Chapter 397: The King's Wife, Young Master, and the County Governor!

Chapter 397: The King's Wife, Young Master, and the County Governor!

Outside the County Jail.

The morning breeze from the mountains was slightly chilly.

Jiang Ning stepped out of the county jail, feeling a bit dazed for a moment.

Calculating the time, he realized he had been in this jail for a full seven days.

His stay had been longer than he had anticipated.

He had thought that with the intervention of Grandmaster Zhao Yulong and the County Governor, he would be released sooner.

Especially since his involvement in Xiao Mingyue's death was indirect, and she had framed him upon her death. He had expected to be out in two or three days at most.

Unexpectedly, the incident had implicated a high-ranking official, causing him to spend a few extra days in jail.

"That's good!"

"The environment in the jail is quiet enough for me to focus solely on cultivation, and my strength has improved significantly."

"Moreover, I gained an unexpected benefit from Long Xingyun!"

Just then, the heavy iron gate in front slowly opened.

Creak—

As the metal bearings turned, a piercing sound was emitted.

"Please, gentlemen," Zhao Dai spoke.

"Brother Jiang, let's go, it's time to leave!" Bai Luoyu said.

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Brother Jiang, are you curious why Mr. Xiao hasn't come today?" Bai Luoyu suddenly asked.

"Could it be that something happened to Mr. Xiao?"

"Indeed, something happened, but how did you know, Brother Jiang?" Bai Luoyu was even more surprised.

Jiang Ning replied, "Three days ago, I saw him entering the fourth floor of the county jail, and I haven't seen him since! Since Mr. Xiao hasn't come today, and you specifically asked about him, it seems something happened!"

"Impressive, Brother Jiang!" Bai Luoyu praised, continuing, "Xiao, the county jail warden, is dead!"

"Dead?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but stop in his tracks, slightly stunned, feigning surprise.

"He was ambushed and killed by a grandmaster with three strikes! It should be the grandmaster who was previously imprisoned on the fourth floor of the county jail. But since there's no record, we don't know who that grandmaster was." Zhao Yulong also spoke up.

"So that's how it is!" Jiang Ning sighed, "No wonder I never saw Mr. Xiao come up after entering the fourth floor of the county jail that day!"

It seemed that Brother Jiang truly didn't know! Bai Luoyu secretly observed Jiang Ning's expression and reached this conclusion.

In his opinion, Jiang Ning was young and lacked experience.

If he knew, he wouldn't have been able to pretend so well.

Soon after, the group walked out of the iron gate of the county jail's front courtyard.

Across the road, Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan's family were already waiting.

Lu Yi stretched her swan-like neck.

When she saw Jiang Ning appear, their gazes met, and a sparkling light flashed in her eyes.

At that moment, Jiang Ning emerged from the county jail's main gate, his black hair loose and slightly disheveled.

His clothes were visibly stained.

She could tell at a glance that Jiang Ning had endured much hardship in prison.

Previously, under her care, Jiang Ning's clothes were clean and tidy, and his hair was well-groomed, resembling a young master from a noble family.

But now, he reminded her of a wild man from the mountains.

At the same time, Jiang Ning noticed the sparkling light in Lu Yi's eyes, the smiles on Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan's faces, and the sight of Xiao Shiqi jumping in place.

He couldn't help but show a faint smile.

"Uncle!" Seeing Jiang Ning's smile, Xiao Shiqi immediately released Liu Wanwan's hand and ran towards Jiang Ning.

"Slow down, Xiao Shiqi!" Liu Wanwan said with a smile.

Jiang Ning squatted down and hugged the rushing Xiao Shiqi.

"Dudu, you smell stinky!" Xiao Shiqi, nestled in Jiang Ning's arms, sniffed with her tiny nose and then wrinkled it, saying.

Jiang Ning laughed, "Do you want to come down?"

"No!" Xiao Shiqi shook her head repeatedly, tightly gripping Jiang Ning's collar.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh and reached out to ruffle Xiao Shiqi's head.

"Commander Jiang, we'll take our leave now, see you tonight!" Zhao Yulong said.

"Good! Farewell, Commander!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Brother Jiang, goodbye!" Bai Luoyu closed the folding fan in his hand.

"Take your time, Brother Bai. I'll bring some good wine tonight!"

Hearing these words, Bai Luoyu's eyes lit up as he remembered the fine wine he had tasted at Jiang Ning's place.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!" Jiang Ning smiled.

"Commander Jiang, as a mere woman, I won't be going tonight!" Su Zhi spoke up.

"In that case, I won't force you, Madam Su. I'll visit your residence another day!" Jiang Ning said.

"Alright!" Su Zhi nodded.

A moment later, after seeing off Zhao Yulong's group, Jiang Ning, carrying Xiao Shiqi, approached Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-Law, I've caused you both worry these past few days!" Jiang Ning said.

He could tell that Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan had become slightly thinner.

It was evident that his imprisonment was the reason.

"There's nothing to worry about!" Jiang Li patted his chest, "These days, the food has been delicious, and with those gentlemen's intervention, I believe my younger brother will be fine!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

"Ning'er, shall we go home now?" Liu Wanwan asked.

"Let's go home!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Let's go home!" Xiao Shiqi's voice was cheerful.

In the bathroom.

Steam rose into the air.

Jiang Ning sat in a bathing bucket, leaning over the edge.

"Young Master, your skin is so smooth!" Lu Yi vigorously scrubbed Jiang Ning's back, her face filled with envy.

"Keep practicing martial arts, and when you reach the Fourth Rank, your skin will improve too!"

"I know, that's called Divine Muscle and Jade!" Lu Yi replied.

"Not bad!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Soaking in the comfortably warm bucket, he enjoyed the pleasure of a good scrub, feeling a sense of peace in his heart.

After a while, Lu Yi lathered up and began washing Jiang Ning's hair.

Half an hour later, Lu Yi finished styling Jiang Ning's hair, admiring her masterpiece with a sense of accomplishment in her eyes.

Jiang Ning looked at himself in the bronze mirror.

He wore a white silk undershirt, his once disheveled hair now neatly combed and tied into a bun.

He then touched his eyebrows.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed a faint vertical line between his eyebrows.

This line was extremely faint and shallow, almost imperceptible.

This must be the Heavenly Eye!

He couldn't help but recall the moment he activated the Heavenly Eye.

"Young Master, are you satisfied?"

"Yes, I am!" Jiang Ning nodded with a smile.

Then, he stood up.

"Help me get dressed, I need to go to the County Governor's residence to express my gratitude!"

He hadn't forgotten that the County Governor had also contributed significantly.

Although this was due to Wang Qingtan's influence, he still needed to perform the necessary courtesies.

Others would be attending his celebration banquet later that night.

But the County Governor was different.

With a generational gap and varying degrees of familiarity and status, the County Governor wouldn't attend the banquet prepared by Zhao Yulong.

"Yes, Young Master!" Lu Yi nodded in response.

She turned and fetched the clothes and shoes that had been prepared earlier.

A moment later, Jiang Ning, accompanied by Lu Yi, stepped out of the mansion's main gate.

Lu Yi carried the gift that had been prepared in advance.

County Governor's Residence.

"Young Master!"

Wang Qingtan emerged from behind a folding screen, observing the young master chatting happily with her father. She spoke with a calm expression, "Let me introduce you to my daughter!"

A middle-aged man with a goatee and a dignified appearance spoke up, "This is my daughter!" This man was none other than the County Governor of Dongling County, Wang Shoyi.

At that moment, Lu Junyi looked at Wang Qingtan, and his eyes lit up slightly.

He stood up, revealing a warm smile, "So, this is Qingtan? I've heard my master mention you. He said that when you were young, you were as delicate as jade, incredibly adorable, and a true beauty in the making!"

"Now that I see you, it seems my master's words were true!"

Hearing these flattering words, Wang Qingtan didn't show any joy; instead, she felt a hint of displeasure.

All the exaggerated compliments were directed at her appearance.

To put it another way, weren't they praising a vase for its looks? Especially when Lu Junyi mentioned her master, she felt even more annoyed.

She didn't have a good impression of her master.

Not a single mistake in the first 169 words!

For so many years, that nominal master hadn't fulfilled any of his responsibilities or obligations.

In all these years, she had barely seen that nominal master a few times.

The total number of meetings didn't exceed the count of her fingers.

Over the years, if that person had fulfilled some of the responsibilities and obligations of a master, with her talent, she wouldn't have just reached the Seventh Rank due to awakening part of her innate wisdom.

Moreover, she still remembered what that old man had said to her the last time.

He had said that with her outstanding appearance, her best choice in the future would be to marry into the royal family or even the imperial family.

This would greatly help her father's official career, and perhaps even lead to the imperial court.

But fighting and killing were not a woman's forte.

Recalling this matter, she felt even more displeased.

She quickly adjusted her emotions.

"Young Master, you're too kind!"

Seeing Wang Qingtan's indifferent expression, Lu Junyi smiled and no longer showed more enthusiasm.

As a young master, what kind of woman hadn't he seen?

What kind of beautiful woman hadn't he played with?

Beyond a certain level of appearance, the differences were not significant.

At most, it was just a matter of style.

With Wang Qingtan's attitude, he didn't bother to seek trouble.

Moreover, from his master's conversation earlier, he had learned that this nominal junior sister had been arranged for a certain prince or noble.

As the eldest daughter of a county governor, she also carried some political capital.

After all, Wang Shoyi was one of the students of the Chief Astronomer.

He shook his head, no longer thinking about this matter.

Just then, a servant rushed in.

"Master, someone is seeking an audience at the door!"

"Oh? Who is it?" Wang Shoyi had just picked up a teacup, gently scraped it a few times, and then placed the lid back on the cup.

"He says his name is Jiang Ning!"

"Jiang Ning?" Wang Shoyi murmured.

"Father, he's that Jiang Commander!" Wang Qingtan reminded from the side.

"So it was him!" Wang Shouwu smiled slightly and glanced at his daughter.

Then, he continued, "Go and invite him in!"

"Yes, Master!" The servant bowed respectfully and slowly retreated.

A moment later.

The servant reappeared in Wang Shouwu's line of sight.

Wang Shouwu looked at his eldest daughter, as if asking, "Is this the Jiang Ning you spoke of?"

Wang Qingtan nodded slightly.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning's gaze swept across the room, and he bowed to Wang Shouwu.

"Your subordinate, Jiang Ning, pays his respects to the County Governor!"

Wang Shouwu stood up, "Since we are at home, there's no need for such formalities!"

Jiang Ning smiled and took the gift he had prepared from Lu Yi's hands.

"Today, I was able to get out of prison smoothly, thanks to your help, County Governor!"

Wang Shouwu waved his hand, indicating for the butler to take the gift from Jiang Ning.

Then, he turned to Lu Junyi, "Allow me to introduce, this is Jiang Ning, the former Deputy Commander of the Patrol Bureau!"

Wang Shouwu gestured towards Lu Junyi and said to Jiang Ning, "This is the young master of the Guangning Marquis Manor, Lu Junyi!"

"I know you!" Lu Junyi said to Jiang Ning, "Commander Jiang, you have quite the ability to make the Princess of Qi speak on your behalf."

Princess of Qi?

These three words caught both Jiang Ning and Wang Shouwu off guard.

Wang Shouwu looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning was also surprised.

Princess of Qi? In that instant.

Lin Qingyi's figure appeared in his mind, and he recalled the words she had spoken to Wang Qingtan before leaving.

His gaze shifted to Wang Qingtan.

Wang Qingtan looked back at Jiang Ning, slightly puzzled.

Seeing Jiang Ning's lack of reaction, Lu Junyi did not say more.

According to his understanding, few among the nobility dared to speak of the Prince of Qi and his princess.

Even he only dared to mention it here.

Because it involved many royal secrets and taboos.

He turned to Wang Shouwu and said, "With guests arriving, I shall take my leave, and I will visit again when I have time in the future!"

"Very well, young master, take your time!" Wang Shouwu continued, "Shall I see the young master off?"

"There's no need!" Lu Junyi's gaze briefly swept over Wang Qingtan, seeing her unmoved, he turned and left.

The man in black, who had been standing behind him with his sword, followed.

A moment later.

Wang Qingtan returned after seeing Jiang Ning off.

"Father!" She looked at Wang Shouwu, who was waiting in the hall, and said softly.

"What do you think of Young Master Lu Junyi?" Wang Shouwu asked.

"I don't know him well enough to judge!" Wang Qingtan shook her head.

"Then what do you think of Commander Jiang?" Wang Shouwu asked again.

"He's a bit mysterious!"

"Mysterious?" Wang Shouwu was slightly taken aback.

"Mhm!" Wang Qingtan nodded and continued, "He has exceptional talent and great strength!"

Wang Shouwu nodded in agreement.

"That's true! According to our investigation, he is not yet of age, similar to you, but he already possesses the characteristics of a divine physique. It seems he has entered the fourth rank at a young age. His talent and strength are indeed remarkable!"

At this point, Wang Shouwu looked at his daughter.

"If you were to choose one as your husband, whom would you pick?"

Wang Qingtan's eyes widened in surprise at this question.

Then she shook her head, "I won't choose either of them!"

"Do you know whom I think would be more suitable for you?" Wang Shouwu asked suddenly.

"Father, you must think that Young Master Lu is more suitable to be your son-in-law, right?"

"No!" Wang Shouwu shook his head slightly, "Although Lu Junyi holds a high position, he is not suitable for a close relationship! Nor is he a suitable match for the Guangning Marquis Manor!"

"If you marry into the Guangning Marquis Manor, I doubt you'll find happiness there!"

"That's why I didn't ask you to see the young master off just now!"

Upon hearing these words, Wang Qingtan's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised by her father's words and choice.

Wang Shouwu smiled at his daughter's expression.

"In Daxia, the offspring carry on the family name and ensure the continuation of the ancestral line."

"After your mother passed away, having you two sisters is enough for me! I have no intention of remarrying or taking concubines to continue the family line. You should understand that my wish is for both of you to be happy and content!"

"Compared to that marquis, Commander Jiang is obviously a much better match."

"To receive Zhao Yulong's attention at such a young age, he may not reach the pinnacle of power, but he will undoubtedly soar to great heights and achieve fame and glory."

"Daxia is currently in a state of turmoil, and no one can predict what the future holds. But it's safe to say it won't be peaceful."

"In times of chaos, the nobility, without sufficient martial power, are like lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

"Commander Jiang, at his age, already possesses an extraordinary physique. In the future, he will surely have a place among the grandmasters."

"No matter how chaotic the world becomes, a grandmaster can always protect a family!"

"He is a suitable match for you!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end