Chapter 163
He used to know everything about the man.
Wang Jin felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart and muttered as he spoke: "Brother Heng, who do you know in Ning'an City? Is that helper very good? How did they help you?"
The ger's voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of sourness he himself hadn't realized.
Yuan Heng paused, almost instantly understanding the little thoughts in Wang Jin's mind.
A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes, and his tone couldn't help but soften: "They are beastmen, not gers."
Yuan Heng turned to look at Wang Jin, the corner of his mouth lifting: "And, it's not just one person, it's a group."
Seeing Wang Jin's confusion, Yuan Heng explained: "You haven't met them yet. Their status is special; they cannot enter the city and have been staying at Keyuan Residence."
"Keyuan Residence?" Wang Jin remembered that place was for visiting beastmen to stay. The man had also stayed there briefly. Could it be that was when the man became acquainted with some people?
If they were people from Keyuan Residence, then he certainly hadn't met them. People from Keyuan Residence were not allowed into the city, and he wasn't allowed to go in either. Back when he sneaked to see Yuan Heng, it was Yuan Heng who came out to meet him.
He had heard that the people staying there all came to the city seeking refuge for different reasons, mostly to escape the harsh pressures of survival outside the city walls. Most of them wanted to seek a place to settle in Ning'an City, but the city's control was strict. It arranged temporary lodging for them but wouldn't truly take them in. They would ultimately leave the city to roam the forests outside.
Those people indeed needed a place that could truly accommodate them, preferably one like Ning'an City; otherwise, they wouldn't have come here.
However, that place housed people from various tribes and races. Beastmen had always tended to keep to themselves, and there was often discrimination and friction between different tribes and races. He wasn't sure if they could truly cooperate.
Wang Jin was worried.
The ger's brows were lightly furrowed, his eyelids lowered, wearing a deeply worried expression. Yuan Heng's heart softened, and he spoke gently: "Many people in Keyuan Residence are capable individuals who have survived life-and-death dangers outside. Though the crowd is mixed, there are several with good ability. We get along well, and they aren't bad people. Working with them shouldn't be too difficult."
The man's speech was measured and unhurried, his arrangements orderly, as if these plans had been brewing in his heart for a long time.
Wang Jin was silent for a moment before asking: "Brother Heng, you... didn't you start thinking about building a city as soon as you entered Ning'an City, did you?"
Otherwise, why would he deliberately take note of those visitors at Keyuan Residence when he stayed there?
Yuan Heng did not refute. Wang Jin was surprised, his voice raising slightly, his face full of admiration and delight: "Brother Heng, you really planned that early! You started laying the groundwork already, you are too amazing!"
The ger's lavish praise greatly pleased Yuan Heng, and he laughed along.
Though he smiled and accepted the ger's admiration and praise, what Yuan Heng didn't say was that the moment he resolved to build a city wasn't actually when he first entered Ning'an City.
Back then, although the ger's older brother looked down on him, making him watch as the ger left in a grand beast-drawn carriage and arranging for him to stay in Keyuan Residence on the city's edge... he could understand. After all, his ger was so wonderful.
What truly made him want to build a city was after staying at Keyuan Residence and spending time with the ger.
Ning'an City was not like other places. People here weren't like tribes outside, where only hunting could ensure food, clothing, and a good future for a ger. Here in Ning'an City, one needed other skills and assets to be considered worthy by a ger, and he had nothing in Ning'an City...
His greatest advantage as an ancient beastman was not the most important thing in Ning'an City...
Since birth, Yuan Heng had never left the place he lived. This was also his first time seeing a city. Seeing the city, he finally knew there existed such a place in this world—a place that could resist beast hordes and create a safe haven not by relying on the ancient beast tribe's emblem, but by tall, sturdy city walls.
The prosperity within was something Yuan Heng had never seen before. Coming here, he realized how great the gap was between him and his ger.
His ger was accustomed to the lifestyle here, living more freely here than in the tribe.
The way his ger bought things extravagantly, busied himself opening shops, and the air of authority when directing servants all made Yuan Heng feel his ger was like a luminous pearl once covered in dust. Only here was that layer of dust wiped clean, allowing it to shine brightly.
He loved how carefree his ger was within the city. He wanted him to be unrestrained and unruly in the city.
But this was ultimately someone else's city, not his own. He couldn't operate it according to his own wishes for his ger.
Therefore, he would build a city.
Call it laying groundwork and planning, but it actually only started after leaving Keyuan Residence. As for the people he knew there, they had already been thinking about building a city even without his involvement. They just lacked someone to plan and lead them in action. They had mentioned it to him back then and even invited him to be that person, but at that time he was single-mindedly focused on marrying the ger and did not agree.
"The few I know are truly very thoughtful and capable." Yuan Heng thought of the beastmen he had met a few times at Keyuan Residence, the curve of his mouth becoming even more pronounced.
Wang Jin found this astonishing. The man had stayed at Keyuan Residence for a very short time. In such a short period, could those few have made such a strong impression on him?
He recalled that back when Yuan Heng was in the Danmu tribe, even meeting figures like Lai Yuan and Xiao Ruo hadn't brought him this much joy. Just how impressive were these few people, he wondered.
Wang Jin's eyes turned spiritedly. He took a bite of fish and said: "Then I'll go see them too."
Hearing this, Yuan Heng's lifted lips straightened slightly, and he quickly shook his head seriously: "No."
Wang Jin frowned: "Why not?"
Yuan Heng patiently explained: "Keyuan Residence is a mixed crowd. The ger is also pregnant, you cannot go."
"But, Brother Heng, you always used to introduce your friends to me before." Wang Jin muttered discontentedly, feeling sour inside.
Hearing this, Yuan Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Then in a couple of days, after I discuss matters with them and also mention the city-building matter to the city lord, if he agrees, I will bring them to meet you."
Wang Jin was still somewhat unhappy. Yuan Heng clumsily covered Wang Jin's hand and softly soothed: "Be good."
"..." That one word "good" was deep and husky. It wasn't that the man hadn't indulged him before, but hearing such direct soothing was a first. It made Wang Jin's heart flutter. He looked up at the man, only to see the tips of the man's ears had actually turned red.
Wang Jin, originally just feeling his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably, upon seeing his ears redden, for some reason also felt a bit shy. Instantly his face grew warm, and his cheeks flushed red.
Even though they were already married, not spending much intimate time together recently had somehow made them as bashful as if they had just started courting.
"Mmm." He responded in a barely audible voice. Only then did the man feel reassured and proceeded to serve him many dishes.
After the meal, Yuan Heng went to Keyuan Residence. Wang Jin saw him off at the door.
Xi Ning hurried back to the main hall and saw the guards knocked unconscious at the entrance. The two kneeling inside, Zhao Yu and Zhao Shan, were already gone.
Xi Ning's brows furrowed tightly. Staring at the guard still unconscious on the ground, he asked the person beside him: "Did the two inside do this?"
"Judging by the method, yes." The attendant replied.
Xi Ning's frown deepened: How dare Zhao Yu and Zhao Shan directly knock out guards and escape? What did they intend to do? Rebel?
Xi Ning asked: "Is there any news of Pan Shulin?"
The man shook his head. Xi Ning lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then said clearly: "Gather all the guards and come with me to arrest Zhao Yu and Zhao Shan."
"Yes."
After everyone left, Wang Jin stared fixedly at his own stomach.
With the surroundings quiet, the news of his pregnancy once again surfaced in his mind.
His fingers trembled slightly. Carefully, he reached out and touched his flat belly, then, as if feeling nothing, gently rubbed it.
He stared at his flat stomach with a mix of confusion and doubt. Was there truly a life growing inside him? Why couldn't he feel anything at all?
Uncle Shan found it amusing but didn't disturb him, letting him be alone with his thoughts.
However, this peace didn't last long.
Zhao Qi's voice sounded urgently from outside.
"Young master, please come with me to see Cheng Bai! He's been in the ice cellar for so long!"
"?" Wang Jin snapped back to attention, withdrawing his hand from his belly and standing up to go out.
At the door, Zhao Qi looked anxious, trying to come inside, but Uncle Shan was blocking his way.
"Uncle Shan." Wang Jin called to Uncle Shan, who understandingly stepped aside.
Zhao Qi hurried over: "Young master, I know you've chosen the ancient beastman, and from now on matters concerning Young Master Cheng are none of your concern, but..."
"He did it for you, after all. You... just go and persuade him. Or, go to sever ties with him! In any case, please see him." Zhao Qi's face was full of anxiety and worry.
Wang Jin said: "What exactly happened?"
Zhao Qi said: "When you fainted, Cheng Bai came to see you. The city lord stopped him at the door, and he also found out about your... pregnancy..."
Here, Zhao Qi paused before continuing: "After that, he went back and stayed before the Haiqiong that was being preserved on ice for you. When I went to find him, he had already been inside for a long time. That ice cellar is full of ice blocks. He was frozen stiff; I couldn't even pull him out. Now, he pushed me out and locked the ice cellar door from the inside. He won't open it no matter how much I knock. If this continues, he'll freeze to death inside."
"..." Wang Jin's eyelid twitched uncontrollably. His heart felt blocked, uncomfortable.
He lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment, then said: "Alright, I'll go with you to see. It's time to have a proper talk with him anyway."
This relationship of the original owner should be properly concluded for the original owner.
Zhao Qi's face lit up with joy, making a gesture of invitation for Wang Jin.
Wang Jin took two steps, then stopped. He ran back a couple of steps, rummaged in the room for a piece of clothing, and then followed Zhao Qi out.
Inside Cheng Bai's courtyard, servants anxiously looked towards the entrance. Seeing Zhao Qi, they lowered their heads and approached.
Zhao Qi paid them no mind, leading Wang Jin left and right to an ice room. The door was locked from the inside. Wang Jin extended a fingertip to lightly touch the door and immediately pulled his hand back from the cold.
Seeing this, Zhao Qi quickly had a servant following behind bring a fur coat from the house and hand it to Wang Jin, while he himself banged loudly on the door.
"Cheng Bai, whatever it is, come out and talk! The young master is here!"
"..." There was no movement from inside. Zhao Qi grew even more anxious: "This... he couldn't have frozen unconscious, could he?"
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