A wu stared at Emperor Jingxi outside, barely able to believe her eyes.
This was not the bustling, prosperous Imperial Capital, nor the towering grandeur of the Imperial Palace.
This was her hometown—the sea breeze carrying moisture, the timeworn blue stone pavement, simple carved window lattices, and the black brick and white walls stripped down to the barest essentials.
She had stepped out.
At this moment, A wu recalled the events of the past as if they were a dream.
In that dream, Emperor Jingxi was magnificent and dignified, like a figure painstakingly painted on a scroll.
But now, he appeared suddenly in a plain blue robe and white scarf, right here in the place she knew so well.
Her mind was dazed, as if the man from the painting had stepped out into reality, and she doubted whether she was still dreaming.
As she thought this, the man seemed to sense something and glanced over with a faint gaze.
Separated by a window lattice, A wu immediately felt as if she were scorched and hastily stepped back, retreating step by step.
She once harbored an unrealistic fantasy—that the man was ten years younger, born in her hometown, an ordinary fisherman.
It was as if that fantasy had come true… looking at his barely aged appearance…
Her heart fluttered uneasily.
The shock was too great.
She had no idea what to do, nor what the man’s true intentions were.
Just then, Ning Sanlang happened to come by.
Seeing his sister’s pale face, he hurriedly asked, “A wu, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
A wu bit her lip and glanced at Ning Sanlang.
“What’s going on with your friend? How did he come to our home?”
Ning Sanlang replied, “He said he has some connections and can help us get ships. Why? Why are you asking?”
A wu hesitated, unsure where to start.
Ning Sanlang grew suspicious, then suddenly realized something and asked, “A wu, you know him?”
A wu nodded, “Yes, I know him.”
Ning Sanlang pressed, “Is that so? Who exactly is he?”
A wu replied slowly, “You could say… an old acquaintance…”
Ning Sanlang’s tone tightened, “An old acquaintance? What kind of old acquaintance?”
He was shocked, “Is this… the Imperial Son?”
A wu: “Huh?”
Ning Sanlang: “What? This is Lu Yunjian? Or… do you have another man?”
A wu was somewhat helpless, “Third Brother, he is the Emperor.”
Ning Sanlang frowned slightly.
He had thought the man outside was just in his thirties, never imagining it was that detestable old Emperor!
A wu said, “He truly is the Emperor. The Imperial Son is still young.”
Ning Sanlang slowly grasped the situation.
The Emperor must have married early to have children so soon.
Father and son were seventeen years apart, so the Emperor was probably about thirty-five.
Those high officials lived pampered lives and appeared young, which is why Second Brother thought the man was only in his thirties and treated him like a brother.
Damn it—what a trick!
Ning Sanlang said, “A wu, stay inside and don’t go out. Leave this to me—I’ll give him a proper lesson.”
A wu quickly grabbed Ning Sanlang’s sleeve.
“Brother, what are you going to do? Don’t act rashly! That’s the Emperor—someone we can’t afford to provoke.”
Ning Sanlang grinned at A wu, baring his teeth.
“Don’t worry, little sister. I know what I’m doing.”
With that, he strode outside.
After stepping through the door, he suddenly turned around, closed it, and locked it firmly.
A wu: “Ah?”
Through the window, Ning Sanlang said to A wu, “Hide here first. Watch how I deal with him!”
Then he dashed toward the main hall.
A wu tried to push the door open but couldn’t, left speechless.
She naturally worried that Ning Sanlang might cause trouble.
But then she thought: since this man came alone, he must have lowered his imperial dignity.
Why should she overthink?
Let it be!
She still pondered what the man’s intentions were and how she should respond.
Ning Sanlang strode into the flower hall and immediately spotted his father and elder brothers sitting with the man.
He observed coldly.
The man was actually handsome.
Although a bit older, it wasn’t uncommon in their village to have an older husband, so this was acceptable.
Moreover, at first glance, the man looked like a young man in his prime.
His own eldest brother was twenty-one, but after years of sea winds and hard labor, he looked closer to twenty-five or twenty-six, almost the same age as this man.
Indeed, the Emperor kept himself well and appeared youthful.
He mulled over this quietly.
His anger had diminished slightly but was still there—just a little.
After all, this man was old enough to be his grandfather, with a wife, children, and grandchildren, yet he dared to bully his sister.
His sister first married this man’s son, only to be taken by the man himself.
It was truly infuriating!
At that moment, Emperor Jingxi was discussing ships and trade with the Ning family.
Learned and gentle, he conversed well with Ning Yinhua, who was clearly interested in ships.
They had earned some money and hoped to purchase a small ship to sail.
Of course, their funds weren’t quite enough yet, causing Ning Yinhua some hesitation.
Just as the discussion was going smoothly, Ning Sanlang suddenly stepped forward and raised a cup of wine, offering it to Emperor Jingxi.
Ning Sanlang said bluntly, “I, Ning Sanlang, may be a rough man, but when a distinguished guest arrives, I know etiquette. Come, I, Ning Sanlang, toast to you!”
His sudden appearance caught everyone off guard.
Emperor Jingxi smiled, his gaze resting on Ning Sanlang’s face.
He knew Ning Sanlang and Ning Erlang were twins but very different in temperament.
Ning Sanlang was big and strong, rough and straightforward, staring at him ever since entering the room.
Emperor Jingxi understood.
A wu had been hiding behind the window, secretly watching and recognizing him, which was how Ning Sanlang learned his identity.
Thinking of her gaze lingering on his face just now, a soft joy blossomed within Emperor Jingxi.
Now, he and A wu were in the same courtyard, separated only by a couple of walls.
That thought stirred his long-silent heart to life.
He chuckled softly, “Third Brother speaks jokingly. It should be I, Zhe, who toast you.”
Ning Sanlang said, “Mr. Zhe, you must be no spring chicken—likely the same generation as my father, or close in age. At such an age, I can’t call you ‘Third Brother.’ I think—”
He looked Zhe up and down and added, “I’d better call you Uncle.”
Ning family members all flinched at Ning Sanlang’s words.
Where did that insolence come from?
Why degrade someone like that?
Emperor Jingxi smiled gently at Ning Sanlang, “If Sanlang likes it, you may call me whatever you please.”
Ning Sanlang grew even more provocative, “All according to me? Everything?”
With such a fierce demeanor, Ning Erlang frowned slightly, watching Emperor Jingxi closely.
Ning Yinhua sighed quietly.
The third son’s sudden defiance was something he had anticipated.
That bearing, that aura—no ordinary town could contain such a person!
What kind of figure had his daughter provoked?
Emperor Jingxi smiled with refined elegance, “Where have I offended Sanlang?”
Ning Sanlang gritted his jaw and spat through clenched teeth, “Old as you are, you still have the nerve!”
Then suddenly, he threw a punch.
Ning Yinhua’s eyes flickered; he frowned but did not intervene.
Ning Dalang was silent and expressionless.
Only Ning Erlang seemed flustered and hurried to stop him but failed.
The punch landed!
Ning Sanlang’s fist struck Emperor Jingxi’s left cheek, instantly bruising it.
Yet the Emperor did not move an inch, his expression calm as if nothing had happened, still smiling at Ning Sanlang.
“Sanlang, you have good boxing skills.”
Seeing the Emperor’s calmness, Ning Sanlang grew even more enraged.
He raised his hand again and punched the Emperor in the chest.
This time, Emperor Jingxi still did not dodge, enduring the blow.
Ning Sanlang’s anger flared.
He had some training in martial arts, yet after two punches, the man appeared unbothered.
It was an insult!
Furious and frustrated, he swung his fist again.
This time, Ning Dalang grabbed him firmly, and Ning Erlang stepped forward.
“Sanlang, stop this madness!”
Ning Sanlang pointed at Emperor Jingxi and snarled, “Who exactly are you? Stop putting on airs here!”
At that moment, Ning Yinhua stepped forward, “Mr. Zhe, your elegance and presence are unparalleled—clearly no ordinary person. We are deeply honored that you grace our humble home. My son’s rashness has offended you. I, Ning Yinhua, offer my apologies on his behalf.”
Emperor Jingxi’s eyes flickered with faint admiration.
Ning Yinhua’s words were carefully chosen—politely acknowledging he knew the Emperor’s identity and his own unease, subtly hinting at the visitor’s noble status and silently pleading, “Please don’t take my son’s punches seriously.”
His tone was humble yet sharp, weaving an unspoken reprimand beneath the softness.
Emperor Jingxi smiled lightly and bowed slightly to Ning Yinhua, “I have heard that Ning sir was well-versed in the classics by the age of ten and famous throughout the county. Later, you traveled overseas, gaining remarkable insight. Meeting you now, the reputation is well-deserved. I am deeply impressed.”
He then glanced at Ning Sanlang with a smile, “Third Brother’s nature is straightforward and bold. It’s understandable that he struck twice in anger. In truth, I was at fault for not introducing myself and abruptly arriving. I ask Ning sir’s forgiveness for my rashness.”
Ning Dalang was momentarily at a loss for words.
Clearly, Mr. Zhe knew the family had guessed his identity and was expressing regret while flattering their father, calmly accepting the two punches.
A monarch who took two punches without flinching, unaffected and unconcerned—that was truly astonishing.
More importantly, he was humble and gracious, speaking as if clarifying everything with ease.
He even bowed to their father, a clear sign of junior respect!
He even subtly switched back to calling Ning Sanlang “Third Brother.”
Yes, he called the man who had just punched him twice “brother”!
How could Ning Sanlang argue against that?
Seemingly unshaken, Emperor Jingxi’s words shattered the tension with a smile.
Ning Dalang secretly inhaled sharply.
Ning Yinhua looked at the man before him—undoubtedly the Emperor seated high on Jinluan Hall.
His feelings were complex.
He had studied hard since childhood, gifted and well-read, famous in the county by ten.
He knew the Emperor of the Imperial Capital very well.
At forty soon, married at sixteen, father at seventeen, twins at nineteen, and then A wu at twenty—he was barely older than the Emperor, who was about thirty-five.
Four years younger but roughly the same age.
Yet when Ning Yinhua thought of the Emperor, he did not think of a peer.
To him, the Emperor was the ruler of Great Hui, a sovereign beyond reach.
As a scholar who had studied for over ten years, his greatest hope had been to pass the imperial examinations, stand at the Golden Threshold, and impress the Emperor with his words.
But fate had changed.
He lost that chance, abandoned scholarship for commerce, and took to the sea.
The dreams of youth had long since vanished.
Hearing about his daughter’s ordeals, his heart ached.
He felt she had been oppressed by those in power.
To him, emperors and ministers were symbols of authority and oppression, unstoppable and cruel.
He hated them but felt powerless and guilty for his daughter.
Now, that lofty, unattainable Emperor had come to their home.
He couldn’t imagine it and didn’t want to believe how the world had turned!
This was the Great Hui Emperor he had long hoped to behold during his years of study!
When he was in school, a classmate had a hand-copied version of an imperial edict from this Emperor. Though a mere copy, it excited scholars who eagerly read it.
Ning Yinhua had obtained a copy himself, studying it carefully, hoping to glean the Emperor’s wisdom.
But now, the man stood before him in plain blue robes, stripped of imperial arrogance, humble and gentle, calling his sons “Third Brother,” bowing respectfully, smiling warmly.
He even bore the bruise inflicted by his son’s punch!
Ning Yinhua looked at the refined and gentle Emperor Jingxi with complicated feelings.
He knew well that this Emperor had humbled himself to come for his daughter.
But would his daughter willingly go with him?
Could he bear to send away the daughter who had just returned home, to part with his flesh and blood?
Could he overlook or erase the injustices she had suffered?
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his mixed emotions, his eyes slowly turning cold.
Before this most powerful man of Great Hui, he was first a father, then a subject.
As a man, if he could not protect his daughter, how could he harbor any ambitions?
Finally, he clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Emperor Jingxi, “My humble home is honored to have your presence, lighting up every corner. I am deeply humbled. But my house is poor and inadequate, which I fear will trouble you. Please forgive me for not daring to detain you longer. Please, make yourself at home.”
His words were clear.
He did not wish to yield to imperial authority or trade his daughter for favor.
He did not welcome Emperor Jingxi.
Emperor Jingxi was surprised but not unprepared.
A learned merchant-scholar like Ning Yinhua had pride and stubbornness in his bones.
That was why he had raised such a remarkable daughter as A wu.
At once, the Emperor’s smile faded into respect, and he bowed even lower.
“Since Ning sir says so, I dare not force the matter. I shall visit again another day. I have already secured a residence in town and will rest here for now—”
His gaze swept past the window lattices of the adjacent room—that was A wu’s room.
When his eyes returned, a faint tenderness lingered in his tea-colored irises.
“I will stay here for some time. Should Ning sir ever wish to discuss the classics, share stories from overseas, or enjoy tea and conversation, I am always at your service.”