Chapter 46: Clearing His Name part 1
Ning Yunyi followed Clay’s gaze.
Except for the man leading the group, everyone else was dressed in splendid gold-patterned robes, which only served to make the man in the dazzling vermilion traditional Chinese attire stand out even more.
The man had short black hair, gentle features, and a smile that seemed just right hanging on his lips. His skin was fair, yet his figure was tall and broad-shouldered with long legs, exuding an air of noble beauty.
At first glance, he was so dazzling and stunning that one couldn’t look away.
But upon a second look, meeting the man’s smile, one only felt uncomfortable all over.
Clearly, he was smiling, but his eyes were cold and sinister, splitting the emotions of his upper and lower face into two distinct parts.
So much so that while the initial sight was breathtaking, the more one looked, the more uncomfortable one felt.
Beside him, Clay turned his gaze away the moment he saw the newcomer, secretly tugging at the back of Ning Yunyi’s hem.
Outwardly, Clay turned on his heel, fan waving, intending to pretend he hadn’t seen anything and lead Ning Yunyi away.
The man, however, walked straight over, even cupping his hands in a polite greeting to Clay: “Your Highness Clay, what a coincidence to see you again.”
Listening to this gentle and sincere low voice, Clay recalled how this person had given orders with the same smile, resulting in blood splattering three feet on the spot.
Goosebumps rose all over Clay’s body: “So it is the Young Master of the Yousi family.”
From the moment the man approached, Ning Yunyi stood quietly behind Clay, eyes lowered.
Even without looking, he could feel the other’s gaze landing on him, scrutinizing and assessing.
Yousi maintained his amiable smiling appearance: “Is Your Highness also heading to the banquet hall? Why don’t we go together?”
Clay acted displeased, huffing behind his fan: “This Prince dislikes crowds. We’ll go by ourselves.”
Yousi didn’t respond to that, still looking at Clay with a beaming smile, just staring fixedly.
Just as Clay was at a loss and planning to walk away without sparing any face, a voice that was equally gentle but exceptionally likable rang out: “Clay, Yousi, you’ve arrived?”
Ning Yunyi looked over; another group was approaching from the other side.
The man leading them sat in a wheelchair, dressed in bright yellow finery. His hair was also a dazzling gold, and his eyes were sky blue.
When he smiled gently, it felt as soft as a spring breeze.
Clay breathed a sigh of relief, pulling Ning Yunyi forward to bow: “Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we were just heading to the banquet hall.”
The newcomer was indeed the Crown Prince. Seeming accustomed to these two’s eccentric tempers, he waved his hand and signaled the palace servants to push him forward: “Then let’s walk together.”
Thus, the atmosphere along the way became exceptionally strange.
The Crown Prince was a man of few words; he and his entourage led the way.
Following them was Yousi’s group.
Finally, Ning Yunyi and Clay deliberately lagged a few steps behind.
Ning Yunyi glanced doubtfully at the Crown Prince in the wheelchair at the very front. He hadn’t heard that the Crown Prince had leg issues. was his memory faulty?
Noticing his confusion, Clay lowered his voice to a level only the two of them could hear: “Some time ago, the Crown Prince went horse riding, accidentally fell off, and injured his leg. He needs to recuperate for a while.”
Ning Yunyi understood; that explained it.
It wasn’t a major injury, so it wasn’t publicized, and the outside world didn’t know.
But a Crown Prince falling off a horse? Was it truly an accident, or were there unspeakable reasons behind it?
Ning Yunyi hardly spoke throughout the journey. Aside from the Young Master staring at him a few times at the beginning, the others assumed he was merely Duke Clay’s attendant.
Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Clay immediately pulled Ning Yunyi to a corner.
Only when Yousi was out of sight did Clay relax.
Ning Yunyi was curious: “Is he really that terrifying?”
Clay clicked his tongue: “More than just terrifying. You see him smiling, but he could turn around and stab you without any reason, purely based on his mood. I shouldn’t say this, but let me remind you. Do you know what the first thing he did upon becoming the Young Master was?”
Ning Yunyi: “What was it?”
Clay’s voice dropped even lower: “At his appointment ceremony, in front of all the Herman family members, he called over all the servants in the castle, and even a few younger distant relatives with the Herman surname. Then, right in front of them, he had those people…” He made a horrified expression.
Ning Yunyi frowned: “Disposed of them all?”
Clay shuddered, the hair on his arms standing up: “If only it were that simple, at least it would have been quick. He had them tortured one by one until they wished for death. The blood dyed that entire patch of ground red. In the end, all those people were crippled.”
“The reason?”
“Because those people bullied him when he first returned to the Herman family.” Clay felt those people had asked for it, but he still found Yousi’s methods terrifying, especially since the guy was smiling the entire time, as if enjoying the spectacle.
Added to later events, a paper tiger like Clay, who only put on a fierce front, was terrified of this real beast.
Ning Yunyi raised an eyebrow: “Why? Isn’t he the Old Master’s son?”
Clay hummed in agreement: “Speaking of this, it’s actually the Herman family’s traditional method of raising heirs. After the true heir is born, the Old Master takes them out of the Herman family.”
“Before that, no one is allowed a glimpse. When they return years later, several children of the same age are brought back simultaneously. Even the children themselves don’t know who the true heir is.”
“Before coming of age, all these children are raised in the Herman family as true heirs. On one hand, they undergo devilish training like in the beastman bases; on the other, if they aren’t strong enough, they get discarded. To survive, they fight, rob, and kill with their lives on the line.”
Ning Yunyi frowned: “Isn’t the Old Master afraid the true heir might die?”
Clay shrugged, his expression also grim: “That’s how the Old Master was raised too; he’s long been heartless. So, if one survives and remains, even if they aren’t the true heir, as long as the Old Master doesn’t say anything, who would know?”
Ning Yunyi guessed part of it: “Besides making them stronger and developing their potential, is it to force the Herman family to take sides and place their bets early?” This would only make the internal conflict bloodier, but similarly, to survive, one could only abandon conscience, humanity, and sincerity.
Clay nodded: “That is exactly the Old Master’s goal. And before Yousi came of age, among the several so-called heirs the Old Master brought back… he was the least likely one. As for the reason… you’ll understand when you see the Crown Princess-to-be.”
Soon, the Crown Princess-to-be appeared. With golden hair as dazzling as the Crown Prince’s and eyes of pure sky blue, standing next to the Crown Prince, they looked almost like a perfect match.
Ning Yunyi: “The Old Master also has blonde hair and blue eyes. Among those brought back, only Yousi had black hair and black eyes?”
Clay: “Correct. He looked the least like them and was the first one the Herman family ruled out. He had the least support within the clan. For generations, Herman descendants have had blonde hair and blue eyes. Yousi has black hair and black eyes, and another had blonde hair and black eyes. All the other children who returned were blonde and blue-eyed.”
Ning Yunyi glanced towards the distance and summarized: “In the end, Yousi won.”
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thanks for the update!