When An Nanjing asked her question, everyone present was momentarily stunned.
They looked around in confusion but saw no sign of the person in question.
“Brother-in-law? Right, he was definitely in the courtyard just a moment ago!”
“Don’t tell me…”
An Beixue’s mind began to wander with wild guesses, but just then, Ning Chen’s voice rang out, “Wife, Beixue, I’m right here…”
Everyone turned their heads to see Ning Chen walking out from the rear courtyard.
“Hmm?!”
An Nanjing immediately fixed her gaze on him, observing carefully.
But with the system’s cover, Ning Chen still looked like a weak scholar with no cultivation aura whatsoever.
“Not him,” An Nanjing judged right away.
And upon confirming it, a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
“Brother-in-law, where did you go? Don’t tell me you…” An Beixue started to speak, but Ning Chen cut her off, “Beixue, I’m sorry. I was really scared just now, so I hid.”
Pfft!
As soon as those words came out, many people from the An Residence couldn’t help but chuckle.
Everyone’s eyes revealed the same expression—”A good-for-nothing really lives up to his name.”
“Brother-in-law, you could’ve at least told a better lie…” An Beixue muttered, a trace of disappointment rising in her heart.
However, a moment later, she softly consoled, “Brother-in-law, the enemy was a real Martial God. It’s not just you—who among us wouldn’t be afraid?”
Her words immediately dispelled most of the mockery and ridicule in the room.
Indeed, hiding might be shameful, but who hadn’t been terrified just now?
To face a Martial God’s palm and not wet oneself—that was already worthy of praise.
“Enough. The danger has passed tonight. Everyone, disperse and return to your posts.”
An Nanjing waved her hand, and the An Family members quickly scattered.
Then she said in a serious tone, “Beixue, come with me. And you too, Ning Chen.”
An Beixue and Ning Chen exchanged uneasy glances, sensing something was wrong.
Sure enough, after following An Nanjing into a hall, her expression had already turned grave and icy.
She turned to An Beixue first and said, “Beixue, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“This time, I killed Wanyan Tianxiong and destroyed the Wanyan Family. While it established the An Family’s power and shocked our enemies, I’ve also completely offended the one on the throne.” This chapter was taken from novelping . com without permission.
“If I’m not mistaken, by dawn, he’ll summon me to the palace. At best, I’ll be demoted; at worst, imprisoned.”
Whoosh!
Anxiety flooded An Beixue’s face. “How could this happen? Sister, this is all my fault!”
“You and I are sisters born of the same mother. Don’t talk about blame. Besides, I’ve long been a thorn in Emperor Chu Yuan’s side.”
“Even if tonight didn’t happen, he would’ve found another excuse eventually.”
An Nanjing shook her head and solemnly instructed, “But you know that our An Family has been loyal for nine generations. We cannot let our generation bear the stain of treason. If that happens, I would rather die than see the An Family fall!”
Ning Chen stood calmly to the side, unmoved on the surface, though deep down he shook his head, thinking An Nanjing was too inflexible.
“So from this moment on, I may no longer have the strength to protect the An Family. As the second head of the family, you must take responsibility.”
“Of course, Uncle Fu, Chu Kui, Liu Ying—they’ll all assist you. And that mysterious man who has protected our family twice now… he’s clearly a friend, not a foe. He might be your key ally.”
Whoosh!
Upon hearing all this, An Beixue’s face had grown solemn and resolute.
“Sister, I understand. I will protect our An Family.”
An Nanjing nodded, showing satisfaction as if seeing a student finally reach maturity.
Then, her gaze shifted to Ning Chen.
“As for you, Ning Chen—since Beixue calls you brother-in-law, I, An Nanjing, will treat you as a member of the An Family.”
“But only within that boundary. I don’t mind you enjoying luxury here, but you must never bring calamity upon us again.”
“For example, the disaster with the Wanyan Family this time—some of it stemmed from you.”
Whoosh!
Hearing this, An Beixue quickly shook her head, wanting to speak up for him.
But Ning Chen stopped her, meeting An Nanjing’s gaze and calmly admitting, “You’re right. I was at fault. I’ll reflect on it.”
After all, he had killed Wanyan Zhu, and that did stir up big trouble for the An Family.
Had he known things would turn out this way, he would’ve chosen a safer method to solve it.
“You admitting your fault does make me look at you in a new light,” An Nanjing nodded.
She gave a few final instructions to An Beixue and the three Martial Saints, and before long, the first light of dawn began to appear in the east.
As expected, a delegation arrived from the Great Chu Palace. Leading them was an elderly eunuch radiating the unmistakable aura of a Martial God!
“By decree of Emperor Chu Yuan—Empire-Defending General An Nanjing is to enter the palace at once to meet His Majesty. There must be no delay!”
A Martial God had come personally to deliver the decree!
At that moment, An Beixue and the rest of the An Family fully realized how serious the aftermath of the Wanyan disaster was.
Even Ning Chen silently grew serious inside, faintly understanding why the royal family of Great Chu could rule the Empire—it truly had deep foundations.
“I accept the decree.”
An Nanjing laid down her spear and removed her armor, respectfully accepting the order. Without resistance, she followed the Martial God eunuch to the palace.
Before leaving, she looked back once more at An Beixue—as if offering a final reminder.
After An Nanjing left, An Fu, along with Chu Kui and Liu Ying, quickly gathered.
“Second Head, will the Family Head be in danger this time?”
“I saw the General lay down her spear and armor. Does she plan to be slaughtered without resistance?!”
“Damn it! The General must be in danger. We should return to the military camp and rally the Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, and Wolf armies to rescue her!”
As they spoke, Chu Kui and Liu Ying turned to leave in haste.
“Wait!”
An Beixue quickly stopped them. Her expression—identical to An Nanjing’s—had become stern and commanding. “Sister already said there’s no danger. We are not to act without permission!”
“But…” Everyone was still uneasy.
Yet An Beixue firmly said, “No more words. We do exactly as Sister instructed. No one is to act recklessly. Wait patiently for her message.”
“Yes!”
With things settled, everyone gradually dispersed. After exchanging a few words with Ning Chen, An Beixue also entered secluded cultivation.
Clearly, the pressure on the An Family no longer allowed her to lie around and enjoy leisure.
“Hmm…”
Looking at the now quiet An Residence courtyard, Ning Chen shook his head.
These past days, the An Residence had been full of noise and chaos. Now that peace had returned, it felt almost unfamiliar.
“Forget it, forget it.”
“No matter how big the storm, it shouldn’t interrupt my lying flat.”
Although Ning Chen still worried about An Nanjing and the An Family’s situation, worry alone was useless—better to lie down in comfort!
He pulled out the recliner, opened the sunshade, and continued his lying-flat lifestyle.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has lain flat for one month and eight days. Reward received…]