Lord Chen heard this and first thought, "How does this person know the law so well?" His second thought was that the voice was incredibly familiar. He started to touch his beard and think.
The physician was already anxious and made muffled sounds. Yuan Liang, anwhile, shouted, "A re charlatan, daring to question Lord Chen?! Hit him too!"
Just as he finished speaking, Lord Chen’s legs suddenly gave way, and he knelt on the ground in an awkward and ugly posture. Fear gripped his heart, affecting his voice. It took a mont before he could utter a complete sentence: "I... I pay my respects to the Ninth Princess!"
Seeing that Lord Chen had rembered, the physician finally breathed a sigh of relief, tears streaming down his face. Yuan Liang, stunned, lowered his head in confusion: "What? Chive? What kind of chive is she?"
The Shuntian Office handled only minor cases, unlike the Dalisi Procuratorate. Lord Chen had only had a close encounter with the Ninth Princess once at the Ghost Market, where they exchanged a few words. Therefore, he didn’t imdiately recognize her by voice.
Lord Chen, sweating profusely, couldn’t be bothered with the muddleheaded Yuan Liang and turned to reprimand the constables behind him: "The Ninth Princess is here, bow and pay your respects!"
Everything Lord Chen had done was seen by the Ninth Princess. What was he to do now? The constables, snapping out of their daze, knelt down, heads bowed deeply, not daring to look up.
Nanli ensured that Yany was deeply asleep before getting up from the chaise longue. Even in a simple dress, her bearing was impeccable, exuding a commanding presence.
Ming Ying, like Yuan Liang, was stunned. However, she had so education and good hearing, recognizing that Lord Chen had said "the Ninth Princess" and not "chive"! The Ninth Princess! Instinctively, she tried to kneel but stumbled in her haste.
Nanli stepped forward, supporting Ming Ying by the arm. "Are you alright?"
Ming Ying didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, hurriedly shaking her head: "N-no... I’m fine."
Throughout her life, rchants were the most despised and looked down upon. In the capital, high-born ladies with any slight connection to nobility wouldn’t deign to speak to her, fearing contamination by the stench of money. Yet...
The Ninth Princess had not only helped her multiple tis but also supported her physically now...
Ming Ying swallowed, pulling out a handkerchief. "Let ... let clean your hands... No, this handkerchief is dirty from being on , I..."
She grew more frantic.
Nanli frowned slightly, puzzled: "Madam Ming, what’s wrong?"
She had already touched Ming Ying and even held her baby girl. Why would she find her dirty now?
Ming Ying pressed her lips together, unable to explain.
Finally, the nanny spoke up: "The Ninth Princess, please forgive her. Earlier, Madam Ming accidentally bumped into an official’s wife in the street. That lady, thinking Madam Ming’s status too low, berated and humiliated her, which is why she reacted like this."
Nanli, helpless, said, "I’m not that official’s wife. There’s no need to panic."
Ming Ying was strong for her children and loyal to her friends, far better than many others.
Qiu Hai stepped forward, adding, "Exactly, if you give her money, she’ll be thrilled, not offended."
Ming Ying was dazed, recalling Nanli’s every word and action earlier. Not once did she show disdain. Her eyes reddened with emotion, she cald herself, and respectfully curtsied: "Thank you, Ninth Princess, for your kindness. I am deeply grateful."
Nanli, slightly exasperated, said, "You paid , so you’re my employer now. What’s there to disdain?"
In truth, she preferred dealing with rchants because they were generous with their money. But many rchants often engaged in unethical practices to earn more, making it hard for her to take their money with a clear conscience.
Ming Ying, however, was different. She had no such burdens, and her good fortune allowed her to bear a daughter with a great destiny. So this paynt, Nanli accepted with joy and peace of mind.
Ming Ying was deeply moved. Many official ladies occasionally held charity events, but they never credited her or allowed her presence, despite her contributions. In stark contrast, the Ninth Princess, a first-rank titled lady, treated her with respect and assistance.
At this mont, Ming Ying’s eyes were filled with gratitude, admiration, and excitent.
"Hey?" Qiu Hai tilted his head, pointing with his mouth, "Why aren’t you kneeling?"
He looked at Yuan Liang. In the room, aside from Ming Ying and her maid, and the immobilized physician, everyone else had knelt early, heeding Lord Chen’s warning. Yuan Liang, however, was in a daze, having lost control of his body.
Chive... the Ninth Princess?!
Finally coming to his senses, Qiu Hai exclaid, "You must be hurt and unable to kneel properly. Let help."
With a nod of his chin—bang! Yuan Liang’s knees hit the stone floor straight, breaking the ground into two small pits. His face instantly turned pale, blood seeping through his trousers from his knees.
Knowing Nanli’s identity but suffering this tornt, Yuan Liang cried out to Lord Chen, "My lord, did you see that?! He broke my kneecaps! Such cruelty, it’s inhuman!"
Lord Chen, sweating profusely, thought, "How can I offend soone associated with the Ninth Princess?" He only wanted to claim he was blind and saw nothing.
Qiu Hai, looking innocent, said, "My lord, I didn’t touch him. He knelt by himself, unable to control his strength, breaking his own kneecaps. What does it have to do with ?"
Lord Chen straightened up, nodding quickly: "This gentleman speaks the truth! Yuan Liang, you slander a good citizen. What is your cri?"
Yuan Liang was nearly vomiting blood. If it were an ordinary commoner or rchant, it would be different. But today, the person in his house was soone even the emperor wouldn’t dare to offend...
But he felt wronged and resentful! He shouted, "Ninth Princess, you use your power to oppress ordinary weak citizens. You’re vicious! Cruel! You’ll face divine retribution!"
He was determined to curse to his heart’s content, knowing death was inevitable.
Nanli chuckled, "You poisoned your elder daughter and used an evil spirit to possess your younger daughter’s body. Who’s truly vicious and cruel?"
"They’re my daughters. Their lives are mine. What’s wrong with reclaiming them?" Yuan Liang argued.
Nanli’s face turned cold: "No one can decide other’s life or death at will, not even their parents! Moreover, it was Madam Ming who carried them for ten months, risking her life to give birth. How much of a father are you to them? You rely contributed a little, yet you claim their lives are yours? Ridiculous."
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