Chapter 328 (1/2)

The current ruler of Qian Zhou had not been in power for many years, so his foundation was not stable, and its internal affairs were not in order. Qian Zhou was extremely cold, so nothing ever grew on its lands. Large amounts of food had to be purchased from Da Shun, in addition to handling disasters each year. The national treasury was already lacking in wealth. Although five million gold would not take all of it, it was enough to take the majority of their treasury.

Kang Yi looked at Xuan Tian Ming and felt that the eyes under that golden mask belonged to a fox, as they were sly and crafty. She suddenly realized that seeking revenge for Feng Yu Heng might have been a feint. What Xuan Tian Ming really wanted was to empty Qian Zhou.

“Your Highness.” She was truly troubled, “Although this humble woman is the eldest princess of Qian Zhou, I am still a woman. Five million taels of silver is already a large amount. If that were changed to gold, that could never be afforded!”

Xuan Tian Ming corrected her: “What do you mean changed to gold? It was originally gold!”

Kang Yi’s face turned white, as she furrowed her brow tightly. She was thinking of something and did not speak for a long time.

Feng Yu Heng smiled and moved to the side of Xuan Tian Ming’s wheelchair. Acting as though this was unrelated to her, she began talking about mundane things: “With the family holding a wedding, I have not had a chance to go into the palace. I wonder, has father Emperor’s health been well?”

Xuan Tian Ming had a wicked smile as he replied: “He’s been well. But he’s always worrying about you.”

“Then I will go in at a later date to visit him. That’s right, I saw his Highness the third prince yesterday at the wedding.” She plainly changed the topic, “But for some reason, the bodyguard that he brought ended up getting hurt. When he left, he was carried out of the manor by others. Both of his knees were very bloody, leaving a pool of blood on the ground.”

The member of the Feng family immediately recalled what had happened when the third prince left the manor. Nobody could understand why the bodyguard that had come with the third prince had gotten injured. His legs looked as though someone had cut them with a knife, as blood flowed out uncontrollably. Since it had snowed, the white ground was dyed red, causing the matriarch to feel that it was unlucky.

But nobody knew how that person ended up getting hurt, and the third prince did not inquire with the Feng family. Instead, he did not say anything, taking the person and leaving. Someone noticed a large bloody mark under that pavilion, and someone had seen that the bodyguard was kneeling there. It appeared that he had been punished by the third prince.

Everyone originally believed that the third prince had been a little too harsh when punishing his servants; however, now that Feng Yu Heng mentioned it, why did everyone suddenly feel that the bodyguard was most likely related in some way to Feng Yu Heng?

The matriarch was the first to think of this, but she also felt that something seemed a little off. Feng Yu Heng was indeed a little arrogant, but she did not have more power than the nine princes. Based on the third prince’s personality, would he be soft towards a young girl?

Kang Yi, however, felt her heart tighten and begin to hurt for no apparent reason when she heard Feng Yu Heng say this. When this pain passed, all that remained was panic. Her gaze shifted to Xuan Tian Ming’s knees, and for some reason, she imagined blood flowing from Ru Jia’s knees, with her being forced to sit in a wheelchair. From that moment onward, she would need to be pushed wherever she wished to go. They would never be able to go on walks as mother and daughter again.

The more Kang Yi thought about it, the more panicked she became, as she was barely able to maintain her calm; however, Feng Yu Heng immediately added something that caused her legs to give out, as she went from kneeling to sitting. She then heard Feng Yu Heng say: “Say, how did those legs end up bloodied and injured? Could it be from an arrow? Ah! Mother, I heard that your Qian Zhou has a divine archery squad, and I heard that they are brave and powerful. Is this true?”

She turned to look directly at Kang Yi, her eyes had an inquisitive look. Even more, it was chillingly cold like knives made of ice.

Kang Yi helplessly nodded. Although she was extremely reluctant to mention the divine archery squad of Qian Zhou, especially in front of Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng, since she had asked, she could not avoid it even if she wanted to. She could only grit her teeth and say: “There is such a squad, but they are not very bold and powerful.”

“Oh.” Xuan Tian Ming nodded then suddenly brought the discussion regarding Qian Zhou’s divine archery squad to a close. He then began asking about the five million taels of gold: “Madam means to say that you don’t want to use five million taels of gold to pay reparations? Un, that can’t be helped. This prince has never tried to make someone do something they can’t do. Since money cannot be used to resolve this, we can only think of another way to resolve this matter.”

Kang Yi became uncertain, “Your Highness’ other method is…”

“There is no need for you to ask any further!” Xuan Tian Ming waved to her before turned to say to Feng Yu Heng: “Heng Heng, how much strength does the divine archery group of Qian Zhou have? If they shot it across a valley, could it pierce this prince’s knees?”

Feng Yu Heng placed her palms on his knees then calmly said: “You would need to ask someone from Qian Zhou.”

“But the eldest princess from Qian Zhou does not wish to chat with this prince.”

“It’s fine, doesn’t the palace still have another princess.”

“Your Highness!” Kang Yi suddenly shouted. Perhaps she was too panicked, but her voice cracked. “I will give it to you!” She looked at Xuan Tian Ming, her gaze filled with despair and pleading, “Five million taels of gold… I will give it to you.”

“Good!” Xuan Tian Ming finally began smiling, “Madam is straightforward. Then would madam please write a pledge. This prince will give you three months time to carry it into the county princess’ manor next door.”

Kang Yi was truly afraid. Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng worked in perfect harmony, making it clear that if she did not pay, they would waste Ru Jia’s legs.

If it were any other matter, perhaps she could have endured a little longer, but she was at a disadvantage on this matter. At that time, Xuan Tian Ye had snuck into Qian Zhou for this divine archery squad. His goal was to take the life of Da Shun’s ninth prince. Unfortunately, he ultimately miscalculated.

Although Qian Zhou had retreated cleanly, it was impossible that no clues were left behind. Now, it seemed that Xuan Tian Ye’s bodyguard’s legs were now wasted. That combined with the show being put on by the two today reminded her that some things would always be remembered. Some enmity would always be repaid in some fashion.