Part 2
Clay hummed: “But the process is tragic just to imagine. After Yousi won, he had to verify his kinship. If he wasn’t related, he would have to leave the Herman family.”
Ning Yunyi was surprised: “But why did he stay in the end?”
Clay sighed: “That’s probably the most ironic part. Almost everyone in the Herman family thought he was the least likely, and no one helped or bet on him. Even Yousi thought the blood flowing in his veins wasn’t Herman blood.”
“But when the results came out, he turned out to be the only true heir.”
“Only then did the Old Master explain that an ancestor of the Herman family indeed had black hair and black eyes. It just hadn’t been inherited by subsequent generations, but skipped several generations to appear in Yousi.”
Ning Yunyi frowned, remaining silent for a moment.
Clay sighed: “So he is the most dangerous figure on the entire Capital Star. I suspect that cannibalistic training method of the Herman family turned him into a psychopath.”
Rumors said he now took pleasure in torturing people privately every day, but it just hadn’t been exposed.
Who knew if it was true or false.
During the first half of the engagement banquet, Ning Yunyi heard a lot of gossip and met many people.
This was something absent from the original host’s memories.
The original host didn’t like contact with outsiders, and after the incident, he rarely showed his face. Not only had he rarely entered the palace, but he also didn’t know much about these noble families on the Capital Star.
Tonight, however, he got to know quite a few.
Except for one thing—he had been searching around but hadn’t seen Ning’s mother anywhere.
Even the Crown Prince’s parents hadn’t arrived.
Ning Yunyi voiced his doubt: “Aren’t His Majesty and the Empress attending the Crown Prince’s engagement ceremony?”
Clay shook his head: “I don’t know. The other two of the three princes aren’t engaged yet; the Crown Prince is the first. So I’m not sure if His Majesty would appear on such an occasion.”
Plus, it was only an engagement. Maybe His Majesty didn’t come for fear of causing too much of a stir?
Or perhaps, His Majesty wasn’t satisfied with this marriage?
Ning Yunyi was extremely disappointed. It seemed his goal for tonight wouldn’t be achieved.
Just then, Ning Yunyi sensed a hostile gaze land on him. He frowned, initially wanting to ignore it, but the person kept staring, so he looked back unexpectedly.
He met the gaze of Mu Jiayi, who was accompanying the Mu family head not far away and looking in his direction.
Not only Mu Jiayi, but standing a few steps away were Zong Ling and Zong’s father.
The Zong family was one of the three great noble families. It was understandable for them to attend this occasion, but why were Zong Ling and Zong’s father here, and where was the acting family head, Ichi?
Ning Yunyi met Mu Jiayi’s gaze. The latter didn’t look away; instead, he wore a provocative, meaningful smile.
Mu Jiayi seemed to be in a good mood. He even deliberately picked up a piece of solid nutrient jelly shaped like a small cake with an exquisite fork, put it in his mouth, and savored it slowly.
Ning Yunyi didn’t show anything on his face, but an ominous premonition rose in his heart.
Mu Jiayi being so smug suggested that the Mu family and Zong’s father had a backup plan for tonight.
Ichi had caught the Mu and Zong families off guard with a surprise move at the previous ceremony, becoming the acting family head.
Ning Yunyi didn’t think Mu Jiayi would set a trap specifically for a small fry like him on such a grand occasion. The target was likely Ichi.
Ichi was not only the acting family head but also a commander.
This acting family head was personally appointed by Marshal Zong. Daring to target Ichi—weren’t they afraid of Marshal Zong settling scores later?
Or, had they determined from some channel that Marshal Zong was too busy to save Ichi?
Could it be that Marshal Zong had met with another accident in the past two days?
Mu Jiayi soon withdrew his gaze. He couldn’t control himself; after all, the news he received in the past two days had put him in a great mood.
He thought he had lost everything, but unexpectedly, things had taken a turn for the better. Even Zong Ling was smiling again.
Zong Ling looked back coldly. One glance at Mu Jiayi made him irritable.
Mu Jiayi’s face darkened, but thinking that the Zong family would return to Zong’s father’s hands after tonight and Zong Ling was still useful, he could only continue to endure.
It wasn’t until the engagement banquet was nearly over that Ichi appeared. His complexion wasn’t good, and upon closer inspection, his armor was stained with some dust, though overall he looked presentable.
Ichi quickly went forward to find the Crown Prince to offer congratulations and presented Marshal Zong’s gift.
The Crown Prince was on good terms with Marshal Zong. Accepting the gift with a gentle smile, and having heard that Marshal Zong would return to the Capital Star soon, he looked up and asked softly: “Ichi, is the Marshal well these days?”
Ichi immediately responded: “Reporting to Your Highness, the Marshal is well.”
The Crown Prince nodded with a smile: “That is good. When he returns, he must come to the palace. We haven’t played chess for months. When he returns, I will definitely hold a grand banquet to celebrate.”
Ichi repeatedly agreed.
Just then, a voice slowly spoke up, carrying obvious malice: “Your Highness must not believe this villain; he is lying.”
As soon as Ichi appeared, everyone’s eyes in the banquet fell on him.
After all, Ichi was rumored to be the only one in contact with Marshal Zong. Concrete news about the Marshal could be obtained from him.
When Ichi spoke with the Crown Prince, the crowd gathered around, pricking up their ears to listen.
The Crown Prince and Ichi were chatting happily, but when the Mu family head uttered that sentence, everyone present was stunned: ?? What does that mean? Lying? What lie?
Ichi frowned, looking displeased at the Mu family head: “What do you mean? I’m lying? How am I lying?”
The Mu family head cupped his hands and bowed to the perplexed Crown Prince, explaining: “Your Highness, this matter isn’t originally my concern, but I am related to the Zong family by marriage. Coupled with my admiration for Marshal Zong, it’s inevitable that I care about news of him. So, after seeing the video connection between Marshal Zong and Lord Ichi at the Zong family that day, I was worried Marshal Zong was reporting good news but hiding the bad. Plus, having just obtained some 3S-level energy crystals useful for spiritual power, I took the liberty to investigate out of good intentions.”
The crowd had strange expressions hearing this. The Mu family head’s words sounded reasonable, but who didn’t know his intentions?
Admiration for Marshal Zong? Worried?
He probably thought Ichi was scamming his way into the Zong family headship and their immense wealth, which was why he spared no cost to investigate by overstepping his authority, right?
However, everyone present was shrewd. Before things were settled, no one wanted to offend either side.
If Ichi truly lied, siding with Ichi would offend the future new head of the Zong family.
If Ichi didn’t lie, siding with the Mu family would offend Marshal Zong.
So it was best to do nothing and say nothing, just watch the show.
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thanks for the update!