“Absolutely not…” Xue Zi Ning refused instinctively.
Upon hearing this, Yan Jin Chao let out a low chuckle, “Is that so? Then there is nothing to discuss. Miss Feng, please leave the manor…”
“What business is it of yours?” Xue Zi Ning retorted.
Yan Jin Chao withdrew his smile and said coldly, “Those who are not members of the Yan manor are not permitted to be here. Miss Feng, please depart, otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Xue Zi Ning looked up and asked him.
Yan Jin Chao did not continue the topic, merely stating, “I am going to discuss matters with the King of Bei Jiang.”
Xue Zi Ning gritted her teeth, finally recalling how detestable Yan Zhao had been in the past.
Was she now reaping what she had sown?
“I agree,” she said, each word spat out through gritted teeth.
Yan Jin Chao, where she couldn't see him, subtly raised the corners of his lips, “There is a set of maidservant clothes on the bed. Put them on and follow me to the study.”
Xue Zi Ning was startled. Why would there be maidservant clothes on Yan Zhao’s bed? She walked to the bedside and indeed, on the bed was a set of maidservant clothes, the color of which was her favorite, a blend of sky and water.
“Did you know I would agree?” Did you know I would come, and therefore made these arrangements?
“A Ning, I am not a god,” he suddenly said.
Xue Zi Ning, who was about to pick up the clothes, threw them to the ground and walked over, looking at him, “What did you just call me?”
He slowly said, “Since you are a maidservant, I shall give you a name, calling you A Ning.”
She looked up, staring intently at him, but all she saw was his indifference, as if he had spoken casually.
She let out a low laugh, “Do you know someone once called me A Ning, protected me, even exchanged their life for mine?”
“That person must surely be gone…”
She smiled, tears streaming down her face, “No, he is still here, it’s just that…”
She sniffled, “He doesn’t recognize me anymore…”
“Then you must have treated him very badly, otherwise how could he forget you?”
Her body trembled…
He said, “Change into the clothes. Don’t keep the King of Bei Jiang waiting too long…”
Xue Zi Ning changed into the clothes, redid her hair in a maidservant’s style, and stood before him again. He pushed open the door and said, “Let’s go!”
She stepped out.
He said to the man approaching them, “A Ning will be the maidservant who attends to my daily life from now on…”
The man nodded, “This humble one understands.”
After speaking, he couldn’t help but glance up to see what the maidservant the young master had kept looked like. But before he could see, Yan Jin Chao spoke again, “Lead the way…”
The man was taken aback. Didn’t the young master know where the study was? But he quickly understood; this was the young master not wanting him to see Miss A Ning.
He lowered his head and obediently led the way.
At the study door, he stopped and said, “Young master, His Highness is already waiting inside.”
Seeing that Miss A Ning was also about to enter, he quickly stepped forward to block her, “Young master is discussing matters with the King of Bei Jiang, why are you going in?”
“Let her follow,” Yan Jin Chao said faintly.
“Yes, young master.”
To bring Miss A Ning along for such an important matter as discussing with the King of Bei Jiang, how highly must the young master regard this Miss A Ning?
It seemed he would have to pay close attention to this Miss A Ning from now on.
The King of Bei Jiang saw Yan Jin Chao and was about to speak when he suddenly noticed a maidservant following behind him, and couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master Yan, what is the meaning of this?”
Yan Jin Chao heard him and said calmly, “Your Highness, this is the Yan manor. If Your Highness dislikes it, I can relocate to the Bei Jiang King’s manor.”
The King of Bei Jiang was amused to the point of laughter, “So, if one comes to the Yan manor, they must abide by your rules, Yan Jin Chao?”
Yan Jin Chao nodded, “Yes.”
The King of Bei Jiang shook his head, “Since you are willing to bring her along, I presume she will not speak of this matter outside.”
“Naturally, she will not speak,” Yan Jin Chao replied.
The King of Bei Jiang nodded, “The day after tomorrow is the festival day of Bei Jiang City, and I have invited the King of Yun from An Cheng.”
“Why is Your Highness telling me this?”
The King of Bei Jiang smiled, “Naturally, I hope Young Master Yan will receive this King of Yun on my behalf.”
“I will certainly do my best,” Yan Jin Chao said.
“I only feel at ease when matters are entrusted to Young Master Yan,” the King of Bei Jiang said.
“Your Highness is too kind. I believe that Young Master Shen is quite capable.”
The King of Bei Jiang heard this and said, “He has other matters to attend to for me.”
Yan Jin Chao replied, “Your Highness, you may entrust it to me.”
The King of Bei Jiang smiled, “It would be best if Young Master Yan could take on this task through a family connection.”
“Your Highness, I truly harbor no romantic feelings for Miss Jiang. I implore Your Highness not to try to matchmake us any further.”
The King of Bei Jiang sighed, “Alright. Actually, Yu Li is very good. You just haven’t seen how good Yu Li is.”
“Miss Jiang is indeed very good, but I do not like her,” Yan Jin Chao stated.
The King of Bei Jiang nodded, “Good. I will not mention this matter again in the future.”
“Your Highness, regarding the prisoners in the water prison, how do you intend to handle them? I implore Your Highness to make a decision as soon as possible, to avoid complications arising from delay.”
“I have decided to resolve it on the festival day,” the King of Bei Jiang replied.
After discussing some insignificant matters of Bei Jiang City, the King of Bei Jiang departed.
Yan Jin Chao turned back to look at the person still lost in thought, walked over, and sat down, saying calmly, “Pour tea.”
Xue Zi Ning was startled, and quickly picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea.
“Serve it to me,” Yan Jin Chao said coolly.
Xue Zi Ning handed him the teacup. He took it, took a sip, and said, “Do not act on the festival day. His Highness will surely make thorough preparations.”
She looked up at him and said, “What I do is none of your concern.”
Yan Jin Chao heard this and said faintly, “I do not wish to interfere, but you are now a maidservant of my Yan manor. Your every action represents my Yan manor. There are seventy-two people in the Yan manor; if you fail, all seventy-three of them will have to die with you.”
“Why seventy-three people?” Xue Zi Ning asked, as if she couldn’t count?
Yan Jin Chao slowly raised his eyes and said faintly, “The extra person is me…”
Xue Zi Ning was stunned, “You…”
Yan Jin Chao stood up, walked a few steps, and then suddenly stopped, “A Ning, whether to save or to kill, you must weigh the importance yourself!”
She looked at his retreating back and for the first time, doubted herself.
As he had said, should she save the person and thus endanger the lives of these seventy-three people, or…
The festival day finally arrived. Yan Jin Chao, under the command of the King of Bei Jiang, was to receive the King of Yun from An Cheng, and Xue Zi Ning was naturally among those present.
She did not know the extent of Yun Wei Hai’s relationship with the King of Bei Jiang, nor whether he could be used to her advantage.
She followed Yan Jin Chao to the King of Bei Jiang’s seaside. An Cheng and Bei Jiang City were separated by the sea, and it only took five days by boat to reach.
From afar, she saw the banner with the character “Yun.” After another two hours, the King of Yun’s ship docked.
Yan Jin Chao stepped forward and bowed slightly to Yun Wei Hai as he disembarked, “I am Yan Jin Chao, specially here to welcome the King of Yun.”