<h4>Chapter 9.9</h4>


    Over the span of a night, the Ning Family had changed masters. Only orphans and widows were left in the main house, so no turbulent waves could be caused. The thing that rear residence did notck the most were those who trimmed their sail to the wind. Very soon, the second house hadpletely made aeback.


    After that, due to the fact that a considerable number of servants and maids had unclean tongues, those who had to have their tongues pulled out had to do so, and those who had to be flogged to death were flogged. For a period of time, things were so messy that it made everyone feel jittery and panicked. No one dared to mention that night in ancestral hall any longer. Everyone desperately wanted to erase that memory andpletely forget it for their own good. It seemed that although the old taitai was ahead in the years, her means were still no less than those days of the past.


    No matter how chaotic it was outside, Fukang Courtyard was extremely quiet. Those who liked to gossip were sent away long ago by Fan Yuan, and those who remained were very tactful. Although they knew that the main house had copsed, the old taitai was still there and the Second Young Master was still the Second Young Master. They weren’t entities that servants like them could suppress.


    Fan Yuan studied and practiced calligraphy in his study during the daytime, and at night, he either went to Tianshan Mountain with Yan Rui to take a medicinal bath or did some shameful things in his room. Anyhow, he passed each dayfortably.


    Soon after, he received the news that he had passed the qualification examination. So then, Fan Yuan began to prepare for themission exam once again. Actually, why would he even need to prepare? Everything was done just for others to see.


    Today, he was busy watering the flowers in the yard. He had brought back the seeds of these snow sunflowers from Tianshan Mountain. He didn’t think that they could survive, but he decided to nt them just for fun. He never expected that they would miraculously sprout, and even grow better and better with each day.


    He didn’t know that Yan Rui had secretly poured a great deal of rare potions into the soil in order to make him happy. Even stones could bear blossoms through this, let alone snow sunflowers.


    When Ning Ximin stepped into his courtyard, her gaze was attracted to that peculiar white flower. She squatted beside him and sniffed lightly, before asking curiously, “What flower is this? To think I’ve never seen it before. ”


    Fan yuan didn’t lift his head at all. While overturning the soil carefully, he replied in an unconcerned manner, “Snow sunflowers. They can only be found on Tianshan Mountain in the western region. It can’t be found in the Central ins.”


    Ning Ximin raised her eyebrows, “In that case, where did you get it from?”


    Only at this moment did Fan Yuan lift his head and direct his gaze at her, ndly saying, “It does not concern you.”


    Ning Ximin covered her mouth with a soft smile, a look that was elegant and charming, “How does not concern me? I’m your cousin, and......” She leaned closer to Fan Yuan’s ear and whispered, “I know your little secret.”


    The corners of Fan Yuan’s lips curved. He then patted away dirt on his body and stood up, walking over to the swing to sit down before slowly swinging upwards. Ning Ximin was by the side, not really sure whether to stand there or walk over, she felt quite awkward.


    Seeing that her expression had turned increasingly ugly, Fan Yuan finally looked over andughed, “Cousin’s words are truly strange. What secret does Siqi have? Could it be that Cousin discovered the matter of me secretly pouring away my medicinal soup? If so, please keep it a secret. If my yiniang knows, I’m afraid I can’t escape a scolding. ”


    Ning Ximin snorted, “You’re trying to y the fool with me?”


    She took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and slowly unfolded it. She waved it gently in front of Fan Yuan &#k2014; it was the slip of paper containing Fan Yuan’s secret message from that day.


    “The material evidence is right in front of you and you still want to quibble? Others don’t know, but I know very well. Previously at Ning Xirong’sing-of-age ceremony, you were ndered, beaten, and almost lost your life. I surmise that you must have been holding a grudge all this while, keeping it dormant for a long time, and you finally found a chance to deliver a deadly blow to them. Even I feel ashamed at the underhandedness of this method.” As she said so, she started smiling gently, “But it also gives one’s heart great satisfaction.”


    Fan Yuan simply pretended to be stupid and said innocently, “Cousin, could you have gone silly? I can’t seem to understand a single word of what you;ve said. If you’ve fallen ill, it’s better if you head back to your own room. Younger Brother’s body has not been very well all this while. If my body receives a scare, I’m afraid that my yiniang will find you and fight you to the death.”


    Ning Ximin hummed coldly, “You can just care about pretending to be a fool. I only want to ask you one thing, who is the backer behind you? Those confidants of Ning Zhe’s are all highly skilled in martial arts. With a sickly person like you, you definitely couldn’t have drugged them without their knowledge, and even stop them from breaking through the door to escape. Ning Xirong says you have a lover, who is that person?”


    Fan Yuan looked at her with furrowed brows. After a moment, he asked gently, “You want to know who my backer is?”


    Ning Ximin nodded. Fan Yuan suddenly burst in a grin and pointed to the clear skies, saying, “Gau, tama, budd, ha.”


    “......” Ning Ximin gritted her teeth and said, “Ning Siqi!”


    “Why, I have already told you. Cousin is still dissatisfied?” Fan Yuan had an expression of innocence, “To be candid with you, I constantly suffered from disasters during the past few days. My yiniang went to Puji temple to request for a peace talisman that has been opened to the light for me. With the protection of my deity, I was able toe safely out of disaster and avoid the terrible incident. It can be seen that no matter how many tricks one uses and backers one has, they are all useless. If there are too many evilsmitted, the Heavens will naturally take care of them. Doing good and umting virtue is then the correct principle.”


    The note in Ning Ximin’s hand had been crumpled into a ball, and she was angry to the point that she actually startedughing, “Ning Siqi, you really have no sense to appreciate favours. The Ning Family of today is already very different from that of the past. When the old taitai passes on, you and Xu yiniang will all be in my palm. You are a smart man. Coming over to my side is possibly a way out. Why do you insist on pitting yourself against me?”


    Fan Yuan felt that it was hrious. This person came to extort a confession from him with “damning evidence” in hand, but said that he was pitting himself against her. He really didn’t know what to do with her.


    The shu daughter had suddenly be Ning Family’s only di daughter. Wherever she went, she would be pursued and ttered. That’s probably why she lost her head in the clouds.


    Fan Yuan shook his head and said, “I do not wish to pit myself against you, but of course, neither do I want to go over to your side. Let’s stay clear of each other like well water against river water, isn’t that very good?”


    Naturally, Ning Ximin wouldn’t agree. As soon as this person showed their hand, they got rid of Ning Zhe and Ning Xirong, how couldn’t she be afraid? If she couldn’t find out his exact background, she wouldn’t be able to even sleep at ease.


    “In that case, let’s just wait and see.” With that, she left with a flick of her sleeve.


    “......” Goddamn it, don’t you understand humanspeak!


    He just wanted to apany Xu-shi to live a good life and let her bide her remaining days in peace. He would have also fulfilled an act of kindness in repayment for borrowing Ning Siqi’s body. However, these people were forcing him to engage in a fight over the residence! Since he wasn’t a murderous maniac or a pervert, he couldn’t just be getting rid of each one as they came, right?! What a nuisance!


    Just as he was feeling extremely frustrated, Tong Zhengxuan hade again, saying that he had specially reserved a table with a feast in Jinman Inn in order to celebrate his passing of the qualification exam. Originally, Fan Yuan didn’t want to agree, but at the thought of the watery and tasteless meal Xu-shi had prepared for him, he couldn’t resist the temptation and finally decided to go with him.


    He hadn’t been out in a long time, so he didn’t know much about the current state of affairs. He assumed that it wouldn’t be too different from the script, but he didn’t expect that earth-shattering changes had taken ce.


    First, the Tong guifei had joyfully bore a dragon son. Meanwhile, the Third Prince had lost the great help of the Tong Family. Additionally, at present, the Ning Family’s change of masters was a matter that others still felt they ought wait-and-see. The Third Prince’s influence in the court was gradually declining, while Yuan Ting had received credit for saving the Emperor previously. He had been given the additional title of ‘Prince Wu’, being the first person to have received a princely title in the current dynasty.


    When they “ran into” Yan Rui at Jinman Inn, Tong Zhengxuan unwillingly spoke, “This subject has seen wangye .”


    Fan Yuan’s expression was that of confusion, “......” Nani? How did you suddenly be a prince? Don’t tell me that Yuan Ting is actually the Emperor’s illegitimate son?!


    Yan Rui saw that the boy was in a trance, who knew what he was thinking of. He helplessly rubbed his head, “Why didn’t you let me know that you wereing out?”


    The corners of Fan Yuan’s mouth twitched, he came out to break out of his meatless diet! If he told him, would he still be able to savour any meat? Yan Rui would probably instruct the cook to not add cooking oil, but directly stew the food in clear water and serve them...... He really felt sad even thinking about it.


    With an imploring plea in his eyes, he whispered, “In fact, my body has been much better recently, and Cousin Tong happened to invite me to dinner. I thought that it would be good to go out and take a walk, so I came out with him......”


    Seeing him look so pitiful, even the stone-hearted and steel-gutted Yan Rui couldn’t bear to put his foot down. Thus, he could only instruct him, “Eat less greasy food, your inner organs can’t stand the burden.”


    Tong Zhengxuan saw that the two of them were interacting with one another with great familiarity, as if they have known each other for a long time. He felt growingly suspicious in his heart. He had sent someone to investigate the matter before. Ning Siqi hadn’t been well ever since he was a child, so he had barely left his house. Even if his body had gotten betterter on, he still shut himself in his study and worked hard. How did he get the chance to meet the great first-ss general of this dynasty?


    Although he was confused, he didn’t say it out loud. Anyway, neither of them would answer him. He also knew that he was being shameless, that’s why he was sticking to Ning Siqi’s cold face like this. He clearly knew that there was no way to get involved between the two of them, but he simply wanted to protect this man. As long as he was happy, he would also be in bliss.


    If Fan Yuan knew of this man’s frustrations, he would definitely let out a long sigh. Brother, your personality is that of a deeply affectionate male side character! It’s a pity that you’ve gotten the person you like wrong. You should have originally been a straight man!


    When the dishes were all served up, Fan Yuan helplessly watched as Yan Rui soaked a piece of fish in water for a while, before putting it into his bowl. He angrily threw the tasteless piece of fish into his mouth and continued to wait for Yan Rui to feed him.


    It was only then that Tong Zhengxuan realized that he was being too careless. His cousin hadn’tpletely recovered from his illness, he couldn’t touch meat. Yet, he had ordered so many meat dishes! Aspared to Yuan Ting, he indeed fell short.


    Yan Rui secretly felt gleeful. The reason why he could tolerate letting this light bulb have dinner with them was precisely this. Fan Yuan didn’t allow him to kill innocent people indiscriminately, so he had to take some efforts to make this light bulb understand that he had to retreat in the face of impossibility.


    Before the meal had even finished, Tong Zhengxuan was physically and mentally exhausted by the couple who were showing their love at every single moment. He didn’t know that this was called being force-fed several bowls of dog food. He only felt incredibly stifled, sad, as well as pangs in his heart, causing him to lose the bearing that he had developed since childhood.


    “Ah Qi, Cousin suddenly remembers that there are still some business matters to deal with, so I’ll go ahead and take my leave first. You and wangye have a good meal.”


    Fan Yuan quickly called out to stop him, “Wait! Didn’t we agree that it was your treat?!”


    “......” Tong Zhengxuan said, “I will settle the bill before I go.”


    Only then did Fan Yuan nod his head and let the man go. After the man had long left, Yan Rui pinched his face and said with an evil smile, “Bad little thing, can’t I support you well? You still had to extort money from that guy.”


    Fan Yuan giggled with a ‘hehe’, “I was deliberately messing with him. This person is always cold and icy. It’s pretty fun to tease him.”


    Yan Rui: “......” Does his family’s baby have a tendency of changing personalities?


    Noticing that Yan Rui’s movements to pick food for him had suddenly stopped, it seemed that he was a little stunned. Fan Yuan hurriedly picked up his chopsticks and threw a piece of meat into his mouth. But before he could chew it, Yan Rui held his jaw, and a wet and slippery object had already prated into his mouth, swiftly taking away the piece of meat and even his bodily fluids.


    After Yan Rui pulled back, Fan Yuan searched around in his mouth and realised that there was no meat left. He was so angry that he nearly flipped the table.