Chapter 81: A Business Proposition

"Many thanks to the Prince for coming to my rescue today."

Mo Junyan glanced at her and said coolly, "Even if This Prince had not gone, you could have handled it yourself, no?"

After hearing the Dark Guard's report that she had been taken away by Mo Junheng's people, he could not wait a single moment longer; he knew she was clever and would not let herself come to harm, yet his mind still involuntarily conjured up all manner of bad outcomes.

Mo Junheng's petty tactics—if she had come to any harm, even grinding Mo Junheng's bones to dust and scattering them to the winds would not have been enough to quench the hatred in his heart.

Only when he saw her unharmed at Mo Junheng's villa did his suspended heart finally ease a little.

"The red rash on Zhao Anqi's body is different from Mo Junheng's?"

"I wouldn't say different, only that his has been left untreated for rather a long time."

"This Prince heard that when you diagnosed and treated Zhao Anqi, he only needed a single pill to recover."

Chi Nan Yi smiled upon hearing this and said, "Since the Prince already has a judgment in mind, why ask when you already know the answer?"

Mo Junyan's pitch-black eyes locked tightly onto her face: "So you and the Crown Prince truly do have a grudge."

"I would not call it a grudge." Chi Nan Yi's expression was calm: "Though this humble woman is but a commoner, I do not like being casually manipulated. Even a blade of grass has its temper, let alone a person?"

Looking at her bright eyes, Mo Junyan could not help but connect her to the girl he had seen in childhood, dressed in splendid brocade, her smile radiant and bold.

Her eyes had been this beautiful since she was little, like luminous pearls, but the last time he saw her, her gaze was hollow, devoid of its former vitality.

An indescribable chill and fear lingered in his heart.

That nightmare that tormented him day and night made his face turn deathly pale in an instant.

Just then, a touch of warmth pressed against his wrist.

His originally cold body could not help but shiver when it felt that bit of warmth.

Only after he came back to his senses did he realize that Chi Nan Yi was taking his pulse.

"Has the Prince been having difficulty sleeping lately?"

Mo Junyan nodded: "It is bearable." His voice was somewhat pale and hoarse.

Chi Nan Yi looked at him, somewhat puzzled—in but a moment, what had come over Prince Li?

She produced a vial of pills: "These can help you sleep and calm the mind."

"Thank you."

Prince Li at least had some decency, unlike Mo Junheng, that dog of a man—a dog's mouth spits no ivory; never mind that he could not say thanks, he even dared to threaten her family.

At this thought, Chi Nan Yi's gaze fell on Mo Junyan, and an idea popped into her head.

"Prince, this humble woman has a business proposition she would like to discuss with you."

"What proposition?"

"Does the Prince need horses?"

Mo Junyan's gaze faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes—how did she know he needed horses?

"Why do you ask?"

"This humble woman has a close friend from a foreign land, a very intimate relationship; she has horses she wishes to sell, and the number is not small, but she lacks the connections. This humble woman heard that the Prince is valiant and skilled in battle, and presumed you would need fine horses, so I thought the Prince might be interested."

"A close friend from a foreign land?"

"Yes." For a matter like this, it was enough to simply say she had a friend.

"If they are good horses, This Prince can buy them."

"The horses are good horses, only I do not know whether the Prince can take all of them, given how many there are."

"How many?"

Chi Nan Yi smiled and said, "One thousand five hundred."

Mo Junyan's tea-drinking motion paused: "One thousand five hundred?"

"That is correct."

"Where are these horses now?"

"This humble woman will ask her tomorrow and then inform the Prince."

"Good."

"There is one more matter. This humble woman would like to ask the Prince for help."

Looking at the smile on her face, Mo Junyan knew—she had begun scheming against him.

"What matter?"

"Today this humble woman fears she may have provoked His Highness the Crown Prince. Given his methods, he may act against this humble woman's family. I ask Your Highness to lend me some men to protect my family."

"Good." Mo Junyan did not hesitate in the slightest; he had already intended to have people secretly protect the Chi Family.

"Yun Shan."

"This subordinate is here." Yun Shan, who had been standing outside the door the whole time, had already heard every word of the conversation in the study. For the master to call him at this moment—could it be that he wanted him to go protect the Chi Family?

"Take a few Dark Guards and leave with Miss Chi."

Sure enough.

Yun Shan was unwilling in his heart, his face full of difficulty.

"Prince, the task you previously assigned this subordinate has not yet been completed… Yun Shui is currently at leisure—why not let him go?"

He, the grand personal guard of Prince Li, now being sent to protect a woman—if word got out, it would surely make people laugh their teeth off.

At the mention of Yun Shui, Chi Nan Yi nodded: "Brother Yun would do as well."

"No!" Mo Junyan said in a low voice: "This Prince has other arrangements for Yun Shui. Hand over your current tasks to Yun Tian."

"Yes."

Hearing the anger in his master's words, Yun Shan, however unwilling, did not dare say anything more.

He hung his head low, all but writing the word "sullen" across his face.

Chi Nan Yi saw it clearly, but she did not mind.

Whether he wants to or not doesn't matter; as long as it's useful.

The horse deal was settled, and they also gained several highly skilled guards; Chi Nan Yi was in high spirits.

Chi Nan Yi originally didn't intend to let them follow him back, but now the Chi Family residence isn't finished yet, so even if they went, they'd have nowhere to stay.

"Miss, it's fine; we brothers will just guard around the Chi Family residence, we won't let anyone discover us."

Chi Nan Yi returned home and happened to see Ruan Dong pulling Ruan Qin, rushing out anxiously.

"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with you?" Chi Nan Yi frowned, grabbing her wrist: "Where are you going?"

Before Ruan Qin could speak, Ruan Dong, walking ahead, exclaimed anxiously: "Ah, what are you waiting for? Mother is about to die, why aren't you hurrying back with me?" Ruan Dong grabbed Ruan Qin, almost pulling her over.

Chi Zhiqiu stepped forward, quickly supporting her: "What are you doing?"

"Be gentle? My mother is about to die, yet you, her daughter, are dawdling."

"Qin'er has already severed ties with your Ruan Family; what's this about being a daughter or not?"

"Sever ties? Based on that worthless paper? She was born after my mother carried her for ten months; her veins run with the blood of our old Ruan Family! Even if bones are broken, the tendons remain attached! Now my mother is about to die, and she doesn't even care—this goes against human relations!"

"Severing ties was approved by the elders; if you don't accept it, are you refusing to obey their judgment?" Chi Nan Yi shoved Ruan Dong's hand away; seeing this, Ruan Dong, unwilling to suffer a loss, reached out to grab Chi Nan Yi.

"Despicable thing." Seeing the direction of Ruan Dong's outstretched hand, Chi Nan Yi lifted his foot and kicked him straight in the chest.

That kick, Chi Nan Yi showed no mercy; Ruan Dong spat out a mouthful of blood.

His internal organs felt as if they had shifted.

"You… you… you dare kick me!" He lifted his head to look at Ruan Qin; at that moment, Ruan Qin was also staring at him expressionlessly, with no intention of helping him.