The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 104

“Wei Lang.”

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Lüli grabbed Xie Baowei with a voice full of worry.

Xie Baowei gave a bitter smile as he put away the invitation.

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“Since the Royal Palace’s messenger came directly, there’s no choice. Well… what could happen? I’ll just sit in the back, have a cup of tea, and return.”

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Around Prince Zhou, there would be big shots bustling about who wouldn’t even glance at someone like him.

Even if he were lucky enough to catch their eye, by the next day he’d become a forgotten fool.

Though I don’t know why they’re calling me…

In any case, that Crown Prince isn’t being helpful.

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“I’ll go and return. Sleep first.”

“I’ll wait.”

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Xie Baowei straightened his clothes. After squeezing Lüli’s hand once, he took a step toward where the messenger Wei Chong was waiting.

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**

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The carriage carrying Xie Baowei headed toward the center of Nanjing.

It was a carriage pulled by a single horse, and being from the Imperial Court, it was very comfortable thanks to the smooth silk and soft cushions.

Yet Xie Baowei sat with a very uncomfortable feeling, because Wei Chong leading in front and the guards following him didn’t open their mouths even once.

This must be what it’s like when escorting someone they have no interest in.

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“You must be careful with your words and actions.”

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That was all Wei Chong said when he suddenly spoke.

The carriage headed toward the center of Nanjing. It was a place Xie Baowei had passed by several times – it was Jinhuihe.

But even in that famous place, there was somewhere one couldn’t dare set foot, and that was the alley called Owihang that bordered Jinhuihe.

In that alley where prestigious families had lived for generations, magnificent halls rose up proudly.

The carriage quietly passed through that splendid alley.

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“Please get out.”

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The carriage stopped in front of what appeared to be the largest door among them.

While Xie Baowei raised his head and blankly surveyed the surroundings and buildings, the Royal Palace’s escorts approached the carriage.

Wei Chong took out an entry pass and showed it. Xie Baowei stood before the guard warriors and was body-searched.

It was very thorough, but naturally there was no major problem since he hadn’t brought a single weapon.

Even after entering the main gate, they had to walk quite a bit to reach the banquet hall.

It was a path no one else traveled except for them, yet servants holding red lanterns and guards with spears stood at regular intervals on both sides of the path.

Despite so many people standing there, only faint breathing sounds could be heard.

Xie Baowei walked listening only to his own footsteps.

What use is all this supposed to be?

Though Xie Baowei couldn’t understand it, usually those who walked through this space would be intimidated by the Imperial Court’s majesty, so it was often called Tianweiluo.

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“From now on, you must not utter a single word or breath without His Highness’s permission.”

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Well now, Prince Zhou must be tired too, having to give permission for people’s breathing.

A complaint rose up without him realizing it, but he pressed it down and endured.

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“Yes.”

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Xie Baowei bowed his head.

To reach the banquet hall, they had to climb high stairs.

The Imperial Guards guarding the stairs crossed their spears to block the way, then opened the path in response to Wei Chong’s signal.

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“Announce!”

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Only after giving him time to straighten his clothes once more outside the door did the eunuch standing before the door announce Xie Baowei’s arrival in a sharp voice.

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“The warrior Xie Baowei, summoned by Prince Zhou’s call, enters.”

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At the same time, the door opened.

At the end of the long, dark corridor, a gleaming like melted gold first pierced his eyes.

Along with thick incense, people’s gazes stabbed at him.

Xie Baowei walked along the center of the banquet hall, then knelt toward Prince Zhou sitting in the highest seat and bowed three times.

The young Prince Zhou stretched his neck out as if finding it interesting and looked at Xie Baowei.

However, he didn’t speak to him.

Following the guidance again to take his seat, it was the lowest seat.

From that point, most gazes fell away, but a few continued to follow.

One of them belonged to Namgung Bin.

When Xie Baowei’s eyes met his, Namgung Bin lightly nodded in greeting.

He didn’t look to be in very good condition.

That was only momentary.

The banquet continued as if they had no interest in someone like Xie Baowei.

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.

.

.

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Xie Baowei’s mood improved.

The food was so luxurious that he regretted not being able to share it with Lüli.

This was despite there being differences between the food that came to the lowest seat and the food at the highest seats.

The cold vegetable dishes, sliced meat, and dumplings stuffed full were particularly delicious. The soup dishes, fish, and chicken dishes were also good.

The wine had a good aroma, so he quietly asked the servant bringing out the food, but received no answer.

Sweet foods also came out intermittently, and things like fruit confections and milk seemed like something Yingying would especially enjoy, so he wanted to take some with him.

To this too, he received no answer.

They kept bringing out food and taking it away even when not everything was eaten, so what’s wrong with wrapping up some leftovers? He couldn’t say that. He could only shrug his shoulders.

It was while he was enjoying the food alone for quite a while, as if he had come to another world by himself.

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“I hear that you saved the young Household Head’s life.”

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At first, he didn’t know if it was directed at him.

It was because an amazing duck dish had come out and he was savoring it after downing a cup of wine.

Ah. A faint exclamation flowed out without him realizing.

He picked up another piece with his chopsticks, then sensing something strange, raised his head to find everyone looking at him.

Xie Baowei held that piece of duck meat and pondered, but ultimately couldn’t eat it and put down his chopsticks.

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“…I was merely fortunate.”

“I originally wanted to hear many stories from the Young Household Head, but it seems the Young Household Head is not in very good condition. Would you tell me the story directly?”

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Prince Zhou spoke in a clear voice.

Though it was a voice that still seemed to have the vigor of youth, there was a subtle dignity in it.

For Xie Baowei, who had only seen children like Yingying, he briefly thought whether all kids these days were like old people, but he shook his head to dismiss the thought.

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“…I lack eloquence and worry I might only disturb Your Highness’s peace of mind.”

“Haha. That’s different from what the Young Household Head said. He said you were delightful to converse with.”

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Hmm. So it was because of that bastard. It was because of that bastard.

Xie Baowei glared at Namgung Bin. Namgung Bin responded with a faint smile.

He could see cold sweat beading on his forehead.

It seemed he was overexerting himself. Damn it. These high-ranking people never know how to care about their subordinates’ condition.

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“…Yes. I discovered the Young Household Head at the entrance from Wushan to Xiliang Gorge.”

“Stop.”

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He told me to speak and then…

Xie Baowei’s words were cut short.

When he glanced up, he saw Prince Zhou smiling and gesturing with his hand.

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“Come closer.”

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Instantly, the already focused gazes of the people became sharp as if they had gained substance.

Xie Baowei pushed through those thorn-like stares and stepped forward cautiously in a low posture.

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“A little closer.”

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…They became a little sharper.

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“A little closer.”

“…I think this distance should be sufficient.”

“Haha. Come this close.”

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No.

Now it feels like blades are stabbing me.

Now even the piercing gazes of the Royal Palace guards positioned around Prince Zhou were added.

Theirs were different from the others – they contained real, genuine intimidation, making it even more distressing.

Damn it.

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“…Yes.”

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But well, what could he do? The prince was commanding.

He approached Prince Zhou and prostrated himself almost crawling.

When he glanced to the side, Namgung Bin smiled apologetically.

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“Raise your head.”

“…Yes.”

“Haha. What a sullen face. What displeases you?”

“How could I dare.”

“I hear that His Highness the Crown Prince favors you. Are you indeed that Xie Baowei who belongs to the Leiwei yet wanders among civilians?”

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Ah, damn it.

Now the gazes looking at him began to carry killing intent.

So it wasn’t just that Namgung Bin had called him.

Xie Baowei couldn’t bring himself to speak and only lowered his head.

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“Don’t be nervous. I was merely curious since that cold person smiled pleasantly.”

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It was a somewhat melancholy voice.

When Xie Baowei cautiously raised his head, he saw a child who had just turned seven wrapped in silk cloth larger than his own body.

Around him were only people several times older than himself, and all their talk was about what this was like, what that person was like, and such matters.

Even with all this power and gold and silver treasures that turned night into day, he didn’t look happier than Yingying was now.

Truly…

Xie Baowei had an impudent thought for a moment, then shook his head.

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“His Highness the Crown Prince is somewhat, unique.”

“Haha. No one has dared to speak of him to me in such a manner.”

“If you spend a few days with him, you’ll understand. When I first met him, he was so unique that all his subordinate soldiers ran away to other units.”

“No. Did that really happen?”

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Well. Stories from his officer days should be fine.

Since I didn’t even know he was the Crown Prince then.

The story of the Crown Prince entering the Northern Army under false identity was famous.

Through that, didn’t he win the hearts of the Northern Army, said to be the strongest elite?

However, it wasn’t really a story to tell easily in front of Prince Zhou.

Of course, Xie Baowei didn’t think about such things.

In Xie Baowei’s view, the Crown Prince hated his young brother yet felt sad, and the young brother feared his stern older brother yet seemed curious about him.

So when Xie Baowei carefully began his story, Prince Zhou listened with sparkling eyes, completely absorbed.

Though Xie Baowei wasn’t much of an eloquent speaker, when the listener’s eyes sparkled like this while listening, he couldn’t help but get excited.

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“He was just completely cra… I mean, an extraordinary person.”

“Ahaha! My brother? Do you really mean he ran naked? In that cold?”

“We had to run with him too. I thought I’d freeze to death.”

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In the process, some things slipped out that he thought ‘oops’ about after saying them… but oh well, what’s done is done.

After smoothly telling several stories about the Crown Prince and the story of rescuing Namgung Bin, Prince Zhou nodded pleasantly with a flushed face.

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“You there. Move Baowei’s seat next to the Young Household Head here.”

“Yes.”

“Haha. I’ll hear more later. Your stories are truly interesting, but I cannot neglect the guests who have come.”

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It was restraint unbefitting a child.

Anyone could see he looked regretful, but when he turned his head toward the other guests, there was no trace of such feelings.

The high officials and merchant leaders attending the gathering took turns offering various stories according to their order.

Of course, most brought precious gifts or interesting stories suited to Prince Zhou’s age, and at the end they would subtly complain about their difficulties, whereupon Prince Zhou would nod and say he would speak to mother about it, and the eunuchs standing right beside him would write something down.

Prince Zhou listened to all these conversations as if enjoying them, but from Xie Baowei’s perspective, sitting in one place and concentrating for several hours at such a young age was truly difficult.

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“Truly remarkable. Isn’t that right?”

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Xie Baowei leaned close to Namgung Bin and spoke quietly.

But Namgung Bin gave no response.

When Xie Baowei turned to look, a drop of sweat fell from the chin of Namgung Bin, whose eyes were closed.

His face had turned pale white and his mouth continuously muttered something.

Sensing something was seriously wrong, Xie Baowei hardened his expression and grabbed Namgung Bin’s shoulder.

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Tap.

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Following Xie Baowei’s touch, Namgung Bin’s shoulder swayed.

Soon, Namgung Bin opened his eyes.

The muttering also disappeared.

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“…Are you alright?”

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Namgung Bin nodded his head.

The headache that had been persistently tormenting him had vanished.

Now those words finally made sense.

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-Karnax, Vis Tus. Necros, Pala Rami.

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Karnax Vis Tus.

The blood of the noble one

Necros, Pala Rami.

Tear it apart.

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Killing intent began to explode from Namgung Bin’s body.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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