Chapter 1093: The princesss severe punishmen (2/2)
As a princess, she had all too many ways to punish him severely. But this matter not only concerned her identity as princess, but another man---her husband and his feelings and face.[2] In the end, Han Yunxi looked towards Long Feiye, only to see him expressionless and mute. She understood that this was no time to let private affairs interfere with public duty.
In a cold voice, she said, “Ning Cheng, listen up. Will you accept it if I revoke the Di Clan’s rank as nobles?”
Even Gu Beiyue and Long Feiye were taken aback by her words, but Ning Cheng nodded without hesitation. “This subordinate accepts it wholeheartedly!”
Han Yunxi then declared, “If your Ning Clan troops renders extraordinary service in the northern expedition again, this princess shall confer upon you the title of ‘king!’”
Get rid of the Di Clan’s noble rank, but make him a king? Han Yunxi’s move was certainly impressive! Perhaps in her eyes, Ning Cheng getting blinded was already punishment enough. Now she was seizing the opportunity to remove the Di Clan’s noble rank while still drawing them to her side.
This was a secret sign to the Di, Bai, and Nether Clans, as well as the rest of the world. In the future, there would be no East and West Qin, much less the Seven Noble Families. Cloud Realm Continent would only have one royal dynasty and a single kingdom!
Long Feiye’s lips quirked up into a smile. The woman he fancied wasn’t simple. Although these West Qin matters had nothing to do with him, he would settle his own accounts with Ning Cheng one day.
Ning Cheng was an intelligent man. As the princess had promised such a thing, his Di Clan would definitely have its proper standing in the future kingdom. He kowtowed to the ground and said, “My thanks to princess for your grace!”
“Get up now, hurry and treat your wounds. Your clan almost went up in chaos without you,” Han Yunxi said icily.
Despite her chilly face, her heart was warm. As soon as Ning Cheng laid back on the bed, she went to take his pulse and check on the state of poisons inside his body while asking Gu Beiyue about his injuries.
“You were obviously poisoned, so why didn’t you tell us? Courting death?” Han Yunxi asked.
“This subordinate assumed Ning Jing told you?” Ning Cheng replied respectfully. His attitude right now was a carbon copy of Gu Beiyue’s. Han Yunxi was very unused to it, but she wasn’t as polite to him as she was to Gu Beiyue. If Ning Cheng wanted to be so respectfully, she’d just let him do as he pleased.
Han Yunxi would never know that the reason Ning Cheng didn’t mention his poison was because he was planning to die together with Jun Yixie. He never wanted her to risk herself on a rescue mission.
Seeing Ning Cheng more or less alright, Han Yunxi went to sit on one side. Throughout the entire process, Long Feiye only stood nearby without making a sound.
“What are Jin Zi’s origins?” Han Yunxi asked.
Ning Cheng had personally witnessed Jin Zi’s white tiger taming skills at the faceoff at Tiger’s Prison. Gu Beiyue had also told him the whole story beforehand, leaving him astounded.
“He was a slave bought from traders from East Wu.[3] Back then he was very young and didn’t have any idenfication papers on him,” Ning Cheng mused, then added, “Although there is one clue worth investigating.”
“What is it?” Han Yunxi thrilled.
“He didn’t have anything on him, so it’s possible they took his things. If the slave traders back then were found, we might be able to unearth some leads,” Ning Cheng stated.
But this was a prickly problem. Slave traders weren’t the first to handle the slaves, which were traded between hands. After all this time, it’d be a difficult task to track down all the specific people. Moreover, these traders had sold so many people over past couple of decades that it’d be even harder to make them remember all those details. Still, this was their only way.
Han Yunxi immediately ordered subordinates to gather data from Myriad Merchant Hall and begin the investigation. At the same time, she spread word that Ning Cheng was awake.
Hesitant, Ning Cheng finally chose to speak. “Princess, that Jin Zi...he’s not a bad man at heart! I fear he only kidnapped Ning Jing and the rest because he had no other choice. Back then, it was this subordinate who promised to give him back his indenture agreement.”
If Ning Cheng hadn’t mentioned it, everyone would have forgotten than by now. Still, no matter who was right or wrong, forced or helpless, holding good intentions or bad, Han Yunxi only cared about two things.
One, just what had happened between Manager Jin and Mu Linger? Why was she so insistent on marrying him? Han Yunxi refused to believe that she’d given up her affections towards Gu Qishao. Mu Linger had once said she’d chase him for a lifetime until Qi gege was too old to run anymore, then stay by his side. If nothing else had happened in between, she would never give up on her promise.
Two, Manager Jin’s origins. Suppose he really was a direct bloodline descendant of the Black Clan? Even if he had no control over the Black Clan, Jun Yixie’s old cohorts would track him down after he was released.
Faced with a stranger they didn’t know, Han Yunxi wouldn’t take risks, much less gamble her little sister’s future on him.
“Ning Cheng, nurture your wounds well. When the Ning Clan troops arrive, the command over the northern expedition will be put into your hands. We still have things to do!” Han Yunxi said seriously.
Ning Cheng knew she was talking about saving Ning Jing. He finally looked towards Long Feiye and said, “Princess, Your Highness, don’t worry. This subordinate definitely won’t let you down!”
With that settled, Ning Cheng was due to rest. He had just woken up, after all. Han Yunxi rose to leave, but Long Feiye didn’t budge from his seat…
1. Reminder: when he pulled up her clothes to check for the phoenix wing birthmark.
2. Not his actual face, but his pride and self-dignity, e.g. “you lost me face!” kind of thing.
3. Don’t quote me on this but I believe this is the name of a Wintercrow Country city, it was mentioned in the story before.