Xie Yubai kicked Ningxiang in the chest.
Ningxiang, now just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, how could she withstand such a kick? Moreover, Xie Yubai was in a furious state at the moment.
Ningxiang's body immediately flew backward and fell to the ground, blood spurting from her mouth with a "wow."
"Bang—"
The tray in Biyuan's hand fell to the ground, and the dishes and plates shattered everywhere.
"Ningxiang!"
Biyuan rushed towards Ningxiang in a panic. "Ningxiang, Ningxiang..."
Ningxiang lay on the ground like a broken puppet, blood staining her mouth and body, and Biyuan didn't dare to touch her.
Her eyes turned red, and she glared angrily at Xie Yubai, unable to speak her anger.
Last night, Xie Yubai and his party rushed overnight and finally arrived near Jingtian City at dawn, settling in a local hotel called Lido.
Lido Hotel was located in the bustling area of Jiangyang, and in the morning, other guests were often awakened by the cries of newsboys.
Ningxiang's actions attracted the attention of other guests in the room who heard the commotion, and they opened their doors and peered out.
What? My lady already has someone in her heart? What about openly defying the imperial edict? Could it be true that the bold elopement of Princess Dongzhu announced by the newsboy in the morning, and the possible cancellation of the marriage between the royal family and the Xie family, was not just a false alarm, but actually true?
The corridor was already crowded with spectators.
With Xie Yubai's attack on Ningxiang, the crowd in the corridor exploded.
"Someone's fighting!"
"Someone's fighting!"
"Of course! If your wife elopes with someone else, wouldn't you be cuckolded? And your maid still has the nerve to ask you to agree, can you hold back from hitting her?"
"What era is it now? The Grand Ancestor Dynasty has long been in name only. Now it's the Republic of China era. Arranged marriages are no longer popular. It's all about advocating freedom in love, right? Princess! I support you!"
"Shh... Keep your voice down! Don't you want to live? If you support the princess, aren't you going against Xie Yubai? Haven't you heard of his reputation as a ruthless businessman? Offending Xie Yubai, the living king of the business world, I don't even know how you'll die! Really impatient to live! Come on, let's go, let's go back to our room!"
"What's going on? Even if Xie Yubai has immense power, does he dare to openly attack someone in a hotel in broad daylight?"
"Shortsighted women! Come on, let's go back to our room!"
"Don't pull me, I haven't had enough fun... Don't pull me, you ghost! I told you not to pull me——"
It must be said that Ningxiang's move was quite clever.
The history was already in the Republic of China era, where the emperor only retained a false title and had no real power.
In such a serious situation, how could the emperor sit comfortably on the dragon throne?
It's best to find a reliable backing.
Since ancient times, marriage alliances have been a means for emperors to seek peace and consolidate their rule.
So, this marriage alliance between Princess Ruisu and the eldest son of the wealthy merchant Xie family, Xie Yubai, came into being.
Scholars, farmers, workers, businessmen.
In the past, merchants were the most despised by scholars, even by the imperial family.
Now things were different.
The imperial family declined, and the treasury was empty.
The wealthy Xie family, capable of rivaling a country, naturally became the best match.
Father and son Xie Yubai were people even the current emperor dared not directly offend. How could a mere maid like Ningxiang dare to offend Xie Yubai directly?
With such a vast difference in strength, one could only take unconventional measures.
By using public opinion to create momentum, by using public opinion to force Xie Yubai to compromise.
Public opinion had always been the sharpest weapon, often able to kill without a trace.
The reason why Ningxiang dared to openly ask Xie Yubai to grant her wish was that she was gambling—she was betting that Xie Yubai wouldn't dare to kill her, the personal maid of the princess, in public.
So-called striking a dog depends on its owner.
The emperor was afraid of father and son of Xie Family, but didn't Xie Yubai and his father also have their own concerns?
Ningxiang had a clever and resourceful mind.
How could Xie Yubai, a clever man, not guess what was going on in Ningxiang's mind?
Xie Yubai didn't believe that Ningxiang, a mere maid, could have such cunning. He was sure there was someone behind her, directing her actions.
Xie Yubai's face was as cold as the ice on the eaves of Jingtian City in winter, and his icy gaze fell on the closed door.
This daring maid was her person.
Begging him to grant her wish.
Was this what Princess Dongzhu meant?
Using public opinion to force him to let go and allow her to be with another man? Xie Yubai didn't know that this was Ningxiang's idea alone. He thought that Princess Ye Huaran had already awakened, and the maid was following Ye Huaran's orders, so his expression became even more stern.
"Grant my wish, Young Master!"
Ningxiang wiped the blood from her lips, struggling to get up from the ground, and kept kowtowing.
Xie Yubai drew the gun from his waist and pointed it at Ningxiang's forehead.
Ningxiang's eyes showed fear, but ultimately, she didn't dodge or evade. There was a resolute determination between her brows that she was ready to meet death head-on.
"No! You can't kill Ningxiang! If you do, the princess will never let you go!"
Biyuan threw herself forward, standing in front of Ningxiang, hoping that this evil spirit would have some scruples about the princess.
Xie Yubai squeezed the trigger of the gun, his eyes bloodthirsty, his tone chilling, "Just a mere maid, let this young master see how your princess will not spare me."
"Creak," the door opened at that moment.
Xie Yubai's hand holding the gun stiffened slightly.
Weak footsteps came from behind.
Ye Huaran staggered out of the room.
As if after ten thousand years, their eyes finally met slowly.
(End of this chapter)