Chapter 588 - 591: Retribution
Her hopes dashed, the light in Hua Manman’s eyes quickly dimmed.
But a flicker of hope ignited in Mr. Du’s heart.
’Since they aren’t from the court, it means they might not necessarily be enemies.’
’I can try to persuade them and pull them over to my side.’
However, because of what had happened with Li Xun being drugged, Mr. Du knew they had a very poor impression of him. He didn’t rashly state his intentions. Instead, he chose to bide his time, planning to wait until their anger had subsided before finding an opportunity to discuss a partnership.
Although Li Liao was unwilling to send Hua Manman back, he had someone untie the ropes binding her.
Hua Manman rubbed her wrists, now red and chafed from the ropes, as she looked toward Li Xun.
Li Xun was wrapped in a cloak, only his small, pale face visible.
The sight broke Hua Manman’s heart.
A young man named Ai Yi walked in, carrying a basket of roasted naan bread.
"General, it’s time for breakfast."
It was inconvenient to cook in the middle of nowhere, so they were eating dry rations.
The naan was roasted to a golden brown and sprinkled with white sesame seeds. Even from a distance, it looked wonderfully crisp.
Li Liao casually picked up a piece of naan and tossed it to Hua Manman.
He then took another piece, tore off a small chunk, and held it to Li Xun’s lips.
But Li Xun refused to eat, just kept calling for his mother.
Li Liao had no choice but to say to Hua Manman,
"You feed him."
Hua Manman’s attention had been fixed on the child all along. Hearing the general’s words, she immediately moved closer.
"Gou Dan, Mommy’s here."
Hearing her voice, Li Xun’s half-open eyes widened slightly.
He struggled to lean toward his mother, whimpering softly.
"Mommy, I don’t feel well."
Hua Manman pulled the child into her arms and coaxed him softly, "Don’t be afraid. The doctor said you’ll be better soon."
Sensing his mother’s presence, Li Xun gradually began to relax.
The naan was too hard. It was fine for an adult, but difficult for a child like Li Xun to chew. Especially since Li Xun was so weak right now, this kind of tough food was even less suitable for him.
Hua Manman made a request to Li Liao.
"General, could I have a bowl of hot water?"
Li Liao glanced at Ai Yi.
Ai Yi immediately ran out and quickly returned with a bowl of hot water.
Hua Manman soaked the torn pieces of naan in the hot water. Once they were soft, she fed them to Li Xun bit by bit.
This time, Li Xun didn’t resist.
He obediently opened his mouth and ate the food his mother fed him.
Only after he had eaten his fill did Hua Manman start on her own food.
Li Liao observed Hua Manman’s actions while eating his naan.
He could tell that Hua Manman’s affection for Li Xun was genuine, not a facade. Li Xun was also very dependent on her. The two of them were like a real mother and son.
But Li Liao had sent people to investigate. Li Xun’s birth mother was the Regent Queen, and she had passed away five years ago.
’If they aren’t mother and son, why does Hua Manman care so much for Li Xun?’
’Is it really just because she’s kind-hearted?’
Li Liao’s intuition told him it wasn’t that simple.
He finished the rest of his naan in a couple of bites, then grabbed a nearby waterskin and took two large gulps.
The aroma of roasted naan filled the air.
Mr. Du had been on the move all night and was already starving. The smell of the food made him even hungrier.
He stared at the bamboo basket of naan without blinking, swallowing involuntarily.
But Li Liao acted as if he didn’t see him.
He put down the waterskin and, looking at Hua Manman, asked,
"You said earlier you’re not the Heir of Prince Yu. Who are you, then?"
Hua Manman had already been thinking fast.
’These people suddenly kidnapped us, and the first thing they asked was whether I was the Heir of Prince Yu.’
’This means their target must be the Yu Royal Mansion.’
’If I can just make it clear that I have nothing to do with the Yu Royal Mansion and distance myself from them, maybe they’ll let me go.’
"My name is Hua Manman. I’ve lived as a recluse in the mountains with my master since I was a child."
"I only came down from the mountains recently. Who would have thought that as soon as I did, I would be hit and injured by someone on horseback."
At this, she put on an indignant expression and said resentfully,
"The person who hit me was the Heir of Prince Yu!"
"She fell down a slope, hit her head on a rock, and died from her injuries."
"I regret her death, of course, but what does that have to do with me?"
"I was the one who was hit! She should have been the one held responsible. I’m the victim here!"
"But the people from the Yu Royal Mansion took advantage of my severe injuries and unconsciousness to take me back to their mansion and put me under house arrest."
"Prince Yu even forced me to assume the identity of the Heir of Prince Yu."
"If I didn’t agree, he said he’d kill me."
"Tell me, have you ever heard of anyone so unreasonable in this world?!"
"I’m just a helpless woman with no one to rely on. I could only play along with them."
"Thankfully, after the Regent King learned the truth, he believed me and was willing to help me escape the clutches of the Yu Royal Mansion."
Mr. Du let out a cold laugh.
"Hah! It’s obvious you coveted the position of Heir of Prince Yu and deliberately impersonated her. You even colluded with the Regent King to plot against the Yu Royal Mansion’s fiefdom and assets!"
Hua Manman looked at him, knowing the man was deliberately trying to make trouble for her.
She didn’t argue with him, only said aggrievedly,
"Whatever you say. I’m just a weak woman, after all. I can’t win a fight, and I can’t win an argument. I guess I’ll just have to let you sling mud at me."
With that, she turned her head away and let out a soft sob.
She looked utterly pitiful.
Mr. Du could no longer laugh.
’This woman was fighting me in the carriage just last night! She kicked me hard in the stomach, and it’s still black and blue!’
’How does she have the nerve to say she can’t beat me?!’
He said angrily, "If you have the guts, lift up my shirt, look at my stomach, and say that again!"
Hua Manman trembled as if she had been deeply insulted.
"Y-You... how could you be so shameless? I would never look at your body!"
Mr. Du: "..."
His face went from white to green, then from green to red, shifting like a kaleidoscope. It was quite a spectacle.
Li Liao coughed lightly and offered some words of comfort.
"Don’t be afraid. Prince Yu doesn’t have long to live anyway. Once he’s dead, no one will be able to threaten you anymore."
Hearing this, Mr. Du’s heart skipped a beat.
’This man knows the inner workings of the Yu Royal Mansion like the back of his hand.’
Hua Manman pretended to be comforted and said in a low voice, "I guess that’s Prince Yu getting his just deserts."
Then she heard Li Liao continue.
"Since you hold a grudge against Prince Yu, I imagine you’ll be more than willing to help with what comes next."
Hua Manman looked at him blankly. "What does the General want me to do?"
Li Liao: "I originally thought you were Lu Man and planned to send you back to Longdong County to inherit the title. Now, even though your identity has changed, the plan can still proceed as before."