Chapter 115: Father and Daughter Have Met!

Now the season is already late summer, but as the sun rises, the temperature remains scorching.

Lord Wang drank all the water he and Ning Shan had brought, yet still felt parched, so he pulled Ning Shan along to look for water.

Their posts were lowly and unnoticed, and they were kneeling at the very end of the officials, so they quietly slipped away.

Before the king's coronation, the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony required many sacrificial supplies, including a lot of food and drink; to avoid any mishap, they always prepared extra.

These extra sacrificial supplies, prepared for emergencies, were all stored in a separate temporary storeroom.

Soon, the two found the place.

Outside the storeroom, a group of eunuchs stood guard.

Lord Wang adjusted his attire, held his head high and chest out, and swaggered over.

The eunuchs guarding the storeroom were about to reprimand, but before they could speak, Lord Wang barked, "Why are you still here?!"

The eunuchs were dumbfounded.

The lead eunuch sized him up, seeing he wore low‑rank official robes but could not tell his exact post; yet his bearing was strong, not like a petty official.

"Sir…" the lead eunuch stepped forward, bowed, and asked doubtfully, "May I ask what you mean?"

Lord Wang put on an angry face, swung his arm round and slapped him hard, then shouted:

"There's a small problem at the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony—we're short‑handed. I just sent people to notify you to come quickly, but after waiting a long time no one showed, so I came myself to check, and found you all slacking here! If you delay the ceremony, or even ruin the king's coronation, you'll all lose your heads!"

The lead eunuch was startled, fell to his knees with a thud, and said, "Sir! We were ordered to guard this storeroom, we weren't slacking! Besides, I didn't see anyone come to notify just now… please see clearly, sir!"

The other eunuchs also hurriedly knelt, not daring to utter a sound.

In this situation, they had no mind for anything else, fearing they'd botch the affair and lose their lives.

Seeing his first move had stunned them, Lord Wang continued, "All right, get up! Don't waste time here! Everyone, go at once to wait outside the main hall—someone will assign you tasks later."

"Yes… yes, sir," the lead eunuch hastily rose, looking troubled, "But if we all go, the storeroom will be unguarded—could we leave a few behind?"

Lord Wang wore an extremely impatient expression, "I said the ceremony needs hands! You lot are just idling! Even calling you all over might not be enough!"

"Huh? Then the storeroom…"

"Never mind, never mind!" Lord Wang glared, "I'll guard it myself for now; when you're done, come back right away—don't make me wait!"

The lead eunuch repeatedly bowed, grateful, "Thank you, sir, for your trouble!"

Having said that, he immediately led the dozen or so eunuchs rushing toward the main hall.

Ning Shan stood silently by the whole time, already accustomed to Lord Wang's tactics.

This fellow is useless at proper work, but when he schemes and plays tricks, he still shows a bit of cleverness.

After the eunuchs left, Lord Wang had Ning Shan keep watch at the storeroom door, then he went inside himself.

Inside the storeroom.

Ning Jinli stood before piles of sacrificial offerings, looking bewildered.

She had come through the spacetime portal a few minutes ago, but still hadn't figured out where she was.

From the surrounding environment and the items inside, she could only judge it to be an ancient storeroom.

But the storeroom is large, and she didn't know where the exit was.

So she walked along the shelves, searching as she went.

After walking a while and turning a corner, she suddenly bumped into Lord Wang, who was picking out food.

"Huh?" Lord Wang blinked, "Who are you? Why are you in the Wang Palace storeroom?!"

Ning Jinli also blinked.

So this is the Wang Palace storeroom?

That means Xiao Qidi has already returned to the Capital Royal City?

She was about to ask how to get out when Lord Wang sized her up, smiling, and said, "You're a new palace maid, right?"

"You… how do you know?" Ning Jinli readily went along with it.

Lord Wang's eyes gleamed with lust, "You're wearing commoner's clothes—definitely not an official's or noble's daughter, and you haven't even changed into maid's attire, so you must be a newcomer."

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly, never expecting such a beauty in the palace.

Even a royal or noble lady falls short of her by half.

Her lips red, teeth white, exquisite little face; her tall, graceful figure; her snow‑white, delicate skin…

Tsk tsk, she might as well be a fairy fallen to the mortal realm!

It's a shame to be just a palace maid.

Better yet…

Ning Jinli sensed his ill intent, stepped back half a pace, and said, "I'm a newcomer, assigned to be here, but I don't know how to get out. May I ask who you are? How are you here?"

Lord Wang was delighted inside.

This peerless beauty really is a newcomer.

That makes things easy.

"I am a high official of the Royal City," Lord Wang slowly approached, his smile growing lecherous, "To meet me today is your fortune. Being a palace maid in the Wang Palace is no easy life—how about becoming my concubine? I will surely not mistreat you."

Ning Jinli's face darkened, "You don't look the slightest bit like a high official—don't come closer, or I won't be polite!"

Lord Wang laughed, "The current prime minister, Si Tu Wei, you surely know—honored by the king as his uncle, second only to the sovereign, above ten thousand!"

Ning Jinli's face filled with disbelief, "Don't tell me you're actually Si Tu Wei."

"No, that's not it," Lord Wang said proudly, "I'm just telling you I work for the prime minister. Isn't being my concubine your blessing?"

Ning Jinli felt a wave of nausea.

Whether he's telling the truth or not, having her as a concubine? That's pure fantasy.

But Ning Jinli didn't flare up outright, after all she was trapped here and needed this fat‑eared, oily man to get her out.

"What you say is right," Ning Jinli forced a smile and spoke pleasantly, "Then please, sir, take me away from here."

"Good, good, good, come, this official will take you away." Lord Wang wasn't thirsty at all, saying that he reached out and took Ning Jinli's delicate hand.

Ning Jinli got goosebumps all over, instinctively jerking back.

Lord Wang's face fell instantly: "What, you're willing to be my concubine but you won't even let me hold your hand?"

Ning Jinli said embarrassedly: "I'm just not used to it."

Lord Wang savored the delicate softness of that brief touch, his heart unable to restrain itself, and he stretched out both hands: "Even if you're not used to it, you'll get used to it—I want to touch not just your hand but other places as well… hahaha."

Seeing those salty pig's hands lunging straight for her chest, Ning Jinli could take no more; she raised her hand and slapped.

She only wanted to teach that disgusting thing a lesson, not to cause a death.

So she didn't use internal skill, and she held back a lot of strength.

Slap!

The slap was crisp.

It made the flab on Lord Wang's face tremble, and immediately a clear handprint rose.

Lord Wang staggered back two or three steps, shouting: "You lowly wretch! How dare you lay hands on this official! Are you tired of living?!"

By this point, Ning Jinli didn't want to pretend anymore; a cold look flashed in her eyes: "Tell me where the warehouse exit is, and I won't hold it against you; otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."

Lord Wang instantly flew into a rage—he was the only one who ever threatened others; when did a lowly palace maid dare to threaten him?

"Good, good, good, you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, right? Today I will certainly give you a proper lesson!"

Having said that, he lunged at Ning Jinli again.

He had no martial arts at all, and was even shorter than Ning Jinli, but he relied on his size advantage, thinking it easy to overpower a petite girl.

Slap!

Another slap rang out.

It was louder than before.

Lord Wang's head tilted, his whole body toppled sideways, knocking over the tall wooden rack beside him; the items piled on it scattered everywhere.

That slap, Ning Jinli had slightly mobilized a bit of internal strength.

It sent Lord Wang flying, blood pouring from his nose and mouth, his face twisted as he slumped against the broken rack, unable to recover for a moment.

"Sir, can you tell me where the exit is?" Ning Jinli bent down and grabbed his collar.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from afar.

Ning Jinli turned her head, looking toward the sound.

"Lord Wang, are you alright?" Ning Shan shouted, weaving through the racks and rushing over.

Seeing Lord Wang actually being held by a young woman, Ning Shan froze on the spot.

Then, when he got a clear look at the young woman's face, his mind went blank.

This girl…

How could she look more and more familiar?!

Her eyebrows and eyes were seventy to eighty percent like his wife Ye Zhiqiu!

Moreover, her features… were practically an enlarged version of his daughter when she was little!

Even after ten years apart, his daughter's image remained deeply etched in his mind; he had never forgotten it for a day.

Wait…

According to his wife's letter, their daughter could freely travel through the spacetime portal; could it be…

When Ning Jinli first saw Ning Shan, she too was stunned.

It was also because this middle-aged man looked exactly like her father.

Apart from being a bit older than she remembered and having a steadier demeanor, aside from different clothing, he was essentially the same person.

And her mother had once said that her father served as an official in the Capital Royal City.

Thus, at this moment Ning Jinli had already guessed: the burly man appearing before her was almost certainly her father!

The instant the two locked eyes in stunned disbelief, Lord Wang, as if seeing a savior, bellowed: "Ning Shan! Quick… quick, quick, come help!"

Ning Jinli's eyes widened rapidly, surprise spilling over her face.

Their names are the same!

It's confirmed, a hundred percent it's Dad!

As Ning Jinli's expression changed noticeably, Ning Shan also realized she was truly his beloved daughter whom he had day and night longed for.

Ning Shan's eyes instantly reddened, his lips trembling.

If it weren't that the situation was still unclear, it would be improper to reveal their father‑daughter relationship in front of Lord Wang; he would have shouted out right then.

Lord Wang took advantage of Ning Jinli's momentary daze, pulling a mere two‑inch dagger from his belt and pressing it to her throat.

"You wretch…" Lord Wang licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, slowly rose, and sneered repeatedly: "Good thing I concealed a self‑defense weapon; try moving again and see?"

Ning Shan's expression hardened, killing intent flashing in his eyes.

He had already tolerated that damned Lord Wang for a long time; now the man not only insulted his daughter but threatened her life!

Today, no matter what, he must kill him!

Just as Ning Shan's killing intent stirred, Ning Jinli, her face unchanged, said: "Sir, I suggest you calm down."

Seeing his daughter so composed, Ning Shan recalled his wife's letter saying she had mastered the world's strongest martial arts heart method; though her practical experience was still scant, she could basically defend herself against ordinary martial artists.

Thinking of this, Ning Shan secretly relaxed: "Lord Wang, you'd better heed her advice."

"I'm perfectly calm!" Lord Wang spat a bloody mouthful, grinning wickedly: "Ning Shan, this newly arrived palace maid I've taken a liking to, but she's been playing tricks on me—I'm going to deal with her now! You keep waiting at the door!"

"One thing I want to confirm," Ning Jinli said, looking at her father's eyes, "is this idiot important?"

Hearing the two words "idiot," Ning Shan almost laughed out loud.

He really hadn't heard such an affectionate modern term in ages.

"It's not important, not at all important," Ning Shan said lightly.

The implication was obvious.

"Daughter, go ahead and act; you don't have to worry about anything."

"What does 'idiot' mean?" Lord Wang couldn't help but wonder, "What are you two talking about?"

"You're the idiot," Ning Jinli smiled faintly, then immediately circulated Internal Strength, releasing an invisible dark force throughout her body.

Lord Wang was caught off guard, shaken into a sprawling heap; the short knife he was holding flew from his hand and landed at Ning Shan's feet.

Only then did Lord Wang realize that the palace maid was a martial‑arts expert, rolling and crawling in an attempt to flee.

Ning Jinli stepped forward a large stride, stomping hard on his calf, "Weren't you going to finish me off? Don't run."

Lord Wang strained with all his might but couldn't break free, then roared at Ning Shan, "Are you dead? Come help!"

"Don't you dare insult my father!" Ning Jinli drove a forceful kick down.

Crack—

One of Lord Wang's calves fractured on the spot.

"Ah!"

A pig‑like, terrible scream rang out.

Ning Shan picked up the short knife from the ground, lunged forward in a swift step and pressed it against his mouth, "Lord Wang, be quiet."

"Ugh… save… save… save me…" Lord Wang stared with terrified eyes, sobbing for help.

"Daughter, turn your head away, don't look," Ning Shan said softly.

Ning Jinli pursed her lips, "Dad, I'm not a child anymore."

"She… you call her daughter? You… you two…" Lord Wang's eyes bulged, "You actually… are father and daughter?!"