"May I ask who you two are?"
Ning Wenyi clasped his hands in a fist salute, adopting the demeanor of a江湖人士 (jianghu person): "I am Ning Wenyi from the Ning family of Licheng. This is my daughter, Ning Yao."
Ning Yao watched from the side, her lips twitching. Her father shouldn't have entered the imperial court; he should have been wandering the world with a long sword.
Looking at the stunned Ah Heng, Ning Yao nodded and said, "Hello."
Ah Heng was completely dumbfounded. Ning Wenyi?
Isn't that the name of his second uncle who couldn't find his way home after going down the mountain many years ago?
What a coincidence?
Could it be that they share the same name?
Ah Heng's mind was in turmoil; she wanted to confirm something, but for a moment she didn't know how to say it.
Seeing that his expression was strange, Ning Wenyi asked worriedly, "Young man? Are you alright?"
Ah Heng didn't respond.
Ning Wenyi whispered to his daughter, "What's wrong with him? Why does he look like he's been struck by lightning? Did Dad say anything wrong just now?"
Ning Yao shook her head: "No, the problem is with him."
She gestured with her chin, indicating to Aheng.
Ning Wenyi coughed lightly, then suddenly shouted, "Young man! Are you alright?"
The loud noise startled Ah Heng and also attracted the attention of Yun Xiang and Nan Shan's family.
All eyes turned to him, making Ning Wenyi feel somewhat embarrassed.
Ning Yao stepped forward and asked, "These are your family members?"
Yun Xiangnanshan snapped out of her daze of being reunited with her family and nodded quickly: "Thank you for bringing me back, young lady. This is my family."
She pointed to the elderly couple and said, "These two are my parents, and also the chief and high priest of my clan."
Ning Yao raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
It turns out to be a direct descendant of the Yunxiang clan.
Yun Xiangnanshan continued, "This is my younger sister, Yun Xiangnanxi, who is also the Holy Maiden of my clan."
Ning Yao shifted her gaze to a woman who looked completely different from Yun Xiang and Nan Shan.
Yun Xiang Nanshan has a very aggressive kind of beauty, while Yun Xiang Nanxi is more gentle and clear.
If no one introduced them, she would think that Nancy was the older sister and Nanshan was the younger sister.
After all, the younger sister is much more mature than the older sister.
Before Ning Yao could speak, Ning Wenyi started shouting loudly.
"You...you...aren't you Shen Wei's wife? What are you doing here?"
"Wait a minute! More than ten years have passed, how come you still look the same?"
Ning Wenyi was completely shocked after seeing Yun Xiangnanxi's face clearly.
The once renowned Princess Consort of Duanqin, who disappeared without a word, has now reappeared in Yunxiang City.
Judging from this, how did she become the Holy Maiden of the Yunxiang Clan?
Recognized, Yun Xiangnan asked curiously, "Do you know me?"
"Speaking of which, we're practically in-laws!"
Yun Xiangnanxi seemed to remember something: "You are the Duke of Zhenguo? My husband wrote a letter a few years ago saying that Lele was engaged to the second son of the Duke of Zhenguo's family. I suppose it must be your family!"
Ning Wenyi slapped his thigh: "Oh, that's right, it's us! Lele and Jin'er got married last year, and now our whole family has moved to Licheng, which isn't far from Yunxiang City. If I had known I would run into you, I would definitely have told Lele!"
Ning Yao, still in shock, quickly pulled her unreliable father back: "Dad, have you forgotten? Second sister-in-law is pregnant! Don't talk nonsense!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiangnanxi became excited again: "Lele is pregnant? That's wonderful! Since you're in Licheng, it will be much easier for you to visit each other in the future!"
Yun Xiang and Nan Shan, who were standing to the side, were completely confused.
"What happened? How did you two become in-laws?"
In her view, it was too absurd that two families that were completely unrelated had suddenly become connected.
At this moment, the high priest suddenly stood up and said, "Let's go back to the tribe first, and talk about it slowly when we get back."
"Yes, let's go home first!"
Then everyone realized that they were still outside.
They returned to their clan with Yun Xiangshi.
Only Ah Heng still seemed eager to try, wanting to confirm with Ning Wenyi.
Yunxiang City is located at the foot of Wushan Mountain, where the Yunxiang clan has farmed and lived for generations.
The direct descendants of the Yunxiang clan, namely Yunxiang Nanshan's family, lived in the innermost part of Yunxiang City.
The clan's territory was vast, and in addition to a house for living, there was also the Temple of the Holy Maiden, a residence unique to the Holy Maiden.
The Basilica Cistern is grand and majestic, consisting of three main parts: the plaza, the statue of the Virgin Mary, and the main hall.
The Temple of the Holy Maiden is generally not opened, except on major holidays, such as the enthronement of the Holy Maiden or the annual sacrificial ceremony of the entire clan.
The previous saintess is now the high priestess, which means that when the previous high priestess dies, the saintess will step down from her position and become the high priestess.
Then the new saintess must undergo a new selection process before she can be confirmed.
The position of High Priest cannot be filled, but the position of Saintess can be temporarily left vacant.
The clan chief, the high priest, and the saintess are all indispensable; each has their own responsibilities.
The Yunxiang family has maintained this tradition for generations, dating back to two years ago.
Apart from the residences and the temple of the saintess, the rest of the clan's territory was entirely forbidden.
Even a saintess cannot enter the forbidden area without the permission of her ancestors!
This forbidden area is Ning Yao's inevitable destination, but she doesn't know it yet.
When the group arrived at the clan's territory, the clan chief and the high priest were busy preparing food, so they asked the Yun Xiang and Nan Xi sisters to greet the guests.
Having established this close relationship as in-laws, the group quickly became very friendly.
Yun Xiang and Nan Shan were eager to know what was going on.
"The husband I married back then was Prince Duan of Yan. After we got married, I left home and went to the capital. After giving birth to two children, I returned to Yunxiang City."
“He understands the inconvenience of my identity, and I am grateful for his sacrifices for me over the years, so he decides on the children’s marriages, and only needs to inform me.”
“I couldn’t attend Lele’s engagement. I thought I would definitely send her off to her wedding, but two years ago my ancestors suddenly appeared and caused another delay.”
When Yun Xiangnan talked about these things, her face was full of guilt towards the children.
She carried the baby for ten months, gave birth with all her might, but was unable to raise it for even a day.
She believed it was her fault.
Yun Xiang Nanxi recalled the past: "If I had been born in Yun Xiang City, no matter how unwilling I was, I would have had to bear the fate of my people. But I don't want them to be trapped like this for the rest of their lives."
"And Lingyu is with me. She has grown up under my care since she was little, so she can be considered to be fulfilling her filial duty on behalf of Lele and An'er."
Upon hearing the mention of Yun Xianglingyu, Yun Xiangnanshan suddenly turned pale and couldn't help but tremble all over.
"Little sister, Lingyu is..."
Yun Xiangnan gave her a deep look, then sighed: "Lingyu is the child you abandoned back then. I named her Lingyu in the hope that she would be intelligent, quick-witted, and clear-headed in the future, and would never be as muddle-headed as you!"
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