TNIBFT -Chapter 320 The Gift

His mind immediately conjured the image of Qin Fengyi’s cold and proud face.

“General, the soldiers of Daliang should be retreating north. Shall we pursue them?”

A subordinate reported.

Zhu Zhongyi’s thoughts were interrupted. He looked up at the soldiers in front of him and said, “No need. Return first and report to the city lord. We’ll act according to his decision.”

“Yes!”

Zhu Zhongyi couldn’t contain his impatience and swung himself onto his horse.

If he headed toward Sifang City now, he might still encounter her!

If there was a chance, perhaps he could even save her again on the way… but she was so formidable that the opportunity would likely never come.

“Charge!”

The young man’s heart was tense yet burning with passion. Even if it was like a moth flying into the flame, he would have no regrets.

The soldiers of Sifang City followed closely behind.

…

The next morning, before Ye Tian had even gotten out of bed, Old Yang came knocking, saying that Tao Lichun and the others were already waiting in the hall.

They came this early?

Could it be about Tao Ling’er’s matter?

Ye Tian groaned. He had no improper thoughts about Tao Ling’er, and right now the most important thing was to defy fate. He needed to eliminate the child of destiny, Shen Jie, first before worrying about anything else.

From what had happened at the Divine Maiden Palace, it was clear that Shen Jie was secretly plotting revenge.

Where Shen Jie was now, Ye Tian had no idea.

He quickly dressed and washed, then went to the hall. Hearing his footsteps, everyone turned to look.

“City Lord!”

“City Lord!”

Ye Tian nodded.

Zhao Kang stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully. “City Lord, our scouts report that the Daliang soldiers are thirty li outside the city.”

“Now the entire Daliang is offering a bounty. Whoever captures you will become the next city lord of Sifang City, and… the emperor will also provide additional rewards!”

Zhao Kang looked at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian was not surprised. The emperor had a vendetta against his entire family and naturally did not want to see him grow in power.

Fang Shenghu also exclaimed, “That dog of an emperor is shameless!”

“By doing this, anyone wanting to become city lord could attack us from all sides. Everyone could be an enemy, and this city lord position is promised by the emperor—who wouldn’t want it?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhao Kang continued, “The most infuriating part is that, to avoid offending Dazhou, that dog emperor has already offered Dazhou a large sum in compensation and promised that they would handle the city lord issue.”

The group was enraged.

Ye Tian remained calm, sitting at the large table, leisurely lifting a bowl of millet porridge. Slurp! He took a big sip, and immediately felt warmth spread through his stomach.

Tao Lichun looked at Ye Tian, remaining silent.

Zhu Heyu and Fang Shenghu were filled with righteous indignation.

Zhao Kang and Old Yang gestured wildly, speaking animatedly.

Everyone was talking at once, worrying about what might happen next.

Ye Tian frowned. Xiao Tianchen must have had a change of heart. He couldn’t believe that a man would let his dignity be trampled and remain unmoved. Though he didn’t know what Xiao Tianchen had endured, even the few lines about him in the book had already made many readers feel pity for this cannon fodder character.

Xiao Tianchen…

Just as everyone was feeling anxious and unsettled,

Zhu Zhongyi returned with his men. He was clad in armor, dusty and weary, his face exhausted. As soon as he entered the shop, he strode toward Ye Tian, clasped his hands in salute, and said, “City Lord!”

Ye Tian slightly lifted his head.

Zhu Zhongyi said, “When I arrived last night, Xiao Tianchen had already retreated fifty li north.”

“Retreated?”

“Retreated fifty li?”

Zhao Kang’s face was full of shock as he looked at Zhu Zhongyi in disbelief.

Ye Tian nodded. “Understood.”

Zhu Zhongyi fell silent for a moment. Seeing that Ye Tian had no further instructions, he slightly raised his head and looked around—there was no sign of her. He hadn’t seen her last night either. Could she have been injured?

Zhu Zhongyi continued, “When I arrived last night, there were clear signs of a large-scale fight. If Xiao Tianchen was able to retreat, it seems someone must have secretly helped us.”

“Helped us?”

“Who could it be?”

“Could it be the old general’s former subordinates?”

Zhu Heyu spoke with excitement.

Ye Tian did not correct him. Zhu Heyu always believed that Ye Zhengyang’s old troops were as loyal as he was, and one day they would come with their followers to assist Ye Tian and help the old general avenge past wrongs.

Ye Tian had never thought that way. If they truly wanted to help, they would have done so years ago. The reason they hadn’t is because they didn’t want to get involved. At this stage, they certainly wouldn’t take sides.

“Understood,” Ye Tian said calmly. “You don’t need to worry about Xiao Tianchen. I already have a solution.”

Once Ye Tian spoke, everyone fell silent.

The immediate crisis was resolved, and everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After the reports were finished, everyone gradually left.

Only Tao Lichun lingered, hesitant to speak. Ye Tian felt slightly awkward. Seeing that only he and Tao Lichun remained in the hall, Ye Tian set down the large porcelain bowl in his hands and said, “Master Tao, if there’s something between us, just say it directly.”

Tao Lichun’s aged and weary face suddenly flushed red.

He nodded awkwardly, his cloudy eyes fixed on Ye Tian. After a long pause, he said, “I don’t know how to face you. Ling’er… that child must have caused you trouble again, right?”

“No,” Ye Tian wanted to explain further, but Tao Lichun smiled wryly and raised a hand to interrupt him. “Your intentions are honorable, but Ling’er is headstrong. I don’t even know how to properly guide my daughter, and look at what she’s become.”

Tao Lichun’s expression was filled with frustration.

“Last night, she knelt before me, saying she wanted to be your concubine. She claimed that if I stopped her, her life would be meaningless.”

Ye Tian was taken aback.

Tao Lichun continued, “She doesn’t understand what it truly means for a woman to become a concubine in the future—she’s completely blinded by desire.”

“Fortunately, you refused her!”

Ye Tian sighed helplessly.

He didn’t know what else to say. Tao Lichun was full of worry. After exchanging a few words, he went to the government office.

Matters of the heart cannot be forced.

Even if it’s a princess, the emperor cannot make a son-in-law love only the princess wholeheartedly.

Sensing someone outside watching him, Ye Tian turned and saw Qin Fengyi standing at the door, arms crossed, dressed in a dark martial outfit.

Ye Tian’s mouth twitched in a faint smile. “Have you had breakfast?”

“No!”

Qin Fengyi spoke, then took long strides toward Ye Tian. “In just one night, you almost took a concubine?”

Her voice was calm. She picked up a porcelain bowl and sipped the rice porridge, her eyes glancing around at the window. The bright red “Double Happiness” characters were glaringly conspicuous. If Ye Tian truly wanted multiple wives, she would only want him to give her the child. She wouldn’t stop him otherwise.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Ye Tian frowned. Seeing that Qin Fengyi didn’t want to look at him, he guessed she was jealous.

After all, they had previously agreed that once Lin Xianzhong was taken, they would be officially betrothed, acknowledging their relationship. Now suddenly talking about taking a concubine would anger any woman.

“I have something for you,” Ye Tian said.

Qin Fengyi looked up, surprised.

Ye Tian smiled mysteriously. “Come to the backyard!”

He grabbed Qin Fengyi’s small hand. Her fingers were delicate, her skin soft and smooth. Ye Tian’s palm was sweating. Qin Fengyi remained silent, watching their hands intertwined. Her cheeks flushed, and her heart pounded wildly.

In truth, it wouldn’t have been wrong for Ye Tian to ask her opinion first.

After all, most men in this world have multiple wives…