Preparation for the Betrothal, A Visit for Proposal?
This was the first time Zhou Sheng had encountered such an audacious young miss.
He burst into laughter and said, “Very well! It seems that Sixth Miss is not only unfortunate tonight, but also at risk of losing her innocence.”
The surrounding soldiers exchanged glances, revealing rantankerous smiles.
“When I studied the Tao, I swore only to refrain from killing the innocent,” Nanli’s lips curled up.
"I kill those who have evil intentions, whether they are humans or spirits. Come and try me if you dare."
It seemed that the Minister of the Supreme Court had long been colluding with Huai Xu. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so coincidental for him to appear tonight.
Just by looking at his appearance, one could tell that Zhou Sheng had taken the lives of numerous innocent people.
It was only because he had protective talismans drawn by the Heaven Star Brush that the vengeful spirits couldn’t claim his life.
“In that case, I shall give it a try,” Zhou Sheng, who was half a body taller than Nanli, swung his sword with force.
Everyone expected Nanli to be cleaved in half, but the slender and delicate girl managed to block Zhou Sheng’s attack with her Dark Moon Sword, forcing him back several meters.
Zhou Sheng had never expected this. His hand trembling slightly, almost unable to hold onto his sword.
This young miss’s strength was truly extraordinary!
“Dare to lay hands on an official of the court! Quick! Execute them on the spot!”
Zhou Sheng shouted angrily, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Nanli tightened her grip on the Dark Moon Sword.
Her other hand reached into her bag to retrieve a talisman.
Narrowing her eyes, Nanli intended to use the talisman to protect her brother.
However, a figure swiftly darted in, accompanied by a chilling glint.
Wherever the figure went, blood splattered.
In the blink of an eye, the soldiers surrounding them had all been cut at their throats, falling to the ground lifeless.
After finishing off the soldiers, the figure wiped the blood off the sword on the corpses and sheathed it.
In an instant, only Zhou Sheng remained among the officials from the Supreme Court.
His pupils contracted as he stared at the figure, angrily asking, “How dare you kill the officials of the Supreme Court? Who allow you to do this?”
A low, deep voice came from outside, as cold as the moonlight, “I did.”
Upon hearing this voice, Zhou Sheng’s legs went weak and his face turned pale. He immediately knelt on the ground.
His voice trembled uncontrollably as he said, “I pay my respects… I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
Outside the shop, a squad of black-armored guards had already surrounded the area.
The person who had entered the shop and killed the officials was Qing Feng.
A wooden wheelchair was parked at the entrance, and Ye Siheng, dressed in a black silk robe that fit him perfectly, sat in it.
The black-armored guards held torches, casting a glow that accentuated his cold and ethereal demeanor.
Zhou Sheng looked up and swallowed nervously, “Ninth Prince, these two individuals not only seized Taoist Ling Yuan’s artifacts but also intended harm upon him. I was merely following the rules.”
Chu Shuo angrily denied, “That’s not true! Ninth Prince, it was this Taoist who released malevolent spirits to attack my aunt’s shop. Even his artifacts were stolen from Xuanyue Temple. My younger sister, holding the token of the sect leader, only asked him to return them.”
Ye Siheng nodded slightly. He glanced at Nanli, who stood amidst the bloodshed without fear, “With me here, no one will falsely accuse you.”
Zhou Sheng noticed the connection between the two and, in a panic, threatened, “Your Highness, if you allow your subordinates to kill officials of the Supreme Court, it will be difficult to explain to the Emperor, won’t it?”
Ye Siheng chuckled lightly, “I kill whoever I want. I don’t need to worry about explaining things like this to my brother. However, I am currently investigating a case related to you, so you may live a few more days.”
Zhou Sheng widened his eyes, cold sweat forming on his body. “Ye Siheng, you cripple…”
“Bold!” Qing Feng stepped forward, stepping on Zhou Sheng’s hand with a buzzing sound as he drew his sword.
“Wait,” Nanli suddenly spoke up. Zhou Sheng thought she was going to show mercy and save him.
“Miss, with your great kindness today, I…”
“My second brother faints at the sight of blood,” Nanli ignored him, pulling Chu Shuo outside.
Then she said, “Qing Feng, continue.”
Zhou Sheng was dumbfounded and had several of his fingers severed by Qing Feng’s sword.
He screamed in agony while kneeling on the ground.
Chu Shuo beheld from afar, his heart trembling as he turned around.
“Oh my, it is my first encounter with such a multitude of deceased souls…”
“Easy, second brother, for they bear the burden of countless innocent lives. In death, their spirits are torn asunder by restless souls,” consoled Nanli.
“…” Astonishingly, Chu Shuo found himself speechless.
Yet, Ye Siheng interjected, “Does that not mean I am acting on behalf of the Heaven?”
After pondering for a moment, Nanli earnestly nodded, “Indeed, it could be considered as such. However, the Ninth Prince has ventured into battle numerous times, and though it is a matter of defending the homeland, performing acts of benevolence and dispelling malevolence would be commendable.”
Ye Siheng’s expression softened, “I shall remember that.”
Subsequently, Qing Feng ordered the Black Armor Guards to apprehend the three individuals, awaiting a rigorous interrogation.
Crying out his innocence, Chu Shuo suddenly remembered the purpose of their journey and exclaimed, brandishing a ledger, “Hold on, hold on! Now that he has been captured, who will compensate us for our losses?”
Ye Siheng had someone take the ledger and stated, “This man has amassed great wealth over the years. Once his assets are confiscated and accounted for, the appropriate amount shall be delivered to the An'yang Marquisate.”
“Thanks a lot, Ninth Prince,” Chu Shuo expressed his joy and gratitude profusely.
Both of them had arrived in a carriage from the An'yang Marquisate, and Ye Siheng had no excuse to send them back.
In the end, a small squad of Black Armor Guards was dispatched to escort them.
“Hold on,” Ye Siheng instructed as Qing Feng pushed the wheelchair forward.
Seeing Nanli lifting the carriage curtain, he produced a piece of golden token, intricately engraved with a python pattern and the character “Yu”.
This was his royal token.
“Miss Nanli, please accept this. It shall facilitate your future endeavors,” Ye Siheng said.
Nanli understood the significance of this item; possessing this token was equivalent to having Ye Siheng personally present, exuding an imposing aura.
She thought to herself that Ye Siheng had truly spared no expense in his pursuit of breaking the curse and finding the person who could exchange fates.
She reached out and accepted the token but her expression stayed serious, “Rest assured, Your Highness. I shall devote myself to your cause.”
Ye Siheng appeared in the depths of the night to rescue her, indicating that he had long sent people to protect her.
From this night forward, they would be allies who relied on each other.
Only when the carriage from the An'yang Marquis Mansion blended into the darkness of the night did Ye Siheng withdraw his gaze.
The cool moonlight fell upon him, accentuating his solitary figure.
“Qing Feng, she accepted my token,” Ye Siheng fell silent for a moment before asking, “Should we prepare a betrothal gift and propose marriage?”
Qing Feng stumbled, nearly falling.
He cleared his throat and said, “Your Highness, perhaps it would be better to first identify the person who can break the curse before making a decision.”
Ye Siheng lowered his gaze, looking at his own legs, “You are right.”
He had to stand up and marry her and not failed her good intention.
Qing Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he managed to dissuade him.
Otherwise, if the Prince were to learn the truth, it would be truly heart-wrenching.
Inside the carriage.
Chu Shuo continued to hold onto the golden token, reluctant to let go.
“Little Sister, the Ninth Prince has even given you his own token. Could it be that he is fond of you?”
Chu Shuo worried, for the Ninth Prince was a renowned military figure, not only commanding the authority of one hundred thousand troops in the northern region but also having control over the imperial guards in the capital.
The An'yang Marquis Mansion, on the other hand, was merely a newly established household of military officials, lacking a solid foundation. It seemed like an unattainable connection.