Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 670 - 329 Handed Over_1

Chapter 670: Chapter 329 Handed Over_1

The Fifth Prince raised his hand, and two old women came forward to invite Qian Yixiu into another room, while two eunuchs arrived to search Liang Jinzhao.

Liang Jinzhao hadn’t expected the Fifth Prince to dare such audacity and shamelessness, and his face turned bright red with anger. The reason he had dared to accompany Qian Yixiu through the South Gate so publicly was because he knew the area around it was within Prince Ning’s sphere of influence. For some reason, Prince Ning’s archenemy, the Fifth Prince, had appeared here personally.

He didn’t mind being searched, but he didn’t want Qian Yixiu to be humiliated.

He exclaimed, "Your Highness, what is the meaning of this? I am a third-ranking officer of the Imperial Court, and Miss Qian is the daughter of Commandery Princess Zhenyue, as well as the esteemed great-granddaughter of the Empress Dowager. How can you act so recklessly?"

The Fifth Prince said helplessly, "I am doing this because I have no other choice. General Liang, Miss Qian, these are extraordinary times, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s best if you cooperate. If there turns out to be nothing amiss, I will have fulfilled my duty, and you will have cleared yourselves of any implication, right?"

Liang Jinzhao said, "If you really must search, then just search me. Miss Qian is still a young lady; it wouldn’t do to tarnish her reputation."

The Fifth Prince reassured, "Don’t worry, these two Sisters are from the palace; they won’t startle Miss Qian."

At this point, Qian Yixiu chose to cooperate. She wasn’t a real ancient young lady who might die from grief and indignation if someone searched her. She wanted to be freed as soon as possible, to hand over the Dragon Ball and be free of trouble sooner rather than later.

She said to Liang Jinzhao, "General Liang, the Fifth Prince is only fulfilling his duties. I am willing to cooperate with them."

Qian Yixiu followed them into the side room, where she was asked to strip down to only a bellyband and panties. The two old women also wanted to give her a pat-down, which made her feel both angry and ashamed.

Fortunately, she had a space, where she had hidden not only the Dragon Ball but also all her belongings she thought valuable.

The two old women naturally found nothing.

In the end, one of the old women even picked up the clamshell pendant on Qian Yixiu’s chest to look at it, but assuming that such a small shell couldn’t contain something larger than a longan as described by His Highness, put it down. She said, "They say the Qian family is extraordinarily wealthy, so why do you wear such a cheap necklace?"

Qian Yixiu replied, "Although this little necklace looks ordinary, it has been blessed by Master Beikong. I’ve worn it for many years, and indeed, it has protected me from sickness and disaster."

After the search was completed, the two old women shook their heads.

The people who searched the servants and belongings came in and reported to the Fifth Prince, "Both the people and the possessions have been searched, with nothing unusual found. However, the few animals were too vicious and wouldn’t let anyone near them."

To avoid any further complications, Liang Jinzhao glanced at Qian Yixiu, signaling for the House of Animals to cooperate. If they had allowed themselves to be searched, why should they fear their animals being searched? Qian Yixiu went out again to reassure Monkey Brother and the Dashan family, and only then did those people search the animals, also coming up empty-handed.

The Fifth Prince was left disappointed, and he said to Qian Yixiu, "I apologize for the offense. I will go and ask for forgiveness from the Empress Dowager another day." He then waved his hand, indicating that they were free to go.

As soon as they left, the Fifth Prince said to one of his subordinates, puzzled, "Could the intelligence have been wrong?"

After Qian Yixiu and Liang Jinzhao came out, they didn’t dare go directly to Prince Ning Mansion, but instead went straight back to the Qian family home. All the animals from the House of Animals except Monkey Brother were taken to Prince Ning Mansion. Liang Jinzhao, after delivering Qian Yixiu to her doorstep, went to the palace to report back.

Qian Yixiu’s sudden return prompted Manager Wong to come and report, "The Master has been on duty in the palace continuously these past days and hasn’t been home for quite some time..."

Qian Yixiu nodded, took a sedan chair, and went straight back to the Xiangxue Courtyard.

Blue Bead, who had stayed in the Capital City, greeted her at the door with a smile, "The servant has already prepared bath water. Miss, please go inside and warm up." Saying this, she stuffed a small handwarmer into Qian Yixiu’s embrace.

Finally home, Qian Yixiu was extremely tired and also very sleepy.

Once the bathwater was heated, she took a comfortable hot bath. Even though her monthly period hadn’t entirely ended, she still bathed for a long time, unwilling to get out. It was Sister Zeng who called from outside, "Miss, you shouldn’t bathe too long at this time."

After the maids dried her hair, dusk had settled. Qian Yixiu had a simple meal, then went to bed to sleep.

As she was dreaming of Duke Zhou, she was shaken awake by someone – it was Blue Bead. She whispered, "Miss, Manager Wong sent someone to say that Prince Ning himself has come to the residence and is waiting in the outer study."

Qian Yixiu quickly got dressed and, with Monkey Brother in tow, took a sedan chair directly to the outer courtyard. Before the Dragon Ball had been handed over, even in her own home, she remained vigilant.

Arriving at the outer study, Prince Ning was seated in the most honored position. He appeared to have lost weight, with more and deeper wrinkles on his forehead than before. Qian Yixiu entered, paid her respects, and Prince Ning nodded, then with a wave of his hand, he had the servants withdraw.

Qian Yixiu then took out the Dragon Ball she had retrieved and said, "Your servant has not failed her mission. With General Liang and Master Wuming’s protection, as well as that of the House of Animals, I managed to bring it back after overcoming countless difficulties."

Prince Ning stood up from his chair in a swoop, joyfully gazing at the Purple Dragon Pearl in the small hand. He first knelt down to kowtow three times to the Dragon Pearl, then stood up to take it into his hands.

Strangely enough, as soon as the Dragon Pearl reached his hands, it emitted several beams of purple light for a few seconds before they disappeared.

Qian Yixiu hurriedly knelt down and said, "Congratulations to Your Highness, rejoicing with Your Highness. The Old Fairy said that, apart from me who was fated to retrieve it, only the True Dragon Emperor can hold it in his hands. If given to another, no matter who, they would be scorched and injured by its heat."

Joking, when Prince Ning knelt to the Dragon Ball, he was also kneeling to her, and she had to return the gesture.

"Oh?" A look of surprise flashed across Prince Ning’s eyes, and then tears streamed down as he laughed heartily, "Heaven has not failed me! Heaven has not failed me! With it, many things are made simple." He murmured, "Xiao Rong, do you see from the heavens? With the Dragon Ball in my hands, I am the True Dragon Emperor. It’s just a pity that you are not here to share these grand lands with me..."

After carefully examining the Dragon Ball for a moment, he then said, "Miss Qian, stand up and reply."

Qian Yixiu stood up and selectively recounted the task given by the Old Monk to retrieve the Purple Pearl. She only spoke of the difficulties of the terrain en route, not daring to mention any monsters or the likes of Pearl Kid and Sister Squirrel.

After listening, Prince Ning said, "Thank you, Miss Qian and General Liang, for your service. I will remember this favor." After speaking, he hurried out. When he was at the door, he turned back and said, "You might have heard, my Princess Consort has already passed away. Jinjin has been overwhelmed with grief and can’t pull himself together. He gets along best with you; you should try to console him more."

Qian Yixiu bent her knee slightly and said, "Yes."

Only when Prince Ning disappeared into the vast night did Qian Yixiu’s heart finally relax. She had handed over the scalding hot burden and no longer had any obligation.

Yet, she didn’t feel the slightest bit at ease. How was Zhu Sujin now? She truly wished she could see him right away. As she was deep in thought, she heard a crying sound followed by a red figure dashing over – it was Monkey Sister, whom she hadn’t seen in months.

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