Chapter 904: Interrogation, finally here (1/2)

Ning Jing avoided Han Yunxi’s question and asked one of her own. Han Yunxi did the same, but she didn’t follow up with another query.

“What now, feeling guilty?” Ning Jing provoked.

Han Yunxi only smiled and said nothing. Both of them were intelligent women, but this was their first time chatting one on one. Both suspected the other of probing for answers and were on guard, carefully studying her opponent while making sure to reveal nothing in turn. Sometimes, all it took was a single glance for two smart people to read each other’s true thoughts. Han Yunxi ignored Ning Jing’s goading, leaving a complex look to flutter across the latter’s eyes. She didn’t say much, but wheeled Han Yunxi into Myriad Merchant Hall’s official building for business matters and shut the door behind her. Han Yunxi took note of the seemingly casual movement and smiled.

“What now, you need to shut the door to discuss Tang Li’s matters with me?”

Ning Jing was good at holding her temper, but Han Yunxi’s simple statements were enough to incite her rage. She almost lost it, but held herself back and went to fling the door open again. In any case, everyone in charge of Myriad Merchant Hall was at the gambling and auction houses now. No one would come here, and she’d long dismissed the other servants. She wasn’t afraid even if the doors were wide open!

Ning Jing made sure they were flung wide open before standing in front of Han Yunxi. She leaned against a table behind her with her arms crossed, peering down loftily from above. “Han Yunxi, what kind of things do you want to discuss regarding the Tang Clan? Go ahead and speak!”

It was rare for anything in the Di Clan to take this attitude with her. Han Yunxi was truly...more at ease. Compared to Ning An’s respectful tone, she much preferred Ning Jing’s frankness. Despite that, she hadn’t shown the girl any mercy since they’d met.

She ruthlessly rejected the girl and declared, “You’re not the one in charge of the Di Clan, so I...have nothing to discuss with you,”

“You were fooling with me!” Ning Jing lost control.

Han Yunxi shrugged her shoulders helplessly Just then, her exact words at the gates were, “If you’re the one in charge, I think I should talk with you regarding the Tang Clan.”

Ning Jing glared at her while trying to figure out why she should be so contentious. Meanwhile, Han Yunxi’s intention was to anger Ning Jing in the first place. She wanted her to spill the beans about the Tang Clan first so she could see just where her “selfish motives” lay! If it was to escape the Di Clan like she claimed, then wasn’t this the perfect chance? Why wasn’t she running away now?

Han Yunxi allowed Ning Jing to continue glaring while she sat playing with her pretty manicured nails. It was such a provoking, taunting sight that Ning Jing only grew more furious. Han Yunxi assumed she’d blow her top, but the girl managed to calm herself down and remained mute. That only made Han Yunxi more curious to know the truth.

She said, “Ning Jing, I’ll have to trouble you to call over the elders in charge of Myriad Merchant Hall. I’ll discuss the Tang Clan’s matters with them.”

“You’re not worthy!” Ning Jing sneered.

Han Yunxi was very calm. “You don’t have the right to decide that. Whether I’m worthy or not, only their judgment counts.”

Ning Jing stood unmoving.

“What now, feeling guilty? Or are you afraid?” Han Yunxi prodded.

Ning Jing sucked in a breath. “Who’s afraid of whom, huh? You just wait!”

Just like that, Ning Jing left Han Yunxi with a carefree silhouette as she went off to call the elders. Soon enough, all five of the men in charge of Myriad Merchant Hall appeared. Although they were still dealing with the mess at the gambling halls and auction houses, no waves could compare to the arrival of the West Qin princess! Like Ning Jing, they were completely clueless about her status as a “hostage” and desperately wanted to know what she’d been doing with the East Qin crown prince. Despite the doubts in their hearts, the five elders were all very respectful upon seeing Han Yunxi and made reverent bows.

Ning Jing gained the initiative by striking the first blow. “The princess has paid a personal visit to Myriad Merchant Hall. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you should hurry up and ask for instructions. It’s not easy for us to see the princess in person.”

Everyone could tell that Ning Jing’s tone was unfriendly.

The head elder knitted his brows at Ning Jing to hint that she shouldn’t be so rude, but Ning Jing only pretended not to see. Han Yunxi only smiled amiably and said, “What are you all standing for? Have a seat.”

The group gave their thanks and took their seats as the nervous air dissipated somewhat. But they’d hardly sat down when Han Yunxi’s next statement made them all tense again.

She said, “I heard Ning Jing say that someone was maligning this princess behind my back. They claimed I was still thinking of the East Qin crown prince behind everyone’s backs and shaming the Di Clan’s loyalty, thus making me an unworthy candidate to be princess?”

All of the men stood up at her words. Ning Jing hadn’t recovered before they simultaneously shot her demanding looks. Han Yunxi’s move was truly impressive and mighty. But Ning Jing wasn’t so weak.

She immediately stepped forward and said, “Princess, there are no outsiders here. Why take so many twists and turns in your words? I was the one who said those things! Princess ought to be at the barracks, but why were you together with the East Qin crown prince? Why are you helping him against Bai Yanqing? The archers at Blacktower said that he was carrying you the entire time!”

Ning Jing’s questions echoed the queries of everyone else, but she’d put it so bluntly that everyone grew anxious. After all, this was a sensitive issue and Ning Jing hadn’t given Han Yunxi any face. This wasn’t just any master, but the famous Han Yunxi.