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"Isn't that the young master from the Li family?" Xiao Zhongyan recognized the man and chuckled, "He must have drunk too much and lost his way here."
The drunken man swayed as he stood, reeking of alcohol, and slurred, "I... I just wanted to find a quiet place... to rest... for a bit..."
Xiao Xiang's expression cleared slightly. "I see," he said, turning to the Chancellor and Xu Daren. "It seems we were overly concerned. However, let's postpone our discussion for another day."
The Chancellor nodded. "Indeed. With so many guests today, it's not a good time for serious talks."
The three gentlemen agreed to discuss matters another day and prepared to return to the front courtyard. Just then, Xiao Zhongyan suddenly said, "By the way, Father, I had arranged to admire the lanterns with Nangong Shuang. I wonder where she is now?"
Xiao Xiang paused. "Nangong Shuang? The female physician from the Guo family?"
Xiao Zhongyan nodded with a smile. "Yes, she's quite skilled in medicine. She helped my mother recover from her illness recently. Tonight, I promised to take her to see the lanterns, but I lost her in the crowd."
"Oh?" Xiao Xiang looked at his son meaningfully. "Are you quite familiar with that physician?"
Xiao Zhongyan shrugged it off. "Not really; I just admire her medical skills."
At that moment, a young maid rushed over. "Young Master, they’ve started lighting the lanterns in the front courtyard! It's quite lively! Miss Guo is looking for you!"
Xiao Zhongyan smiled. "I'll be right there. By the way, have you seen Nangong Shuang?"
The maid nodded. "She was just near the plum blossom hall in the front courtyard, waiting for you to admire the lanterns together."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Shuang was taken aback: Xiao Zhongyan was covering for her! He had already noticed her presence and deliberately created a false impression of her being in the front courtyard to give her a chance to slip away.
Xiao Xiang remained skeptical. "In that case, you should go attend to your guests quickly. Remember, those materials requested by the Crown Prince need to be delivered to the Crown Prince's Mansion first thing tomorrow morning."
Xiao Zhongyan acknowledged and turned to leave. The Chancellor and Xu Daren also bid farewell and walked with Xiao Xiang toward the front courtyard. The servants escorted the drunken man out of the yard as well.
Once everyone had left, silence returned to the courtyard. Nangong Shuang let out a long breath and cautiously stepped out from behind a tree. Just as she was about to leave, a figure flashed out from the shadows—it was Xiao Zhongyan!
"You really are here," he said softly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. "It's too dangerous! If you were discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Nangong Shuang felt a lingering fear. "Thanks to your timely assistance, or I might have been exposed."
Xiao Zhongyan shook his head. "That drunken man was arranged by me. After I noticed you were missing, I guessed you might go investigate your father's movements. Fortunately, I arrived in time."
Nangong Shuang looked at him gratefully. "Thank you so much."
Xiao Zhongyan glanced around and asked quietly, "Did you overhear any important information?"
Nangong Shuang briefly recounted the conversation she had heard to Xiao Zhongyan. After listening, his expression turned serious. "Just as I thought. My father and others are indeed conspiring against the Crown Prince, and the Nangong Family case is key to it all. This only strengthens my resolve to assist the Crown Prince in reopening this case."
Nangong Shuang couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Gongzi, why are you so determined to stand by the Crown Prince's side? Even against your own father?"
Xiao Zhongyan looked at her deeply. "Because I believe in justice. The Nangong Family has been wronged for too long; it's time to restore their honor. Moreover..." He paused, "I promised someone that I would bring justice to the Nangong Family."
Nangong Shuang understood he was referring to her father. On the night of the massacre of the Nangong Family, her father had saved Xiao Zhongyan's life and entrusted him with the task of clearing their name.
"This place is not suitable for us to linger," Xiao Zhongyan said, glancing outside the courtyard. "We need to hurry back to the front yard to avoid raising suspicion."
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