Chapter 489: Heaven's Net, Earth's Web

He married a total of eight concubines, all for the sake of having a son.

He already had seven daughters; finally he had a son, which was his lifeline.

"Imperial Physician Wang is joking; how could I let go of a child I love so much?"

Consort Cao gave a cold snort, then swayed out of the main hall.

The sunlight outside was blinding; she lightly covered her eyes with the handkerchief in her hand, and her aura carried a hint of coolness.

The heavens of Da Ning ought to change.

"Your Majesty, how are you? Any injuries?" After Xi Gonggong and the others left, he hurried into the main hall and shut the door.

Looking at Your Majesty, he exclaimed in concern.

Emperor Ning opened his eyes, his gaze showing a hint of fatigue.

"Over these many years, have I been wrong?"

He favored Consort Cao, which caused her to develop ambition.

It let the Third Prince harbor thoughts of seizing the throne, even plotting to kill his own father.

Such an imperial palace made him feel cold-hearted.

Xi Gonggong shook his head. "Your Majesty, you are simply too kind-hearted."

If not for your kindness, the extermination of nine clans—how could Consort Cao still have a chance to live?

The Third Prince would also be exiled; how could he stir up this bloody storm in the palace?

"After all, it's still I who am wrong."

At that moment, Emperor Ning seemed truly old.

Although he already knew everything in his heart, only upon hearing that familiar voice did he truly grasp reality.

"You say, will Uncle be upset?" Jiang Yunchu sipped her sweet tea, her eyes showing a hint of inquiry.

Who would have thought the emperor also has his own favorites, and sometimes is indecisive.

"Probably." Ning Chengyan chuckled lightly, "I don't like the imperial family; whether it's the constant turmoil or the scheming, it makes me anxious."

"Better to charge onto the battlefield, fight three hundred rounds, and decide the victor."

Jiang Yunchu heard his words and could neither laugh nor cry.

"If everyone had your mindset, there wouldn't be so many dirty deeds."

Ning Chengyan glanced at her. "Isn't that better? To find a true companion in this life and grow old together."

His gaze brimmed with emotion, pouring everything into it.

His feelings are few; if he never meets that person, he can live alone his whole life, wrap corpses in straw mats, and die on the battlefield.

But…

When he meets that person, he is willing to devote everything, forsaking wealth and status, to wander the world with her or simply stroll and sightsee.

As long as the person by his side is her.

Jiang Yunchu raised her eyebrows, gazing into his deep eyes, her whole body seeming to ignite.

"Ning Chengyan!"

"You're not a bit love‑brained, are you?"

"How did I not notice before? He spouts sweet nothings at the drop of a hat, yet claims he's never been with a woman."

Ning Chengyan laughed heartily, his smile full of ease.

Although he didn't know what "love‑brained" meant, he saw the Young Princess Consort's ears and lips slightly reddened.

He reached out his hand.

He didn't know whether his hand was too cold or her ears and lips too hot.

When his hand lightly covered her ears and lips, Jiang Yunchu's whole body trembled, and even the smile on her face paused slightly.

"Young Princess Consort, it's just because I met you."

He didn't have many sweet words; he simply had decided on this person.

Jiang Yunchu lifted her head; under the candlelight, the light and shadow in her pupils flickered, the room so quiet it seemed to carry a faint sweet rose scent.

Ning Chengyan directly pulled her arm, then drew the person sitting aside into his embrace.

The Young Princess Consort smelled fragrant, like the fresh scent of magnolia mixed with a rich herbal aroma; he buried his head in her neck, breathing in her scent.

"Ning Chengyan, move over a bit, it's itchy." Jiang Yunchu was ticklish; his beard wasn't that hard, it didn't prick her neck, but instead gave a slight itch.

Ning Chengyan laughed heartily, one hand holding her waist to keep her from falling, the other pressing her nape, then gently pressing down.

He directly captured the little mouth that had just complained of itchiness, sweet and sweet, tasting of the sweet tea just drunk.

"Sweet."

Ning Chengyan loosened his grip, letting her move a bit, and lightly praised her.

"You……"

Before Jiang Yunchu could finish her words, his warm lips covered hers, brushing and shaping her lips.

And his strong arms tightly embraced her petite figure in his arms.

He wished to knead her into his own body, so that wherever he went, he could bring her along.

Just as Jiang Yunchu was kissed to the point of slight oxygen deprivation, a strange aura suddenly appeared.

Jiang Yunchu gently pushed Ning Chengyan.

"This guy, is he trying to suffocate himself?"

Ning Chengyan sighed helplessly, burying his face once again in her neck.

"Yun chu, I really want to kill him."

At some point, Ning Chengyan's eyes had grown amorous, his vision tinged with a faint red.

That mouth still bore traces of water.

As their lips parted, a silver thread lingered, the air tinged with an ambiguous aura.

Jiang Yunchu flipped onto the wooden chair, her face a mask of feigned calm—only the vivid hue of her ears betrayed her thoughts.

"I'll be right back." Ning Chengyan narrowed his eyes, and as he walked over he ruffled Jiang Yunchu's hair.

Upon exiting the house, he sprang up directly.

The black-clad group headed for the main courtyard—the very courtyard where Ning Chengyan once lived.

"Who goes there?" Ning Chengyan said lightly, eyeing the people before him—some releasing Deluding Mist, some on watch, some picking the lock.

All five people, in this silent Regent Prince's Manor, made not a sound.

"Who are you?"

The moment Ning Chengyan spoke, the five men glanced warily at him.

Ning Chengyan stepped out of the shadows, step by step—a face no one would forget.

Ning Chengyan!

"How could this be?" the Regent Prince wondered, why was the room locked from within?

Ning Chengyan was also annoyed; these people disturbed him—otherwise they'd have just walked right in.

Yesterday Yun chu had deliberately designed the main courtyard with a 'come in, never leave' purpose.

Inside the house, it was a heavenly net, an earthly trap.

Alas…

These people came at the wrong time.

"Who are you?" Ning Chengyan said coldly, his face showing no other expression.

Strangely, he bent forward slightly, as if… his stomach ached?

"Who are we? Grab us first, then talk." The leader shot his companions a glance and barked, "Go!"

Since the sneak attack failed, let's go straight for a frontal assault.

The leader drew his sword and charged; his inner power erupted, filling him with killing intent.

Ning Chengyan glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.