The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 103
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 103
Namgung Bin was alive.
Honestly, when his hand dropped just before entering Wuhan, I really thought he was dead.
Even for Xie Baowei, who thought he still didn’t know him well, it was a moment when his heart sank.
A talent that everyone called a genius and always possessed upright character.
A descendant of a prominent family famous throughout the Central Plains, with a handsome face that could make not only countless women but even some men’s hearts flutter.
But to Xie Baowei, he was a pale-faced friend who clung to him for no reason.
Even that clinging was awkward and polite.
“…Already?”
The escape of the past few days had brought the two people quite close.
Although the wounds were so deep that conversations were choppy and they couldn’t share deep stories, crises that transcended life and death had the power to bind people strongly.
This was true not only for Namgung Bin, who had to entrust his life entirely to Xie Baowei, but also for Xie Baowei, who had to take complete responsibility for Namgung Bin.
“He probably thought it would be better to receive treatment at the main family rather than Wuhan.”
“Hmph. Then he would have gone to Zanshan County where Cheonjusan is located. What reason would there be to deliberately come all the way to Nanjing?”
Dangyeonhwa, who was standing beside them, teased.
The Dang Family members standing behind her hardened their expressions and shook their heads at her.
Seeing this, Dangyeonhwa pouted her lips.
The chaos caused by Namgung Bin’s survival wasn’t limited to just the Namgung family.
“A reason to come all the way here in that condition.”
“The current Namgung Family Head was once called the Azure Sky Sword, but now he’s more often called the Iron-Blood Family Head. As there are duties as the young family head, perhaps he summoned him here.”
Hmm.
Hahee spoke with a hardened expression.
I’ve seen Namgung Family Head Nangong Jinxuan a few times myself.
Was the last time I saw him at my father’s funeral?
When I was younger, I had seen him a few more times, but after that, I couldn’t see him even once.
I remember that even at that young age, he was a very difficult person.
He was so stiff that I once tried to pluck his beard, thinking it might be made of wire.
“Consider yourself fortunate that you’re a girl.”
I didn’t know then, but I know now. What was contained in those eyes was killing intent.
Hahee, recalling that memory, twitched her eyebrows.
He was someone she didn’t like.
“…Even so.”
The news that Namgung Bin was discovered in a state of severe injury shook the entire Gangho and continues to shake it even now.
All sorts of rumors ran rampant, from claims that the blood demon of Wushan was Namgung Bin to stories that he had fallen into qi deviation while practicing in seclusion in the depths of Wuhan.
However, all the prominent families that could have quelled these rumors remained silent.
Rumors openly circulated about Namgung’s main forces, who had been hovering around Ganling, turning their horses around and heading to Wuhan while eating dust, and about the Dang Family retreating inward almost to the point of closing their doors.
“…It’s a matter that could affect the family.”
They don’t know.
Xie Baowei shook his head.
He had parted with Namgung Bin without even saying goodbye.
This was because when they arrived in Wuhan, the Namgung family’s people were waiting as if expected and took Namgung Bin away.
No, in truth, even if they had been given time, it would have been an impossible farewell.
His condition was such that even if he didn’t die today, no one could tell if he might die tomorrow.
What tomorrow—he might not even make it past the next breath or the one after that.
So when that hand really dropped, didn’t my heart sink as well?
Even those retainers who had carefully escorted Namgung Bin initially trembled and suppressed their tears.
And then, to Xie Baowei who was left alone and empty, the Namgung family’s people came again a little later.
It was an incident so serious that even the Namgung family was flustered enough to make mistakes.
“Let’s go see too.”
If he had continued to stay in Wuhan, he would have received treatment that even imperial concubines would envy, but Xie Baowei simply rushed toward Nanjing.
Rather than the silk beds of Wuhan, he wanted to be by Lüli’s side even if it meant sleeping under just a thin blanket. No, this time especially, he longed for and missed Lüli’s embrace even more.
Lüli silently embraced her husband.
Even though she must have been more shocked than Xie Baowei by the news of her friend.
Thus, he didn’t know the subsequent news. He could only guess that Namgung Bin would be alive.
But look at this.
How many days has it been?
Four days? Five days?
Considering the time it takes to travel from Wuhan to Nanjing, it meant he had rested for only a day or two before immediately departing.
“What are you doing?”
Dangyeonhwa dragged along her family members and Akmungi.
Then she looked back at Xie Baowei, who was standing there blankly.
“…Husband?”
At that, Lüli looked at her husband.
Xie Baowei nodded with a hardened expression.
.
.
.
The Namgung entourage was massive.
Not only the boats entering the ferry terminal, but also the family members waiting for them were equally impressive.
“That person is the Azure Sky Sword.”
“Indeed, they say there’s another king in Jiangnan…”
“Hey, you! How dare you say such things in Jinling.”
“…Ahem. I misspoke.”
Even amid the people’s whispers, they remained dignified.
Every time the blue-colored robes fluttered in the river wind, it seemed like the blue waves of the Yangtze River were rippling.
The white wings embroidered on each sleeve scattered like foam.
Standing at the very front was Family Head Nangong Jinxuan.
The middle-aged man wearing a robe made of the finest silk with a jade belt bestowed by the emperor and a silver crown on his head was truly majestic, but at first glance, he was so cold and rigid that it seemed even if pricked with a needle, not a drop of blood would emerge—such was the severity that emanated from him.
Behind him stood over ten guards from Changgunghwi, said to be the Namgung Family’s greatest talents, and behind them, guards, servants, and other people lined up in perfect order.
Even though their number approached nearly a hundred, there wasn’t the slightest disorder, truly earning the remark that this was indeed the Namgung Family.
“We have caused you concern.”
Following their quiet example without a single word, the entire gathering also fell silent.
Though occasional murmurs passed back and forth, the ferry terminal that had been filled with loud voices was quiet for that moment.
The boat stopped, a gangplank was laid from the boat’s edge to the ferry terminal, and a man stood tall.
The pouring sunlight illuminated his face, causing the crowd to involuntarily gasp.
Though he still showed clear signs of illness and faint marks remained from wounds not yet fully healed, his bearing was so dignified and his eyes so clear that no one would think of him as a patient.
Someone who knew him might notice, but a stranger would only think he looked thinner than expected and a bit tired.
Nevertheless, he was handsome enough to inspire admiration.
He was none other than Namgung Bin.
“You’ve worked hard.”
When Namgung Bin stood before the Household Head and bowed deeply, the Household Head patted his shoulder.
As the Household Head who had helped Namgung Bin up turned around, the household members all knelt as one.
“”We congratulate the Young Master on his safe return!””
They moved so perfectly in unison that their voices sounded like one voice, and even the thud of their knees hitting the ground felt like a single knee.
Their momentum was such that even ignorant commoners found themselves unconsciously bowing their heads.
Through this crowd, Nangong Jinxuan and Namgung Bin walked silently.
Xie Baowei stood among the people, watching Namgung Bin.
When he met eyes with Namgung Bin, who was looking around, Namgung Bin’s steps paused for a moment before continuing.
Though he couldn’t tell what that look meant, one thing was certain.
He would never again see the Namgung Bin who used woven reeds as blankets while gazing at stars and coughing.
“Let’s go.”
***
The long birthday celebration had ended yesterday.
It had been a lengthy event lasting six days.
Since the Wanshou Festival celebrating the Emperor or Empress’s birthday was held for seven days and nights, holding it any longer would be tantamount to treason.
Such were the Imperial Court’s protocols.
Nevertheless, the Noble Consort had stayed one more day using her hometown as an excuse, and everyone knew the Namgung Family was behind that intention.
“Are you in?”
On the early evening of the day Namgung Bin arrived, Xie Baowei, Hahee, and Yingying had strolled a bit more outside the castle before returning early to their lodgings.
Dangyeonhwa had offered various temptations using food as an excuse, but they declined as they had little appetite.
Then Xie Baowei’s group tried to join using their fellow team members as an excuse, but it fell through due to opposition from the Dang Family members.
Though they spoke of teams and Yingying and such, in truth, after living freely under Xie Baowei’s care, their hearts must be burning having to live within a strict family’s protocols.
“What brings you here?”
The three people’s lodging was still the Wumeng Inn.
Though the people who had flowed in like a tide had ebbed out like the tide, the inn was still bustling.
Nevertheless, the separate residence for the Alliance remained quiet, so it was sufficient for the three to stay.
The weather was good.
These were the days when May’s warm sunlight was about to become hot.
If they had been a bit later, he wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this spring with Lüli this year.
So they had been sitting in the living room, enjoying the spring breeze with tea.
Suddenly the door to the separate residence opened and someone entered.
It was the innkeeper.
“Um… someone has come from the palace.”
“…Palace?”
With those words, three more people entered the separate residence.
One was an elderly man neatly dressed in a green court robe.
On the chest of his robe was a badge embroidered with flowers and birds, and his belt was decorated with silver.
Behind him followed two young attendants with bowed heads, one of whom held a lacquered tray with a gold-leafed letter placed upon it.
“I am Wei Chong, a court attendant from the Royal Palace Office.”
A court attendant from the Royal Palace Office meant a 6th-rank eunuch who served Prince Zhou.
A eunuch who directly served the prince.
At that dangerous position, Lüli stared at the eunuch with bewildered eyes.
Yingying, who had been chasing butterflies in the courtyard claiming to practice footwork, was startled and hid behind Xie Baowei.
Xie Baowei stepped forward and slowly knelt.
“I receive the Royal Palace’s command. Please speak.”
The old eunuch nodded lightly.
Though it was a small gesture, he seemed satisfied with Xie Baowei’s etiquette.
Wei Chong reached back and grasped the gold-leafed red letter with both hands.
“His Highness is curious.”
“…About what?”
When Xie Baowei asked in confusion, Wei Chong’s eyebrows twitched slightly before returning to normal.
The expression change was so quick that only Yingying, who was hiding behind Lüli with half her face peeking out, barely caught it.
Even Yingying, who saw it, rubbed her eyes wondering if she had seen wrong.
Wei Chong’s eyes briefly went to Huangbo Lüli before returning to Xie Baowei.
“His Highness enjoys hearing stories of martial heroes.”
Then he approached Xie Baowei and carefully handed him the gold-leafed red letter, the prince’s invitation.
Xie Baowei bowed his head deeply three times before examining it, finding it was an invitation calling him into the palace.
Glancing around, he noticed that while Wei Chong’s behavior was extremely courteous, an inviolable dignity emanated from him.
Though that arrogance was slightly irritating, it was something that could not be disobeyed.
How could people from the Imperial Family be so self-centered?
“You will comply.”
Without waiting for an answer, Wei Chong turned and left without hesitation.
“…Now?”
Xie Baowei rose awkwardly to his feet.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
