bookrandom Chapter 319 Reuniting with an Old Friend
Chapter 319 Reuniting with an Old Friend
After the Imperial Guards left, the courtyard became quiet.
Sui Lanting and Su Yu and the others came to Ming Sheng and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Master Ming. We have come to take Xiao Xi to the pavilion to report back."
Although the Ming family were wealthy merchants, they weren't particularly prominent in the capital. Previously, due to their marriage ties with the Ning family, they received some preferential treatment from officials. However, since the Ning family was convicted and exiled, before those coveting the Ming family's wealth could even make a move, Ning Xiaoxi rose to prominence, becoming the Ming family's new pillar of support. In the past year, the Ming family has experienced ups and downs, from Ning Xiaoxi's release to Ning Ziqing's release, to Ning Shiming and Luo Ying's release; the Ming family has climbed like a mountain, ascending step by step.
When Ming's eldest uncle returned from the north, he brought not only superior furs and local specialties, but also established a smooth official-merchant route from Fufang County to the capital. The Xiong family, with their connections throughout the prefecture, deepened their cooperation with the Ming family, forging a bond between officials and merchants. This provided them with crucial protection along the way, allowing the Ming family's business to flourish even further—a case of turning misfortune into blessing.
All of this is because Ning Xiaoxi became a Celestial Master and an official under the Heavenly Secrets, and the Ning family also switched from officialdom to the Celestial Master Pavilion. It also opened up trade routes for the Ming family through the Celestial Master Pavilion. Recently, the royal city has appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, turmoil is brewing beneath the surface. The struggle between the eldest prince and the third prince, the confrontation between the Imperial Spirit Guards and the Celestial Master Pavilion, and the Shadow Guards secretly sealing off almost the entire royal city.
When the Third Prince returned to the capital, they saw Ning Ziqing again and learned about Xiaoxi's hardships from his grandson. Just three days after Ziqing was forcibly taken away, Ning Xiaoxi returned to the capital. They witnessed the Third Prince's majesty, the arrogance of the Imperial Guards, and now the capriciousness of Lord Tianji's subordinates. This series of events truly overwhelmed Ming Sheng.
The Ming family was just a merchant family, but now they have been pushed to the forefront of the storm. They did not want to become Xiaoxi's weakness, but these people had too much power, and they did not even have time to run away.
Looking at the respectful and courteous officials of the Heavenly Gang, even ten years ago, these officials would have been outside the official system of the court and would not have even glanced at them, these merchants.
Ming Sheng returned the greeting, saying, "You're too kind, Sui officials. Thank you all for taking care of my Xiao Xi."
Ning Xiaoxi smiled at Ming Shengming Shoucheng, "Grandpa, Uncle, I'll be right back."
As the group left the Ming family mansion, Ning Xiaoxi stood by the door and looked back.
“Xiao Xi, the situation is not good right now. The adults said it's inconvenient to interfere too much in the Ming family's affairs, for fear of causing more trouble.” Sui Lanting stood beside Ning Xiao Xi, looking at the small doorway together. Actually, it wasn't that the Ming family was so important; Sui Lanting turned to look at Ning Xiao Xi, the real focus of attention from all sides was this girl in front of him.
Ning Xiaoxi nodded and turned around, "Sister Sui, I understand."
Sui Lanting leaned close to Ning Xiaoxi's ear and said, "The master said that if there is an opportunity, he will arrange for the Ming family to leave the royal city."
Ning Xiaoxi's eyes lit up, and she took Sui Lanting's arm and whispered, "Actually, Fufang County is also a good place. My cousin bought a shop there, and business is good. It's also very quiet."
Sui Lanting led Ning Xiaoxi forward, "The border county town is not bad either, it's far away with mountains and rivers. The Ming family's trade routes in the north have been going smoothly recently, it's good to go there."
"Xiao Xi, can't you see me?" Su Yu tilted his head.
Ning Xiaoxi smiled brightly, "Brother Su, it's been a long time."
Su Yu curled his lip, "You little ingrate, we just saw each other in Zhishui City a few days ago, and you said it had been a long time since we last met."
Sui Lanting pushed Su Yu away, "Don't bother Xiao Xi unless it's absolutely necessary."
Su Yu staggered back a step after being pushed. Ning Xiaoxi leaned against Sui Lanting's arm, tilted her head to reveal her small face, and looked at Su Yu with a smile.
"Okay, you two are good sisters. We were just nodding acquaintances during the Western Trials."
Hearing Su Yu's awkward words, Ning Xiaoxi couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, I know I was wrong. Based on our friendship from the west to Zhishui and then to the royal city, you are now my best brother!" As she spoke, she patted her chest.
Su Yu was startled by Ning Xiaoxi's sudden boldness. He had never seen this side of Ning Xiaoxi before. He jumped behind Sui Lanting and asked, "Who are you? Where have you hidden my Xiaoxi?"
Ning Xiaoxi suddenly threw him a flirtatious wink, "Oh dear, you caught me! Well then, handsome, would you be willing to take me to the Celestial Master Pavilion? I'd love to take this opportunity to learn more about it!"
Su Yu gasped, instinctively putting a protective shield around himself. "Let me tell you! I am a Heavenly General, you'd better retreat immediately! Be careful, or I'll summon our most powerful little Celestial Master Ning Xiaoxi, and then I'll beat you to a pulp."
Ning Xiaoxi laughed much more heartily, "Hmph, you little celestial master, you don't even deserve my attention. Summon any help you have, and see if I'm afraid!"
Sui Lanting was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight. Seeing Su Yu's discomfiture and Ning Xiaoxi's quirky antics, all the unpleasantness of the past few days vanished.
The other two subordinate officers following behind couldn't help but smile. They had always known that their lord had a junior, nominal Heavenly Rank officer under his command, and had wondered why he treated her differently from others. This time, they had deliberately defeated their colleagues to secure the task of accompanying Sui Lanting and Su Yu to pick up Ning Xiaoxi. When they saw the Imperial Guards at the Ming family's residence, they were surprised that Lord Tianxian was also paying attention to this junior officer. When they saw Ning Xiaoxi in person, they were astonished by her youth. Now, seeing her familiar and warm interactions with Sui Lanting and Su Yu, they clearly realized that she was an officer under their Heavenly Rank.
"Is that Miss Ning?" A voice came just as the group was laughing and joking.
Ning Xiaoxi looked up and saw several patrol officers in front of her. She recognized the one in the lead. "Officer Ding, it's been a long time."
Ding You strode up to Ning Xiaoxi, his face beaming with the joy of a long-awaited reunion. "Is it really you, Miss? You've changed so much in the past six months!"
Hearing Ding You's sigh, Ning Xiaoxi also recalled how she looked like a little bean sprout back then. Now she's at least a head taller than she was then. "Ding Cha Tou is still as dashing as ever."
Ding You also noticed the several Heavenly Generals who were following her, and it was clear that they all centered around her. This was completely different from the Little Celestial Master he knew. "Now that the young lady has returned to the capital, everything will surely go smoothly for her in the future."
Ning Xiaoxi was very grateful for Ding You's help during the initial journey of exile, but she also knew her current situation and did not want to implicate this fairly upright constable. "Thank you for your kind words, Constable Ding."
Ding You said no more, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and led the few constables behind him away.