In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1287 - 1198: Ning Family

Chapter 1287: Chapter 1198: Ning Family

"The Ning Family? Are you talking about... the Transport Envoy Ning Family that controls the lifeblood of the Canal, flowing from south to north?"

Su Pan’er had indeed often heard people mention the Ning Family in front of her recently.

But where exactly had she heard it?

She couldn’t seem to recall.

Jiu Lan leaned in close and reported to her in a soft voice.

"Empress, before the palace examination results were announced, Uncle-in-law had had some interactions with the third son of the Ning Family. At that time, there was a girl named Hanmei who was the top courtesan of Wentao Pavilion. For Miss Hanmei, Uncle-in-law once had a bit of a verbal spat with this third son of the Ning Family. As for the details, our people were unable to investigate."

That’s right!

Su Pan’er remembered all at once; Jiu Lan had mentioned it to her indeed. At the time, she had just taken it as a light conversation and didn’t think much of it, but now that the Ning Family was specifically brought up, she couldn’t remember for a while.

"Is the head of the Ning Family difficult to deal with? You’re also saying, Uncle Lui, even with your involvement we can’t get him to agree?"

Su Pan’er joked, but there was not a hint of humor in her eyes.

"Empress, you only know one part but not the other."

Lui Ming smiled bitterly, holding his fists in shame: "If we talk about business, my Lui Family started with my grandfather’s generation, because our branch family wasn’t cut out for studies. For the long-term development of the family, we were forced to leave scholarship for commerce. Later the direct descendants of the Lui Family gradually withered, and by my generation, only my son Yi’er was left. This caused my Lui Family to have the family business, but no one to inherit it and no one capable of managing it, which is why my Lui Family had no choice but to shrink our original business scope."

"On the contrary to the Lui Family is the Ning Family. The Ning Family has a big family and business, with numerous children under their knees, especially controlling the lifeline of the Canal is enough to make the Ning Family amass wealth. In addition to their many descendants, Bearing Offspring, not only did they extend their business throughout the Great Zhou, but they have also spread overseas. Now, Our Great Zhou Imperial Court wanting to do business on The Maritime Silk Road is like snatching food from the tiger’s mouth, searching for lice on the tiger’s head, a matter of taking someone’s livelihood. Empress, do you think this will be easy to handle?"

"So what you mean is, that people have already been trading on The Maritime Silk Road privately. It’s just that the Imperial Court has not operated or intervened. Is that what you’re saying?"

"Yes! Empress, you’ve got it exactly right! That’s exactly the idea!"

Lui Ming praised her repeatedly.

Su Pan’er nodded again and again but didn’t comment on the matter.

The Ning Family would have to give up their vested interests, and the Lui Family would have to contribute manpower and take great risks.

Certainly, it would not be an easy feat to accomplish.

Inadvertently turning her head, she saw a familiar figure crouching on the edge of another Famous Pavilion.

Her brows immediately furrowed.

Lui Ming also turned his head to look and saw that it was the First Princess. When he looked to where the First Princess was gazing, he immediately understood that the First Princess was watching his foster son and daughter-in-law together!

Little Yanyan was staring unblinkingly at Su Xian’er, who was in the midst of a tug-of-war. Because of the distance, Su Pan’er couldn’t see her expression. However, she could clearly see that she had gone from standing in front of the railing to leaning over it to watch, her side profile exuding loneliness.

"Let’s leave it at that for now. After discussing with His Majesty, I’ll send someone to talk to you in detail."

Su Pan’er bade farewell to Lui Ming and, after thinking for a moment, turned back: "Tell Big Brother Lui to say that his little sister has the gold locket ready for my little nephew’s gift." After saying this, she walked towards the First Princess, calling out softly to her.

"Yan Yan."

Little Yanyan immediately turned around and saw that it was her Mother, quickly paying her respects: "Empress Mother."

"Yan Yan, why are you playing here alone? Where’s Little Sugar Bean? Why isn’t she with you?"

Su Pan’er held her hand.

"Little Sugar Bean is playing with Huanhuan, and when I saw Empress Mother here, I came over for a walk. Seeing the beautiful scenery, I stopped in my tracks."

Little Yanyan said, then turned her head to look towards the Purple Bamboo Forest, which was empty, the two figures from just now were nowhere to be seen.

Hmm, where did they go?

She hurriedly searched around but soon felt disappointed.

Su Pan’er touched the top of her head and patted her shoulder, "Do you want to play with her?"

Little Yanyan shook her head and then nodded, before shaking her head again, "I, I don’t know how to say it. I still remember everything that happened, how she nearly caused your death. But I also remember the kindness she showed me back then, she, she..."

A shade of annoyance spread across her face.

Indeed, Su Xian’er had been very kind to her back then, even though her purpose was to take her and sell her, Little Yanyan still felt that, back then, Fifth Aunt had been good to her.

"Why though? The reason she was nice to you was just to keep you from crying, then take advantage of your happiness to sell you. And you naively helped her count the money. Even so, you think she was good to you?"

Su Pan’er questioned.

What kind of logic was this in her mind?

"Not at all!"

The increasingly sensible Little Yanyan’s cheeks reddened with anger, her cheeks puffing out, "I know she wanted to sell me. But I saw struggle in her eyes. I don’t know why she felt the need to sell me at all. However, the day she planned to sell me, she walked circles around that wasteland, all night long, not closing her eyes until dawn. The next day, she took me into the enemy camp."

Speaking of this, Little Yanyan could no longer deny that her mother was absolutely right.

"But, maybe... perhaps, I was just too young then!"

Seeing Little Yanyan recognizing her mistake, Su Pan’er smiled with relief, her long guidance had not been in vain!

"Yes! You see, one mustn’t do wrong. Once you do something wrong, it can change your fate for your entire life. We also can’t be too soft-hearted! Being kind and doing good deeds should also be selective. Unless you are certain that the other person can’t harm you, remember, the first and foremost priority is to protect yourself, only when your own life’s safety is secured can we talk about other things."

"Yanyan will remember."

Little Yanyan nodded vigorously.

"Our home’s Little Yanyan is really good! Let’s go, we’ll go back."

Su Pan’er led the somewhat embarrassed Little Yanyan as they walked back. Along the way, Little Yanyan looked back several times, trying to find that familiar figure.

It was not until the mother and daughter, holding hands, turned past a rockery, their figures completely obscured, that a figure emerged from the Purple Bamboo Forest. Standing in place, looking in the direction the pair had disappeared, she covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Yanyan, I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I was bewitched by demons, I never truly meant to hurt you, I’m sorry..."

Unfortunately, her regret was unheard by anyone.

Su Pan’er walked back with Little Yanyan. The Banquet at the Palace was drawing close to an end, His Majesty and the Civil And Military Ministers were mostly drunk, staggering around. One by one, they were being helped out of the palace to head home.

Qin Yi was clearly very drunk, and as soon as he saw her, he came over with a playful smile.

"Pan’er, hic... Are the kids alright?"