Grandson's Fury

The Zhenji Kingdom lost, and what it lost was not just twenty thousand warhorses, but also its ability to launch another major offensive within ten years.

With a signed agreement and the Zhenji Kingdom's seal, it was impossible for them to renege.

Most importantly, Great Xia was the strongest nation in this world and held all the moral high ground. If anyone dared to go back on their word, Marquis Buyi's two hundred thousand Black Feather Army would no longer be merely a defensive force.

The remaining matters were the responsibility of Great Xia's various ministries. Most of Great Xia's military commanders were stationed elsewhere; those left in the Imperial City were mainly civil generals and Confucian officials, but they were sufficient to handle these affairs.

Ning Chen had completed his tasks. Aside from cultivating, he was waiting for the Xia Emperor's decree.

Finally, on the third day, the Xia Emperor's decree arrived: Prince Hua's daughter, Xia Miaoyu, was specially conferred the title Princess Miaoyu, to be married off to the Zhenji Kingdom. Ning Chen's name was prominently listed among those escorting her.

Grandson and Qing Ling were both stunned upon hearing the imperial decree, especially Grandson, who was shocked as well as enraged!

Having been in the palace for so long, how could she not guess the reason behind this? Ning Chen's name was clearly added at the last minute, an optional inclusion. The Xia Emperor adding this undoubtedly meant someone had interceded on his behalf.

In this palace, among those Ning Chen could interact with who could also influence the Xia Emperor, there was only one: the Ninth Princess.

"Excellent, excellent!"

In the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Grandson stood in the center, her face livid with anger. She snapped, "Someone, bring Ning Chen to me!"

"I'll go," Qing Ling said, worried, requesting to go herself.

"Stay here," Grandson said, her voice much harsher towards Qing Ling due to her anger. She knew Ning Chen and Qing Ling had a good relationship, which made it even more imperative that Qing Ling not go.

Not long after, Ning Chen slowly arrived, his expression calm, devoid of his usual slightly shy smile or any fear.

"Empress Dowager."

Ning Chen knelt for the first time, respectfully kowtowing.

Seeing Ning Chen arrive, Grandson grew even angrier. She slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Are you truly so eager to leave?"

Ning Chen looked up and calmly said, "Your Majesty, you must understand that my nature isn't suited for the palace. If I stay here, I'll cause trouble sooner or later."

"Am I, the Empress of Great Xia, unable to protect you?! What exactly are you afraid of?!" The more Grandson thought about it, the angrier she became, wishing she could smash the teacup on the table onto his face.

"I'm afraid that one day, the trouble I cause will be so great that you, Your Majesty, will be the first to want my head," Ning Chen sighed softly, saying.

"Bang!" Grandson was beside herself with rage. She grabbed the teacup and furiously flung it at Ning Chen. Splish! The teacup shattered against his forehead, splattering blood.

"You've truly disappointed me."

Watching Ning Chen, his face covered in blood, yet still refusing to bow his head, Grandson trembled with anger. She closed her eyes and said in disappointment.

"Ninth Princess has arrived!"

Just then, Xia Xinyu walked in. The moment she entered the hall, she saw this scene and was shocked once again.

She had expected her mother to be angry, but she hadn't expected her to be so furious.

"Kneel!"

Grandson suddenly opened her eyes, looking at Xia Xinyu, and snapped.

Xia Xinyu's expression changed slightly, and she obediently knelt, astonished. It was the first time she had seen her mother so angry.

In this palace, everyone wore a mask, rarely showing their true emotions. Her mother's current state indicated genuine rage.

"How dare you! Your mother cultivated you for so many years, and I never imagined you would turn your schemes against me!"

Grandson looked at Xia Xinyu, burning with rage. These people around her were truly something!

Rage, pushed to its extreme, turns into hatred. Grandson hated both of them, and she also hated herself—hated their lack of ambition, and even more, her own blindness.

However, the die was cast, the imperial decree had been issued. Even if she intervened, the Xia Emperor could not retract it. A ruler's word was law, and it was impossible for it to change for anyone.

The escort mission was set for the end of the month, less than twenty days away. This meant Ning Chen would be leaving the palace in less than twenty days.

A flicker of weariness crossed Grandson's heart, and she no longer wished to pursue the matter. Sitting on the main seat, she waved her hand and said, "Since you chose to help him leave the palace, then you will bear the remaining five months of confinement. You may withdraw."

"Mother!" Xia Xinyu exclaimed, her face paling.

"Withdraw!" Grandson slammed the table, her voice sharp.

"Yes," Xia Xinyu reluctantly bowed, then rose and left.

This time, she had miscalculated.

With Xia Xinyu gone, only Ning Chen remained kneeling. Qing Ling stood by, but dared not intercede. She understood the Empress Dowager's disappointment, and even she didn't understand Ning Chen's actions.

Even if he wanted to leave the palace, with the Empress Dowager's favor towards him, if he had asked repeatedly, it might not have been impossible. There was truly no need to be so desperate to leave, resorting to such means.

Looking at Ning Chen, kneeling before her, blood streaming down his face, Grandson recalled every incident since he entered the palace. She forcefully suppressed her anger and said in a deep voice, "I will give you one last chance. If you admit your mistake, and return obediently after the escort mission, I can pretend nothing ever happened."

Ning Chen sighed deeply, remaining silent. Things had come to this, how could he turn back?

If he didn't want to die in the palace, he had to leave as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, he couldn't tell Grandson any of this; he could only keep it a secret.

"Good, very good!"

Grandson rose angrily, then walked out of the main hall, her face ashen.

Qing Ling gave Ning Chen, still kneeling on the ground, a complex look. Without a word, she followed Grandson out.

Ning Chen knelt on the ground, silent and unmoving. He remained like that, his heart filled with bitterness, guilt, and sorrow.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the Grandson's sleeping quarters remained lit. In the main hall of Weiyang Palace, Ning Chen still hadn't gotten up. Palace maids had come several times, hastily replacing candles before rushing away, none daring to linger for a moment.

Neither of them would yield an inch. The Grandson was waiting for Ning Chen to admit his mistake, but what he received was disappointment, time and again.

It wasn't that Ning Chen was unwilling to admit his mistake; he simply couldn't, because he truly couldn't return. He could deceive the world, but he didn't want to deceive the Grandson.

In front of the back garden, Qing Ling stood in her room, gazing at the brightly lit main hall and the Grandson's sleeping quarters. Her heart was filled with complexity. She knew that both the Empress Dowager and Ning Chen were stubborn individuals, and this time, there was truly no turning back.

She couldn't understand why Ning Chen, given his personality, would choose this path.

Not only Qing Ling, but even the Grandson in his sleeping quarters wondered why. Ning Chen hadn't been in the palace long, and he was an easy person to read: intelligent, proud, grateful, and sometimes even foolishly persistent.

But what exactly made him so eager to leave the palace?

Time passed slowly. Both the Grandson and Qing Ling went without sleep all night. Ning Chen also knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace all night. Those who didn't understand continued to ponder why, while those who did could never speak of it.

Daybreak came. The Grandson had matters to attend to. As she exited Weiyang Palace, Qing Ling followed. Passing by the main hall of Weiyang Palace, the Grandson's steps noticeably paused, but she still didn't stop.

News of what happened in Weiyang Palace quickly spread. Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress Dowager had been furious yesterday, and the young eunuch who had been so prominent recently had knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace all night. However, no one knew the reason.

Besides this, another matter also drew considerable attention. It was said that the person chosen for the marriage alliance was not personally selected by the Xia Emperor, but rather requested by Xia Miaoyu, Prince Hua's daughter, herself. Prince Hua, unable to dissuade her, had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

Xia Miaoyu had already been conferred the title of Princess, and the marriage alliance had to follow the full royal protocol for a princess marrying out. As the Empress of Great Xia and mistress of the imperial harem, the Grandson had to personally inspect all the dowry and trousseau, leaving her too busy to attend to anything else.

Ning Chen, kneeling in the main hall of Weiyang Palace, seemed to be gradually forgotten. Even the imperial palace no longer paid attention to the matter, occasionally mentioning it only with a silent sigh, pitying the once-stunning young eunuch.

It was said that the imperial family was heartless, and this was the best example. No matter how talented or brilliant you were, one mistake could bring you crashing down.

Three days later, Ning Chen, who had not had a drop of water, fainted in the hall. The Grandson's hands trembled upon hearing the news, but no emotion showed on her face. She calmly uttered, "Take good care of him," and said nothing further.

However, from that day on, whether the Grandson was out or busy in Weiyang Palace, she no longer allowed Qing Ling to accompany her.

Ning Chen regained consciousness not long after fainting. With some water and medicine, he was fine. Qing Ling arrived shortly after, looking at his pale face and chapped lips, a flicker of unbearable sympathy crossed her face as she chided, "Why put yourself through this?"

Ning Chen forced a smile, weakly saying, "I had no choice. I'm sorry."

"The one you should apologize to isn't me, but the Empress," Qing Ling couldn't help but retort.

"Heh," Ning Chen shook his head, a bitter smile on his face.

"You really have to go?"

Seeing this, Qing Ling said no more, sighing softly as she asked.

"I have to go!"

Ning Chen nodded, answering.

This was his only chance. If he guessed correctly, after the marriage alliance, this group of young eunuchs who had just entered the palace would surely undergo another round of scrutiny.

At that time, no one would be able to protect him, and even the Grandson's reputation would be implicated.

Two days later, Ning Chen's body had mostly recovered. Qing Ling left the palace once, and upon her return, she brought a strangely shaped medicinal herb. Opening the box, a faint chill could be felt.

"Take this," Qing Ling said seriously.

"What is it?" Ning Chen, without suspicion, took it as instructed. It was extremely bitter, and a cold sensation spread through his body.

"Heavenly Frost Grass," Qing Ling calmly explained. "Your internal true energy is cold-attributed. This Heavenly Frost Grass will help you temper your foundation and speed up your cultivation."

Ning Chen understood only half of it, curiously asking, "Is it expensive?"

"It doesn't cost silver," Qing Ling replied indifferently.

It didn't cost silver; it required spirit jade, but there was no need to tell him that.

"Starting today, I'll teach you movement techniques. You'd best be mentally prepared."

As she spoke, Qing Ling turned and walked towards the door. "Follow me."

Ning Chen followed, all the way to the back garden. October had arrived, and the garden was full of fallen flowers. A gust of autumn wind sent them swirling everywhere.

"Watch closely."

No sooner had she spoken than Qing Ling moved. Instantly, her shadow flew like snow, transforming into a swaying small boat amidst the falling petals, dancing in the wind, not a single leaf sticking to her.

Ning Chen watched, dumbfounded. Amazing.

They're roughly the same age, how can the difference between people be so vast?

A moment later, Qing Ling stopped and looked at Ning Chen, calmly asking, "Did you see the footwork clearly?"

Ning Chen shook his head vigorously. Clearly? That's impossible.

Qing Ling didn't mind and continued to ask, "How much did you see clearly?"

"Heh heh."

Ning Chen awkwardly scratched his head, took two steps forward, and drew a large circle on the ground.

"I only saw this one step."

"..."

Qing Ling's face turned cold. She suppressed her anger, barely stopping herself from hitting him. This was where she had first stood.

Stepping forward, she kicked his right leg, angrily roaring, "One leg, stand. Don't let me see you switch to the other leg for an hour."

Ning Chen grimaced in pain but dared not cry out. He sucked in a cold breath and stood on his left leg, his body constantly swaying from side to side.

Fifteen minutes later, Ning Chen's left leg was completely numb, and he swayed even more precariously.

But a shiver went down his spine when he saw Qing Ling's cold expression not far away, so he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand straight.

After another fifteen minutes, Ning Chen could no longer feel his left leg, yet his knees burned with a fiery pain. It was an old injury from kneeling that hadn't fully healed.

Qing Ling stood there, unmoved. She could tell Ning Chen's knee injury wasn't serious and didn't involve the bones. Even if it hurt, it was his own fault.

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