Departure News

Ye Ningjie returned to the Zhou residence just as the sun was at its zenith. She carried a package of very fragrant osmanthus cakes, planning to give them to Zhou Yan.

When she had just entered the residence, the situation felt a bit strange for some reason. The faces of the servants did not look pleased. They look like they have a burden on their minds. Has something bad happened?

While she was thinking, suddenly Zhou Yingyi, along with a girl who looked foreign, came up to her. The faces of the two of them looked very somber and radiated anger. What else would that woman do? Just imagining that made Ye Ningjie feel lazy.

"Ning Jie'er!" Zhou Yingyi growled as her footsteps quickened. Her hands clenched into fists. After arriving in front of Ye Ningjie, she immediately raised her palm.

Whoosh!

Ye Ningjie immediately caught Zhou Yingyi's wrist, who was about to slap her face. Then she gripped the wrist tightly, causing its owner to scream in pain.

"What are you doing?!" shouted the foreign girl standing next to Zhou Yingyi. Her voice was loud. It could probably make anyone's ears ring if you listened to it for too long.

A small mocking laugh escaped Ye Ningjie's mouth. Her hands gripped the troublesome woman's wrist even tighter. "What am I doing? Of course, I am protecting myself."

"Quickly release Sister Yingyi!" shouted the previous girl called Zhou Ling. She was one of the members of the Zhou family.

"What if I don't want to let go?" Ye Ningjie tried to challenge them, and that made them even angrier.

"Damn girl!" Zhou Yingyi finally screamed while enduring the pain. "You caused Yan'er to be sent to Wuliang! If you didn't make Tang Yin jealous, none of this would have happened!"

Ye Ningjie's forehead immediately furrowed. "What do you mean?" Her grip loosened slightly, and Zhou Yingyi immediately took the opportunity to break free.

Ye Ningjie didn't react to that action. She simply had no intention of continuing her torture. She was seriously waiting for what that annoying woman would say.

"Don't feign ignorance!"

"Talking with you guys is troublesome," Ye Ningjie muttered. Lazily she turned away from the two women. It was better for her to ask Zhou Yan directly than to hear screams that would only make her ears ache.

"Hey, wait!" Zhou Yingyi was not satisfied with venting her anger. She wanted to chase after Ye Ningjie but then gave up on it. Her grandfather would probably be furious if he found out she was causing trouble for his favorite guest.

"Tch! It sucks!"

Ye Ningjie didn't care about Zhou Yingyi anymore. She rushed to Zhou Yan's room. Upon arrival, it happened that Zhou Jingran was also going to see his son.

"Lord Zhou, what happened?" Ye Ningjie immediately asked. At this time, they were still outside the door.

"Please come in. We will talk inside," Zhou Jingran said in a weak voice. He opened the door, then asked Ye Ningjie to enter first.

Inside, Zhou Yan was packing with a sullen face. Upon seeing Ye Ningjie's arrival, the young man immediately abandoned his activities and rushed over. "I am so pissed off, you know?"

Ye Ningjie held out the parcel of osmanthus cakes she bought on her way home. "Eat. Maybe this can reduce your frustration." Despite being curious, she still managed to keep her composure.

"Thank you." The young man was surprised and then immediately accepted the gift. His expression turned brighter, seeing that there was food in front of his eyes. He quickly devoured the cake one by one.

Zhou Jingran, who saw that, coughed. Ignoring Zhou Yan, who was busy eating, he turned to Ye Ningjie. "Today, I went to see the emperor."

Finally, Ye Ningjie remembered last night's incident. So, they should have talked about arranged marriage in the imperial palace already. "Then, how?" She became curious.

"His Imperial Majesty does intend to set them up. However, how can I possibly accept that? I told him Yan'er likes…." Zhou Jingran suddenly stopped. After a moment, he continued, "Likes another girl, but the emperor looks angry."

Ye Ningjie's brow wrinkled in understanding. However, she did not speak. She just let Zhou Jingran explain.

"His Majesty then gave two choices. Accept the arranged marriage or refuse and send Zhou Yan to Wuliang," continued Zhou Jingran.

"So, you chose to send Zhou Yan to Wuliang?"

Zhou Jingran nodded slowly. "Maybe it's a way to keep the Tang family from protesting."

"But that Wuliang is very far away." Ye Ningjie protested against the decision. She was starting to feel irritated. Why did the emperor only give two equally difficult choices? That man really has no feelings!

"Actually, it's not that difficult. Yan'er's uncle is over there, becoming the general of the northern army. After all, Wuliang is far away from this place, and it will keep him away from Tang Yin," Zhou Jingran said quietly. Even though it was hard to part with his son, this was for the best.

"Father, but it's so cold there. Why go north? Why not south? There are lots of seas there. It must be more pleasant," Zhou Yan grumbled gloomily.

"You are still thinking about fun," Zhou Jingran scolded.

"When are you going?" asked Ye Ningjie.

"Tonight."

That answer made Ye Ningjie startled again. Isn't that so sudden? Zhou Yan was about to leave. That meant she should probably start moving as well. She couldn't delay her plans so as not to inconvenience the Zhou family for too long.

She looked at Zhou Yan guiltily. If they hadn't shown up at the restaurant together and met Tang Yin, perhaps none of this would have happened. That Second Tang Young Miss was truly annoying, acutely jealous, and extremely pushy.

However, was the emperor doing this simply to keep Zhou Yan away from Tang Yin? Ye Ningjie couldn't be sure of that.

"After this, we might find it difficult to meet," Zhou Yan said. "Ah, at that time, I shouldn't have taken you to a famous restaurant so as not to meet that damn girl."

"Even though it's difficult, we will definitely meet again. It might be dangerous there. You should be more careful." Ye Ningjie smiled faintly.

"That's right. It's also cold there. Don't forget to always wear thick clothes," added Zhou Jingran.

"I know." Zhou Yan nodded in understanding. He stretched his muscles. "It seems I need to rest before going on a long journey."

Ye Ningjie smiled. "Then I won't bother you anymore," she said. She nodded politely at Zhou Jingran, then stepped out of the room. There her servant is still faithfully waiting.

"I am going to rest. Don't let anyone interfere." Ye Ningjie gave a message. Tonight she will go to the Zhongli temple. So, now she would quietly pack up and prepare herself.

"Yes, Miss."