The Culprit Lurking Among Us?
Ye Siheng pulled the lever, causing the wooden board behind him to tilt and form a ramp. He adjusted his wheelchair and smoothly descended. However, before he could inquire about the situation, the dissipating black mist began to gather once again.
This time, not only Xie Beihan, but also the coachman and the servants, who couldn't see the black mist just now, were stunned and frozen in place by the scene.
“Careful, Your Highness!” Qing Feng took the initiative to attack, but his efforts were futile against the mist. Thanks to Xie Beihan’s protection with a peach wood bracelet, he remained unharmed. However, the frenzied mist resembled a beast, intent on killing everyone present. Even Qing Feng couldn’t withstand its assault, his breath being robbed away.
The mist was about to envelop Ye Siheng.
He couldn’t walk, let alone utilize any Taoist techniques.
At the critical moment, a talisman flew in, dispersing the darkness with scattered golden light, like a warm glow in the night. The mist, unwilling to give up, launched another attack from a different direction.
Someone appeared from behind, swiftly changing the direction of the wheelchair and positioning themselves in front. With their fingers intertwined, a collision of forces occurred, accompanied by a loud bang. Violent winds swept through, raising clouds of dust in all directions. The air trembled and roared.
It was Nanli.
Clad in a flowing blue dress, her countenance remained cold. Ye Siheng turned his head, slightly astonished, as he had never had a woman stand in front of him and shielded him from danger.
“A mere parlor trick,” Nanli coldly snorted, forming a hand seal as power gathered between her fingers.
The mist suffered a heavy blow, immediately dispersing and vanishing without a trace. Tranquility returned to the street, with the moon’s cold light still shining.
Nanli turned around, assessing Ye Siheng, who had met with her before. “Are you OK?”
Ye Siheng smiled faintly, his peerless appearance capable of captivating all beings. “Thanks to Miss, I am unscathed.”
However, Nanli seemed to overlook his captivating looks, nodding slightly. “Rest assured, I will have Heir Xie compensate me for saving your life.”
Ye Siheng’s smile stiffened slightly. Nanli had already approached Xie Beihan. He was terrified, clutching the peach wood bracelet tightly, curling up into a ball, and repeatedly muttering, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me…”
Nanli patted his shoulder impatiently. “Heir Xie, are you all right?”
Hearing her voice was like grasping a floating object in the sea. Xie Beihan immediately looked up, confirming that it was indeed Nanli. He immediately disregarded his status and burst into tears, wailing, “Little Sister, it was truly terrifying. I almost lost my life…”
As he cried, he attempted to cling to Nanli's thigh.
Nanli quickly stepped back and said with a hint of disdain in her voice. “Who said I’m your little sister?”
“I am Chu Shuo' brother, so you are my little sister,” Xie Beihan exclaimed.
“Even blood siblings settle accounts clearly. It was sold for five hundred taels of silver this morning but now the price has increased,” Nanli said. “I will find the person who harmed you.”
Xie Beihan was frightened by the black mist and didn’t dare to negotiate with Nanli. “Whatever you say, Little Sister.”
“One thousand taels of silver,” Nanli stated firmly.
“One thousand taels of silver? How could one thousand taels of silver be enough? My life is worth at least three thousand taels of silver,” Xie Beihan argued.
Nanli gave him a deep look. “No wonder you and my second brother get along so well.”
When it came to spending money, they were exactly the same.
She took out a paper crane folded from talismans, blew a breath, and the paper crane flapped its wings and slowly took flight.
Due to the rush earlier, the carriage from Marquis Zhenbei Mansion had broken down. Xie Beihan was weak and unsteady on his feet, and Nanli couldn’t possibly carry him on her back.
“I will accompany you for a part of the journey,” Ye Siheng spoke up.
Xie Beihan’s expression slightly stiffened. “Ninth Prince, you’re still here.”
He feared the Ninth Prince the most. Although he was handsome, he always wore a stern expression.
Ye Siheng nodded. “The bracelet.”
Only then did Xie Beihan recall that the Prince had thrown a bracelet at him during the crisis, saving his life. He smiled nervously and quickly handed over the bracelet.
Qing Feng took it and helped his master back onto the carriage. Xie Beihan wanted to find an excuse not to get on, but Nanli pulled him along. “Hurry up.”
It was already late at night, and she wanted to get things done quickly and go to sleep. Xie Beihan had no choice but to comply.
If he were asked which was scarier, the Ninth Prince or the black mist, his answer would be "equally terrifying."
Nanli instructed the carriage driver to follow the paper crane closely. Inside the carriage, several night pearls provided illumination. Xie Beihan saw Nanli's calm expression, and his heart was filled with admiration.
Even his own father appeared somewhat restrained in front of the unsmiling Ninth Prince, but Nanli acted as if he wasn't there.
A true master stands out, exuding an extraordinary aura.
The carriage had been modified for wheelchair accessibility. He sat in the middle, with Nanli and Xie Beihan on either side.
The seats were cushioned with soft padding, gliding smoothly over the cobblestone road without a hint of jolting.
In the center, there was a small table adorned with tea sets.
Ye Siheng personally poured a cup of tea and said, “Please, Miss.”
“Thank you.” Nanli hurriedly approached, feeling genuinely thirsty.
The tea was warm and fragrant, leaving a delightful aftertaste. It was truly a fine brew.
Xie Beihan widened his eyes, glancing at Nanli, then back at Ye Siheng.
To his astonishment, a faint smile graced the Ninth Prince’s lips.
Summoning his courage, Xie Beihan made a request, “Ninth Prince, I am also thirsty.”
Ye Siheng turned his head to look at him, the smile fading, his gaze returning to its icy coldness.
“Don't your have hands?”
“…” Xie Beihan quickly shifted his position. Good, it was still the Ninth Prince he knew.
The carriage soon came to a halt.
Nanli and Xie Beihan disembarked. Seeing the familiar mansion before him, Xie Beihan's face turned pale in an instant.
Because this was the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion.
A chill ran down his spine, realizing that the person who tried to harm him was right beside him!
Recalling his recent distress and fear, Xie Beihan stormed into the mansion, demanding that all the household members be summoned. He must find out who was behind this.
But fearing encountering evil spirits, he deliberately waited at the entrance.
Only when Nanli came forward did he feel at ease a little bit.
The Marquis Zhenbei Mansion was soon illuminated with lights.
The Marquis was furious when woken by the noise in the middle of the night and was about to rip Xie Beihan a new one. However, upon seeing a young girl standing beside his son, the Marquis immediately clutched his chest and lamented, “What sins have I committed to be burdened with such a wretched offspring like you!”
He hadn't say anything yet! Xie Beihan was utterly aggrieved. “Father, what have I done wrong again?”
“What do you think?! You brought a young girl back in the dead of night, hoping to make her your concubine!” The Marquis covered his chest, sat down, and pondered for a moment. He then realized that his son had made some progress this time, at least he hadn’t acted without permission and even sought his old father’s opinion.
Hmm, his old heart felt comforted.
The Marquis immediately put on a smile and said, “Miss, where do you reside, and how old are you?”