The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 281: Tolerating Enemies Is Being Cruel to Oneself

Chapter 281: Tolerating Enemies Is Being Cruel to Oneself

Thanks to Yun Yubai’s assistance, most of the residents in the capital had obtained talismans to protect their homes. As the Ghost Festival approached, Nanli took the time to return to the An’yang Marquis Mansion to inspect the talisman arrays she had set up earlier.

Upon her arrival, the old matriarch insisted that she stay for a meal. After eating, Nanli checked her grandmother’s pulse and examined her health.

"Grandmother’s health is good, but you must take care to rest and avoid overly greasy foods," Nanli advised.

The old matriarch nodded with a smile. "I’ll remember."

She wanted to see her grandchildren get married and have children, so she would take good care of herself. However, she soon wore a serious expression and asked, "Have you found any leads regarding your third brother’s framing?"

Nanli shook her head gently. "Not yet."

Even the water ghost case had no clues, leaving the investigation at a standstill.

The old matriarch sighed and turned to Mrs. Shen, saying, "Wanyi’s pregnancy is about six months along now. You must take good care of her and avoid letting her go out."

Mrs. Shen agreed, "Mother, don’t worry. Wanyi is very sensible herself."

This was Xiao Wanyi’s first pregnancy, carrying the Chu family’s eldest grandson. They all understood the importance and would not act recklessly.

Nanli had already checked on Xiao Wanyi and her unborn child, and everything seemed fine. She was both happy and looking forward to meeting her little nephew in a few months.

On the night of the fourteenth of July, nothing major happened. However, a few evil and fierce ghosts caused trouble, and Nanli had to stay busy for an hour or two outside.

The night was dark and eerie, with ghosts floating about, and no one was on the streets. But there were the sounds of horse hooves and carriage wheels from the end of the street.

Nanli had just subdued an evil ghost and was sheathing her Xuanyue Sword when she raised an eyebrow. Who had the courage to be out at this hour?

A carriage approached, a lantern hanging from it bearing the character "Cao." The rare sight of a living person tonight attracted the ghosts, who surrounded the carriage. However, the person inside exuded such righteousness that the ghosts dared not get too close, fearing they’d be burned.

The carriage stopped in front of Nanli. The coachman said, "Master, we have found the Ninth Princess."

Elder Cao lifted the curtain and saw Nanli standing in the night, dressed in a practical outfit for action, her hair adorned with only a simple sandalwood hairpin, devoid of other decorations. Despite her plain attire, her beautiful and noble appearance shone through, exuding a dignified and cold aura.

"Ninth Princess, you have my utmost admiration for driving away evil spirits for the people," Elder Cao said.

Nanli looked up at him. "Elder Cao, are you out on Ghost Festival night just to watch me catch ghosts?"

Elder Cao chuckled and stroked his beard. "I am here to see you, but not to watch you catch ghosts. I have a few words to say."

"You have a knack for choosing the right time," Nanli remarked, her mouth twitching slightly.

Elder Cao sighed. "I had people following you earlier, but I couldn’t find an opportunity."

He raised his hand and invited her into the carriage. Feeling curious, Nanli stepped inside.

Elder Cao, despite being an official for many years, had a simple and clean carriage, indicative of his humble background. He took out an oil lamp and searched for a flint.

"Let me do it," Nanli said, lighting the lamp with a fire talisman.

The carriage immediately brightened. Elder Cao was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. "I heard the royal carriage uses night pearls. This oil lamp must seem laughable to you."

Nanli sat upright and spoke calmly. "Elder Cao, please get to the point."

With no tea set in the simple carriage, Elder Cao cut to the chase. "Ninth Princess, are you aware that some officials had their tongues cut out or their teeth knocked out for their loose tongues? When they complained to the emperor, not only did he not uphold justice, but he also punished them with thirty lashes. Some weaker ones have already died from illness."

Nanli, busy with her routine, hadn’t paid attention to external matters. Her news mainly came from the prince’s residence, and Qing Feng and Ye Siheng hadn’t mentioned this to her. Realizing the situation, she asked, "Was it the prince’s doing?"

The candle flickered, casting Elder Cao’s face half in shadow. He snorted. "The prince has kept it from you. While you earn merit by exorcising evil spirits, the prince is committing atrocities. No matter how much merit you accumulate, it can’t offset these sins. I wonder if the prince can sleep peacefully tonight."

Nanli’s eyes grew cold. She stared at Elder Cao. "If the prince acted so harshly, those officials must have deserved it."

Elder Cao was taken aback, his face pale. "How can you be so unreasonable? Those officials only said a few foolish words. They deserved some punishment, but not such severe measures."

"What did they say?" Nanli asked.

Elder Cao hesitated, unable to repeat the vulgarities.

Nanli smirked coldly. "If you can’t say it, it must be vile. From what I know of the prince, this was likely a minor warning. They dared to complain to the emperor instead of reflecting on their mistakes. They brought their deaths upon themselves."

Elder Cao, red-faced and trembling, cursed angrily. "You and the prince are birds of a feather, indeed! You are condoning his tyranny."

Nanli laughed. "Thank you for the compliment. We are a perfect match."

Elder Cao nearly spat blood. He had hoped to use Nanli to restrain Ye Siheng, making him less ruthless. To his shock, she was just as uncompromising.

"You two dominate the court and are beloved by the people. Anyone who opposes you has no way out. This kingdom will not last long under your control!" Elder Cao declared.

Nanli’s eyes darkened. "We don’t destroy lives for no reason. We don’t know how long this kingdom will last, but it won’t fall in the prince’s hands. Instead of blaming the prince, you should warn your students to focus on their duties and avoid meddling in others’ affairs, lest they invite disaster."

Her cold demeanor and warning sent a chill through Elder Cao. He trembled and asked, "Ninth Princess, as a cultivator, shouldn’t you be compassionate and forgiving?"

Nanli, about to leave the carriage, turned back. Her eyes, dark and cold, gleamed with a sharp light that cut through the night’s silence. "I cultivate to become strong and live freely. Anyone who hinders me will pay."

Tolerating enemies is being cruel to oneself. She had no room for saintly compassion.