Chapter 341: Li Haiqin’s Good Character

Tayun Building was, after all, one of Han City’s larger taverns. It was hard for a fight of this magnitude not to attract attention.

When Chu Fan and Li Haiqin emerged from Tayun Building, they saw that the street was already crowded, filled not only with curious onlookers but also with the patrolling City Guard.

But because the conflict inside had involved scions of several Golden Clans, the patrolling City Guards hadn’t dared to intervene. Instead, they had to wait until the matter was resolved before going up to clean up the mess.

When the onlookers saw Li Haiqin, many of them gasped.

On one hand, it was because of Li Haiqin’s beauty. On the other, it was because they had watched with their own eyes as both Prince Moqish and Prince Jisierk entered Tayun Building with their guards. After such a violent fight, it was Li Haiqin who had emerged first.

‘The second objective has been achieved.’

Chu Fan smiled to himself.

They had just returned to their courtyard when the old steward rushed out to greet them.

“Little Princess, the Patriarch is waiting for you in the main hall. He wants you to bring Huo Er to see him the moment you return. The Patriarch is furious. Be careful how you respond, and do not talk back.”

Hearing this, Li Haiqin was clearly afraid. She glanced at Chu Fan.

“Don’t worry, Princess. The Patriarch won’t punish you,” Chu Fan said.

The three of them arrived at the main hall together. Li Haiqin was the first to speak. “Grandfather, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“You were out causing trouble. How could I possibly sleep?” the old Patriarch sighed.

After speaking, his gaze sharpened as he stared at Chu Fan. “Was it your idea for the Princess to go out so late at night?”

“Patriarch, it was my idea,” Chu Fan said. “After the Princess met with you earlier, she was distraught, so I suggested accompanying her for a walk to clear her head. The Princess has already agreed to marry Jisierk.”

Hearing Chu Fan’s words, Li Haiqin shot him an incredulous, furious look. Chu Fan hurriedly gave her a reassuring glance, silently telling her to stay calm.

Li Haiqin pouted, suppressing her inner rage.

“Oh? So, Little Haiqin has finally come around?”

“Grandfather, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. It’s late now, you should get some sleep!” Li Haiqin said.

“Sleep, my ass! What did you two do at Tayun Building?” The old Patriarch slammed his palm on the armrest of his chair.

Chu Fan cut in before Li Haiqin could speak. “The fault was not the Princess’s. That Mo Sang harassed the Princess first, and his words were disgusting. My mistress was insulted, and I couldn’t bear it, so I took action. If I did wrong, I ask the Patriarch to punish me.”

“Why did you kill?” the Patriarch demanded, his gaze boring into Chu Fan’s eyes.

An ordinary person might have trembled under the old Patriarch’s gaze, but Chu Fan was hardly one to be intimidated by a mere look.

“During the brawl between Prince Moqish’s Guards and Jisierk’s Guards, one of them tried to harm the Princess. I counterattacked, but it was an accident. Who knew he’d be so weak? He died from a single kick.”

The Patriarch, who had been furious, was rendered speechless by Chu Fan’s brief explanation.

As a Guard, he had done nothing wrong by protecting his mistress.

If he were punished for this, would any other Guard of the Lindi Clan ever again dare to do their utmost to protect their charge?

But the incident tonight was no small matter. The guards of three Golden Clan scions brawling in a Han City tavern was not something that could be easily passed over.

Fortunately, Li Haiqin had agreed to marry Jisierk. This would give him, the Patriarch, room to mediate.

“Huo Er, you have served commendably in protecting your mistress tonight. This warrants a reward. I hereby promote you to the Little Princess’s Personal Guard Captain.”

“Thank you, Patriarch!”

“Don’t be so quick to thank me. However, whether it was an accident or intentional, you did kill a Guard belonging to a Prince of the Cage Race. The death sentence may be spared, but punishment is inescapable. I am fining you three months’ salary, and you are to receive twenty lashes with the Fire Rope Whip.”

“Thank you, Patriarch!” Chu Fan said, cupping his fist.

“No! No, Grandfather, you can’t punish him! Twenty lashes from the Fire Rope Whip? He’ll be bedridden for three months! Who will guard me then?” Li Haiqin said hurriedly.

Chu Fan didn’t know what a Fire Rope Whip was, but seeing Li Haiqin’s anxious expression, he could guess it was no ordinary punishment.

“This matter is not up for discussion. Otherwise, I’ll have no way of explaining this to the Cage Race,” the old Patriarch said, waving his hand dismissively.

Li Haiqin started to speak again, but Chu Fan stopped her.

“Old Steward, you will personally oversee the Fire Rope Whip punishment tomorrow morning. It’s late. All of you, go and rest!”

Back in the side courtyard, Li Haiqin was fuming.

“You’d better explain yourself. When did I ever agree to marry Jisierk?”

“Princess, you only agreed. What if he were to die before you marry into the Hanmo Clan?” Chu Fan whispered.

“You…” Li Haiqin stared at Chu Fan, dumbfounded.

She couldn’t believe his audacity.

Chu Fan asked, “Don’t you want him to die, Princess?”

“Jisierk is the heir apparent of the Hanmo Clan. If he dies, not even the Khan King can save you.”

“You’re overthinking things, Princess. I don’t need to be the one to kill him,” Chu Fan said with a smile.

Li Haiqin asked in confusion, “Then who will kill him?”

Chu Fan glanced at the maids in the courtyard and said, “Princess, do you think this is a suitable place to discuss this?”

Li Haiqin pulled Chu Fan into her boudoir and ordered her Maids to withdraw from the courtyard and wait.

Once the door was closed, Li Haiqin eagerly asked, “What’s your plan?”

Chu Fan explained, “Jisierk offended Moqish today. Moqish is petty and vengeful. He’ll never let what happened tonight slide.”

“But Moqish wouldn’t dare kill Jisierk.”

“The seed has been planted. We just need to let the hatred take root in his heart, add a little fertilizer and water, and Moqish will eventually take action,” Chu Fan said with a smile.

‘Even if Moqish doesn’t make a move, I can just assume his appearance and do it myself!’

Of course, Chu Fan was also using this to test her.

Li Haiqin thought for a moment before saying, “Although I don’t want to marry Jisierk, it’s not as if he deserves to die, is it? And he even brought men to help me tonight. If I scheme to have him killed just because I don’t want to marry him… I… I don’t want to do that.”

“You are kind, Princess. You will surely have the White Wolf King’s blessing. But if Jisierk doesn’t die, you will have to marry him. The Khan King has already agreed. Although he hasn’t issued an official edict for the marriage yet, it’s as good as set in stone. How will you choose?”

As he spoke, Chu Fan watched Li Haiqin’s expression closely.

Li Haiqin was visibly conflicted. Finally, she said, “Let me think about it, please?”

Chu Fan nodded. He was quite satisfied with her answer.

‘This young woman, though born to nobility, has a good heart. If she had agreed to my plan so easily, I would have had no reservations about my actions in the Northern Domain.’

‘Her hesitation actually makes things a bit more difficult for me. Still, it’s not a major issue. It’s a bit more troublesome, but leaving a path of retreat for her and the Lindi Clan won’t be hard.’

He then asked, “Princess, the Fire Rope Whip…”

Chu Fan had intended to ask what a Fire Rope Whip was, but he couldn’t ask outright lest Li Haiqin grow suspicious of his identity. So, he trailed off.

Li Haiqin assumed he wanted her to plead on his behalf. “You!” she said. “Why did you stop me back in the main hall when I tried to intercede? It’s an iron chain weighing hundreds of pounds, soaked in flammable oil and set ablaze. And you have to lower your True Qi defenses! Each lash is enough to take half a man’s life. Even though you’re at the Integration Realm, twenty lashes will be enough to take half of *your* life. I’ll go to Grandfather first thing in the morning and beg him again. I’m sure some punishment is unavoidable, but it would be best if we could get it reduced by half.”

After hearing her explanation, Chu Fan understood. “Princess, perhaps it’s better if you don’t plead for me,” he said. “After all, I did kill someone. If I’m not punished, it would indeed put the Patriarch in a difficult position.”