Chapter 929: Gone, disappeared (2/2)
Han Yunxi’s words were less polished than usual, but fortunately the various elders didn’t sense anything amiss. After all, this was a huge matter for Myriad Merchant Hall, so it was normal for anyone to be nervous.
“Princess is right! Someone come, hurry and track down Uncle Cheng. Say that something big’s happened and he needs to come back!” the head elder immediately ordered.
Only then did Han Yunxi relax a little. If Uncle Cheng didn’t kidnap them, then my plan with Jia Dai can proceed as normal; otherwise, any of Uncle Cheng’s follow-up moves will only earn the Council of Elders’ suspicion. Whatever the reason for the kidnapping, Han Yunxi only hoped that Ning Jing’s baby would be safe.
“Your Royal Highness, how about we bring Tang Li here and interrogate him? The Tang Clan needs to give us an explanation for the Pear Blossom Rain Needles!” the head elder suggested.
Han Yunxi couldn’t begin to imagine whether Tang Li would go mad at the news of Ning Jing’s kidnapping. She should give him a heads’ up ahead of time, but that would be difficult at a time like this. She only hoped that Tang Li wouldn’t act too impulsively. Hiding her unease, she said, “It’s about time we dealt with that. Bring him to the official hall for discussing business matters.”
The blissfully ignorant Tang Li was exceptionally docile and well-behaved as he allowed the guards to tie him up without a shred of resistance. Once he arrived at the hall, he even seized the chance when no one was looking to wink at Han Yunxi. Although Han Yunxi had felt Tang Li matured over the past few days, she realized in this instant that he was still foolish like a child at times. Seeing his markedly thinner form bound up in ropes made her heart ache.
Ning Jing, where are you? Are you missing your A’Li too?
“Tang Clan Head, please take a seat,” the head elder had still prepared a chair for him. Because both of Tang Li’s legs were bound, he could only hop to his chair to sit down.
In a cold voice, he laughed and said, “Hehe, so your Di Clan still knows how to extend courtesy to its guests!”
The various elders grew incensed, but the head elder silenced them with a look. He said, “Tang Clan Head, the Tang Clan should be getting anxious now that you’ve been missing for all these days.”
“May I venture to guess that the head elder is ready to release me after saying such things?” Tang Li grew serious. “You better give my wife and me all the money we’ve won, or else I’ll never leave!”
Even the head elder’s face blanched at his statement, while the various servant girls in the hall had to hide their giggles behind their hands. Han Yunxi couldn’t manage a smile at all as she spoke next. “Tang Clan Head, if you won’t give us Di Clan a thorough explanation for the Pear Blossom Rain Needles, don’t dream of getting a cent, much less leaving this place!”
Tang Li pursed his lips. “Where’s Ning Jing? Call her out. The Pear Blossom Rain Needles was my betrothal gift to her, so if there’s anyone I’ll explain to, it’s her!” As he spoke, he arched his brow at the crowd in disdain. “What do you lot...count for? Did you ever get Ning Jing’s permission before taking her gift?”
“It’s natural for the Ning Clan Head to receive Ning Jing’s betrothal gifts!” the head elder retorted. Of course, the Ning Clan Head would be Ning Cheng.
“Fine then, call out Ning Cheng as well. I’ll explain to both brother and sister!” Tang Li knew that Ning Cheng had gone missing, so he was doing this on purpose.
The head elder couldn’t fulfill either of his requests, while Third and Second Elder had lessened their suspicions of the Tang Clan’s hand in the kidnapping after Tang Li’s statements. The head elder looked towards Han Yunxi next, pleading for her to take over.
“Tang Clan Head, this princess can represent the Di Clan Head in his place. If you can give me a clear explanation today, I’ll let you go.” At her words, all of the elders looked her way, but she gave them a reassuring glance and continued to talk. “If your explanation is unsatisfactory, then don’t blame this princess for being blunt!”
Han Yunxi was paving a way out for Tang Li, who purposely examined her from head to toe. After a long pause, he said, “Fine, then this clan head will show the West Qin princess some face.”
He remained silent for a while longer before deigning to speak, his attitude much softer. “Head Elder, this junior has a question to ask, if that’s possible.”
“Speak and let us hear,” the head elder replied guardedly.
“May I ask Head Elder how you would deal with a woman who drugged and forced herself on you?” Tang Li’s tone was serious, but his words silenced the whole crowd. A second later, everyone except the head elder grinned. Some couldn’t help laughing out loud, while others were fighting to suppress their mirth or chuckling secretly up their sleeves.
Han Yunxi only looked at Tang Li with a helpless grin of her own.
The head elder was at a loss to reply, so Tang Li went on, “Head Elder, would you kill that woman, or wed her into your household to torment slowly?”
No other reply was forthcoming, so Tang Li forged ahead. “Cloud Realm Trade Consortium is rich and arrogant, with a large clan and big businesses. My Tang Clan can’t afford to offend them. Fortunately, Miss Jing was willing to marry me, Tang Li, and give me a chance to avenge the insult.”
Nobody could manage a smile after that. With Tang Li’s words, everyone assumed that Ning Jing had been tormented daily after marrying into the Tang Clan, perhaps even suffering inhumanely at his hands. Only Han Yunxi knew it was Tang Li who was constantly bullied, ordered about, cursed, and beaten. Tang Li had worshipped, shielded, and yielded to Ning Jing like a queen. One needed chance and fortune to be spoiled like that, but the person who wanted to spoil another needed his chance, too!
Han Yunxi didn’t even know whether Tang Li would have another chance to be bullied by Ning Jing again. She listened quietly as he continued to confess.
That’s right, Tang Li wasn’t offering an explanation to them at all, but confessing his love…