Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Everyone’s eyes turned to Wei Yi.

In the center of the crowd, Wei Yi slowly spoke, “But I wonder, what is Wan’er upset about?”

Chi Wan murmured, “Brother Wei, she not only disrespected me, but also didn’t bow when she saw me, and even tried to hit me. She clearly doesn’t respect me at all!”

Wei Yi wore a faint, ambiguous smile. “What Wan’er said, is it true?”

His gaze crossed the crowd and landed squarely on Sheng Zhaoning.

Han Xu frowned. “Your Highness the Heir…”

“I didn’t ask you.”

Wei Yi’s voice betrayed no emotion, yet it carried an inexplicable pressure.

Sheng Zhaoning paused briefly, then lowered her head. “Yes.”

Not bowing was the truth.

Attempting to hit was also the truth.

Wei Yi said, “Kneel.”

Sheng Zhaoning was startled, then promptly knelt on the ground.

“To Wan’er, pay your respects.”

Han Xu, standing by, furrowed his brows deeply upon seeing this.

The rule of the Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion was that the Shadow Guard could meet their master without kneeling.

Now that Sheng Zhaoning kneeled here, it already damaged the Shadow Guard’s honor, and making her pay respects to someone who wasn’t even a proper master was like trampling the Shadow Guard’s dignity into the ground.

However, the one giving the order was Wei Yi.

Prince Heir of Zhenbei.

And also, their master.

Sheng Zhaoning knelt on the ground, the accumulated snow mixed with damp cold seeping in from her knees and spreading to her limbs.

Her nails gradually dug into her palms, her spine taut as a line. Under everyone’s gaze, she spoke these words.

“Greetings, Second Miss Chi.”

“Continue.”

“Greetings, Second Miss Chi. Greetings, Second Miss Chi…”

Sheng Zhaoning repeated each word carefully.

Murmurs gradually rose around her.

“Han Xu, go back and relay this to the Shadow Guard.” Wei Yi withdrew his gaze from Sheng Zhaoning, his eyes entirely devoid of warmth. “No matter how much honor the Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion has granted the Shadow Guard, when in front of Chi Wan, they must respect her as they would their master. Any transgression or insubordination will be severely punished as disrespect.”

Han Xu’s face tightened, his breathing halted. He forced himself to answer, “Yes.”

This gesture undoubtedly greatly honored the Chi Family.

Prince Zhenbei’s eyes showed approval. He turned and exchanged a glance with General Chi, who was also extremely satisfied with the outcome. The two smiled at each other and entered the hall together.

Seeing that the main figures had entered, most of the surrounding crowd dispersed.

Wei Yi indifferently withdrew his gaze and asked Chi Wan, “Are you appeased now?”

Chi Wan, feeling triumphant, pouted at the words, hugged his arm, and shook it. “No, she has no manners. She should be properly punished!”

Wei Yi followed her lead and asked, “How does Wan’er want to punish her?”

Chi Wan turned around, smiled brightly, and said, “Then punish her by making her kneel here, keep greeting, until dawn.”

Wei Yi’s expression remained unchanged. He smiled and agreed, “Alright.”

Sheng Zhaoning could no longer tell if her heart was feeling pain or numbness.

A coldness from an unknown source surged through her entire body.

Wei Yi detested her; this was an undeniable fact.

She didn’t know how to change this situation, so she could only treat him like a god, never refusing any of his demands, doing her utmost to please him.

Thus, before the brightly lit Wujin Hall, she knelt in the snow, eyes half-closed, and spoke:

“Greetings, Second Miss Chi.”

“Greetings, Second Miss Chi…”

She repeated it over and over.

The ferocious, ugly mask reflected a warm, dim glow. People came and went around her, casting looks of contempt, ridicule, but most of all, a look of detached, spectator-like indifference.

Wei Yi wouldn’t even spare her a single glance; it was an utterly emotionless indifference.

After Wei Yi left, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Han Xu stood to the side, watching him walk away into the distance.

He finally understood that the Wei Clan was using her and the Shadow Guard’s prestige to bestow special honor on the Chi Family, as a means of winning them over.

Even though Shadow Guards are not required to bow to outsiders, even though they may meet their lord without kneeling…

But they were facing the Chi Family, the Chi Family that the Wei Clan needed.

Thus, whether Sheng Zhaoning was right or wrong, she was in the wrong.

……

At some point, snowflakes began to scatter down from the sky.

Inside Wujin Hall, the lanterns blazed brilliantly.

A sword dance had just finished, and the birthday banquet was already half over.

Wei Chengjun set down his wine cup, and a maid attending him quickly refilled it.

He tapped his fingers on the table and suddenly said, “Brother Chi, why don’t I see your son today?”

Hearing this, Chi Zheng set down his chopsticks. His voice was deep and resonant, brimming with a general’s boldness. “That rascal ran off to Mobei at some point, says he’s looking for some medicine. It’ll be a few days before he can get back.”

Wei Chengjun had only asked casually, but hearing this, he grew interested. “I’ve long heard of a Divine Doctor in Mobei, hidden in the endless desert. One pill can determine life or death. Who is your son seeking medicine for?”

Chi Zheng shook his head helplessly. “He won’t say a word about it. Going to such a dangerous place, not even bringing anyone along, and I have no idea when he’ll be back.”

Wei Chengjun said, “Brother Chi, don’t worry. Your son is full of youthful spirit and exceptional courage, much like your own heroic bearing. His future is boundless; he’ll surely be fine.”

The two raised their cups from a distance to each other, drained them, and Wei Chengjun finally got to the main topic.

“Speaking of which, your son and Wan’er have both reached the age for marriage, haven’t they?”

The guests caught the implication in his words. Some busybodies had already pricked up their ears and were discreetly glancing this way.

Chi Zheng smiled. “Indeed, my daughter just came of age last month. It’s about time to start discussing marriage.”

“I wonder if Brother Chi has any satisfactory son-in-law candidates?”

Before Chi Zheng could speak, Chi Wan’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she shot a quick glance toward Wei Yi.

Seeing his daughter unable to hide her feelings, Chi Zheng chuckled wryly. “The child has grown up; some things aren’t up to us parents anymore.”

Chi Wan pouted, “Father!”

Chi Zheng just smiled without speaking, his eyes full of indulgent affection.

“My son and Wan’er are of similar age; both are at the age for discussing betrothal.” Wei Chengjun paused and looked at Wei Yi. “You little rascal and Wan’er are childhood sweethearts. Today, your Uncle Chi happens to be here, so why don’t we arrange the engagement for the two of you?”

Wei Chengjun turned and asked Chi Zheng, “What do you say, Brother Chi?”

At these words, the banquet erupted in whispers and discussion.

Currently, the Northern Border’s power is held by the Wei and Chi Clans.

Liangzhou is Prince Zhenbei’s fiefdom. After years of entrenched influence, most of the surrounding prefectures and border territories have submitted to Prince Zhenbei’s authority.

The Chi Family has guarded the border for generations, holding a large army; half of the military power in the Northern Border is in their hands.

If the two families unite by marriage, the entire Northern Border would essentially fall into Prince Zhenbei’s grasp.

“Your Highness the Heir is a man of great talent and bold vision, a heroic son of our Northern Border. If my daughter has the fortune to be betrothed to Your Highness, I would be overjoyed.”

Chi Zheng had always doted on his only legitimate daughter. Since childhood, Chi Wan liked to follow Wei Yi around; almost everyone in Liangzhou knew she was fond of the Wei Clan’s heir.

Moreover, Wei Yi was indeed of exceptional appearance and character. In both literary talent and martial skill, he was top-notch. Apart from being a bit of a playboy in his youth, he was practically flawless.

Hearing her father speak thus, Chi Wan was blooming with joy inside, but she still put on a demure front, maintaining the dignity expected of a noble young lady.

“Wei Yi, what do you say?”