They were waiting for the Yi Wang, but unexpectedly, the Yi Wang Fei appeared, clearly carrying herself with authority.
Ning Wan Wan pointed to the chairs and said, “Please sit.”
Zhou Shu served Ning Wan Wan a cup of hot tea.
The two men sat down as instructed.
Di Jin urgently asked, “Yi Wang Fei, I heard that Yi Wang is ill?”
Ning Wan Wan skimmed the tea foam and sighed, “Di Daren heard correctly. My Wang Ye is indeed ill.”
“May I ask what illness Wang Ye has?”
Ning Wan Wan stared into Di Jin’s eyes and countered, “Does Di Daren not already know?”
Di Jin sensed an implication in her words but couldn’t be sure, maintaining a cold stare.
Ning Wan Wan lowered her eyes, took a sip of tea, and said, “My Wang Ye has been sickly since childhood. This time, his old illness has relapsed.”
Di Jin was stunned, not expecting her to refer to a relapse of an old illness.
“When can Wang Ye meet with us?”
Ning Wan Wan shook her head wearily, “The old illness is fierce. Within half a month, he will likely be unable to get up.”
Half a month?
This was a clear delaying tactic. Thinking of Di Huan’s uncertain fate, Di Jin’s tone became harsh, “Then I will go to Wang Ye’s bedside to see him.”
“Di Daren!” Ning Wan Wan set the tea cup down heavily, her gaze cold as she looked at Di Jin, “It is already improper to come uninvited. Are you planning to forcibly intrude into the Yi Wang’s residence?”
Di Jin was taken aback, then darkened his expression, suppressing his anger: “I am not here without reason. I want to discuss some matters with Wang Ye personally.”
“If so, discussing with me is the same.”
“You?” Di Jin looked at her with contempt.
Ning Wan Wan stared at him, curling her lips in a cold laugh, “What? Does Di Daren look down on me, the Wang Fei?”
Di Jin’s gaze flickered, seeming to ponder before saying, “Since Wang Fei says so, I won’t beat around the bush. The reason I came to the Yi Wang’s residence today is to ask Wang Ye to return my son.”
Ning Wan Wan raised an eyebrow, “My son?”
“…My son, Di Huan.” Di Jin gritted his teeth.
Ning Wan Wan thought for a moment, then said, “Oh, I remember now. The young master who publicly harassed me at the Peony Terrace.”
Di Jin’s face reddened. He cupped his fists at Ning Wan Wan: “My son was rash and offended Wang Fei. Please forgive him.”
Ning Wan Wan smiled ambiguously, “Di Daren is right. Your son was indeed rash and ignorant to publicly harass me. If not for my Wang Ye’s benevolence stopping me, I might have gone to the palace to request the Emperor seek justice for me.”
Her warning was clear. Despite Si Zhan’s secret dislike from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, he was still a noble prince, and Ning Wan Wan was originally a Princess from the Ning Guo Kung Mansion. If Di Huan publicly harassed Ning Wan Wan and it reached the Emperor, the consequences would be severe for both the Di and Ning families.
Di Jin understood her warning and dropped his previous arrogance, saying seriously, “This subordinate thanks Wang Fei for her generosity.”
Ning Wan Wan did not accept his gratitude. She took a sip of her tea and asked, “Di Huan is Di Daren’s son. Why has Di Daren come to the Yi Wang’s residence to demand him?”
Di Jin narrowed his eyes, “My son has not returned home for five or six days.”
Ning Wan Wan laughed, “What does my Yi Wang’s residence have to do with your son not returning home?”
“Yi Wang Fei, let’s speak plainly. If you agree to return my son, I promise to forget past grievances.”
Ning Wan Wan coldly sneered, “Di Daren’s words are amusing. If anyone should be seeking redress, it should be our Yi Wang’s residence. I can tell you that your son is not in our Yi Wang’s residence.”
“Then where is he?”
Ning Wan Wan stared at Di Jin, her tone heavier, “You should be asking your son directly, not causing a scene in my residence. If this gets out, people might think you have ill intentions towards me and Yi Wang!”
Di Jin gripped the armrests tightly, his eyes fixed on Ning Wan Wan.
Ning Wanwan’s gaze met his, unwavering. She knew Di Jin did not know that Di Huan was dead, nor would he ever find out where Di Huan was. Therefore, Di Jin had no evidence to link Di Huan’s disappearance to the Prince Yi’s Mansion.
Di Jin’s speculation that Di Huan might be there stemmed from Di Huan’s disappearance after attempting to assassinate them, and his visit was likely an attempt to intimidate while negotiating terms.
Unfortunately, Di Huan was already dead, and no terms could change their conflicting positions. All she could do now was firmly deny any connection to Di Huan’s disappearance.
After the confrontation, Ning Wanwan turned her gaze to Liu Duwei.
“Lord Liu, you should be in charge of the patrol camp.”
“May I ask what brings you here with your troops?”
Liu Duwei explained with a smile: “It’s nothing, nothing. I just heard that the Prince was ill and happened to meet Master Di, so we came in together to pay respects.”
Ning Wanwan casually reminded him: “Lord Liu is thoughtful, but there are many servants in this mansion who might misunderstand. If some servants see you bringing troops and spread rumors, I’m afraid…”
She didn’t elaborate, as some things were better left unsaid.
Liu Duwei was the head of the patrol camp, while Di Jin headed the secret service. Although both were court officials, their responsibilities differed. One managed city patrols, the other managed border defenses, and the Emperor was wary of internal and external collusion threatening Biandu’s safety.
But Di Huan could lead patrol camp troops to hunt her and Si Zhan, indicating a secret faction between Di Jin and Liu Duwei.
Moreover, the assassination of a prince was a capital offense that could result in the execution of an entire clan. If exposed, both the Di family and Liu Duwei would be implicated.
Liu Duwei understood the situation and did not wish to offend Ning Wanwan. He quickly stood up: “Since the Prince is still ill, I will take my leave.”
Before departing, Liu Duwei signaled Di Jin to discuss the matter later, but Di Jin remained fixed on Ning Wanwan with a hostile glare. Liu Duwei had no choice but to leave.
Ning Wanwan smiled at Di Jin, “It seems Master Di plans to stay as a guest in the mansion.” She then called out to Zhou Shu, “Prepare wine and dishes.”
Di Jin slammed the table, standing up angrily. “No need!” he said viciously, glaring at Ning Wanwan, “We will meet again, Princess of Prince Yi’s Mansion.”
“No need to see you off.” Ning Wanwan watched Di Jin leave, feeling her strength wane and a lingering fear in her heart.
Fuwai and Yuan Zhu rushed to support her. “Princess!” “Sister Princess!”
Ning Wanwan touched her forehead and weakly shook her head. “I’m fine.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “Yuan Zhu, an hour later, check if Di Jin’s soldiers have withdrawn.”
“Yes.”
“Fuwai, tell Zhou Shu that Di Jin’s purpose was not achieved this time, and he will not let it go.”
So the Prince Yi’s Mansion should appear normal on the surface, but secretly tell Yuan Bi and the Eighteen Shadows to strengthen their defenses and ensure no one disturbs the Prince in the inner courtyard.”
“Understood.”
That night, several black figures quietly arrived at the Prince Yi’s Mansion.
Chapter 58: Intention
In the quiet room, Ning Wanwan was wiping Si Zhan’s body when she faintly heard rustling sounds on the roof. After a moment, Yuan Bi gently knocked on the door three times.
Ning Wanwan opened the door, and Yuan Bi reported in a low voice: “Princess, the ‘wild dogs’ have arrived, twelve in total, well-trained, but they have been dealt with.”
“Were there any identifying items on them?”
“None; they appear to be privately raised assassins.”
