Chapter 642: I’m only responsible for you (2/2)
Ning Cheng didn’t spare her a glance. “Get out.”
“Big brother, no matter what, this thing–”
“From this day on, I’ll hold you responsible if Tang Li goes missing for even a second! Punishemnt will be dealt according to clan rules!” Ning Cheng warned her coldly.
Clan rules…
The Di Clan only had one clan rule, and that was anyone who betrayed the leader was immediately cast out. All of Ning Jing’s efforts were to ensure that she could stay in the clan and serve the Di. Once she was banished, what would even be the point? Without a word, she stood in place until she finally turned away and left. Fine, I’ll accept the marriage. But whether or not I birth a son will be all up to Tang Li’s own skills!
Once she left, Ning Cheng pulled out an acupuncture needle from his hairpin. He toyed with the thing in his hands with interest. Without a doubt, the needle belonged to Han Yunxi, though it wasn’t clear where he’d picked it up from.
—
On the second day of Tang Zijin’s announcement, Tang Zijin’s investigations revealed that Cang Qiuzi hadn’t left Celestial Mountain at all. Although it was easier to climb down the mountain than go back up, the large snowstorms from last year had sealed off most of the trails. They were still buried underfoot, so Cang Qiuzi hadn’t risked them to get off the peak. Instead, he entrusted the matters of the cancelled wedding in Duanmu Yao’s hands, saying that she could represent the Cang Clan to decide in their place.
“Feiye, Cang Qiuzi is brazenly declaring his alliance with Duanmu Yao this way. Could it be an intentional show of force against you?” Tang Zijin asked seriously.
In terms of experience, martial arts, and prestige, Cang Qiuzi’s ranking was far below that of the sword sect’s sect master. However, he’d longed for the position himself for many years. Duanmu Yao was the favorite disciple of Celestial Mountain Sword Sect’s master, so if she and him teamed up, they’d be able to control half of the sect members already. Long Feiye would have no way to fight against them then.
With Tang Li’s impending marriage raising such a row, Cang Qiuzi’s public declaration of Duanmu Yao as his expy was obviously a way to tell Long Feiye that their relations weren’t shallow. It couldn’t be pure boasting without being a blatant threat as well.
Long Feiye nodded before turning to Tang Li. “Is Duanmu Yao eighteen years old yet?”
“Yes, she’s long turned eighteen!” Tang Li said earnestly. “You…what are you thinking?”
Han Yunxi’s ears immediately perked up at the question. Unfortunately, Long Feiye passed on answering to remark instead, “Go and ask for forgiveness. Be careful, because Cang Qiuzi isn’t just putting on a show of force. He wants get someone else to do the dirty work of killing in his place.”
Cang Qiuzi would only be publicly rebuked for being a petty, intolerant man if he punished Tang Li severely in light of the Tang Clan’s proclamation. But if he left the work to Duanmu Yao, then he could wash his hands clean of any responsibility for the consequences.
“This old man will come along!” Tang Zijin said, suddenly worrid.
Lady Tang rose to her feet as well. “Cang Qiuzi, that old scamp! He’s too treacherous, I’m going too!”
“It’s enough if just this old man goes. You don’t know martial arts, so what’s the use if you come along?” Tang Zijin chided unhappily.
“I know how to use hidden weapons!” Lady Tang said confidently. “I’ll bring along the Tang Clan’s strongest weapons. No matter how many men Celestial Mountain sends, I won’t be afraid!”
Tang Zijin still wanted to dissuade her, but Lady Tang simply took Aunt Ru by the hand and declard, “You come too. We can’t let them think the Tang Clan has no one to defend them against bullies!”
Aunt Ru seemed to be afraid of refusing Lady Tang, because she simply agreed without a second thought. Though Tang Zijin was unhappy at the results, he gave up on stopping them. Han Yunxi could tell that Lady Tang was dragging Aunt Ru in with her on purpose, but she couldn’t understand why. In any case, once the decision was made, Tang Li took off his clothes and tied a bunch of brambles on his back like the classical story of the man who went to apologize to his foe naked and thus attired. Then he headed down the mountain to meet with Duanmu Yao, who was staying at a local inn.
With three elders watching his back, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi were quite assured that he’d be safe. Once they left, she took him by the hand and said, “Now that Duanmu Yao’s reached 18, her safety has nothing to do with you anymore, right?”
“Mm,” Long Feiye’s answer was decisive.
Thrilled, Han Yunxi took his other hand as well and pulled him to look at her. “Long Feiye, from now on…”
Before she finished, Long Feiye declared, “Your lordship will only be responsible for you!” As if afraid that Han Yunxi would doubt his words, he abruptly leaned down and kissed her on the lips.
Han Yunxi pursed them in return, wanting to be more serious and make demands, but all she ended up saying was, “Let’s mark it with another stamp.”
“What?” Long Feiye didn’t understand what she meant.