The two individuals Nann Yu left behind were ones of deep thought and steadiness, not among the most outstanding of the Nann Death Soldiers, yet they possessed the patience typical of those sidelined.
Moreover, these two had been previously concealed within Nanzheng State, so they knew much about the local customs and people of Nanzheng State.
Thus, Nann Yu insisted on leaving these two behind, entrusting them with Zheng Nianru’s shop, along with other items he had originally prepared to leave behind.
The two faithfully and dutifully waited at the entrance of Prince Duan’s Mansion for several days, thoroughly familiarizing themselves with all the major and minor issues of the mansion, before finally positioning themselves at the entrance early one morning.
As Prince Duan was about to leave, he imdiately noticed two strapping figures standing at the door, their expressions respectful and their clothes neatly arranged.
Prince Duan found it rather odd, for there were scarcely any who ca to plead or conduct business at his mansion’s door anymore. Could it be that these two had lost their way?
Prince Duan deliberately shifted his direction to exit, but the two imdiately took a respectful step to the side, standing impeccably before Prince Duan without any fault.
"We present our respects to Prince Duan—"
"Wait, whose servants are you?" Prince Duan was not keen on claiming them, although he vaguely guessed the identity of the two, especially since he had seen that carriage before at the inn.
"The Princely Heir has given us to the Commandery Princess, from then on we are her people, and naturally yours, Prince; our very lives are at your command." The two promptly produced their indentures, their movents synchronized and precise.
Prince Duan felt a headache coming on, couldn’t Nann Yu keep to himself even after leaving?
"No, no, we are a humble temple here, I am but a leisurely Prince, I cannot afford to keep people, just look at my decrepit mansion." Prince Duan imdiately said, was this an attempt to leave these two for him to deal with?
"Prince, there is no need, we can sustain ourselves." The two hastily said, quickly presenting a list. "Prince, truly, you need not provide for us, we brought our own—"
One of them had not finished speaking when the other hastened to interrupt.
"Prince, that’s not what we an, all these are yours, we needn’t trouble you, we can fully support ourselves." These items were supposed to be for the Commandery Princess, how had they ended up as theirs to bring?
"Prince Duan—"
"Prince Duan, please don’t leave, from now on we belong to you, to death—"
"Oh dear, oh dear, my head hurts—" The two did not dare to block his way further, but they also did not leave.
"Prince Duan, we are loyal servants..." The two tried to continue.
"Housekeeper He, Housekeeper He—" Prince Duan imdiately tried to slip away, with Housekeeper He quickly pulling away.
"Both of you, go back where you ca from, we do not lack servants in our mansion..."
"Housekeeper He, we are Song Gao and Song Yuan, at your service."
"Hey, hey, can’t you understand human speech? We don’t lack servants." Housekeeper He was caught up, explaining patiently.
"How can you say you don’t lack, right here at this door, you lack two." Song Gao imdiately said, standing at the door isn’t bad either, every day watching clearly who cos in and out of the mansion.
"We do not lack..."
...
"Have those people not left yet?" Prince Duan paced in his study, for the past two days, those two had doggedly stationed themselves at the entry of his mansion, evidently sticking around.
"Prince, this is troubleso, what if these two go out and talk nonsense, what then?" Housekeeper He was also worried, these two were not ones to be easily dealt with.
Prince Duan imdiately looked at Housekeeper He, astonished at his oversight.
"Can we take direct action?"
Housekeeper He shook his head.
"Our people can’t defeat theirs," Housekeeper He honestly replied.
Prince Duan began to pace anxiously again.
"My lord, as your humble servant, I suggest we retain them for the ti being. Since the deed of sale is in our hands, it makes things much easier. At the very least, let’s stabilize the situation, just as we managed with Nann Yu before."
Prince Duan looked to Housekeeper He again, indeed, he preferred to avoid trouble and wished not to entangle with Nann Yu’s n further. He wondered what Nann Yu was thinking. His master was already dead, yet this cursed connection had not ended?
Prince Duan was distressed about how things had co to this, but with the death of Nann Yu’s master being linked to Nian Ru, he had relaxed a bit, thinking that this matter would surely sever any bond between Nann Yu and Zheng Nianru.
Yet he hadn’t expected him to be waiting here.
"Can we hold them off?" Prince Duan had experienced the capabilities of the Nann Death Warrior before and was sowhat uncertain.
"My lord, if overt actions won’t work, let’s take covert actions," Housekeeper He suggested subtly with a gesture. Prince Duan paused, gradually grasping Housekeeper He’s suggestion.
"Fine, just call them in for now. It doesn’t bode well to keep them waiting at the gate indefinitely, especially when there’s evidently been an increase in people loitering around these past few days."
Song Gao and Song Yuan imdiately felt their loyalty had touched the heavens, perhaps enough to unlock the stones for gold. They quickly tidied their clothes, which they hadn’t changed for two days, and knelt before Prince Duan with a splash.
The commands from the Princely Heir mattered not whether small or large, especially since the Princely Heir had entrusted them with this affair before his departure, to specifically earn Prince Duan’s trust and protect the Commandery Princess.
If they couldn’t accomplish even this, what dignity would they have left to live, or to call themselves Nann Death Soldiers?
"This servant greets the Prince," the servants of Nanzheng always referred to themselves as servants, only those with official titles could refer to themselves as subordinates. The two adapted quickly, moreover, having been underground in Nanzheng, one selling wontons and the other selling dog skin plasters for many years, they were well accustod.
"Rise, what has your Princely Heir entrusted to you?"
The two imdiately joyfully and tearfully handed over the orders that hadn’t been sent out, neatly placing them in Prince Duan’s hands.
Prince Duan initially didn’t want to look at them. Being the Prince of Nanzheng, and although now a prince in na only, he had seen and possessed many extraordinary items. Even now, he still maintained a private collection.
But after a brief glance, Prince Duan furrowed his brow and took another look, sitting up much straighter.
"These items?" To say they were worth a fortune was an understatent. Not to ntion the severe losses Nanzheng had incurred over the years, his mansion could hardly boast anything better.
"Reporting to my lord, all these items were left by the Princely Heir for the Commandery Princess. The Princely Heir feared that the Commandery Princess would be helpless and vulnerable here, and thus he assigned us two to ensure her safety."
"Hold on, hold on, when the Prince asks you sothing, just answer that, what’s with all the unnecessary talk?" Housekeeper He imdiately spoke up, prompting Song Gao and Song Yuan to close their mouths, feeling wrongly accused, unaware of this rule.
"These are all?" Prince Duan had only seen half, and he was already alard. Regardless of how little he thought of Nann Yu, he started to seriously suspect Nann Yu’s hidden motives.
Yet, such a substantial list of gifts laid before him, even if Prince Duan didn’t want to admit it, he had to acknowledge that Nann Yu placed significant value on Nian Ru. Such a generous list of gifts would be fit for a Monarch seeking to marry an Empress.
"Yes, all of them, my lord. Please, do not worry. We two are not without rit. Within two years, we guarantee we can double the profits from the Commandery Princess’s estates, surely enough to sustain..." Before Song Gao could finish, he was abruptly silenced by Song Yuan tugging at his sleeve.
Talking about doubling profits? As if the Prince’s Mansion couldn’t afford to maintain them! Had he beco addicted to selling wontons?!
Reviews
All reviews (0)