Chapter 213: A Grown Daughter Cannot Be Kept

Chi Zhongshan coldly glanced at her: "It's so late and you're not sleeping; what are you doing here?"

Chi Nan Yi stepped over Mo Junyan, walked up to Chi Zhongshan, wrapped both arms around his arm, and laughed: "You're already this age and still staying up; do you really think your body is made of iron?"

"Who am I for?" Chi Zhongshan glared at her irritably: "You tell me, why did you set your sights on that stinky brat."

"Do you already know?" Chi Nan Yi glanced outward; the Dark Guard at the doorway straightened, his heart inexplicably prickling.

"It's hard not to know; does he really think the Chi Family is a leaky sieve?" Chi Zhongshan gave Mo Junyan a cold glance: "This matter is still up for discussion. Since you're all here, I'll make it clear: Prince Li likes Yi'er, but before the overall situation is settled, don't even think about your marriage."

"Very well." Mo Junyan nodded; he knew old Chi had already yielded and would not press further, and solemnly said: "Rest assured, before the overall situation is decided, this junior will not overstep any bounds."

"That would be best. If I ever learn you did something you shouldn't have, or that Yi'er was injured, not even being Prince would save you; even the Heavenly Emperor himself, I, Chi Zhongshan, would hunt you to the ends of the earth. Yi'er is my lifeline and the Chi Family's supreme treasure; she must not suffer any mishap."

"Yes, junior understands."

Chi Nan Yi felt a warmth in her heart, gently rested her head on Chi Zhongshan's body, her brows curved: "Maternal Grandfather, rest assured, I will protect myself."

Chi Zhongshan sighed, patted her head, and softly said: "Back then, your maternal grandfather couldn't protect your mother; now I will stake this old life to keep you safe." He turned to Mo Junyan and said: "Prince, it's late at night; I, old man, also need to rest."

"Yes, junior takes leave." Mo Junyan glanced at Chi Nan Yi, turned and left.

Chi Zhongshan watched his own granddaughter's gaze continually follow Mo Junyan, and couldn't help but sigh.

A grown daughter cannot be kept; indeed, she cannot be held.

"You girl, go back to sleep! Don't be an eyesore in front of this old man."

Chi Nan Yi handed him a pill: "Health tonic, one a day."

When leaving the study, that Dark Guard still stood at the doorway.

"Miss."

"Your lower stance is unstable; from now on practice two more hours each day."

Dark Guard: "…"

"Yes…"

It was now deep night, and the previously tranquil Meng Family had descended into chaos.

The resident doctor's complexion was no better than that of the comatose Meng Jue and Meng Qinghe.

"How is it?" Meng Hui saw him emerge, grabbed his hand, and asked anxiously: "Is there a chance of recovery?"

The resident doctor shook his head, his tone heavy: "Minister, the eldest son's hand bones aren't broken; they're shattered, the force even greater than being crushed by a carriage. The eldest son's two hands are essentially useless."

"Useless…" Meng Hui staggered, his body swaying, grateful for the young servant supporting him: "And Qinghe? How is she?"

Speaking of Meng Qinghe, the doctor's expression grew even worse: "Minister, the young lady's facial injuries are severe; the left side is already unrecognizable, and restoring it is as hard as scaling heaven."

Those words struck like a heavy blow, crushing Meng Hui's heart.

The legitimate eldest son lost both hands, and the legitimate daughter was disfigured.

My own two legitimate children, aren't they completely ruined?

Liu Yiniang stood beside Meng Hui, her voice worried: "Sir, what can we do about this!"

She said so, yet a barely perceptible dark delight flashed in her eyes.

The Jiang Clan had long held the position of the Minister's principal wife, relying on her natal family's power and having both sons and daughters; now that one child became a cripple and the other was disfigured, even with all her great abilities she could do nothing.

Her three children finally managed to make a name for themselves.

"Sir, you still intend to marry the young lady to the Crown Prince, but now she's disfigured; this marriage arrangement…"

"Liu Yiniang! Shut up!" A shout rang out; Jiang Clan hurried over, her eyes bloodshot, a hint of madness in them.

"Sir, what happened to Jue'er and Qinghe? What exactly happened to them?" Jiang Clan clutched Meng Hui's collar, her hands trembling, her face pallid, voice hoarse, then turned to the resident doctor: "Answer! This wife is asking you, what happened to the eldest young master and the young lady?"

"Madam, the injuries of the eldest young master and the young lady… I'm afraid they won't recover."

The resident doctor reported truthfully; upon hearing this, Jiang Clan's already frail body swayed as if about to collapse.

"How could this? How could this?" Jiang Clan staggered toward the room, tripping before she even entered.

Liu Yiniang saw this, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

Having been suppressed by Jiang Clan for so many years, seeing her now in such a sorry state was truly exhilarating.

Soon, Jiang Clan's scream and a maid's frantic shouts echoed from the room.

"Madam! Madam! Someone! Quickly, someone! The lady has fainted."

The resident doctor hurried in; Meng Hui stood at the doorway, watching the chaotic scene inside, his heart filled with restless agitation.

Recalling the Meng Family's harmonious atmosphere before Meng Qinghe returned home, he deeply regretted his past decisions.

Sinful debts, all are sinful debts!

I have brought back a disaster star!

Liu Yiniang wanted to strike while the iron was hot, and heard Meng Hui turn to the young servant: "Has the party sent to fetch the young lady replied?"

"Young lady?"

"Where does this young lady come from?"

Liu Yiniang was puzzled when the young servant whispered: "Reply to the Minister, we have not yet received a letter sent back from Yuping Village."

"Yuping Village…"

Liu Yiniang was startled.

The Minister's young lady… is Meng Nanyi?

Could the Minister intend to bring her back?

If she returns, with Meng Nanyi's looks and talent, she could certainly marry into the Crown Prince's Residence.

Then, what would my own children have to do with it?

"Minister." Liu Yiniang whispered: "Do you wish to bring Miss Nanyi back?"

"Indeed." Meng Hui turned to the young servant: "Assign more manpower; we must bring the young lady back before the New Year."

After the New Year, spring arrives, and the Crown Prince selects consorts; originally they intended to use this chance to marry Meng Qinghe into the Crown Prince's Residence, but now it seems Meng Qinghe has no hope.

Now we can only pin our hopes on Nan Yi.

"Prime Minister." Liu Yiniang said softly, "Prime Minister, there's no need to rush; fortunately we still have the Second Miss, the Crown Prince loves listening to her play the zither; even without the Eldest Miss, the Second Miss can……"

Before she could finish, Meng Hui interrupted: "Even if Qingrong could vie for favor even more, she's still just a concubine-born daughter. What do you think the Crown Prince's Residence is, that it could accommodate a concubine-born daughter gaining a foothold inside?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yiniang's face darkened. Could it be that the Prime Minister never intended from the start to let Qingrong marry into the Crown Prince's Residence?

If that's the case, why then have her come and go to the Crown Prince's Residence to play the zither for the Crown Prince?

Could it be that……

Liu Yiniang's heart sank.

Could it be that he merely regards Qingrong as a songstress to entertain the Crown Prince?