Free Web NovelChapter 1667: Chapter 88: Dongling Marquis Mansion, Resources Plundered! (Part 2)
Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "Thank you for your care during these days."
Su Qingying shook her head, her gaze passing over Zhong Ling, Ji Mingyue, and Liuu Wanwan who were being chattered to by Little Dumpling behind Jiang Ning, with a trace of very faint softness in her eyes.
"It’s hardly care; your presence here makes the National Master Mansion much livelier." She paused, then added, "The Marquis Mansion and National Master Mansion are just next door, instantaneously reachable if there’s something urgent."
Jiang Ning nodded in acknowledgment.
After lunch, he led Zhong Ling, Ji Mingyue, Little Dumpling, Liuu Wanwan, and Lv Yi, along with some simple luggage, out the side door of the National Master Mansion, turning into the quiet alley next door.
Within the National Master Mansion, only Lin Qingyi remained.
Because Lin Qingyi was the source of all conflicts between him and Prince Pingjian.
These days, even though Prince Pingjian has been in seclusion, not involved in court affairs.
But he has never forgotten the threat of Prince Pingjian.
Upon exiting the National Master Mansion, Qinghe and Hong Mian followed closely behind, carrying things to help.
The gate of Dongling Marquis Mansion is somewhat more subdued than the National Master Mansion, but the lintel is broad and high, the large black lacquered door with shining copper nails, and the plaque with the four gilded characters "Dongling Marquis Mansion" shone magnificently under the afternoon sunlight, conveying a sense of new elegance and grandeur.
This was the mansion granted personally by Emperor Ning before he fell into a coma, situated in the core area of the Royal Capital, right next to the National Master Mansion.
Symbolizing favor and status.
In the past, Jiang Ning had never moved here to live, lacking confidence in his heart and needing Su Qingying’s protection.
Now reaching this step, he has certain confidence in his heart.
Moreover, it is just next to the National Master Mansion.
With Su Qingying’s capability, she can come to his aid in an instant.
Lv Yi ahead pushed open the half-closed black lacquered gate of the Marquis Mansion.
"Please, Marquis!" Lv Yi said.
Jiang Ning nodded slightly and was the first to step into the mansion.
The mansion’s layout is spacious, with pavilions and towers arranged harmoniously, although it doesn’t quite show the mysticism of array formations and the aged elegance found everywhere in the National Master Mansion.
Yet it also boasts exquisite beams and painted rafters, lush foliage, having its own sense of grandeur.
The front yard is paved with bluestone, flanked by ancient vigorous pines.
In the courtyard, there’s a sizeable pond, with lotus buds peeking out, a few koi leisurely swimming, Linglong among them.
At the side, there’s an Old Turtle flipping its belly basking in the sun.
These days, the two have been particularly at ease.
Passing through the courtyard, the backyard is a meticulously managed garden with artificial hills and flowing water, secluded paths, and several independent courtyards scattered within, the environment serene and quiet.
All along, Little Dumpling chattered excitedly.
Liuu Wanwan and Jiang Li along with others also looked around, checking out their new home.
Though the Marquis Mansion was granted long ago and has been simply cleaned.
With adjustment and management later, it’s as if never seen before.
Jiang Ning glanced around briefly, quite satisfied.
Liuu Wanwan took Little Dumpling and Lv Yi to put away luggage and choose courtyards.
Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue were of similar age and height, and these days their friendship was steadily growing.
Especially after hearing about Zhong Ling’s past, Ji Mingyue felt sympathy.
The two also went hand in hand to familiarize themselves with the environment.
Jiang Ning, meanwhile, headed straight for the courtyard to the east.
The eastern courtyard is the main courtyard, the direction of the mansion’s master.
He naturally would not give way.
Moreover, the eastern courtyard occupies the largest area, most spacious, suiting him for martial arts practice.
Entering the east courtyard.
The first sight is a clear lake about half an acre in size.
The lake water is clear enough to see the bottom, the surface like a mirror reflecting blue skies, white clouds, and the courtyard scenery.
On the west side of the lake, a pavilion with flying eaves built by the water.
The pavilion’s pillars are of dark-colored nanmu (Phoebe zhennan), its top covered with blue tiles, at the eaves corners hung with copper bells.
A gentle breeze stirred, the bell sounds crisp and clear.
Inside the pavilion, a stone table and four stone seats, the table surface engraved with chessboard patterns, smooth and cool.
This place offers excellent views, allowing both lake scenery and courtyard layouts, an ideal spot for quiet tea appreciation, scenic contemplation.
Seeing such a scene, it instantly reminded him of Dongling City.
In Dongling City’s mansion, part of the courtyard was alike.
Thinking of it here, his heart involuntarily conjured the image of a woman with celestial beauty.
That was Wang Qintan.
"Haven’t seen her for a long time!" He sighed silently in his heart.
His gaze directed towards the study across the lake.
The study is a single-story building with white walls and grey tiles, its design plain and antique.
His figure flickered, appearing in front of the study across the lake.
He pushed open the door, inside was spacious and bright, well-lit.
Against the north wall stood a row of a floor-to-ceiling rosewood bookshelf, yet with no books placed, emitting a faint wood scent.
Under the window is set a wide desk, complete with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.
The paperweight is a piece of untreated green jade, its natural patterns resembling ink-drenched landscapes.
Against the east wall is placed a rattan couch for resting when tired.
Outside the window facing the lake, weary from reading, lifting the eyes presents gleaming waters.
He took a look at the study, nodding in satisfaction.
Exiting the study, he looked at the ancient vigorous pine not far ahead.
The tree’s age unknown, needing three people to embrace its trunk, its bark cracked like dragon scales, its twisted branches reaching skyward, spreading its crown like a giant umbrella, lush and covering the sky.
Yet he sensed a breath of senescence from within the tree.
Evidently due to excessive age, the tree was nearing its end.
The thought flashed across his mind, walking to the ancient pine, placing his hand upon it.
The next moment.
A surge of vigorous vitality erupted from the branches.
The tree trembled greatly, then the dry bark began showing a lush green, the branches and leaves shook, spreading, tender leaves sprouted and opened.
Old leaves also expanded, appearing more verdant.
Old roots regained vigor, eventuating a powerful resurgence of vitality.
The senescence was swept away, replaced by the fresh spiritual energy of new spring wood, even subtly green light flowed amidst branches and leaves.
Jiang Ning withdrew his hand, thoughtfully enlightened.
This ancient pine underwent hundreds of years’ temperings, now facing birth, aging, illness, and death, marking a tribulation.
His intervention this time, rejuvenated the pine tree.
For the ancient pine, this spark of life could extend its lifespan by another few hundred years.
"Perhaps someday in the future, this ancient pine might also develop sentience!"
Jiang Ning watched the pine, swaying gently without wind, rustling, muttering silently.
Then, standing beneath the ancient pine, feeling the cool breeze blowing, contemplating upcoming plans.
Suddenly, his mind subtly stirred, detecting two familiar presences rapidly approaching outside the mansion.
Not long after, Lv Yi brought the two familiar people before him, the arrivals were Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming.
"Greetings, Marquis!!"
"Greetings, Marquis!!"
Upon seeing Jiang Ning, they bowed simultaneously.
Chen Canghai’s face was gaunt, yet his eyes sharp as an eagle’s, stepping forward, he cupped his fists and bowed, his voice hoarse and urgent: "Marquis, we have failed your trust, here specifically to ask for forgiveness!"
Jing Wuming also bowed deeply, his complexion somewhat unsightly: "Marquis, something major has happened. The resources we transported from Guangning prefecture to the Royal Capital were hijacked on the way!"
Jiang Ning’s originally peaceful gaze suddenly tightened, the air instantly became heavy.
These past days, he was worried about where the source points would come from.
In the short term, the resources transported from Guangning Prefecture were his hope.
The delivery of resources to the Royal Capital, aside from other aspects, would allow at least further refinement of either Vajra Immortal Body or Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique.
This would increase his strength once more.
But now, this batch of resources belonging to him was hijacked halfway, putting him a little off-guard.
His current subordinates’ strength can’t be considered weak.
Even if Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming were not involved in transporting.
But Xie Xiaojiu, Zhou Xing and others, their strength is not weak.
And banditry doesn’t have any martial arts masters.
Anyone with slightly stronger power, having the Fifth Grade.
Even with major crimes committed, choosing to join a mighty one, those crimes can almost be easily glossed over.
Strength, is the greatest law in this world.
