Fen Ling shook off Ning Ze and followed Su Rong.
Ning Ze desperately grabbed Ning Yao, "Sister, you heard that. Big brother said he wants to kill me."
Ning Yao sighed and spoke softly, "Even if you beg big brother to spare you, you shouldn’t do it in front of so many people. Beg him once we return to the residence!"
Ning Ze had a gloomy face as he got on the carriage.
Once in the carriage, Ning Ze was still anxious. "Sister, do you think big brother will spare me?"
Ning Yao spoke in a low voice, "Big brother is a reasonable person. Lady Su Qi and Master Feng went to great lengths to escort us back to Nanping on behalf of Eastern Palace. They were able to return us home safely, big brother shouldn’t take our lives. As long as we behave and live quietly, big brother probably wouldn’t bother to punish us."
Ning Ze thought this made sense, which eased his anxiety slightly.
Su Rong was walking side by side with Ning Chi.
Ning Chi kept his voice low and quickly explained to Su Rong, "Father has aligned himself with eighteen tribes. Luckily, we got the news early, and I was able to suppress him in time. But due to the provocation, ambitions have been stirred up within the eighteen tribes, and Zhou Gu left for the eighteen tribes three days ago."
"On my way here, I encountered an ambush by the county commander of Heyun, ordered by the second prince at the valley entrance. I then guessed, are there people from the second prince or even from the Pingxi general, Zhang Ping, in the eighteen tribes?" Su Rong looked at Ning Chi, "Did Zhou Gu go there alone?"
Ning Chi shook his head, "I gave him ten thousand soldiers, and he took them with him."
"Good." Su Rong looked at him, "Have you taken control of the Marquis Nanping Residence? Is Marquis Nanping willing?"
"He was unwilling at first. When the news of the Crown Prince’s failure in the Capital City reached Nanping, he incited the eighteen tribes and secretly planned a rebellion, because he felt that over the years, he had been too deeply involved with the Crown Prince’s Residence. As soon as the Crown Prince was exposed, the Marquis Nanping Residence would certainly suffer. Panic-stricken, he made an irrational decision to target the eighteen tribes. But I took control in time. After all, I haven’t been idling all these years. Moreover, since I returned from Jiangning County, the Crown Prince has secretly sent people to help me in Nanping. Most of Father’s power has been secretly taken over by me. Therefore, if I want to stop him, he can’t succeed. He is very angry, but when he learned that I have pledged allegiance to the Eastern Palace and agreed to remove him from the Crown Prince’s case, to save the Marquis Nanping Residence, he had no choice but to accept."
Ning Chi spoke, revealing a sarcastic smile, "He cannot accept this, but he has no choice. After all, he only has two sons. One is uncertain of life or death in Capital City. If the Crown Prince wants him to die or live, it only takes a word from him. If Ning Ze dies, he only has me as his successor. Moreover, he won’t bear to see Ning Ze die."
"He can always have more children!" Su Rong said.
Ning Chi shook his head, with a blank expression, "My stepmother is a tough character. After Ning Ze was born, she secretly gave Father a sterilization potion."
Su Rong: "..."
Definitely a tough character indeed.
No wonder Ning Chi, talented as he is, has been struggling for years under a formidable stepmother. Life would indeed not be easy.
She asked, "Is it rumored that Marquis Nanping is fond of his second wife? Does he know that he has been drugged?"
How could a man tolerate his wife giving him a sterilization potion, no matter how fond he may be? He wouldn’t have the tolerance, would he?
"Yes, he is very fond of her, even when he found out that he had been drugged, he never dismissed her." Ning Chi said.
Su Rong thought to herself, his love was really great.
She switched topic, "Is Zhou Gu in danger? What’s the situation with the eighteen tribes? Can you tell me about it?"
Ning Chi said, "Lady Su Qi, rest assured, Zhou Gu is not in danger. He has brought quite a few hidden guards with him, and he has his people in the eighteen tribes. This time, he wants to truly recruit the eighteen tribes on behalf of the Imperial Court. In case of any mishap, I sent him ten thousand soldiers. With his abilities, he should be safe dealing with the eighteen tribes."
Su Rong nodded, "That’s good."
The two of them continued their conversation and entered the city gates of Nanping.
Marquis Nanping was waiting at the entrance of his residence himself. Upon seeing Su Rong and Fen Ling, he was very enthusiastic, "Lady Su Qi, Master Feng, thank you both for personally returning my son and daughter. You must have been very tired from the journey. I sincerely appreciate your effort."
Su Rong looked at Marquis Nanping. The middle-aged Marquis Nanping emanated a scholarly poise. It was hard to imagine that he had secretly conspired to incite a rebellion with the eighteen tribes. She smiled and said, "Marquis, you are being polite. The prince and I had dealt with each other in Jiangning County and our relationship has been deep. Knowing that the prince loves his siblings, it doesn’t matter if I make this arduous trip."
Marquis Nanping was taken aback as he hadn’t expected Su Rong to say that. He looked at Ning Chi.
Ning Chi kept silent.
Marquis Nanping quickly replied with a smile, "I had no idea that my son was in good terms with Lady Su Qi before. If I had known, I would have sent an invitation to Lady Su Qi to visit Nanping long ago."
Su Rong laughed, "It’s not too late. I’ve always been intrigued by the culture of Nanping."
Marquis Nanping immediately said, "Then please stay for a few more days, Chi can accompany you around."
Su Rong nodded, "Then we will have to trouble Marquis."
As they were talking, Ning Yao and Ning Ze got down from the carriage. As soon as Ning Ze saw Marquis Nanping, he felt a rush of grievances, yelled "Father", and wanted to rush into Marquis Nanping’s arms. However, halfway through, he suddenly remembered something, stopped in fear, and stared at Ning Chi. "Bi...big brother, I...I just missed father. Can, can I hug father?"
Ning Chi was speechless, the air seemingly becoming very heavy, "Do whatever you want, why are you asking me?"
In the end, Ning Ze didn’t dare to hug Marquis Nanping. Instead, he said, "Father, I almost died in Capital City."
That single sentence nearly made Marquis Nanping lose his balance.
He looked at Ning Ze with some sympathy, but given the number of people present, he coughed once, maintained his composure and said, "It’s good that you’re back safe."
A few days ago, he truly believed that his son and daughter would both die in Capital City.
He turned to look at Ning Yao.
Ning Yao, with red eyes, called out, "Father," and then said, "I’m unfilial, causing trouble for the family and sorry for father’s teachings."
Marquis Nanping waved his hand, about to say something but decided against it. His gaze fell on her slightly protruded belly, paused for a moment and said, "It’s good that you are back safe. Your mother has fallen ill since she heard about your accident. She’s bedridden now. You should go see her at once!"
Ning Yao nodded.
When Ning Ze heard that his mother was sick, he immediately ran into the residence.
After the brother and sister rushed into the residence, Marquis Nanping quickly invited Su Rong and Fen Ling inside, "Lady Su Qi, Master Feng, I’ve instructed someone to arrange rooms for you both. Feel free to make yourself at home, and if there’s anything unsatisfactory, just inform the housekeeper to help."
"Marquis, you’re too kind." Su Rong replied with a smile, "My brother and I won’t be polite with you."
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