Chapter 185: Going Out for Hunting Again!

Shen Ninghua quietly lowered her head and turned silent. A very indifferent expression appeared on her face.

Baili Qingcang noticed the expression on her face. A sense of anger was ignited and started to grow in his heart. Upon thinking of the fact that Ninghua, a girl keeping her mansion alone, was disturbed or even used by others even when she was holding a ritual for her mother, he couldn’t help but feel extremely angry.

With so much evidence in front of him, Baili Qingcang had already drawn a conclusion in his mind. Xiao Jingran knew that Shen Ninghua would hold a ritual. Then he deliberately took the funeral as an excuse to disturb the ritual. Meanwhile, he also took advantage of the lives of innocent people to do harm to Shen Ninghua.

If Ninghua hadn’t reacted quickly and saved the people, then the number of casualties would have exceeded a hundred. Once hundreds of lives were lost, he would have to punish her no matter how much he doted on her. Then the good reputation which he made for Ninghua would be ruined.

What a deep thought! Thinking about it, the anger in Baili Qingcang’s eyes became more obvious. “Xiao Jingran, as an experienced official in the court, you actually did such a disrespectful thing. You also ignored the people, and even killed a venerable monk of Guangning Temple. You truly disappointed me.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the officials in the Hall who spoke up for Xiao Jingran immediately fell silent. They all shrank back like quails, not daring to speak.

Xiao Jingran’s heart turned icy cold. His Majesty actually blamed him for Shen Ninghua. “Your Majesty, I am guilty.”

“Now that Xiao Jingran admitted your guilt, Minister of Justice, what are your opinions on his punishment?”

The Minister of Justice moved one step forward. He remained silent for a long while and didn’t know what to say. “Your Majesty, it’s really hard to say about this. Both Princess Zhaohua and Lord Xiao have their own reasons. This…”

Baili Qingcang slammed the table with a flump. The Minister of Justice was shocked, and his entire body trembled.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me.”

“I have raised you all for so many years. You are not supposed to stand here and say empty words. If officials can’t provide advice and help me manage the country and the people, then what’s the use of raising you all?”

“I am guilty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Baili Qingcang’s gaze was cold. “Alright, then I’ll ask you again, how should this incident be handled?”

The Minister of Justice was so nervous that his forehead was covered in cold sweat. He considered everything quickly and he gritted his teeth as he made up his mind.

“Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Xiao should shoulder most of the responsibility for this incident. But after all, it happened for some reasons and didn’t lead to serious consequences. According to the laws, he should be demoted by one rank and be fined an amount equal to twice his annual salary. Princess Zhaohua should be rewarded for dispatching her guards to help the civilians soon after noticing something wrong would happen.”

Baili Qingcang looked coldly at the officials kneeling in the Hall. His chilly gaze made them tremble. “If you are not able to be beneficial to the country as an official, I will grant you grace and allow you to retire and return to your hometown.”

“Your Majesty, we knew we were wrong.”

“Alright, I’ll wait and see.” Baili Qingcang thought that if he didn’t warn them, they would forget they got their pay from the court. “Xiao Jingran disrespected Princess Zhaohua and ignored the safety of the civilians. According to the laws, he should be punished with demotion and fine. However, considering his contribution to the safety of the Da’an Dynasty for so many years, he will not be demoted. He will be fined an amount equivalent to twice his annual salary. Princess Zhaohua remained calm and rescued the civilians when the incident came up. She can be called a model for women. So she will be rewarded with 2 pairs of jade ruyi, 2 vessels of gold beads, 10 rolls of silk satin, 100 taels of gold and 1000 taels of silver.”

Shen Ninghua kowtowed. “Thank you, Father Emperor.”

Baili Qingcang nodded and coldly swept his gaze over the surrounding officials. Then, He looked at Guangshan aside and said, “Master, how about resting in the Palace for two days?”

Guangshan smiled and shook his head. “I am just a humble monk. It’s better for me to return to the Temple. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Baili Qingcang nodded and strode out of the Chengqian Hall.

The officials in the Hall also left quickly for fear that they might get implicated in the conflict between Princess Zhaohua and the Xiao family.

Xiao Jingran’s expression was forbearing. He had been kneeling on the ground for so long that he staggered slightly when standing up. He looked at Chu Junyi and Shen Ninghua, and the expression in his eyes was fierce. It was as if his eyes had been soaked in poison. “Good for you, Your Highness!”

Shen Ninghua smiled coldly. “I am no match for Old General Xiao.”

“Heh, Your Highness, His Majesty trusts and dotes on you. This is truly a rare blessing. Don’t be unsatisfied. It is better to restrain yourself so that you won’t suffer a big setback!”

Shen Ninghua slowly raised her eyes, her black eyes carrying a fierce cold air. “His Majesty is the Emperor of Da’an Dynasty. With his favor for me, I can run rampant in the country. Even if I fall, there will always be people who rush forward to help me up.”

Shen Ninghua paused for a short while before continuing. “I would like to give a piece of advice to Old General Xiao too. There will always be a day when your military merits are exhausted. A wicked person is sure to bring destruction to himself. It is better for you to know when to stop and protect yourself. Otherwise, you will lose your integrity in your old age and bring harm to yourself as well as your entire family.”

Xiao Fengjue stepped forward and said, “Princess Zhaohua, although my father is only Chu Junyi’s foster father, when you get married to him in the future, you will still have to pay respect to my father. Isn’t what you have just said too rude?”

Shen Ninghua curled her lips and said, “Isn’t it rude for an elder to hit the gate of his junior’s house with a coffin? Young Master Xiao is really confident in trying to argue for my respect to your father on the grounds of his seniority. Both don’t forget that our most important relationship is that between ruler and subject. I’m bestowed with the title of Princess. Even if Old General Xiao is Chu Junyi’s own father, he is still a subject of the royal family. I won’t care about his attitude towards me because of my magnanimity. If I do care, your Xiao family can do nothing but eat humble pies!”

“You…”

“It’s getting late, so I won’t delay the two of you from going back to continue with the funeral. However, I hope that you won’t go the wrong way again this time and walk on the wrong path!”

After saying those words, Shen Ninghua stood there with an ice-cold expression.

Chu Junyi cupped his hands and said to Xiao Jingran, “Foster father…”

“Shut up!” Xiao Jingran waved his sleeves and raised his hand to slap Chu Junyi in the face.

Xiao Fengjue was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to help Chu Junyi block the slap.

With a smack, Xiao Jingran slapped Xiao Fengjue in the face.

“Unfilial son, you’re still helping him!”

Xiao Fengjue’s face went numb from the beating. But he clenched his teeth and looked at Xiao Jingran. “Father, we should go back. We can’t delay my younger sister’s funeral any further.”

Xiao Jingran glanced coldly at Xiao Fengjue and Chu Junyi. Then he turned around and strode out with his hands behind his back.

Xiao Fengjue followed Xiao Jingran closely and walked out of the Chengqian Hall.

Seeing the two of them leave, Guangshan cupped his hands and chanted, “Amitabha. Now blessings be upon you!”

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Shen Ninghua turned around and bowed to Guangshan. “Thank you for your help, Master.”

“After this matter is concluded, the two of us will owe nothing to each other. Benefactor, you have a heavy baleful aura. It’s better to restrain yourself.”

“Ninghua was born on a lucky date with good fortune. I can bear the karma and withstand the baleful aura. Thank you for your concern, Master.”

Guangshan closed his eyes and twirled the Buddhist beads in his hands. “Benefactor, look out for yourself.” Then, he turned around and left the Hall.

Chu Junyi and Shen Ninghua stood side by side. “Ninghua, let’s go back too.”

“Yes.”

When they returned to the mansion, they saw that area in front of the gate as well as the courtyard had been cleaned up. Bai Ruo and the others came out to welcome them. “Miss, you are back.”

“Bring some food around.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Shen Ninghua and Chu Junyi sat on each side. While they were eating, no one talked.

Finally, Chu Junyi opened his mouth first and said, “Ninghua, how did you know Master Guangshan?”

“I saved his life by accident. He owed me a favor. This time, he did it just to eliminate the karma.”

“Is that the dead monk the one who secretly gave Dream Soul to Xiao Huanxi?”

“Yes.” Shen Ninghua nodded. “He was a remnant official of the previous dynasty. He escaped to Guangning Temple and became a monk. That Dream Soul was left behind by the previous dynasty.”

Chu Junyi frowned. “I see. But how could the nurse around Xiao Huanxi know that monk?”

Shen Ninghua paused for a short while and said, “This is the strangest thing to me. I always feel that the matter isn’t that simple. It looks like there is a vicious person who pushes things forward bit by bit from behind the scene.”

Chu Junyi held her in his arms and felt a sense of satisfaction coming from both his arms and his heart. “If there is really someone who manipulates everything from behind the scene, let’s work together to capture and destroy them!”

Shen Ninghua smiled and curled her lips. “Alright.”

The sky was clear. Baili Qingcang ordered to hold a hunting trip. The previous terrifying hunting party provided a lesson to him. So this hunting party was prepared with extra care. Guards were deployed to drive away poisonous snakes and insects using sulphur in advance. Both Shen Ninghua and Chu Junyi were among the hunting procession.

Before leaving, Baili Qingcang suddenly had an idea. He ordered the Crown Prince to stay and take charge of the court while he brought all the other princes along, including even the youngest one, the Ninth Prince.

Baili Anning shared a carriage with Shen Ninghua. She said with a relaxed and joyful expression, “Ninghua, the last hunting party left us with lingering fears. We must have a good time this time. Don’t worry, Father Emperor specifically urged them to set up the plan properly and check the campsite. There will definitely be no accidents.”

Shen Ninghua leaned against a pillow and nodded. “Alright.”

However, the reason why accidents were so called was because no one could predict them in advance.

Shen Ninghua looked through the window at the birds that kept flying by. No one could understand the expression in her eyes.

Members of the Xiao family were all here in this hunting party. She wondered when Xiao Jingran was going to take action this time.

“Ninghua? Ninghua, are you alright?”

Shen Ninghua suddenly came to her senses. “I was lost in thought just now, so I didn’t hear you call me. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Baili Anning glanced at the Xiao family in front of the carriage. “Do you know that the Xiao family is responsible for the safety of this hunting party? Do you think something will happen?”

Shen Ninghua laughed. “Didn’t you just say that nothing unexpected would happen?”

“Father Emperor is here too. I must be overthinking. No matter how bold the Xiao family is, can they openly murder a princess?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and didn’t say anything, but she thought to herself: “The Xiao family really has the guts to do so!”

The camp had been set up. As the palace maids were tidying up the tent, Shen Ninghua took Qing Que out to have a walk around.

“Younger sister Ninghua, long time no see.”

As soon as Shen Ninghua left the tent, she saw the Second Prince Baili Jinchuan, who was dressed in royal attire.

“Greetings, Second Prince.”

“Shouldn’t you call me second royal elder brother?”

Shen Ninghua lowered her eyes to hide her coldness. “Second royal elder brother.”

Baili Jinchuan fixed his eyes at Shen Ninghua, his gaze carrying an undisguised fanaticism and a sense of determination to get her. “It’s inevitable that there’s danger around here. It’s better to take more care. After all, you have offended a lot of people these past few days!”

“Thank you for reminding me, second royal elder brother. Qing Que, let’s go back.”

Baili Jinchuan sneered at the back of Shen Ninghua and a eunuch walked over. “Your Highness, everything has gotten ready.”

Baili Jinchuan sniffed at the faint fragrance left in the air and nodded. “Good.”

Chu Junyi leaned against a tree. He watched from behind as Baili Jinchuan left. A sneer flashed across the corner of his lips. “It’s better not to covet something that doesn’t belong to you. Otherwise, it would be easy for you to get your hands chopped off!”

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