Chapter 909: Tang Li, I want speace and quiet” (2/2)

“If my big brother trusts you, could I not?” Tang Li challenged.

Han Yunxi grew serious. “Then Tang Li, do you hate me?”

Tang Li immediately shook his head before quickly nodding instead. But as Han Yunxi knitted her brows, he shook his head again. Han Yunxi shoved him. “So capricious, are you still a man?”

“Why should I hate you?” Tang Li shot back. “Even my big brother doesn’t hate you, so it’s no use even if I do!”

Han Yunxi laughed sardonically. “I really am benefiting from Long Feiye’s good graces!”

Tang Li rolled his eyes. “Where’s my big bro? He knows I’m here, so why hasn’t he come to save me yet? Just what are you two doing?!”

Instead of answering, Han Yunxi asked, “Tang Li, you hate Ning Jing?”

Abruptly, Tang Li lost his patience and waved her away. “Don’t run circles around me. If you’re not letting me go, then just leave! Please take a message to my big bro and tell him to send someone quick.”

Han Yunxi was about to speak when Tang Li interrupted again. “I’m telling you, the next time you come over, don’t bring up ‘Ning Jing,’ or else you might as well not come at all!”

Han Yunxi’s eyes grew crafty before she intoned, “Tang Li, you’re missing your ‘peace and quiet’ (静静 jing jing),[1]

“I am not!” Tang Li suddenly grew angry as he denied it.

Han Yunxi gave a start before she burst into laughter. She had been wondering why he’d lacked hostility despite his blatant attitude beforehand. Tang Li didn’t even hate her as West Qin princess, so how could he despise Ning Jing, a Di Clan woman? She wasn’t sure of the other details, but Han Yunxi was convinced that the hatred between East and West Qin wasn’t firmly rooted in Tang Li’s heart. Otherwise, Tang Li wouldn’t be so chatty with her after knowing her identity. As long as Tang Li didn’t disdain Ning Jing’s origins, then she still had a fighting chance, didn’t she?

Although Ning Jing had said not to mention their affairs to Tang Li, Han Yunxi couldn’t help it. She couldn’t bear to see a stubborn girl like Ning Jing live a lonely, one-sided love and fight all alone. Love was too heavy a burden for one person to bear.

Seeing Han Yunxi grin, Tang Li only felt embarrassed. “Han Yunxi, are you leaving or not?”

“You said you’re not missing your ‘peace and quiet,’ so won’t you be bored if I leave? This prison cell is too quiet. Doesn’t it depress you?” Han Yunxi asked with a smile.

Tang Li lost his temper. “Leave! I want to be alone with peace and quiet!”

“You want to be alone?” Han Yunxi feigned ignorance as she asked curiously, “With ‘Jing Jing?’”

Finally, Tang Li exploded. He refused to answer Han Yunxi and simply pushed her towards the door before slamming it shut behind her! He only wanted to be alone with his peace and quiet, so this was really enough!

Before Han Yunxi could re-enter the cell, the jailkeeper ran over.

“Princess, Fifth Elder is waiting outside and says he needs to see you on urgent business,” he reported.

Han Yunxi had to set Tang Li aside for now and quickly departed. She saw Fifth Elder holding a set of keys in his hands with a respectful air by the exit.

“Your Royal Highness, all of the accounts have been organized at East Valley Private Bank and given to this subordinate. This is the keys to their warehouses. They have not lent any loans at the moment or expanded into other businesses, so their total loans as of tonight total to 56,330,000 taels,” Fifth Elder reported.

Han Yunxi only sighed with emotion internally. The most profitable business in this world really was the trade of money itself. Although only 56,330,000 taels were lent out, these were gaining interest rates daily at exorbitant percentages.

“And Manager Jin?” she asked.

“He sent someone to deliver these, he didn’t come himself,” Fifth Elder replied.

Was it inconvenient to see her because of his injuries, or was he simply afraid? Han Yunxi simply gave Fifth Elder the antidote as promised and added, “Assemble all of the elders tomorrow at noon. I’ll eat a meal with everyone and get to know the situation at the auction and gambling houses.”

Fifth Elder respectfully went to pass on her orders. In the end, Han Yunxi decided to leave the jail cells as well rather than pressuring Tang Li. He might as well spend some time to calm down. Since Ning Jing didn’t like her getting involved, she couldn’t meddle too much. As the dawn approached them, Han Yunxi finally began to feel traces of exhaustion. She stretched lazily and signaled the servant girls to send her to her room. She had to straighten herself up with a nap as soon as possible, because she needed her energy for a “bout” with the Council of Elders tomorrow!

Despite this, Han Yunxi found herself unable to fall asleep in her room. She called for a servant girl to prepare a hot soup and decided to simply soak in a bath so she could clear her thoughts regarding the auction and gambling houses. What were Golden Wing Hall’s motives? From what she understood, their business centered around the trade of medicinal ingredients. There was no overlap whatsoever with Myriad Merchant Hall! Why were they fighting them openly?

Once the servant girls prepared the soup, Han Yunxi dismissed them. By now, she could already stand up straight. If she disregarded the consequences, she could even walk a few steps. It wasn’t as hard to move as before. She slipped off her clothes and carefully eased herself into the bathtub while her legs dangled over the edge, nice and dry. Pinkish red Chinese roses floated on the water’s surface, sending a faint fragrance rising into the air. Han Yunxi relaxed completely and forgot about her cares until a familiar voice came from behind her…

1. Tang Li, you’re missing your ‘peace and quiet,’ right? - A clever word play in Chinese, because “peace and quiet” is written and pronounced identical to Jing Jing, Tang Li’s nickname for Ning Jing.