Free Web NovelChapter 435: If Worse Comes to Worst, I’ll Help You Rip Her Off
"Yes." Qian Fanji nodded. Seeming to sense her reservations, he added, "Rest assured, the Royal Hidden Guards won’t trace this back to the General’s estate."
"How do you know?"
"When Xi Fengying was being pursued, my men intercepted her pursuers. They later saw her enter the General’s estate and never come out again, so I guessed that you were the one who helped her," Qian Fanji explained.
"Helped?" Ye Qianning’s eyebrows shot up high. "What makes you so certain I helped her, and didn’t kill her?"
Qian Fanji smiled faintly at her words. "You’re intelligent enough to know what would be more advantageous for you."
"You say that as if you know me so well."
Qian Fanji let out a soft, knowing laugh. "On that point... I must admit, you and I are very much alike in some ways."
Ye Qianning pursed her lips. ’He’s just talking in circles, alluding to my connection with the Qian family.’
"Was it you who leaked information about Xi Fengying to Xi Yan?"
Qian Fanji shook his head. "No."
"Then how did you know Xi Yan would intervene to save her that day?"
"The Shadow Network."
"To think it can even uncover something like that. What a vast network." Ye Qianning still hadn’t managed to find any information, yet he knew everything crystal clear. She was starting to feel a little interested in this "Shadow Network" he spoke of.
"I want you to hand Xi Fengying over to me," Qian Fanji said bluntly.
"And why should I?"
"This matter is more dangerous than you imagine. You haven’t encountered the Beili Emperor’s personal Hidden Guards. They’re extremely tenacious and highly alert. The slightest misstep, and they’ll notice something is amiss. You don’t want the General’s estate to get dragged into this, do you?" Qian Fanji said.
"You can have her once she leaves the General’s estate. For now, I can’t hand her over to you."
Ye Qianning knew how formidable the Beili Emperor’s personal Hidden Guards were. ’But no matter how skilled they are,’ she thought, ’they aren’t here to start a fight.’
She had complete confidence in her concealment skills.
’If I hand her over now, won’t all of Auntie’s money go to waste?’
Qian Fanji saw the flash of confidence in her eyes. He didn’t press the issue, his curiosity piqued. "What deal did you make with Xi Fengying?"
Ye Qianning shot him a cool glance. "Humans die for wealth, birds die for food."
"..."
Even the normally self-possessed Qian Fanji was taken aback.
"You’re short on money?" His brows knitted together tightly.
He truly couldn’t imagine she would take such a great risk for money.
Ye Qianning shrugged. "I’m in it for the money. What about you?"
"The engagement."
"I hear the Eldest Princess of Xi Yan is as beautiful as a flower and the most talented woman in the state. Crucially, she’s only eighteen, still so young. What’s there to be unhappy about?" Ye Qianning asked, her interest piqued.
"Do you want me to get married?"
Ye Qianning paused, momentarily stunned, before replying, "Whether or not you get married seems to have nothing to do with me."
"You’re my daughter. How could my marriage have nothing to do with you?"
"The blood relationship is... complicated, and we can’t rule out the possibility of a mistake. I have no intention of acknowledging you, so please, Minister Qian, try not to involve me in your affairs."
’He’s clearly the one who doesn’t want to marry her, yet he insists on using others as an excuse.’
"Setting that relationship aside," Qian Fanji said, "this engagement concerns you as well."
"..."
This time, Ye Qianning didn’t argue. She scrunched up her small face and, after a long moment, mumbled, "Worst case, I’ll just help you extort a hefty sum from her."
’He likely only agreed to the engagement with Xi Yan back then because of me.’
’It’s a debt I owe him...!’
It was the first time Qian Fanji had ever seen such an expression on her face. He let out a soft chuckle, his mood seeming to lift, and replied in a low voice, "Alright."
