"Thank you very much, Grandfather Zhou," Ye Ningjie said earnestly.
A map of the imperial capital, especially a highly detailed one, shouldn't be something that can be disseminated. If the map fell into the wrong people, something dangerous could happen.
If an official or noble was found to have spread the map of the imperial capital, then that person could be punished. And Zhou Wanwu was willing to take that risk for Ye Ningjie. Of course, Ye Ningjie was touched.
"Although the capital city map should not be disseminated, you are still a resident of Baixi after all," Zhou Wanwu replied calmly. "It's just… please don't let anyone else find out about this map," he begged earnestly.
Ye Ningjie nodded obediently. "Then I will go to the room now. Grandfather Zhou, I will take good care of this map."
"Good." Zhou Wanwu smiled warmly. Ye Ningjie also greeted the older man, then stepped out of the room carrying the important map scroll.
She had only taken a few steps, and two people were already standing a few meters in front of her with squinted eyes. They were none other than Zhou Yingyi and Tang Yue. Both of them looked like they didn't like her.
It made Ye Ningjie feel curious. Do they want to cause trouble with her? Just because she came to the Zhou residence alone, they thought she would be easily bullied?
Ye Ningjie probably didn't know Tang Yue, and this was her first time seeing the woman. However, Tang Yue's face, which was slightly similar to Tang Yin, made her guess. On the other hand, the woman's face looked more mature. Maybe she is Tang Yin's older sister, she thought.
A slight smirk appeared on Ye Ningjie's lips. It seemed that Tang Yin had not let go of the previous trouble in the restaurant. Then she would see how far this matter would go.
She smiled faintly at the two women, then tried to move on. Then they blocked her path on purpose, not letting Ye Ningjie go just like that.
"Miss Zhou, could it be that you have something to say?"
Zhou Yingyi smiled mockingly. "I heard that you are from Jinshi. How did you come with only Zhou Yan? If Zhou Yan went to pick you up, he would surely bring some guards. And you are a woman, after all. How could you come all the way from the west alone?"
"I never said he picked me up," Ye Ningjie replied casually. "We just met outside the capital's gates. And how I got to this place… that's my family's business."
Ye Ningjie smiled briefly, then continued, "Since your grandfather doesn't mind this, why should you bother? Or maybe you doubt your grandfather's judgment?"
"You!" Zhou Yingyi's eyes widened at those words. She felt a little confused and surprised. Her grandfather was a wise man and was always decisive in family decisions. Of course, she didn't dare doubt her grandfather.
However, she didn't like Ye Ningjie after what happened, much less after hearing Tang Yin's complaint from Tang Yue. It wasn't that she doubted her grandfather. Instead, she was just looking for a loophole to get the girl kicked out.
Who would have thought that Ye Ningjie had such a sly mouth? This girl whose origins are unknown must have other motives.
"If there's nothing else, I will go get some rest now," Ye Ningjie said with a sweet smile.
Tang Yue narrowed her eyes. Her gaze fell on the scroll Ye Ningjie was holding. She suddenly felt curious about what she was holding.
Tang Yue faked a friendly smile and said, "Miss Ning, we just met today, didn't we? So why don't we sit down together and talk to each other?"
Ye Ningjie raised the corners of her eyebrows. Then she put on a face pretending to be sorry. "The distance from Jinshi to Jin An city can't be called close. Too bad, it seems my frail body can't last much longer. Please, Miss, forgive my inability."
At that moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly sounded. Zhou Jingran stepped over to the three young women arguing with each other. They immediately looked down and greeted him when they saw his presence.
"Yingyi, what's wrong?" Zhou Jingran asked.
"It's nothing, Uncle. We just wanted to talk to Miss Ning, but she doesn't seem willing to welcome our good intentions," replied Zhou Yingyi in a displeased tone.
Zhou Jingran looked at Ye Ningjie, then turned to the scroll in her hand. He, an imperial official, naturally recognized what scroll it was. Instantly he felt shocked.
It was a map of the imperial capital especially drawn by the imperial ancestor. But unfortunately, there are only a few in number, and only high-ranking officials have the maps.
The map was by no means an ordinary map because if one could uncover the secrets behind it, one would be able to discover unexpected things.
Zhou Jingran's brow instantly furrowed. "This …." He pointed at the map scroll in Ye Ningjie's hand. He was a little hesitant to ask further.
"Ah, Grandfather Zhou gave this to me," Ye Ningjie said. Her feelings became a little sullen. She shouldn't have carried that map of the capital openly so as not to cause trouble. Too bad she's still not very thorough.
"Oh, I see …." Zhou Jingran nodded with complicated feelings. Secretly he felt more and more curious about Ye Ningjie's identity.
Who is she? How could Zhou Wanwu easily give this girl a map of the very important imperial capital?
"Lord Zhou, is there anything you would like to say?"
Zhou Jingran shook his head. "There isn't any." He turned to look at his niece and said, "Yingyi, Miss Ning has traveled long. Don't disturb her. Let her rest first."
"Uncle, but—"
"Miss Tang is also here. So you can spend more time with her," Zhou Jingran continued without listening to Zhou Yingyi's protests.
Ye Ningjie, who heard that, immediately lowered her head while holding back a smile. Zhou Yan's father was quite able to understand the situation. The man still wearing the court robes seemed like a good person.
Zhou Yingyi pouted, but she did not refute it any further. "All right, Uncle."
Zhou Jingran nodded. After that, he walked away from them. He wanted to speak further with Zhou Wanwu. There was still something he wanted to know from the older man.
After her uncle left, Zhou Yingyi immediately changed her expression as she looked at Ye Ningjie. Then, her displeasure grew even more, especially after seeing the look on Ye Ningjie's face that looked very satisfied.
"Huh! Tang Yue, let's go! We don't need to waste time on insignificant people!" She said sarcastically.
The two of them ended up leaving with sour faces. Meanwhile, Ye Ningjie smiled as she tightly gripped the scroll.
"Are you guys hoping to see this map? But, of course, you can't!" She muttered sarcastically.