TNIBFT -Chapter 173 Work Like an Ox, Serve Like a Horse

Old Yang’s face was full of rage.

When he spoke, he ground his teeth in fury, wishing he could tear this group of people apart right then and there.

Recently, Sun Wuji had sealed his cultivation, reducing him to a miserable soul endlessly scrubbing plates day and night. On top of that, because of his fierce looks, he was constantly humiliated by that despicable Yuan Heipang, who mocked him for once being a pig butcher.

Without strength, everything was meaningless. In the hotpot restaurant, his status was at the very bottom.

Duan Qingshan got to sit at the table and eat. He could dine with Ye Tian’s family. Even Yuan Heipang and the others had tables. But him? Every day, he could only squat in the corner.

Like a mere watchdog!

As soon as Ye Tian needed someone, or if he restored his cultivation through Sun Wuji, this bunch of trash could be wiped out by him without effort.

Thinking of this, Old Yang’s blood boiled with excitement.

His dark face flushed with an unnatural red glow.

Seeing him suddenly speak, Ye Tian’s gaze fell on Old Yang.

Across from them, Xiao Xun’er frowned, scanning Old Yang up and down, her expression full of disdain: “Ye Tian, where did you find this idiot?”

Old Yang: What the hell!

He glared at Xiao Xun’er, unwilling to submit.

Xiao Xun’er rolled her eyes and said, “Look at him—a grown man, thick in the torso, but not tall. Do you know what kind of people are the ones who kill others? You really plan to meet them, thinking they’re all your plates waiting for you to scrub?”

Old Yang’s dark face turned blue and then purple in anger.

Ye Tian wanted to laugh so badly he almost hurt himself holding it in.

He waved at Old Yang: “You’ve been doing okay recently. Keep it up for a few more days.”

“Really?”

Old Yang’s face instantly lit up with joy. When Ye Tian stood, he hurriedly helped move the chair: “Master, if I really can restore my cultivation, I will repay your immense kindness in the next life—work like an ox, serve like a horse for you.”

“Why the next life?”

“Why not this life?”

Xiao Jiang, holding his chopsticks, looked on curiously while eating, tilting his head at Old Yang with a puzzled expression.

Old Yang froze.

He hadn’t thought of repaying Ye Tian, but under Xiao Jiang’s questioning gaze, his eyes darted guiltily: “This life works too. Master, my loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and moon.”

Ye Tian waved him off, not wanting to hear more: “Go scrub the plates!”

Huh?

Old Yang’s eyes filled with disappointment as he stared blankly at Ye Tian.

“Ha ha ha…” Behind him, the mocking laughter of Yuan Heipang and the others suddenly exploded. Old Yang lowered his head, clenching his fists in fury. One day, he would make this trash look at him with new respect.

Respect him properly!

In his thirty years in the Jianghu, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Better yet, when he restored his cultivation, he’d open a hotpot restaurant himself and make Yuan Heipang and the others scrub plates for eighty years straight. Let’s see if they could even laugh then.

…

Elsewhere in the city, in a quiet courtyard.

The snow hadn’t melted yet. The courtyard was still and silent. Birds landed briefly on withered branches before flying off. The thin layer of snow on the twigs gently fell to the ground as the branches swayed.

“Hiss!”

Beneath a branch, by the window, Shangguan Ning’s face was pale with pain. She had just replaced the herbal dressing on her abdomen and rewrapped it with gauze before putting her clothes back on.

“Your Highness!”

Outside the door, Zhao Mingyuan and a few others had been waiting for a long time.

Hearing sounds from inside, Zhao Mingyuan spoke with concern, afraid that something had happened to Shangguan Ning.

Shangguan Ning hastened her dressing, putting on her clothes efficiently. Once properly dressed, she stepped out from behind the screen and said, “Come in.”

Creak!

The wooden door opened in response. Zhao Mingyuan and the others entered, noticing the cold sweat on Shangguan Ning’s forehead. He said, “Your Highness, your injury hasn’t healed yet. Leave any matters to us.”

“Yeah, all along it’s been the adults taking the lead, and the rest of us feel like dead weight.”

A few of them spoke sheepishly.

Shangguan Ning smiled. “Actually, the reason I had you come is to deliver His Majesty’s orders.”

Upon hearing this, they immediately knelt on one knee with respect.

Shangguan Ning said, “Everyone, rise. When you’re outside, just don’t reveal your identities; His Majesty will not hold it against you.”

After speaking, she bent down and helped Zhao Mingyuan to his feet, continuing, “His Majesty has recovered and has ordered us to return to the Great Zhou immediately.”

“What about the young prince?”

Zhao Mingyuan asked, confused, the question slipping out naturally.

The others also spoke: “Yes, we’ve finally found the young prince. If we return now, wouldn’t all our efforts be for nothing?”

“Don’t speak. His Majesty surely has a plan.”

Shangguan Ning looked at them. “His Majesty has her own arrangements. You need not say anything. In the next few days, once my injuries recover a bit, we will depart for the Great Zhou immediately.”

“Yes!”

They clasped their fists in acknowledgment.

Shangguan Ning turned to Zhao Mingyuan and said, “As for you, Zhao Mingyuan, you will remain in Sifang City from now on, taking over the city’s network of spies. Your task is to ensure the young prince’s safety at all times.”

“Understood!”

Zhao Mingyuan clasped his fists.

Once these instructions were given, Zhao Mingyuan and the others left the room.

Shangguan Ning leaned against the window, looking at the barren branches outside. Icicles hung unevenly along the limbs, with none of the vitality of trees in the Great Zhou. At a glance, everything was stark and colorless—hardly a scenic view.

In His Majesty’s letter, she was warned not to act impulsively, and not to harm Ye Tian.

If the young prince was safe, all other issues could be dealt with after she returned to Sifang City.

Could it be that His Majesty still had some feelings for Ye Tian?

Shangguan Ning did not understand.

Frowning, she sat by the window, resting her chin in her hand, staring outside. She had grown up with His Majesty. Her Shangguan family had been loyal for generations, and from a young age, she had been the Emperor’s personal attendant. Between them was not only the bond of ruler and subject but also the deep loyalty of sworn siblings.

She had never seen Ye Tian.

She only remembered that when she was fifteen, Qin Fengyi returned from a campaign. When she removed her armor, her prominently rounded belly startled Shangguan Ning. She felt uneasy, unable to fully understand, yet somehow understanding more.

Seeing Qin Fengyi’s belly, she hesitated and did not dare approach.

It was His Majesty who took her hand, gently placed it on the belly, and in a soft voice told her that she was going to be a mother!

The child would move about in her womb, keeping her awake at night, mischievous and uncontainable.

Whenever speaking of the child, His Majesty’s tone changed—complaining, yet full of tenderness.

At that moment, the gentle light in His Majesty’s eyes was something Shangguan Ning had never seen. It was as if the person before her was not the Great Zhou War God Qin Fengyi, but an ordinary young woman, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her child.

She knew of His Majesty’s love for the child!

What had transpired between her and Ye Tian?

Perhaps only they themselves knew.

Since His Majesty forbade Ye Tian’s death, then Ye Tian must not die!

…

Elsewhere.

In a luxurious courtyard somewhere in Sifang City,

The hall’s intricately carved wooden doors were tightly closed, with the sound of music drifting out in delicate threads.

Zhou Tianhu stood outside the door, his expression serious, bowing his head cautiously.

“Creak…”

The door opened from inside, and a servant in a gray cotton coat stepped out, bowing his head to Zhou Tianhu. “The master requests you enter for a word.”

“Yes!”

The once fierce and domineering Zhou Tianhu now lowered his gaze, obediently following the servant into the hall.

Inside, several musicians knelt or sat, playing and singing.

In the center of the hall, a scantily clad and dazzlingly beautiful woman twisted her waist continuously. A man seated nearby, his complexion fair and lips red, looked at Zhou Tianhu and said, “A useless wretch like you is of no use, even if you’re kept alive.”