The fifth master of the Chi family, seeing his son return unharmed, finally put his worries to rest.
A son was more important than a son-in-law. If his son had been harmed this time while helping the Zhu family out of trouble, he would have fought the Zhu family to the death!
In the secret compartment of the main house lay the Zhu family's heirloom treasure, the Candle Dragon Pill.
There were three pills in total, refined from Candle Dragon Grass accidentally obtained by Zhu Hong's grandfather. They could retain their medicinal efficacy for a hundred years if kept in an ice box.
Only a few decades had passed since then. When Zhu Hong's father was gravely ill and near death, he took one. Not only did he recover that very day, but he was also completely healed within ten days, gaining a lifespan of a hundred years and no longer suffering from any illness.
Having witnessed the pill's potency firsthand, Zhu Hong was naturally reluctant to part with it.
With a heavy heart, he took one, placed it in a specially made box, and handed it to Chi Lingyou.
"Nephew, the Candle Dragon Pill is here. You must deliver this medicine to Prince Ding intact. I fear that villain Liang Quanbin might interfere!"
"Uncle, rest assured. He wants Prince Ding to recover even more than you or I do, otherwise, he wouldn't have withdrawn his troops so quickly!"
After all, Prince Ding could offer him much more!
There was no need to fall out with them over this medicine!
Soon, Zhu Xiaoxian also brought all the bank notes that could be withdrawn from the accounts, packed in a box, and handed them to Chi Lingyou.
"This is nearly forty percent of my Zhu family's fortune, but if it can bring back my second uncle and brother-in-law, it's worth it! However, if that Liang fellow takes the money and does nothing, then we'll fight to the death. Even if we have to chase him to the ends of the earth, my Zhu family will slaughter Liang's entire clan!"
Zhu Xiaoxian said fiercely.
On his wedding day, being subjected to such an incident by Liang Quanbin had truly stripped him of all dignity and face.
He could only wait for his second uncle and brother-in-law to return before making further plans!
Chi Lingyou solemnly accepted the items and said to the Zhu family father and son, "Lingyou will not fail your trust!"
Then he rose to leave, heading for the Governor's Mansion!
When Liang Quanbin returned to his residence with his men, the mansion had already been cleaned, but a faint smell of blood still lingered in the air.
Feng Jinlin, having completed his task, naturally took his leave.
Liang Quanbin was extremely grateful and said frankly.
"Young Master Er, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace today. In the future, with my protection in Jinling City, you can rest assured and do whatever you wish!"
"Lord Liang is too kind. It was merely a small effort and does not deserve such a great reward!"
"Nephew, please do not refuse. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be alive to speak now."
Seeing his insistence, Feng Jinlin reluctantly said.
"Since that is the case, Uncle's kindness is too great to refuse. Then this nephew will humbly accept."
"Excellent! Excellent!"
After bidding farewell to Liang Quanbin, Feng Jinlin returned to the inn where they were staying. As he reached the small courtyard, he happened to meet Xu Lin.
"What are you doing here?"
"His Highness is here, so naturally, I've come to report the situation."
Feng Er was speechless. It was already this late, and His Highness was still lingering in the small courtyard. He was giving Ah Yao no good reputation at all. Annoyed, he was about to go in and chase him away.
However, he saw Feng Jinyao personally escorting Prince Ding out. Their expressions were calm, showing no abnormality.
But Xu Lin, who was familiar with Prince Ding, immediately noticed that their Prince was in an extremely good mood!
Indeed, only when he was around Miss Feng San could His Highness display such a lively demeanor. Otherwise, judging by his usual behavior, he would undoubtedly be cold and distant.
"Your Highness."
"Second Brother?"
Now, Prince Ding's subordinates did not avoid the Feng siblings. Since they were all in the same boat, it was good to be more familiar with each other.
Seeing Feng Er approaching with a hint of anger, Xiao Tingyi showed no fear.
"Did you handle it?"
Feng Er was taken aback but still replied.
"After this incident, Liang Quanbin trusts me immensely. I believe we will have more contact in the future."
Xiao Tingyi did not reply but looked at Xu Lin. Xu Lin immediately cupped his fist and replied.
"Your Highness, the Min family sent someone with a message saying that Lord Liang personally brought the medicine to our door. The old master accepted it with great excitement. I fear that starting tomorrow, Your Highness's illness will gradually begin to improve."
"Mm."
Having interacted with Xiao Tingyi for some time, Feng Jinyao had not felt that there was anything wrong with him at all.
Moreover, with Shou Bo around, he could probably be revived even if he were dead. The reason he chose to remain ill was likely to make Emperor Qi relax his vigilance.
The Emperor of their Great Jin was a master of imperial arts.
Given that Prince Ding, with his immense power, had to feign illness to avoid repeated entanglements with him, it was clear that he was no easy opponent.
Feng Er, however, seemed to have figured something out.
"So, His Highness's illness is feigned?"
A voice suddenly appeared behind him. Yang Zhao, rolling his eyes, walked forward and said.
"Kid, your eyesight is bad. When has His Highness ever coughed in front of you?"
Feng Er slapped his forehead. It was indeed true!
However, his complexion had always been pale, making him appear thoroughly sickly. Coupled with the external rumors and over ten years of continuous medication, even Feng Jinlin, who had frequent contact with him, had not realized that Prince Ding was feigning illness.
So he asked curiously.
"Then why did His Highness scheme to obtain the Zhu family's Candle Dragon Pill?"
Hearing the word "scheme," Feng Jinyao suddenly understood something else. Looking at Xiao Tingyi, she felt he was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
Every time she thought she had foreseen his thoughts and actions, there were always unexpected outcomes and other events that occurred.
She had to admit that her own means were somewhat lacking in front of Xiao Tingyi.
She felt an inexplicable closeness to this cunning and insidious "old man," yet also a profound sense of caution.
As if sensing the emotional fluctuations of Feng Jinyao beside him, Xiao Tingyi looked back at her steadily, speaking with both restraint and deep affection.
"This King needs a sound physique to stand before the world, so that I may be worthy of Ah Yao."
With a "boom," Feng Jinyao's face instantly flushed red. She widened her eyes and stared at Prince Ding, while he "considerately" comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I won't let you be pushed into the spotlight."
Xiao Tingyi naturally understood what awaited him if his health were to recover.
First, Emperor Qi's suspicion would only deepen. Then, the First Prince and the Ninth Prince would become even more determined to seize his power. Even courtiers would incessantly send people to his mansion.
Most importantly, Feng Jinyao, or rather the Feng family, would become a target due to their close relationship with him.
However, these had never been obstacles for him from the beginning. Now that both brothers of the Feng family were working for him and at his beck and call, their relationship was already as close as bone and flesh. Now, all that remained was to persuade Prime Minister Bai to agree to marry Ah Yao to him. With that, his in-laws would also cease to be an impediment.