teased, "I want to eat loquats. Peel one for me!"
Weiyang burst out laughing, reached for a loquat, scraped off the skin with a silver spoon, then easily peeled it clean.
Man Cheng gasped in amazement. "Wow, you're so clever. How did you know to do it this way?"
Weiyang removed the pit and stuffed the flesh into Man Cheng's mouth, smiling. "Everyone knows this trick—you're the only dimwit who doesn't. By the way, your eating manner is so uncivilized. Didn't anyone ever teach you?"
"How could they not have taught me? I just didn't listen. And everyone around me spoils me, so they let me do as I please."
Weiyang shot him a glance and secretly laughed: *No matter who it is, they can't help but spoil you!*
As the two were being affectionate, Weiyang noticed a string of Buddhist beads on his left wrist that he never took off. She grabbed his hand and asked, "These are quite pretty. Let me take a look." She reached to untie the beads.
Man Cheng instinctively pulled his hand back. Weiyang was startled. "It's just a string of wooden beads! Look how nervous you are—do you think I'd steal them?"
"It's not that…" Man Cheng said apologetically. "I'm not nervous at all." He lifted his wrist to show her.
Weiyang glanced at the beads but didn't pay much attention to whether they were nice or not. She purposely tested him with words. "These beads are really beautiful. Give them to me."
Man Cheng's playful expression immediately disappeared. "No. Someone gave them to me."
"Who gave them to you?" Weiyang suddenly recalled what Xiu Yi had mentioned about Ying You, and annoyance flared up inside her.
Man Cheng had no choice but to answer honestly. "Zhong Shan gave them to me." Then, as if remembering something, he laughed. "He actually wasn't willing to give them to me. I snatched them from him. Hehe…"
Weiyang relaxed her brow. Man Cheng continued, "These things are quite magical. I've never gotten hurt since wearing them. If I give them to you, the next time I go to war I'll die on the battlefield…"
Weiyang quickly covered his mouth with her hand, apologetic. "I don't want them!"
Man Cheng held her tightly, speaking tenderly, "You're so good. I love you to death." After saying this, he noticed a trace of sadness on Weiyang's face and asked, "What's wrong?"
Weiyang hesitated, swallowing her words before finally saying, "A few days ago I went to Xiu Yi's place for a chat, and she said… she said I'm very like a sister of hers…"
Man Cheng's face instantly darkened.
Weiyang, at a loss, wrapped her arms around his neck and pleaded, "Man Cheng, don't be angry with me. I was just saying casually."
"I know. Xiu Yi was talking about Ying You." Man Cheng's expression softened. He rested his head on her chest and said gently, "You silly thing. Why are you jealous of a dead person? The one beside me now is you."
The lingering sorrow immediately dissipated like smoke. Weiyang was so moved that her eyes turned red. She said tremulously, "I'm sorry. I won't mention her again."
Man Cheng smiled, leaned over, and kissed her.
Weiyang complained, "Look at you—there's juice all over your lips."
Man Cheng giggled. "You lick it off for me." He then embraced her and fell back onto the rocking chair. Impatiently, he untied her silk dress, slipped his hand inside, and caressed her smooth, delicate skin…
Weiyang nestled in his arms, letting him handle her with urgency yet gentleness.
*If it weren't for that dead Princess Ying You, how could such an extraordinary man have fallen for me? How could this heaven-sent golden child have risked everything to be intimate with me? What more could I possibly want? That woman is already dead, and now his heart belongs only to me. That's enough.*
---
**The Preceding Events**
Peng Hong lifted the curtain, his face full of hesitation. "Zhang Zhou, are you really going to hand over the entire Wei Zhen Army to Man Cheng?"
Zhang Zhou nodded and calmly replied, "Yes. In a few days we'll be marching into Yuanliao City. He can't show his true abilities leading such a small detachment. With his skill and bearing, he'll command great power sooner or later anyway. We might as well transfer the Wei Zhen Army to him now so he can earn more merits."
"Zhang Zhou," Peng Hong walked over, his voice grave. "It's been less than two years since Man Cheng left Dongzhou, and he's become like this. Are you truly not afraid? Now he harms people with every slash of his blade. I'm afraid—even I'm afraid, and he's barely eighteen. I suggest you take back his military authority and keep him from picking up a sword again."
A conflicted expression appeared on Zhang Zhou's face. After a long pause, he slowly said, "Peng Hong, weren't we commanding armies and fighting battles before we turned sixteen? We harmed countless people ourselves. He's almost eighteen now—how could he be considered young?"
Peng Hong was taken aback. Frowning, he said, "But Man Cheng is different from us. He…"
"I know." Zhang Zhou cut him off and continued, "He was once innocent, kind, and soft-hearted. That's why you always saw him as a mischievous, adorable child. He's changed now, and you can't adjust."
Peng Hong sighed. "I'm afraid it's not just me who can't adjust. When Jin Yin sees him like this, how frightened will she be!"
Zhang Zhou stood up, paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind him, silent.
"Zhang Zhou, with his methods, you might not be able to control him in the future." Peng Hong finished saying this and turned to leave.
Zhang Zhou called him back. After some contemplation, he said gravely, "Give him Cheng Zhongshan from your camp. Otherwise he'll come to your camp every day making trouble."
Peng Hong stared at him in astonishment. After a long moment, he shook his head with a bitter smile. "You're truly generous. I take my hat off to you."
Zhang Zhou's expression remained unchanged. He said nothing.
Peng Hong said, "That black boy is extraordinary—unlike anything I've ever seen. In a fight, neither you nor I could beat him. A talent like that has a bright future. If you give him to Man Cheng, Man Cheng will certainly promote him generously, trust him, and perhaps even divide the Wei Zhen Army's authority with him. You'll have yet another person you can't rein in. Why put yourself through that?"
"Just based on him?" A hint of disdain curled at the corner of Zhang Zhou's mouth. "Don't worry. No matter how formidable he is, he still has to answer to Man Cheng."
Peng Hong snorted. "If you say so, then once we enter Yuanliao City, I'll find an opportunity to transfer him to Man Cheng's command."
Zhang Zhou, however, was overcome with sorrow. He slumped down in his seat.
---
Weiyang entered Zhongbi Manor. As she walked into the inner courtyard, she heard Man Cheng's bright, hearty laughter, mixed with the childish voice of Mandu: "Stinky brother! If you laugh again, I'll bite your face!"
"Hahahahaha…"
Weiyang exchanged a glance with Ying Shan, smiled, and walked directly toward Mandu's small courtyard. There she saw Man Cheng and Zhongshan sitting in a pavilion. Mandu was crouching on the stone table, clutching a wooden basin and focusing intently on something.
Lan Xing spotted Weiyang and hastily bowed. "Your Majesty the Queen. You've arrived! How did the servants in the front courtyard not even announce you?"
Zhongshan and Man Cheng also smiled and saluted.
Weiyang smiled with humility. "You don't need to be so formal. I told them not to announce me."
Before Man Cheng could speak, Mandu climbed down from the table and bounced over, grabbing Weiyang's sleeve. Smiling, he said, "Queen sister, the golden orange and osmanthus paste you sent last time was so delicious. Do you have any more?"
Weiyang took his hand, puzzled. "That was such a large jar. Did you finish it all?"
Zhongshan snorted. "That stuff is supposed to be soaked in water to drink, right? This kid ate it dry. Ten jars wouldn't be enough!"
"Oh my!" Weiyang exclaimed. "That's not sickeningly sweet?"
Mandu's face was filled with confusion. "I thought it was sweet and delicious!"
Man Cheng also smacked his lips. "Mmm, I thought it was delicious too."
Weiyang was stunned. Mandu pounced on Man Cheng and hugged his face, biting down while shouting, "Brother, so you were stealing my stuff! No wonder it ran out so fast!"
Man Cheng cried out in protest. "I only ate it once, and Zhongshan secretly brought it to me… it's true! Ouch, it hurts… Go bite Zhongshan!"
Zhongshan quickly backed away, defending himself. "Little vicious dog, don't come near me. You can't blame me—he secretly ordered me to steal it…"
Weiyang laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. She pulled Mandu, who was about to charge at Zhongshan to bite him, and coaxed, "Why didn't you tell me you liked it earlier!" She turned to Ying Shan and said, "Send more over tomorrow."
Ying Shan hastily agreed.
Mandu's eyes lit up. He grabbed Weiyang's hand and rocked it,撒娇道, "Queen sister, I want lots and lots…"
Weiyang nodded with a smile. "Alright, alright. If it's not enough, I'll have more sent from Jinjing. You'll eat until you're full!"
Zhongshan cleared his throat, mimicking Mandu's manner, and grabbed Lan Xing's hand while speaking in a soft, delicate voice. "Lan Xing sister, I want some pastries…"
Man Cheng was so amused that he laughed until tears glistened in his eyes.
Weiyang smiled, but in her heart, she felt a strange, inexplicable sensation.
Mandu kicked Zhongshan and rolled his eyes. "Lan Xing sister, bring the pastries quickly!"
Lan Xing smiled in compliance and slipped away to fetch the pastries.
"Queen sister, I have lots of tadpoles here," Mandu pulled the wooden basin from the stone table, beaming. "Look—are they cute? Do you like them?"
"Yes."
"Since you gave me delicious food, I'll give you some tadpoles as a gift."
Weiyang was at a loss for words.
Both Man Cheng and Zhongshan burst out laughing. Mandu pouted, not understanding why they were laughing. Zhongshan managed to stop laughing and wrapped an arm around Mandu, pointing to the basin. "Queen sister doesn't want these slimy, dirty little things."
Mandu's face was blank. "But Queen sister said she liked them."
Weiyang was extremely embarrassed, unsure what to say.
Zhongshan coaxed him. "You silly thing. When they turn into ugly, monstrous big frogs, won't they scare Queen sister to death?"
Mandu's eyes widened in sudden understanding and nodded seriously.
Man Cheng, watching Mandu's earnest expression, laughed so hard he nearly choked.
Weiyang felt even worse in her heart. She suddenly realized that when Man Cheng was alone with her, he was always distracted, never laughing from the bottom of his heart like this.
The three people in front of her were chatting intimately and casually, a picture of harmony and joy. She, alone, was like an outsider, unable to break into their circle. What was even more discouraging was that Man Cheng barely looked at her. His gaze always lingered on Cheng Zhongshan, with an inexplicable tenderness in his smile.
Weiyang was sulking when Lan Xing entered the courtyard carrying pastries and said, "General Wei has arrived." At her words, a tall man strode in.
"Oh, Sihu brother." Mandu called out.
Zhongshan asked with a smile, "Why do you add 'brother' when calling him, but you're so familiar and disrespectful with me?"
Mandu simply pouted and ignored him.
So this is Wei Sihu? Weiyang looked closely. The man appeared to be under twenty, with date-colored skin, round eyes, and well-defined cheekbones. He was handsome and, beyond that, remarkably capable and composed.
When Sihu heard Mandu call him, he smiled warmly, knelt on one knee, and respectfully saluted. "Young Prince. General Cheng. General Cheng."
"Sihu," Man Cheng beckoned. "Come over here."
Sihu stood and walked forward a few steps. He caught sight of Weiyang and, not knowing how to address her, Zhongshan said, "Sihu, this is Her Majesty the Queen."
Sihu showed not a trace of慌乱 or hesitation. He immediately knelt again and saluted, neither servile nor arrogant.
Weiyang hastily said, "General Wei, please rise. There's no need for such formality." She thought to herself: *This man is indeed as described by Shen Mu—reserved, taciturn, and straightforward.*
Sihu acknowledged and stood upright beside Man Cheng.
Mandu was eating pastries, his lips covered with mung bean cake powder. He took a small pastry and handed it to Sihu. "Sihu brother, you eat this."
Sihu smiled, his eyes full of affection. He said gently, "Young Prince, Sihu is not hungry."
"I'm not hungry either," Mandu said, puzzled. "Can't you eat if you're not hungry?"
"Hmph!" Zhongshan laughed, utterly speechless. "Sihu is nothing like your gluttonous self." He grabbed the pastry from Mandu's hand and stuffed it into his own mouth.
Mandu giggled and obediently sat on Zhongshan's lap, clutching the pastry box and eating one after another.
Man Cheng smiled at his brother, then after a long while, asked casually, "Sihu, about the fight your men got into with the Wu Tao Army at the tavern a few days ago—how did you handle it?"
"Reporting to the General, I have confined them to detention. Awaiting the General's judgment."
"Release them. No need to punish them. When we go to Mount Lianqing to suppress the rebellion in two days, let them earn back their merit through action."
"Yes."
Mandu's eyes went wide. He asked with great disappointment, "Brother, are you going to war again?"
"Yes." Man Cheng smiled in response. "I'll bring you back something fun."
Weiyang's heart was also filled with disappointment, but she dared not show it. She could only lower her head in silence.
Mandu hopped down from Zhongshan's lap, wrapped his arms around Man Cheng, and pleaded pitifully. "I don't want fun things. I just want my brother to stay with me!"
Man Cheng's face was full of tenderness. He kissed his forehead and coaxed, "Brother will be back very soon. I'll have Xiu Yi bring Peng Kai over to play with you often, okay?"
"No, no! I only want brother! I only want you!"
Man Cheng's brow creased with sorrow and pain. He said nothing.
Mandu stubbornly pleaded, "Brother, I'll miss you so much! Sister is gone, and you're always leaving. I'm so scared being alone! Brother…"
"Alright," Zhongshan coaxed. "Mandu, this isn't something your brother can decide. Don't beg him anymore. Go drink your medicine for today."
Lan Xing came to lead Mandu back to his room. Ying Shan gently poked Weiyang's back. Weiyang understood and said, "I'll go keep Mandu company inside. I won't disturb the generals any longer." With that, she stood, led Ying Shan, and followed Lan Xing out of the pavilion. They turned down the corridor and went into Mandu's room.
Mandu drank the medicine and lay on the bed, gazing at Weiyang. Suddenly he blurted out, "Queen sister, if my brother does something that hurts you…"
"Young Prince!" Lan Xing, as if knowing what he was about to say, hastily interrupted him.
Mandu stopped, sighed softly.
Weiyang glanced at Lan Xing resentfully. Lan Xing lowered her head.
"Queen sister, please don't blame him. My brother is a very pitiful person… He…" Mandu murmured a few more sentences, then drifted into a heavy sleep.
Weiyang was full of doubts. She felt there was something she didn't know—something vague, almost there, yet unclear about what it actually was.
---
Man Cheng stared at the tadpoles swimming in the wooden basin, lost in thought. Suddenly he spoke up. "Sihu, that time in Xiongzhou, you hid a young boy from me and let him live. Wasn't that you?"
Sihu's face changed color. He immediately dropped to his knees on the ground. "Sihu knows his crime. Please General, punish severely."
"Sihu." Zhongshan's expression turned stern. His voice was heavy. "If it weren't for Man Cheng turning a blind eye, you wouldn't even be able to let a fly escape. I'm asking you—who is that boy?"
Sihu hesitated, unwilling to speak.
Man Cheng exchanged a glance with Zhongshan, then calmly said, "That must be Dao Chun's son, right?"
Sihu's whole body shuddered. He stared at Man Cheng in shock.
"He looks exactly like Dao Chun." Man Cheng said this, his gaze growing distant. "Sihu, you did me a favor. Thank you."