Moreover, if Nangong Ye was a person of Dazhou, and his grandfather was a first-rank minister, then it’s possible that Nangong Ye would receive even better and more meticulous treatment there. Even if he couldn’t be cured, Nangong Ye would have returned to his roots, with no regrets.
As for Nan Feng?
The Emperor merely felt sorrow, fearing that, given Dajin’s gradually diminishing military strength, there would be no capacity to snatch Nan Feng back from Dashun. They would have to wait until Nangong Ye’s illness was cured, and only then could they formulate a plan. He just hoped that Dashun wouldn’t get any more leverage over him; otherwise, he would definitely use it to exchange for Nan Feng.
In the end, he would not exchange a city for Nan Feng like Dazhou would. Although he liked Nan Feng, Nan Feng was not his in any specific way; he had no reason to make such a great sacrifice.
The Emperor soon had someone draft a letter to Dazhou, agreeing to exchange Nangong Ye.
After the envoy from Dashun arrived, Nangong Ye was also brought to Capital City. The envoy who came from Dazhou was a veteran official of three dynasties. The veteran official claimed Nangong Ye was his long-lost grandson: “Although I have more than a dozen grandsons beneath my knees, this one holds a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, he got lost at the Dajin border. I have been searching for nearly twenty years; in any case, I must see him alive or his body if he’s deceased. Otherwise, life would be meaningless for me. Your Majesty, please recognize my loyal service and agree to exchange a city for my grandson. Even though he has bee what he is now, I still wish to take him back. Whether he can be healed or not, at least my mind will be at peace.”
The Emperor believed him upon hearing this because the veteran official, despite his advanced age, had traveled such a long distance to e here. The hardships he must have endured along the journey were substantial.
So, without a second word, the Emperor agreed to release him.
Regarding Nangong Ye, the Emperor publicly declared that Nangong Ye had resigned from his general position and was now wandering the world.
Therefore, the people of Dajin said that it was because Nan Feng sacrificed herself for the greater good of Dajin that Nangong Ye, heartbroken and disillusioned, had left. Now, Nan Feng had bee the embodiment of righteousness, a female heroine, while Nangong Ye had bee a disheartened man.
And so on.
After Nangong Ye was sent away, the Emperor discussed Nangong Ye’s situation with Minister Yan. Minister Yan couldn’t help but express his doubts: “That veteran official’s surname is Jin, right?”
“Yes, it’s Jin, the national advisor.”
“I met Jin, the national advisor, when I was young and know a little about his affairs. I heard many years ago that Jin, the national advisor, married only once and had two daughters, no sons. His legacy is carried on by his son-in-law. From where does this grandson e?”
The Emperor also started to have his own doubts: “Could it be a grandson? In some places, grandsons include grandsons-in-law.”
“That remains to be seen, but the matter of ceding a small city…” Minister Yan twirled his beard: “Although it’s a small city…Dazhou has always treasured its land like gold. How could they bear to cede it? No matter how much they value their veterans, it’s hardly reasonable to cede land for a grandson who has just been found.”
The Emperor couldn’t help but chuckle: “Perhaps…Maybe that border city is difficult to manage, frequented by mountain bandits, rife with hoodlums, and the local snakes have more authority than the district magistrates.”
Minister Yan chuckled: “That we will never know.”
Such words from Minister Yan made the Emperor suspicious once again.
Was Nangong Ye truly just the son of an important official?
…
On the grasslands.
Nan Feng had already been staying there for many days. Initially, there was food in the house, albeit she had to cook it herself, but that food was soon finished.
That day, as she looked around the empty house, she couldn’t help but step outside and speak to the servant guarding her: “There’s no more food. Inform Tuoba Lie for me, I need to know what to do next.”
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