The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Tong Qian and Zhang Zhi arrived outside the courtyard.

”Did you hear what the teacher said? After intercepting Young Master Hong, you must fully protect him. When the time comes, abandon Young Master Dong and replace him with Young Master Hong.” Zhang Zhi’s eyes were filled with ruthlessness.

Tong Qian was shocked, looking at him: ”You...”

”The teacher is focused on preserving the Crown Prince’s bloodline, but look at Xia Houzhe, how is he? Not only did he fail to achieve great things, but he also scattered the years of the teacher’s hard work, even making the teacher liable. What’s so worthy about preserving such bloodline?”

Zhang Zhi sneered and said, ”You understand, the old subordinates, how many are truly intent on restoring for the Crown Prince’s sake? Aren’t they all watching the teacher’s actions? At this point, restoration is unlikely, so it’s better to raise Young Master Hong as a noble heir, perhaps there could be a future.”

Tong Qian remained silent.

Zhang Zhi, seeing him silent, urged: ”That Young Master Dong, raised by that woman, Princess Consort Ji, is spoiled and pampered. At just a few years old, he is already playing with little girls. What future does he have? Bringing along such a person is only a hindrance. It’s better to replace him, as a repayment for years of wealth. Tong Qian, with the Ning Clan being escorted to Shangjing, Emperor Chu will definitely keep a close watch. If one person is missing from the entourage, what do you think he would do?”

If he were Emperor Chu, he would definitely hold on tightly and bring the person back. Otherwise, letting him escape could leave a future threat.

”Taking one person away is always more convenient than two. Besides, Young Master Dong is merely a pawn, his bloodline is even lower than his father’s, not even comparable to the current Princess Chongyang.” Zhang Zhi gritted his teeth and said, ”Listen to me, replace him, let the old subordinates think Young Master Hong is the noble heir, this way the years of the teacher’s careful planning won’t be entirely in vain.”

Tong Qian bit his lip and finally nodded.

Zhang Zhi’s expression relaxed. With Tong Qian’s nod, he knew, at worst, a branch of the Ning Clan would remain, as for Xia Houzhe, let him die childless, let him die.

If it weren’t for his foolishness, would it have come to this?

”When you leave, it’s likely we won’t meet again in the future. Shall we have a drink? As a farewell for you.” Zhang Zhi said with a smile.

Tong Qian felt a tightness in his chest and said: ”Alright.”

That day, before the city gates of the capital closed, someone holding an order urgently left the city, quickly disappearing into the vast snow, direction unknown.

A few days passed, even the Lantern Festival was over, and in the Ning Clan entourage being escorted to Shangjing, Ning Wenhua’s grandson, Ning Xiaohong, succumbed to the long journey and fell severely ill, delaying treatment, ultimately leading to madness and muteness. After all, he was just a child having a high fever, and simply being a grandson did not cause much commotion.

And the Prince Min Mansion, no, now it should be called the Commandery Prince Mansion, Princess Consort Ji was daily crying over her son detained in the palace and over her beloved grandson gone missing.

Although the child was born of a concubine, he was the only male, currently kidnapped by hateful thieves, unsure if he still had life, how could she not cry?

”It’s all your fault. If it weren’t for you, the unlucky star coming to our mansion, our Prince Manor wouldn’t be in this predicament. It’s all your Xia family’s doing.” Princess Consort Ji pointed at the Commandery Prince Consort’s face and cursed: ”I tell you, if anything happens to our Dong’er, I want you buried with him.”

The Commandery Prince Consort said nothing.

Princess Consort Ji was disgusted by her dull, lifeless face and shouted: ”Go away, get out!”