Clearly, the great clans had some self-awareness.
They knew that asking too many trivial questions would get on people's nerves. Besides, they had all witnessed Shen Tang's thunderous methods and had no desire to go looking for a scolding. After discussing it, they simply decided to push forward a "scapegoat" to bear Shen Tang's fury.
That precious spot went to the "undercover agent."
Since Lin Ling De, head of the Lin family, wasn't close to them, and Xie Qi, head of the Xie family, was one of Shen Tang's subordinates, the lucky candidate had to come from either the Kang or Ning family. As soon as the Ning family head heard the news, he claimed to be ill. Others came to persuade him: "Your daughter serves Lord Shen!"
The implication was that the Ning family head had an "immunity from death" token.
Even if Shen Tang got angry, she would go easier on him for Ning Yan's sake. After all, he was Ning Yan's biological father! Shen Tang would show some consideration for Ning Yan, if not for her father. The other family heads didn't have that advantage.
Who else was going to do it, if not him?
At the mention of this, the Ning family head clutched his head and groaned without pause.
His carefully applied sickly pallor left him looking utterly haggard. He put on quite a performance, making anyone who saw him soften: "Alas, you don't know the whole story. Though Yan'er is my daughter, she married out years ago and has had little contact with the Ning Clan since. I'm already worried that I don't know how to mend the rift between father and daughter. If I use her as a shield now, I fear she won't agree. I've caught a chill, and my illness has