Chapter 20: The Bargain of Vengeance

There were many Hu people in Liangzhou City, and they loved nothing more than getting drunk and brawling. Ning Junruo had no good impression of them. She had expected the Hu merchant surnamed Guan to be a burly man with a scruffy beard, but to her surprise, he appeared so frail and slender that he looked even weaker than Xu Mingyi.

The secret room had no windows. A few lamps lit in the corners not only brightened the space but also brought warmth. Although there were designated seats for host and guest, no curtains separated them. Despite having Zisu nearby for protection, Ning Junruo still felt somewhat uneasy about sitting face-to-face with them.

After exchanging greetings and taking their seats, Xu Mingyi calmly introduced, “This is the Princess of Liang. Brother Guan, please speak freely if you have anything to say.”

The man named Guan was about thirty, with a thin and elongated face showing no emotion. Yet his deep, sharp eyes, clear and bright, gave off an aura of sincerity and loyalty.

“I am Guan Muren. My mother, Madam Chen, is Han Chinese. Our family has long been indebted to the Ning clan, a debt I have never forgotten. It is indeed fortunate to meet a member of the Ning family here in Liangzhou. I make my living trading horses, traveling far and wide, and I have heard many things over the years. Princess, feel free to ask anything you wish to know.”

Though his mouth was small, he spoke quickly. Ning Junruo thought to herself, no wonder he looked so fragile—his mother was Han Chinese.

“I never expected your mother to have such a connection with the Ning family. A true pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Her fair skin glowed softly under the lamp light. She glanced quickly again, noting that Guan Muren’s features bore both wealth and nobility, and judging by his gaze, he was undoubtedly trustworthy. It seemed Xu Mingyi had a knack for judging character.

Her fingers, hidden beneath the flowing sleeve, toyed with a turquoise bracelet. “Xu Mingyi said the prince did not go to Yumen Pass—is that true?”

A faint scar ran near Guan Muren’s eyebrow, which only added to his resolute demeanor.

“That is correct,” Guan Muren replied solemnly. “To be honest, there isn’t much about Yumen Pass that I do not know.”

He continued seriously, “I have only been in Liangzhou for half a month, but I stayed near Yumen Pass for nearly six months before that. No one saw the prince there. However, I did hear rumors that someone resembling the prince was spotted in Shu territory.”

Shu territory?

Ning Junruo seemed to recall something but masked her reaction with calm. “Deserting one’s post is a capital crime. Without evidence, how can you expect anyone to believe you?”

Guan Muren remained serious. “I heard the prince returned with a heavily pregnant woman. If the princess doubts me, you can send someone to verify.”

Xu Mingyi immediately asked, “Is that woman Chang Yuniang?”

“How does my worthy younger brother know this?” Guan Muren asked him.

Truly, searching high and low, and yet the answer comes effortlessly!

---

Xu Mingyi shot him a sharp look. “Such a big matter—why didn’t you say this earlier?”

“You never asked!” Guan Muren retorted, continuing, “Princess, if you don’t believe me, you can try to get that woman to talk.”

Was there really any need to coax her?

Xu Mingyi had said his father had close ties with the palace guards and had tried to question him, but his father had been evasive. The last time Xu Mingyi investigated, he even inquired at the two largest brothels in Liangzhou but found no clue at all.

Judging by this, it was likely that the Hu merchant’s words were true.

Ning Junruo felt a complex wave of emotions. Though Xu Mingyi repeatedly assured her that Guan Muren was trustworthy, she still suspected he had ulterior motives.

This matter concerned not only the lives of hundreds within the prince’s household but also her own.

If she arrested Guan Muren as a spy and executed him quietly, no one would know. Why then would he risk his life to tell her these things?

Ning Junruo refused to believe it was merely because his mother had once been helped by the Ning family.

Her luminous face betrayed no emotion as she fixed Guan Muren with a steady gaze. “Why do you tell me this? Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”

Though her expression was calm, her piercing eyes exuded an unspoken, commanding authority.

Guan Muren did not grow angry but smiled instead. “I am a merchant; merchants never take risks without assurance. Not to mention a small inn, even the Liang Prince’s mansion couldn’t hold me prisoner.”

Indeed, he had come prepared. But speaking so plainly was refreshing.

Ning Junruo smiled faintly, and the atmosphere in the room lightened instantly. The previously tense air seemed to ripple and dissipate with her smile.

“Merchants always value profit. I cannot believe you would tell me this without reason,” she said with a warm, spring-like smile. “How do you know I can offer you what you want?”

---

Guan Muren, no longer as reserved, picked up a teacup from the table, playing with it. “Because you are the Princess of Liang. If you are willing to meet me, you must have your own plans.”

He was right; she did have plans. But Guan Muren was more difficult to deal with than she had imagined.

Ning Junruo replied calmly, “My heart has long ceased to be with the Liang Prince’s mansion. I’m afraid you will be disappointed.”

Every subtle movement of her expression was captured by him. Xu Mingyi, acting as if uninvolved, sipped his tea while listening.

His heart surged tumultuously. Though he had long suspected the princess's feelings, hearing her speak so casually still startled him.

Guan Muren paused, then laughed heartily. “Hahaha, a man like the Liang Prince, given to wine and women—it’s no surprise the couple has grown apart. Xu, you are right; the princess is indeed a person of feeling. This trip of mine was not in vain.”

Xu Mingyi poured more tea into Guan’s cup. “Brother Guan, you’re not playing fair. I thought you were here to help the princess, but it seems you have other thoughts.”

“Haha, rest assured, what I seek is only the Jìn Prince,” Guan Muren chuckled. “If the princess can provide evidence of the Liang Prince’s collusion with the Jìn Prince, I am willing to assist you in achieving your goals.”

So he was actually in league with the Jìn Prince!

But recalling that in her past life, when the Jìn Prince ascended the throne, the Liang Prince had been rewarded, and when the scandal broke, the Ning and Chang families were executed, yet the Liang Prince was only fined, Ning Junruo suddenly understood.

The Liang Prince had clearly colluded with the Jìn Prince all along.

Excellent.

This meant she must add one more name to her list of vengeance.

Recalling her father’s previous accusations against the Jìn Prince, Ning Junruo realized that the talk of royal bloodline confusion and collusion with foreign enemies was merely a pretext—they only wanted to use this as an excuse to eliminate the Ning and Chang families, two thorny obstacles in their eyes!

“Very well, I agree,” Ning Junruo said, her mood heavy as she rose to leave.

Xu Mingyi called after her, “Princess, please stay for a moment.”