Chapter 72 - The Aftermath
Emperor Yang Zhou stopped and looked at Old Master Nan. "Yes?"
"Fei Yang Kingdom is not in the correct state. Before you could realize your dream, shouldn't you fix the problems within first?" Old Master Nan cupped his fist. "That's all, please excuse me, Your Majesty."
Nan Luo tilted his head, not understanding what his grandfather said. However, Old Master Nan had no intention of telling Nan Luo about this.
They returned home.
The Nan Family acted as if there was nothing wrong. General Lan had successfully escaped from his pursuer (which was Second Commander Hai). The death of the other commanders was blamed onto the bandits that were roaming last night (which was actually the commotion caused by Second Commander Hai chasing after General Lan).
One way or another, the matter was dealt with.
By afternoon, the news all had been wrapped up and covered. The uninvolved officials all acted dumb and didn't try to pry deeper in fear that they would be implicated and possibly dealt with. It would be better for them to not act as if they were involved.
In Nan Family Residence.
Nan Luo slept for the entire morning when he returned. Nan Hua herself was also resting and didn't have any intention to wake up. She had asked Xiao Yun to ask her for a break from morning training because her small body couldn't withstand the night trip.
Being a child has its disadvantages too.
"Hou Lin." Old Master Nan sat in Ning Shu Pavilion and tapped the table. Different with his grandchildren, he had long gotten used with marching for several days' straight in the battlefield. This little trip was nothing to him even with his injury.
Swish!
"Master." Hou Lin appeared and cupped his fist.
Old Master Nan didn't even look at the man as he asked, "What did Hua'er do?"
His question sounded as if he had already guessed that it was Nan Hua who helped them. When he saw the pile of corpses at the left side passage, he had understood that someone was helping them. If the adjutant was not taken care yet, Long Qian Xing and Nan Luo would have to fight another battle.
With their exhausted state, he might even be forced to interfere to make sure the two youth could survive.
Hou Lin didn't hide anything and told Old Master Nan everything that had happened. By the side, Hou Liang listened in awe. He would have never expected that the unremarkable young miss was actually… that valiant in battle.
"She knows the route of the passage even without map and could utilize the needles perfectly?" Old Master Nan repeated.
Hou Lin nodded. "Yes, Young Miss didn't need anyone to lead her as she can immediately pick which way to go. Her skills are also very great and her aim didn't look like the work of an amateur."
Throwing several needles at once towards the candles, Hou Lin knew that doing that wouldn't be easy. The candles were all located at different location and to successfully threw several needles towards all of them without being detected was… simply superb.
"I see."
"Master?"
Old Master Nan looked at the sky and sighed lightly. He had noticed that Nan Hua's gaze turned even colder despite the same innocent look she always wore. The way she moved and the distinct words she used… everything had changed subtly.
Other people would not notice it but as someone who had been paying close attention to Nan Hua for the past few weeks, how could he not notice?
"Investigate again what Nan Shu Cheng do in his residence, especially towards Hua'er." Old Master Nan's eyes turned cold. He had heard some of what happened from Nan Luo, but even that brat only found out about it late. By that time, Nan Hua had already closed herself off from the outside world and refused to interact too much with other people.
She still looked like usual but the wall around her was simply impregnatable.
"Yes!"
As Hou Lin disappeared, Hou Liang felt that Nan Shu Cheng was simply too stupid. Even if he disliked the arrangement Old Master Nan did for him, how could he lash it out on his wife and daughter?
It was too much.
Old Master Nan sighed. "Don't tell anyone about Hua'er."
"Yes, Master."
Sighing again, Old Master Nan suddenly felt tired. He really didn't know how he should deal with his son as there was no evidence left behind. Besides, in the eyes of law, what Nan Shu Cheng did was not wrong.
His son was a sly man.
…
After resting for several hours, Nan Hua felt much better. She glanced out and noticed that it was already past midday. Her grandfather must have heard about what she did from Hou Lin.
Ever since she got found out by Hou Lin, she no longer had any intention to hide it from her grandfather. Besides, with his surveillance, it was very hard for her to even do anything according to her wishes. It would be better for him to know.
Though, Nan Hua didn't know how his attitude would be.
Knock! Knock!
"Miss, are you awake?" Xiao Yun's voice travelled from the door. Nan Hua didn't usually call for them but she would make some noise within the room, thus the servants would know when she woke up.
"Yes," Nan Hua answered succinctly.
Xiao Yun opened the room while carrying a basin. She smiled brightly. "Young Miss, Old Master said that if you're feeling better, you can head over to Ning Shu Pavilion. He's waiting for you there."
Waiting?
Did her grandfather not rest at all?
Nan Hua blinked her eyes but didn't ask it out. Well, it was not that weird for Old Master Nan not to rest when there were several things to take care of. The involvement of Nan Family had to be completely hidden, so he had to stay awake to take care of it.
"I'll head there."
"Yes, Miss.. I'll help you prepare."