Chapter 221 - 102: Glowing Green, Returned After Three Days of Use?

When Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang heard this, they were visibly moved. Icing on the cake was nice, but it was nothing compared to this timely rescue.

To protect Xie Jianjia, help the Xie Family clear their name, and see justice done, Xiao Teng was willing to swear on his very Dao Heart.

’I wasn’t wrong about Xiao Teng. Entrusting Jian Jia to him truly is the best choice,’ Xie Qing thought, relieved.

Xie Jianjia seemed to be moved by Xiao Teng’s heartfelt words as well, her long eyelashes trembling.

After a long moment, she whispered, "Brother Xiao Teng, why must you do this? From now on, Jian Jia will be nothing more than a criminal, living out her days washing swords..."

Xiao Teng cut her off. "Jian Jia, say no more. No matter what becomes of you, you will always be my little sister Jian Jia in my heart."

His tone was firm, his expression sincere.

Though these words were meant to move Xie Jianjia, they were rooted in his genuine feelings.

Xie Jianjia stared at him, speechless for a long time.

"The Imperial Censor’s entire family is imprisoned here."

"Young Master Jiang, this way..."

Just then, the sound of footsteps and voices echoed from within the damp water prison.

Hearing the voices, not only was Xiao Teng stunned, but Xie Jianjia and the others also froze and turned to look.

Under the dim lamplight, a young, aristocratic man in white robes walked over, led by several soldiers.

Apparently bothered by the stench, the man in white held a folding fan to his nose, his gaze sweeping across the area with casual disdain.

"Jiang Lan..."

How could Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang not recognize Jiang Lan?

Seeing him here, their faces filled with cold fury as they stared daggers at him.

"Lord Imperial Censor..."

"Are you finding your accommodations agreeable?"

Jiang Lan acted as if he had just noticed Xie Qing. His gaze swept over the man as he asked with a faint smile.

"You whelp, Jiang Lan, what are you doing here? This is the Observatory, not your Prime Minister’s Mansion! Do you really think the Prime Minister’s influence extends this far?"

Xie Qing glared at him, his eyes filled with loathing.

"Lord Imperial Censor, you jest. I merely came to see Miss Jian Jia. I heard she obtained a drop of Immortal Phoenix True Blood, and I wanted to confirm it for myself," Jiang Lan replied with the same casual smile.

He ignored the furious Xie Qing and Xie Yunshuang, his gaze shifting to Xiao Teng, whose expression was just as cold.

He sized him up for a moment before speaking as if he’d just recognized him.

"Xiao Teng? The illegitimate son of Prince Zhenbei Xiao He?" Jiang Lan asked offhandedly.

Xiao Teng glared at him coldly, saying nothing.

The coldness on his face intensified, but he kept his anger tightly suppressed, mindful of his location and Jiang Lan’s status.

As Xiao He’s illegitimate son, he hated more than anything when people brought it up. Jiang Lan had arrived and immediately started tap-dancing on his last nerve.

"How come you don’t look like Prince Zhenbei Xiao He?"

"Has really no one asked about that in all these years?" Jiang Lan retracted his gaze from Xiao Teng, asking with feigned interest.

Xiao Teng’s fists clenched with a CRACK. It was true; his features bore no resemblance to the tall and burly Prince Zhenbei.

He had asked Prince Zhenbei about it once. The prince had replied that he simply took after his mother more and told him not to dwell on it, asking rhetorically what son doesn’t resemble his father.

"Heh..."

Seeing Xiao Teng remain impassive, Jiang Lan chuckled and decided not to provoke him further.

’It’s not like I can farm much providence from just a few words anyway.’

’When I was sizing him up just now, I was examining his Life Chart. Just as I expected, he is indeed a Master of Stars.’

’Xiao Teng is the reincarnation of a Master of Stars from an ancient era, but he has yet to show any signs of awakening.’

’To awaken, he must fuse with the Seven-Star Origin.’

’In the original story, his Seven-Star Origin was taken by Xie Jianjia. Later, the protagonist, Lin Fan, helped him get it back, allowing him to forge the even more precious Life Chart of the Master of the Seven Stars. His power soared, and he became one of Lin Fan’s greatest generals.’

’Jiang Lan couldn’t care less about the Life Chart of the Master of the Seven Stars. What he was interested in was Xiao Teng’s true identity and the covetously dense providence surrounding him.’

"Miss Xie, are you finding this place to your liking?"

"If not, I can take you away from here. Back at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, I’ve already had my servants prepare a hot bath. I’m just waiting for you to say the word, Miss Xie," Jiang Lan said with a placid smile, looking at Xie Jianjia in her cell.

"..."

Xie Jianjia hadn’t expected to see Jiang Lan here. She simply glanced at him without a word.

"You cur, Jiang Lan, give up now! The Xie Family would rather be ground to dust than let you have your way!" Xie Qing roared, his eyes filled with cold fury.

"Imperial Censor Xie Qing, your integrity is admirable. However, you seem to have misunderstood something."

"I was asking Miss Xie, not you," Jiang Lan said, giving him a dismissive glance.

Xiao Teng glared at Jiang Lan, his fists clenched. He couldn’t stand the man’s high-and-mighty attitude.

"Young Master Jiang, please leave," Xie Jianjia said, her voice as cold and calm as still water.

"Miss Xie, why be so quick to refuse? You should give it more thought. Even if you don’t care about yourself, can you truly say you don’t care about the thousands of lives in the Xie Family?"

"Yourself in exchange for the fate of the thousands in the Xie Family... I’d say that’s a very good deal."

"Besides, I don’t intend to do anything to you. I’m merely inviting you to the Prime Minister’s Mansion for a chat. At most, I’ll let you go after three days. And after those three days, the Xie Family will be the same as it ever was, still enjoying all its former wealth and glory."