Chapter 290: Planting the Seed of a Benevolent Fruit

Under the moonlight, it was a pitch‑black face, and the woman's disheveled hair made Nan Qinghuan feel she had seen her before.

Is it her? She remembered—wasn't this the woman who had grabbed her and begged for mercy in the Cave today? She quickly crouched and helped the woman up, "You escaped?"

The woman looked frantic, pleading nonstop, "Save me, I'm not from here, I'm not of the Quanrong Tribe, save me, my mother will thank you, she will."

The woman thrust a huge Sea Conch into her hand; it was Nan Qinghuan's first time in the ancient world seeing a Sea Conch that large—about the size of a palm.

Ying had told her that Sea Conches were rare antiquities, so this woman's status could not be ordinary.

"Stand up, who is your mother?"

The words barely left her mouth when people appeared nearby; the woman, terrified, tried to flee but was surrounded on all sides, so she could only hide behind Nan Qinghuan, who did her best to protect her.

"Don't be afraid."

"Want to run? Where could you possibly go?"

It turned out Ashu had arrived with men, and Ying was right behind him!

Ying and Ashu stepped forward, seeing her shielding the runaway slave; his expression was far from pleasant, and he had learned from Dashan that Nan Qinghuan had gone to that Cave.

So, she had seen those women.

It made him feel a bit guilty, because Nan Qinghuan would surely act benevolently and try to rescue them, but this time he would not allow it; those women were useful to him.

"Qinghuan, come here."

Nan Qinghuan stayed where she was, "Ying."

The woman, terrified of Ying's men, kept pleading, "Don't take me back, I beg you, I beg you."

The woman knelt again, and Nan Qinghuan, unable to bear it, said, "Don't come any closer, Ying, this girl is a slave sent by the Quanrong, but she gave me this, take a look."

After saying that, she handed the Sea Conch to Ying, who stepped forward; when he took it, his face darkened as he looked at the kneeling, pleading woman.

He was a little puzzled, "This is a holy relic of the Matriarchal Tribe; how did you get it?"

Matriarchal Tribe? Nan Qinghuan heard of this mysterious people again; she'd heard they were matriarchal, a mother‑line clan? Looking at this woman, she indeed seemed different from the others—at least she was bold enough to try escaping.

When Ying spoke, the woman instantly rose, as if she suddenly found confidence; though her face was dusty and grimy, she lifted her eyes to meet Ying's, and a light flickered within them.

She suddenly seemed like a different person.

"My name is Ayina, I am the daughter of the Female Tribe Clan Leader."

Boom!

When Ashu heard that, he was shocked, "Ah, she's Ashina's daughter. Ying, then we can't capture her."

Indeed, the Matriarchal Tribe is famous throughout Jiuzhou, and Ashina as well; his daughter cannot be taken.

"Release me; the Bolan Festival is about to start, you'll need my help."

Ayina instantly gained confidence; knowing she was Ashina's daughter, he treated her much more politely.

He stepped forward and questioned her, "Since you're from the Matriarchal Tribe, how did the Quanrong capture you?"

When the topic came up, Ayina felt helpless; seeing Ying's courtesy made her a bit bolder, "I got lost and was captured by his men; they intended to eat me, I tried to run but failed, then I was sent here as a slave. Ying, those females are pitiful—please set them free."

She tried to tell the males she was Ashina's daughter, but no one listened; forced, she attempted to flee tonight, only to be caught again.

Nan Qinghuan didn't expect the girl to be kind‑hearted; before she could speak, the girl spoke first.

It seemed she had personally witnessed those women being abused inside, and felt compassion.

Even in this ancient age, there are still good‑hearted people.

Listening, Ying squinted slightly but remained stern, "This is a matter of my tribe; I only agree to let you go. Ji Lei, take Ayina back to the Matriarchal Tribe."

Ji Lei hurried forward, glanced at Ayina, "Prepare, prepare to come with me; I'll escort you back."

Ayina liked Ji Lei at first sight; the male was truly handsome.

"Thank you."

Soon the slave‑escape incident was over; Ashu and his men were dismissed by Ying, and after they left, Youchao Ji finally ran over.

"Ying, Goddess, it's over; the slave ran away."

"It's fine, you go rest first; you're tired too."

Youchao Ji knew she shouldn't be here, yet she stared mysteriously at Nan Qinghuan, "Goddess, remember."

Nan Qinghuan smiled lightly, "I remember, go ahead."

"Then I'll await your good news."

Youchao Ji was delighted, pulling a flower from her hand and pinning it on Nan Qinghuan's head, "Pretty, for you."

She giggled and ran off; Ying quickly grabbed Nan Qinghuan's waist, frowning at the flower by her ear, "Qinghuan, what's this woman up to?"

"Can't you see she's feeling amorous?"

"Amorous?"

Ying didn't understand; what heart could "spring" have? He soon seemed to grasp something.

"Isn't that girl fond of Youchao Xuan?"

Nan Qinghuan shrugged, "Now it's someone else. By the way, weren't those women sent back for the tribe's pairings? How could you…"

"It's cool here, let's go, we'll tell home."

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Ying actually scooped her up, walking while saying, "Don't impulsively rescue people anymore; I was so scared that woman might hurt you just now."

Indeed, he feared Ayina might harm Qinghuan, but fortunately she only came seeking rescue.

Nan Qinghuan stayed silent; there are still many good people in the world, right? Ying, holding her, seemed to enjoy it—since she became pregnant, he had dote on her, even wanting to carry her whenever they went out.

He was terrified she might fall.

Soon, Ying carried Nan Qinghuan back home; in the flickering candlelight, she resembled a tempting fruit, drawing his desire to taste her.

Fearing he might hurt her, he could only keep his distance; when Nan Qinghuan saw him step back and tried to get closer, Ying reached out to stop her, his face flushed, "Don't come over, this is fine as it is."

Nan Qinghuan was speechless at his ridiculousness; the man was truly amusing.

Fine, I won't move. You tell me, why did you imprison those women there as slaves?