Chapter 73: Theyāre Back part 1
Ning Yunyi had already received the news from City Lord Bai.
It wasnāt just City Lord Bai, however; the Young City Lord and Lady Zong had also sent him messages specifically. The Young City Lord, in particular, had become increasingly lively and active ever since learning his biological mother was alive and returning with her to the Garbage Star. While he was ecstatic, as time passed, he found himself craving the delicacies Ning Yunyi made.
Yet, he knew the situation on the Capital Star wasn’t quite right, so he hadn’t insisted on returning immediately.
Not mentioning it was one thing, but his nightly routine of acting pitiful was mandatory. He hoped that when the day finally came for him to return to the Capital Star, he would receive his uncleās pity.
Consequently, every night he would send a photo of himself, carefully choosing the angle, and add a tearful message:
[Uncle, donāt you think I look a little thinner than I did yesterday? (Rabbit falls flat with a splat)]
Ning Yunyi had actually dug up the photo from the first day the Young City Lord returned to the Garbage Star. Comparing it to now, the boy truly had lost a significant amount of weight.
Looking at the daily photos alone didn’t seem like much, but the contrast between the first and the latest made him look quite pathetic. Thus, a few days ago, when Zong Hao mentioned using this wedding to officially announce that Lady Zong was alive, he also planned to formally introduce the Young City Lord to the various aristocratic families.
Though Zong Hao didn’t say it out loud, he truly cared for his eldest nephew. Moreover, after Lady Zong had spent so many years at the Base, he didnāt want her to remain away. As soon as the situation on the Capital Star stabilized, he suggested they return.
Furthermore, having been separated for so many years, Lady Zong and City Lord Bai had never had a formal wedding, nor had their relationship ever been publicly acknowledged. This belated ceremony was meant to be a form of compensation.
Just as Ning Yunyi was about to tease Zong Hao, the door at the end of the first floor opened. The Money Turtle darted out, his eyes gleaming. He held his hands together in front of him in a standard, disciplined pose. “Master, is it time for the feeding?”
With that posture, anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he was a professional butler.
Zong Hao frowned as he looked at the turtle, then thought of the Second Prince. After staying here for so long, the Second Princeās physical injuries had healed, leaving only his psychological issues. Was it time for him to return to the palace? He couldn’t keep disturbing Ning Yunyi here forever.
The Money Turtle felt uneasy under his gaze, sensing an ominous premonition. “Does this… Mr. Cat… want to stay for dinner?”
While Zong Hao was satisfied with the turtle’s perceptiveness, what had to be sent away still had to be sent away. He pointed at the Money Turtle and then toward the room where the Second Prince was currently soaking his fish tail.
Can they be sent away now?
The Second Princeās mind currently functioned poorly, so he wouldn’t say much. Additionally, since Ning Yunyi had returned, he had kept the two of them confined to their room during his livestreams. Therefore, they were unaware of his identity as Sect’s First Blade; they only knew the delicious food in the house was provided by Mr. Zong.
Furthermore, since the Money Turtle had been fed “medicine” by Ning Yunyi, he believed he would die if he ever betrayed them. Currently, he didn’t dare say anything out of turn.
Having the Money Turtle accompany the Second Prince back to the palace under the guise of a caretaker seemed feasible.
The Money Turtle immediately straightened his back. “Master, I can eat less! No, I can stop eating entirely! Please don’t drive me away.” After living for so many years, he had finally found a bit of hope. Why did this cat want to kick him out the moment he arrived? He didn’t have any bad intentions; he just wanted to be a qualified butler. Money didn’t matter, as long as his Master provided meals.
Ning Yunyi considered that it truly was inappropriate for the Second Prince to remain at his home indefinitely. “Is the Empress awake?”
Zong Hao gave a confirmation and gestured. Her health was currently poor, so having the Second Prince return could provide her some companionship.
Ning Yunyi thought for a moment. “His physical condition is fine now. He’s just psychologically stuck because of the trauma from the Crown Prince. Let the Money Turtle enter the palace to look after him for now. Once the palace staff is used to it, he can come back.”
Hearing that he could return, the Money Turtle stopped playing the victim and stood tall, looking full of energy. “Rest assured, Master! I will make sure the Second Princeās attendants are trained perfectly. Please, Master, do not abandon me! I am two hundred percent loyal!”
Ning Yunyi: “Then wait until you enter the palace and ask His Majesty when the Prince should be sent in.”
While he was at it, he would find an opportunity to enter the palace and strip the Crown Prince of his mental power. That immense strength had been extracted from the shifters at the Base; it didn’t belong to him. Although the Emperor hadn’t mentioned it, it remained a hidden danger that needed to be resolved sooner rather than later.
After finishing his meal, Zong Hao returned to the Zong manor and then visited the palace. Because the Emperor feared the Empress might be further traumatized so soon after waking up, he requested that the Second Prince stay where he was for a bit longer. He would be sent back after the Zong family wedding.
Ning Yunyi had no objections when he heard the news. A few days later, Lady Zongās family arrived back on the Capital Star.
Although Lady Zong agreed to the wedding, she chose to keep it low-key. They only invited close acquaintances. Families she didn’t know or didn’t remember were simply left off the guest list.
On the day of the wedding, Ning Yunyi rose early. He first helped the little kitten wash up, then produced two identical suitsāa father-son matching set. After he tied the little bowtie, the cub looked exceptionally handsome with his emerald-green pupils and soft, dark hair.
Ning Yunyi pinched his little cheek. “You’re going up there as the ring bearer later. Are you nervous?”
The little cub shook his head vigorously. “Not nervous!” He had never been a ring bearer before and found it very novel. Furthermore, having been hidden away for so long, he rarely appeared in public. He was very excited to officially accompany his father outside.
Ning Yunyi patted his small head and led him out. He brought out all the prepared gifts to carry with them; he couldn’t exactly produce them out of thin air once they reached the Zong manor.
When Ning Yunyi reached the ground floor, the Money Turtle was helping the Second Prince into a traditional robe. It was bright yellow, sent specifically by the Emperor to the Ning house that morning. The intent was clear: the Emperor had accepted the reality that the Second Prince might never regain his full intelligence. He was using this opportunity to introduce him to the public semi-formally, and the Prince would be brought back to the palace after the banquet.
The Money Turtle was chasing the Second Prince, who still wanted to turn back into a merman. “Your Highness! Please, just stay still for a bit. Where is there any water for you to soak in here? Besides, you’re going to see His Majesty. What sense does it make to go as a merman? People will think you’re the star of the show today!”
The Prince was about to rip his clothes apart. If he did, who would look at the bride and groom? Everyone would be looking at him. Even if the Second Prince didn’t care about his dignity, his butler still did.
Hearing movement, the Money Turtle immediately began to complain. “Master, look at him… hmm?? Who are you? Where did you come from? And why are you holding the little masterās hand?”
The Money Turtle stared warily at the man walking down with the little cub, looking ready to charge forward and snatch the child back. However, as he stared, he locked eyes with Ning Yunyiās familiar black gaze. Aside from the lack of green pupils, those eyes were identical to his Master’s.
Ning Yunyi had hidden his identity before to guard against Mu Jiayi and the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince had fallen, he couldn’t keep “playing dead” alongside Ning Mother forever. He might as well take this opportunity to appear before the public directly.
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thank you for the chapter!