Volume One, Chapter 57: Heeding the Will of the People—Confiscating the Duke of Ning’s Mansion!

Lord Zhong’s expression changed dramatically. In that moment, he understood Qin Bao’s intention: to use the will of the people to pressure the court into issuing its decrees. The laws of the court were important, and there was precedent for redeeming guilt with money. The problem, however, was that when the multitudes knocked at the palace gates, unanimously demanding severe punishment for the Jia family, the emperor would seize the opportunity to make an example.

Lord Zhong sighed inwardly.

Jia Zhao was finished!

The House of Ningguo was finished!

Xu Qiaoqiao bit his hand. Was it her fault? With his mind full of wicked thoughts, he pushed all responsibility away as if it were nothing. Hmph! She had only wanted him to help verify a matter—where did all this plotting come from?

She had thought her fate was sealed, but unexpectedly, after the Five-Colored Stone absorbed her blood, it did not become wild; instead, it regained its calm. Not only did she fail to die from the stone’s corrosion as the demon had foretold, she was no longer bound, unable to move as before.

Xi Moxiao strode to the bathroom door, observing Yun Qian who was busy inside. She was not wearing her military uniform, but looked gentle and virtuous.

“Dragon Yin, don’t punish them. After all, even we didn’t sense the approach of a suspicious person. Why don’t we return to the room first and see what the letter contains?” Mu Han sighed as he spoke.

His gaze made her heart feel hot. Xu Qiaoqiao pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling her mouth dry.

“As long as you don’t sing the sacrificial song, I think I can keep myself from transforming,” Fabio said with some concern.

But he was different; he knew how complicated all this was, so complex that she could never hope to handle it alone.

Of course, he had no other purpose in designing this segment. He had already played enough tricks on Ji Yu; after all, they had once been “Ren” generation together—it was wise to leave some goodwill for future encounters.

She said she wanted to climb the mountain, and he accompanied her. These days, apart from forbidding her to leave Cloud Island, he had not refused her a single request, answering her every wish with utmost compliance.

Zhan Lan carried Su Xiyue to the dining table. Su Xiyue’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the feast of seafood delicacies.

After the door closed, Hu Biao, perched high above, could still see by the light what the two were doing, and what they would do next. By contrast, he had little view of the upstairs room—the boss’s quarters.

He thought for a moment, then pushed open the bedroom door, walked into the living room, and placed ten thousand in cash and the crystal trophy he had taken from Bai Dai on the table. He kept the remaining three thousand five hundred as private funds for emergencies.

“Is this—the girl from last time?” Lord Wang squinted as if unable to see her clearly. “She truly looks clever.” She nodded slightly; what did clever look like? She ought to go back and see for herself.

Lu Yuanwei, in pain, grabbed his hair. What could he do now? How could he have Liang Yubo make the props without forcing him to act?

If, as company commander, he could not even surpass his own subordinates, what right had he to command? The army respected strength; as the leader of Hu Biao’s elite force, if he was too incompetent, how could he win their respect?

Those drawn to the Crystal Water Drop cared nothing for the auctioneer’s words; they only wanted to possess the stone.

On the left side of the convoy, all the men were bare-chested, showing their muscular physiques. Each looked fierce and intimidating.

Huangfu Li simply smiled and nodded, but made no move to get up and see them off, for she always felt she might faint if she stood.

Lu Chen, seeing this, chose not to confront directly. Yuan energy surged in his legs, and in a flash, he retreated again.

“At a time like this, you’re still joking—what useless nonsense,” Mu Youhan glared angrily at the man.