Chapter 53: Let's Go Home

Who could have foreseen that these ordinary-looking maids possessed extraordinary martial arts skills? Before the stunned onlookers could recover from their shock, the maids had already moved with the speed of a howling gale, seizing the guards by the throat in the blink of an eye.

The situation took such a drastic and sudden turn that everyone was left gaping. Dowager Consort Xu was frightened completely pale, her face frozen in utter horror.

"Audacious wretches!"

She shrieked, her voice trembling, "Where did these insolent slaves come from, daring to run amok in my estate!"

Ning Junruo stood up calmly, her demeanor graceful yet carrying an unyielding majesty. "Mother Consort dismissed all the servants of Yilan Residence beforehand, and these few are the martial maids I newly purchased."

Seeing the guards turning red and struggling fiercely for breath, Ning Junruo quickly instructed, "Release them first."

The moment the words fell, the maids withdrew their hands instantly and retreated like shadows to guard Ning Junruo's perimeter.

Though they were strapping men standing seven feet tall, they had actually been defeated by a few delicate women. The guards awkwardly cleared their throats before finally catching their breath.

"Good, truly exceptionally good!"

Zhao Shenxing's voice was laced with anger and astonishment as he said sternly, "It is understandable for Zishu to wield a sword and act as a guard, but under the guise of employing maids, the Princess Consort has planted such experts within the estate. It is clear that I have vastly underestimated your scheming!"

Although Zhao Shenxing did not know martial arts, based on that fleeting clash alone, he could deduce that the skills of these maids far surpassed those of the ordinary guards in the estate.

Ning Junruo smiled faintly, a gleam of confidence flashing in her eyes.

"The word 'scheming' is far too heavy. All I have done is ensure my own self-preservation."

He had previously worried that she would be schemed against until not even her bones were left.

Judging by the present situation, it seemed he had worried needlessly. Li Tailai stroked his beard, the corners of his mouth curving into an approving smile.

"The Princess Consort's action can be described as both wise and courageous. This old man is deeply impressed."

Wen Xiuxiu—standing nearby—cast an admiring gaze and softly said, "My lady's deep foresight is truly breathtaking. It is only a pity that this old servant's position is humble and my strength insignificant, leaving me unable to share my lady's burdens."

Nanny Wei stood beside Ning Junruo, her eyes filled with doting affection as she looked at her. "Though my lady is a woman, she possesses a greater sense of responsibility than many men. Even as servants, we are willing to brave boiling water and trudge through fire for our mistress."

Zhao Shenxing's expression shifted uncertainly, clearly calculating how to deal with this sudden turn of events.

He forced a smile, turned to Dowager Consort Xu, and asked in a low voice, "Mother Consort, what... what should we do now?"

Though Dowager Consort Xu was utterly shocked, she was, after all, a woman who had seen the world and quickly regained her composure.

She gave a light cough and forced an air of majesty. "Prince, let us secure the silver first. We can discuss the rest after the estate overcomes its current crisis."

Zhao Shenxing shared the same thought. He cast a cold glance at the martial maids and the guards. "You may withdraw for now."

Climbing the steps, Tumu and Lingxiao immediately looked toward Ning Junruo, and seeing her nod slightly, they bowed and backed away in an orderly single file.

Once they had all departed, Dowager Consort Xu coldly stated, "Since the scholar feels that our estate has bullied the Princess Consort, how does the scholar suggest this matter be handled?"

Li Tailai thought for a moment before saying in a resonant voice, "In that case, this old man is willing to act as a mediator. But I must ask the Dowager Consort to understand that justice resides in the hearts of the people, and all matters must be handled according to reason."

"The scholar is willing to mediate?"

Dowager Consort Xu thought it over before speaking with unconcealed reluctance, "Then I must trouble the scholar."

Why should an outsider be needed to mediate the affairs of a prince's estate?

Although Zhao Shenxing was displeased, the moment he remembered that Li Tailai was a man of great virtue and high standing, and that his mother consort had already agreed, he had no choice.

He asked reluctantly, "Dare I ask how the scholar intends to mediate?"

"Since it has come to this, I am willing to step forward, act as a guarantor for the Princess Consort, and raise the required silver. However, there is one condition: the estate must promise never again to use any pretext to interfere with Yilan Residence or the freedom of the Princess Consort."

At the mention of silver, Zhao Shenxing's eyes immediately lit up.

"Then, shall this debt acknowledgment be written in the name of the Princess Consort or the scholar?"

"Ten thousand taels of silver is no small sum; a debt acknowledgment must certainly be written."

Li Tailai looked toward Ning Junruo. "Let us each take a step back. If the Prince truly refuses to borrow from this old man, then let it be written in the Princess Consort's name. However, it must be guaranteed and witnessed by this old man."

"A fine guarantor! When all is said and told, the scholar is still afraid we might embezzle her silver!"

With her hidden motives exposed, the Dowager Consort's gaze turned as cold as ice, harboring a profound resentment that sent a chill through anyone who saw it.

"If the Dowager Consort puts it that way, then there is no need to borrow this silver, nor is there any need for this old man to mediate!"

Li Tailai sighed. "Our Dayun Dynasty has always valued propriety and upheld the law. Elevating a concubine while suppressing a legitimate wife is a grave taboo, and treating a bestowed Princess Consort with such harshness is unheard of. This old man will report everything I have witnessed today truthfully to the imperial court!"

If word of this reached the capital, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Dowager Consort Xu's complexion changed drastically. "Let us discuss this properly. The scholar need not be rash."

Li Tailai pondered for a moment, then spoke in a ringing voice, "This old man came with the intention to mediate, but the Dowager Consort's attitude suggests unwillingness. Since that is the case, I have nothing more to say."

With those words, he looked toward Ning Junruo, his clouded eyes filled with pity. "My good child, with this old man backing you up, there is no need to stay in this estate a moment longer!"

If her grandfather were here, he surely would have acted in the exact same manner, right?

A thin mist of moisture gathered in Ning Junruo's eyes, and she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, "Thank you, Elder Li. Junruo will keep your kindness in her heart!"

"Why call me 'Elder Li'? Isn't that treating me like an outsider?" Li Tailai laughed.

Ning Junruo immediately caught on and said dutifully, "Junruo thanks Grandfather."

"Hahaha, that sounds much more appropriate!" Li Tailai laughed heartily and said, "Who says one has no kin in Liangzhou? My good granddaughter, let's go home."

How many years had it been since anyone had said the word "home" to her? An indescribable warmth welled up in Ning Junruo's chest, and as she smiled through her tears, they finally spilled over.

That old stubborn fool was notorious for his unyielding temperament. If the Princess Consort truly followed him to the Li residence, leaving aside what kind of chaos might ensue, just raising that ten thousand taels of silver was something he might fail to achieve no matter how hard he tried.

Zhao Shenxing saw the reality of the situation clearly: this stubborn old man was bent on protecting her. Rather than provoking further conflict with harsh words, it was better to simply yield to them.

"I agree!"

Zhao Shenxing said in a deep voice, "This prince is willing to swear in front of the scholar that I will never again interfere with Yilan Residence or the freedom of the Princess Consort. As for the debt acknowledgment, let it be written in the Princess Consort's name, with the scholar acting as guarantor."

Imperial marriages often involved a delicate balance of power among various factions. Li Tailai knew very well that even if he brought the Princess Consort to his own residence, it might not change the underlying situation.

The reason he spoke as he did was to back them into a corner and force their compliance.

Hearing this, he let out a sigh of relief. "A gentleman's word is as good as a team of four horses. I believe the Prince and the Dowager Consort are not people who would break their promises. Since the Prince has the intention to reconcile, this old man is more than happy to see it happen. If the Dowager Consort is willing, let us sit down and discuss the matter properly, and sign the agreement while we are at it."

Given how disadvantageous the current situation was to them, how could Dowager Consort Xu possibly be unwilling?

Just as they sat down and drafted the agreement, Yuzhu rushed in frantically, crying out in a panic, "This is terrible, Your Highness! The little young master is choking on his milk, and his condition is looking very grave!"