"Your Excellency is wise!"
The old farmer was so moved that he wept uncontrollably and kowtowed repeatedly to Ning Lin.
The crowd watching below the hall erupted in thunderous cheers.
Hu Liena stood aside, watching this scene, her beautiful purple eyes sparkling with wonder.
She had witnessed Ning Lin's power and domineering nature, but she never imagined that he would have such meticulous observation and rigorous logic when handling government affairs.
This charisma, so different from his invincible prowess on the battlefield, is equally captivating.
After the crowd dispersed, Hu Liena slowly walked forward.
"Lord Ning..."
She bowed in greeting.
"What's up?"
Ning Lin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and regained his calm and composed demeanor.
"I'm here to report to you."
Hu Liena recounted in detail the news that Yu Xiaogang had fled overnight and that Tang San and the others had left Tiandou City in batches.
Ning Lin simply nodded after listening.
"knew."
His reaction was so calm that it surprised Hu Liena.
"Aren't you... worried at all? Tang San went to the Star Dou Great Forest, where there are many spirit beasts. What if he gets some kind of extraordinary encounter..."
"How much of a splash can a clown make?"
Ning Lin said calmly.
Let him be.
A profound light flashed in his eyes.
"More important than these things is something else."
"What's up?"
Hu Liena asked curiously.
Ning Lin did not answer directly, but stood up and walked to her.
"Nana".
He looked into her eyes, and his expression became serious.
"Regarding those rumors spread by Yu Xiaogang that are detrimental to you..."
Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat.
"I don't care!"
She blurted it out.
"As long as you and your teacher believe in me, I don't care what others say!"
"Of course I believe you."
Ning Lin smiled.
"However, this matter ultimately started because of me, and you have been wronged."
He took out an exquisite brocade box from his pocket and handed it over.
"Consider this my compensation to you."
Hu Liena subconsciously took it, opened it, and saw a crystal-clear soul bone lying quietly inside the brocade box, with a magnificent radiance flowing across it.
A powerful surge of soul energy emanated from it.
"This is... a head bone with spiritual attributes that is at least 50,000 years old!"
Hu Liena gasped in surprise and quickly closed the box.
"This is too valuable! I can't accept it!"
"Take it."
Ninglin Road.
"Your mental strength is a weakness, but this is a good fit for you."
"I..."
Hu Liena held the brocade box, feeling a burning sensation in her palms that seemed to reach her heart.
She looked up at Ning Lin's gentle and handsome face, and for a moment, she was captivated.
...
The Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace, East Palace.
Xue Qinghe sat quietly behind his desk, listening to his subordinates' reports.
From Yu Xiaogang spreading rumors, to Ning Lin issuing a challenge, to Yu Xiaogang fleeing overnight, and finally to Ning Lin adjudicating the case in court...
Everything, in great detail, was presented to her.
After listening to the report, she waved her hand, signaling her subordinates to leave.
She was left alone in the room.
She slowly removed the mask from her face, revealing a stunningly beautiful face that could eclipse the heavens and earth.
A thousand feet of snow.
Her brows furrowed slightly, and a complex emotion flickered in her golden eyes.
Bibi Dong...
That woman, her mother, is getting married.
This news had a far greater impact on her than anyone could have imagined.
In her more than twenty years of memory, Bibi Dong was always that high-ranking, dignified, and distant pope.
She never saw the joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness that belong to a normal woman on that woman's face.
Their relationship, nominally that of mother and daughter, was actually colder than that of enemies.
But now, that woman is announcing to the world that she wants to marry a man.
That man's name is Ning Lin.
Qian Renxue's fingers tapped lightly on the table.
She went through all the information about Ning Lin in her mind.
He is powerful, intelligent, and acts domineeringly yet methodically, and... he is deeply loved by the people.
This is an extremely difficult opponent.
More importantly, he received Bibi Dong's unconditional love.
This stirred a hint of jealousy in Qian Renxue's heart that she herself was unaware of.
Why?
Why should this man get everything that woman has?
And she, as her biological daughter, could only receive endless indifference and harsh criticism.
That's not fair.
This marriage completely disrupted her plans.
Once Ning Lin marries Bibi Dong, Tian Dou City, the imperial capital she has painstakingly built up over many years, will completely fall into the hands of the Spirit Hall.
Her grand plan to seize the country will suddenly become subject to countless variables.
no.
She couldn't just sit and wait to die.
A resolute glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
She had to go and meet Ning Lin in person.
She wanted to see just who this man was who could win that woman's heart.
Is he an enemy, or... a pawn that can be used?
She put on the "Xue Qinghe" mask again, and her eyes regained the gentleness and majesty befitting a crown prince.
"Someone come here."
She spoke.
"Prepare the carriage; we are heading to the City Lord's Mansion."
"I am going to pay a personal visit to our Lord Ning."
The Eastern Palace Guards bowed to receive the order and were about to turn around to relay the message when a gentle voice stopped them.
"Your Highness, please wait."
Qian Renxue, or rather "Xue Qinghe", looked up at the figure that had appeared at the door at some point.
Ninglin.
He was still wearing the same simple casual clothes he wore during the trial, as if he had just taken a walk after dinner and unintentionally wandered here.
However, the faint but palpable aura of menace emanating from the two guards behind him indicated that this city lord was no ordinary person.
"Lord Ning?"
Xue Qinghe looked surprised, then stood up to greet him, his tone showing familiarity and closeness.
"Why did you come here in person? I was just about to visit you at your residence."
Her acting skills were impeccable; she was gentle, refined, and courteous, perfectly capturing the demeanor of a crown prince.
Ning Lin walked into the hall, his gaze casually sweeping over the surrounding furnishings before finally landing on Xue Qinghe, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Your Highness is very busy with state affairs. It is only right for me, a person with nothing to do, to walk a few more steps."
"I heard Your Highness summoned me. May I ask what brings you here?"
He took the initiative and directly steered the conversation.
Qian Renxue felt a slight chill in her heart.
This man appears gentle, but his aura is so powerful it's suffocating.
Ordinary people would probably not even be able to finish a sentence in front of him.
She steadied herself and smiled, "It's nothing serious. I just heard the good news about Lord Ning and His Holiness the Pope, so I came to offer my congratulations."
"In addition, my father has been unwell lately and has relied on Lord Ning for many matters of state. I would also like to come and ask for his advice."
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(End of chapter)