“Yes, I must thank her properly again when I see her in person tomorrow.” Princess Yong An was also filled with gratitude for Tian Miao. If something had happened to Anning, she wouldn’t have wanted to live anymore.
“I guess this lady is a descendant of some higher being.” The Duke frowned slightly and raised this possibility with a solemn look on his face.
“Father, why this guess?” Xiao Shengsheng was puzzled.
“Do you all remember the legend about the Divine Operators?” the Duke asked. Then, without waiting for an answer from the crowd, he responded to his own question and said, “Not only are these people from the clan of divine operators proficient in military formations and the Art of War, but they are also highly skilled in martial arts. What’s more, they’ve perfected the art of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and they’re also quite accomplished in the Way of Tea. But these people from the clan of divine operators have a particular predilection—that is, no matter when and where they are, they always pay attention to their appearance. Their clothes must be luxurious and neat.”
After hearing the Duke’s words, the crowd of people recalled what Tian Miao was wearing when she’d arrived just now. At that time, Anning was a sorry sight, his body all covered with mud. As for Miss Tian, she was richly clothed without a speck of dust on her. Her luxurious clothes certainly didn’t look like attire meant for an outing in nature or cultivation and training, right?
In that case, could her style of dress really be the style of the clan of divine operators?
“I can just ask her tomorrow, and then I’ll know the answer. I think my father’s guess is pretty much correct. This Miss Tian is most likely a member of the clan of divine operators.” Xiao Shengsheng felt that his father’s guess was most likely the truth.
“I really didn’t expect the clan of divine operators to actually make an appearance again today, not after living in seclusion for so many years.” Princess Yong An sighed and said, “I have heard many rumors about the clan of divine operators. In times of war and turmoil, descendants of the divine operators will appear to help the destined king ordained by the Heavens return stability to the world, unify the nation, and put an end to the war and turmoil. Their mission is to save people in distress. But after peace and stability have returned to the world, they hurriedly retreat and, once again, remain hidden from the world. They never accept highly salaried official posts. They are people with noble character and sterling integrity.”
“But now that we are in peaceful times, what does the appearance of a descendant of the Divine Operators forebode? Or is this person just out of cultivation?” Xiao Shengsheng was doubtful.
“Ask tomorrow, and then we’ll know the answer. All right. It’s already late into the night. All of you should go get some rest. Tomorrow I will personally interrogate that little thief, Tan Weizhi.” The Duke stopped all conversation with a wave of his hand.
Xiao Anning listened to all this with alternating amusement and surprise. Could there actually be such a magical figure like a descendant of the divine operators in the world?
However, he couldn’t help feeling that Boss Tian wasn’t related to the divine operators at all. But, of course, he couldn’t say this out loud. Since his grandfather and all had guessed this way, then it was probably best to leave it alone and save himself the trouble.
…
The next morning, before Tian Miao even woke up, a guest arrived at the Duke’s mansion.
The prime minister had come in person to apologize and seek forgiveness. He had also brought Ji Liruo with him.
According to traditions, betrothed men and women weren’t supposed to meet before they married, let alone the woman actually going in person to the man’s home. But the situation this time was so unique and serious that the prime minister couldn’t be bothered with tradition anymore. What were customary traditions and practices worth compared to losing this marriage? No matter what, he had to seek forgiveness from the Duke. He knew very well that the only way to soften the Duke’s heart was to put all the blame on Ji Liruo. One could really say that there had to be a reason why the prime minister had made it this far in life.
“Get them to wait in the main hall.” The look on the Duke’s face wasn’t at all pleasant. He had the good mind to see how Prime Minister Ji was going to resolve this matter.
After the Duke was done washing up and had finished breakfast, he went to the main hall. Prime Minister Ji and Ji Liruo had been waiting there for nearly an hour.
The moment the Duke stepped into the main hall, Prime Minister Ji hurriedly stood up and walked over to stand before him before he had the chance to speak. Without saying a word, he gave a deep, reverential bow and repeatedly admitted to their wrongdoing while asking for forgiveness. “Your Excellency, please forgive me. For something like this to have happened, there is really no way I can absolve myself from blame. I didn’t guard against that insidious and vicious little beast, and almost allowed him to put the life of the Young Marquis at risk. My granddaughter, who is so indifferent, also had a part to play in causing such a misfortune.”
“Oh?” The Duke didn’t help Prime Minister Ji up to his feet. He merely raised an eyebrow and responded with a noncommittal “oh.” Then, he went straight to his seat at the front of the hall. His precious grandson had almost lost his life. Did they really still expect him to be nice to them? Regardless of whether the prime minister had had anything to do with this matter or not, he was going to be the scapegoat, subject to the Duke’s wrath, and there was nothing the prime minister could do about that.