allonlinenovel Chapter 318 Guardian Array
Chapter 318 Guardian Array
[What does the timed elimination of the grand formation have to do with me? Why is such a loud sound reaching me?]
Tuanzi was a little embarrassed. "Because I share the same origin as the great formation, I can clearly sense its operation and movements."
【No, that's because you share the same origin as the great formation, what does that have to do with me?】 Ning Xiaoxi was speechless. This little dumpling's unreliability was really a pain!
[During the upgrade process, I thought that adding a step where I had to relay the message would waste time, so I directly upgraded to the synchronous sensing function.]
"Thank you so much for thinking of me." Ning Xiaoxi was at a loss for words. After all, Tuanzi's intentions were good, but who could have imagined that this grand formation would turn out to be such a huge trap!
[Given the sheer power of this formation, I doubt even a single demon could survive within this royal city.]
[Aside from entities capable of concealing the array's core, such as Jiuying and Houqing, nothing else can hide. The royal city is now completely clean.]
[Then we don't need to stay here for long, right? After all, this place is no longer suitable for demons to live in. We can just hide those few and see if we can take them out with Tianxian's help.]
Tuanzi was a little confused. "This royal city is your homeland, how come you don't feel any attachment at all?"
[No, it's not my homeland, it's the original owner's homeland. I only stayed in this city for a day. If my maternal grandparents hadn't been here, and if the Third Prince hadn't brought my brother along, I really wouldn't have wanted to set foot on this land at all.]
Ning Xiaoxi spoke without any pressure, because she was actually less familiar with this place than with the Shili Post Station outside!
At this moment, Hongyue returned carrying a food box, followed by a little maid carrying a large kettle from which white steam was billowing out.
After sending the little girl away, Hongyue prepared hot water for Ning Xiaoxi to wash up, and then checked whether the charcoal in the stove needed to be added.
After quickly washing up, Ning Xiaoxi sat down at the table. "Are Grandpa and Uncle both home?"
Hongyue opened the food box and started carrying out plates. "Everything is here. The old man said that things have been a bit turbulent these past few days, so he told everyone in the family not to go out unless necessary. If you can handle things at home, do so. If things get really bad, we'll see what happens."
Ning Xiaoxi nodded and then quickly finished her brunch.
It snowed lightly last night, and it's still cloudy today. There's snow in the yard.
Ning Xiaoxi stood at the door and took a breath of the cold air, feeling a sense of relief. She recalled the first day she arrived here, when the dampness and coldness seeped into her feet, and it all seemed so distant now.
Just then, Granny Gui rushed in, "Young Miss, this old servant greets you."
Ning Xiaoxi smiled warmly and took two steps forward to take Gui Mama's hand. "Mama, please don't be so polite. It was too late yesterday, and I didn't get to see you. I was just thinking that no matter how busy I am today, I should see you."
Two lines of tears streamed down Granny Gui's slightly plump cheeks. She stood at attention, taking Ning Xiaoxi's hand, without insisting on bowing. "Yesterday, the Old Madam said that the young lady was coming back and asked me to go to the shop to prepare some daily necessities for her. The Master also told this old servant how to prepare. I missed seeing the young lady yesterday." As she spoke, she looked Ning Xiaoxi up and down. "The young lady has grown up and lost weight. These next few days at home, Granny will make sure you get some nourishment."
Ning Xiaoxi took Granny Gui's hand and walked out of Hongsu Courtyard. "Yes, yes, I'll have to trouble Granny Gui to take care of things these next few days."
The garden outside was also covered with light snow. There was no wind today, and the dry branches hung motionless in the air. The paths in the courtyard had been swept clean, without a trace of snow, showing the servants' care.
Ning Xiaoxi held Gui Mama's hand and walked ahead, with Hongyue following behind. The three of them walked slowly along the path, chatting about parting and reunion.
[Xiao Xi, you have a Spirit Guard.]
Ning Xiaoxi could sense that more than a dozen people had just appeared in the front yard, but since they didn't seem to pose a threat to her grandparents, she didn't rush out. As for the Imperial Guards, could it be that Tian Xian had returned? If he wanted to see her, he could have just let her know; why make such a big fuss?
Stepping out through the side door, one sees a row of more than a dozen Spirit Guards standing in the opposite corridor.
Ning Xiaoxi glanced at the row of people; they were all expressionless, but the intense aura of bloodlust emanating from them indicated that these people were definitely not easy to deal with.
Granny Gui gripped Ning Xiaoxi's hand with some concern, and Ning Xiaoxi gently squeezed it back, giving Granny Gui a reassuring smile.
Inside the main hall, the maternal grandfather and the eldest maternal uncle sat on the left side, while a member of the Imperial Guard in brocade robes sat at the head of the table.
Ning Xiaoxi stepped into the main hall, leaving Granny Gui and Hongyue outside.
Upon seeing Ning Xiaoxi enter, the Imperial Guards, no longer presumptuous, rose and bowed respectfully to her, saying, "Greetings, Subordinate Ning. I am Lu Nan, the Thousand-Guard Captain of the Imperial Guards. I have been ordered by Lord Tianxian to grant you an audience."
Ning Xiaoxi politely cupped her hands in greeting, "I didn't know that Lord Tianxian had returned to the capital. It should have been my daughter who went to pay him a visit."
Just then, a commotion arose outside. Ning Xiaoxi turned around, took a few quick steps out of the room, and saw Sui Lanting, Su Yu, and two other officials confronting the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Guards, standing in rows, had now blocked the steps of the main hall, almost surrounding Sui Lanting and his group.
Ning Xiaoxi's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and she asked in a flat tone, "What does Lu Qianwei mean by this? The people who have come are also officials under Lord Tianji. This is my Ming family's courtyard. Isn't this a bit presumptuous of them to usurp the host's place?"
When Lu Nan saw Sui Lanting, his eyes darkened. After hearing Ning Xiaoxi's words, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "All of you, step back. It is disrespectful to your subordinate, Ning. What kind of behavior is this?"
The Imperial Guards obeyed orders without question, and as soon as Lu Nan finished speaking, everyone stepped aside.
Lu Nan turned to Ning Xiaoxi and apologized, "Officer Ning, please don't misunderstand. They were just ordered to ensure the safety of your family. They all came back from outside and didn't see Officer Sui and the others. I apologize to Officer Ning and Officer Sui."
As the Imperial Guards retreated, Sui Lanting quickly walked to Ning Xiaoxi's side without even glancing at Lu Nan. "Xiaoxi, Su Yu and I heard you were back as soon as we entered the city this morning, so we thought we'd go to the Pavilion with you to report back today. Let's go now; the recorder in the Pavilion should still be there."
Sui Lanting could be willful, but Ning Xiaoxi couldn't. She took Sui Lanting's arm and turned to Lu Nan, saying, "Lu Qianwei, I was also sent out for training by my master. Now that I'm back, I need to go back to the pavilion to report. Please tell Lord Tianxian that I thank him and will visit him early tomorrow morning."
Lu Nan surprisingly didn't make things difficult. "Minister Ning, there's no need to worry. The master said to follow my arrangements. Since it's decided to go tomorrow, I can report back. Farewell!"
Watching Lu Nan lead the Spirit Guards away swiftly and efficiently, Ning Xiaoxi frowned. Such a large group coming to see her, only to be dismissed with a single sentence—it made her feel uneasy.