Chapter 57: Returning Hearts with Clear Breeze and Bright Moon

"That is simple."

Li Qingning agreed without a second thought.

"I will dispatch people to investigate immediately. I still hold some influence when it comes to the imperial temples."

"Mm." Xie Ning nodded. "You must also exercise caution yourself. I have a lingering feeling that things are growing increasingly complex."

"That mastermind behind the scenes, alongside the Virtuous Prince, and now add to that the manipulated Dowager of the Marquis of Dingyuan's Estate. We are certainly facing no shortage of crises."

"I am not afraid." Li Qingning looked at him, her gaze unwavering and resolute. "As long as you are with me, I fear nothing."

Touched, Xie Ning pulled her gently into his embrace.

"Rest assured, leave everything to me."

After lingering together for a moment, Xie Ning took his leave of the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, though clearly reluctant to part.

He needed to return promptly.

The grand spectacle at the Marquis of Dingyuan's Estate was only just beginning.

***

At the Marquis of Dingyuan's Estate, Qingfeng and Mingyue had long been waiting at the entrance.

"Young Master, you have returned."

Catching sight of Xie Ning, the pair hurried over, anxiety written plainly across their faces.

"Judging by those expressions of yours, what fresh nonsense has occurred within the estate?" Xie Ning asked with an indifferent tone.

Casting a quick glance around, Qingfeng lowered his voice.

"Young Master, shortly after you entered the palace, the Dowager's quarters sent down an order. They claim that starting today, the estate must practice austerity and economize on expenditures. All routine expenses for the entire household are to be halved—especially those allocated to your courtyard."

"Oh?" Xie Ning raised an eyebrow. "I am being specially targeted once again."

"It would appear so," Mingyue chimed in, a helpless expression on her face.

"Not only that, but the small kitchen in your courtyard has also been dismantled. They stated that henceforth, your meals will be uniformly distributed from the estate's main kitchen."

"They are attempting to pinch me where it hurts—my food and daily provisions." Xie Ning chuckled.

He was almost amused to the point of laughter by these people.

Goodness knows what era this was, yet they were still playing such childish, housekeeping-style games.

Had they truly exhausted all other options?

"Young Master, what should we do now? The Dowager currently holds the purse strings of the estate. If she withholds the funds, we... we will be completely immobilized."

***

"Who says we have no money?" Xie Ning glanced at him. "Qingfeng, how did the task I assigned you turn out?"

Startled for a moment, Qingfeng finally realized what Xie Ning was asking.

He hurriedly drew two envelopes from his tunic and presented them respectfully with both hands.

"Young Master, it is done. This humble servant went to the Grand Princess's Estate and met with Mammy Rong. Mammy Rong stated that Her Royal Highness had long since instructed that the two of us are henceforth your people. These are our deeds of indentured servitude; Her Royal Highness commanded this servant to bring them back together and place them in your hands."

Xie Ning took the two envelopes and opened them to inspect their contents.

Inside lay two certificates inscribed with the birth dates of Qingfeng and Mingyue.

From this day forward, the very lives and fates of these two individuals rested entirely in his hands.

Gazing at the two youths before him—their expressions a mixture of apprehension and flickering anticipation—a wave of deep emotion stirred within Xie Ning.

Since arriving in this world, these were, in the truest sense, the very first foundation staff members who belonged entirely to him.

"You two..." Xie Ning looked at them. "It is still not too late to regret this."

"Following me may very well expose you to immense danger in the future, even costing you your lives."

Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged a glance, then dropped to their knees before Xie Ning without the slightest hesitation, bowing in unison.

"Young Master!" Qingfeng's forehead struck the ground with a heavy thud. "From this day onward, Qingfeng's life belongs to you! Through seas of fire and blades of steel, I shall not hesitate!"

Mingyue bowed as well, her voice clear and resolute.

"Mingyue is the same. I swear to follow the Young Master to the death!"

In their eyes, there was not a trace of hesitation or reluctance, only pure, unadulterated devotion.

They knew full well that from the very first day they were assigned to Xie Ning's side, their fates had been firmly bound to this young heir.

If he prospered, they would prosper; if he fell, they would fall together.

Moreover, Xie Ning's actions over this past period had long since completely won them over.

During the time spent in his company, they had witnessed a completely different Xie Ning—one brimming with boundless charm.

Following such a master hardly seemed like a poor prospect.

"Very well." Xie Ning nodded.

Instead of helping them up, he simply said in a calm tone, "Rise, both of you."

"From today onward, you are no longer the secret guards of the Grand Princess's Estate. You are my, Xie Ning's, personal guards—my most trusted right and left arms. I do not demand that you die for me; I ask only for your absolute loyalty."

With a flick of his finger, two tiny tongues of flame materialized out of thin air, instantly reducing the two deeds of servitude to ash.

At this sight, Qingfeng and Mingyue were utterly dumbfounded.

Their eyes widened in sheer disbelief as they stared from their own hands down to the pile of ash on the floor.

The... the Young Master actually burned the deeds of servitude?

What could this possibly mean?

***

"Young Master, what are you..." Qingfeng's voice trembled slightly.

"Henceforth, you are no longer servants; you are free men."

Xie Ning looked at them with total composure.

"You follow me because you trust me, not because of a slip of paper. If the day ever comes when you wish to leave, you may do so at any time, and I shall never obstruct you."

Xie Ning's words struck Qingfeng and Mingyue like a pair of thunderbolts, crashing heavily upon their hearts.

They were stunned into immobility.

In their wildest dreams, they had never imagined Xie Ning would do such a thing.

In an era where human life was treated as mere grass and a servant's fate hung entirely upon the whim of their master...

To think there was someone who would voluntarily burn his servants' deeds of servitude and grant them their freedom.

It was utterly unheard of.

Blankly gazing at Xie Ning, the corners of their eyes instantly grew hot and red.

They finally understood why Her Royal Highness the Grand Princess had taken a fancy to him.

Such a man was truly singular in this world.

The next second, the two once again sank heavily to their knees.

This time, their foreheads struck the floor even harder than before.

"Young Master! The two of us swear that in this lifetime, we shall never betray the Young Master! Should we violate this oath, may we meet a wretched death!"

A warrior dies for one who truly knows him.

From this very moment, Xie Ning had genuinely captured the hearts of these two individuals.

"Alright, alright, stop dropping to your knees at every turn."

Xie Ning waved his hand with a helpless expression. "Get up, both of you. I still have serious matters to assign to you."

With solemn expressions, Qingfeng and Mingyue quickly scrambled to their feet.

"Mingyue, go outside immediately and find me a few thoroughly reliable individuals who are quick with their hands and feet."

"For what purpose?"

"To gather intelligence and monitor a few people." A sliver of coldness flickered across Xie Ning's eyes.

"First is that good-for-nothing son of Ji Yibo, Ji Huizu. I want to know everywhere he goes each day, whom he meets, and what he says."

"Second is Yuwen Yue from the Prime Minister's Estate, the one who was beaten half-stupid. See what movements he has made lately."

"Third, and most importantly, the Virtuous Prince's Estate. Exercise extreme caution with this one; do not get too close, just observe from a distance."

"Understood!" Mingyue acknowledged the command instantly.