novelraw Chapter 930: A Thunderous Entrance—Han Yan Takes the Stage
Chapter 930: A Thunderous Entrance—Han Yan Takes the Stage
The Family Head of the Fang Family, knowing of Nian An Yao’s identity, was even more reluctant to involve Mu Hanyan. Seeing Rong Tianhai, he understood that today’s trouble also stemmed from the Fang Family, but Nian An Yao’s reputation was too daunting. Even the powerful Mu Family was unwilling to provoke him. He truly did not want to implicate Mu Hanyan."If you refuse, don’t blame me for being ruthless." Nian An Yao, used to behaving unbridled, had none of the Fifth Prince’s scruples, and with a cold expression, he threatened.
The surroundings fell silent. Seeing that the soft approach of the Fifth Prince’s group was failing, they resorted to threats in broad daylight, which brought a hint of anger to the eyes of the onlookers.
However, they did not have the courage to offend Nian An Yao and could only harbor anger without expressing it, feeling all the more sympathy for the Family Head of the Fang Family.
If it were someone else, the Family Head might have had a slight chance to maneuver, but he was facing the strongest Beast Taming Master since Xia Youchen, the Beast Taming Sword Saint. Even if he risked his life, it wouldn’t change the outcome.
"Oh, really? I’d like to see just how ruthless you can be!" Just when everyone thought the Family Head of the Fang Family was in dire straits and secretly worried for him, a clear and cold voice sounded, laced with mocking laughter.
Mu Hanyan’s group came from afar on the ancient trade route, looking relaxed, as if taking a brisk walk. Even their gaze at Nian An Yao carried a hint of contempt, with mocking laughter on their faces.
According to Mu Hanyan’s henchmen, their master’s entrance was outright arrogant, deliberately provocative. As Zirong, the sycophant, would put it, "A thunderous blast from the sky, and the master makes a dazzling entrance!" It indeed drew all attention.
"Who are these people?" Observing the contempt in Mu Hanyan’s eyes and such blatant provocation, many showed puzzlement.
Though Mu Hanyan carried the reputation of the Capital’s preeminent playboy, her time back in the Capital had been brief, so besides some wealthy family scions, few recognized Mu Hanyan.
"Such audacity, to stand up for the Fang Family and dare speak to Master Nian like that." Despite their puzzlement, they also felt some concern for Mu Hanyan.
"This might be what they mean by ’the newborn calf isn’t afraid of the tiger,’ too young to realize the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth." Some even looked at Mu Hanyan with a trace of pity.
After all, Nian An Yao was famously formidable, and in the Capital, he had a reputation for tyranny. Even the heads of the Eight Great Families were reluctant to easily offend him. In terms of status, Mu Hanyan couldn’t surpass the heads of the Eight Great Families, and as for strength, what could a young, barely seventeen-year-old child possibly achieve?
Thus, aside from the fearlessness of a newborn calf, they couldn’t think of any other reason.
While everyone was fixated on Mu Hanyan, they failed to notice the Fifth Prince’s face growing unusually sullen.
Mu Hanyan, why is it Mu Hanyan again? The Fifth Prince felt a mounting shadow over his heart; just seeing Mu Hanyan made him feel uneasy.
Not that the Fifth Prince was afraid of Mu Hanyan. As a prince, he himself possessed the strength of a Second-level Sword Master. Even if it came to blows, he wouldn’t fear Mu Hanyan. What he cared about was his face, his prestige.
Last time at Yingfeng Building, he had resolved to stand up for Qu Fengting to establish his prestige among He Qingwei and other spoiled heirs, also to spread word of his strong return to the Capital. But upon seeing Mu Hanyan, He Qingwei and his ilk behaved like timid rabbits, fleeing at top speed, and even the flattery-minded inn guards who had planned to curry favor with him jumped out of windows one after another.
In the end, he was left in an impossible situation, forced to bow and apologize to Mu Hanyan, turning his attempt to assert dominance into a farce.
Though he never publicly revealed his identity and later wisely feigned ignorance, leading many to take it for a mere rumor, it still adversely affected his reputation. Moreover, this incident strained his relationships with He Qingwei and others, forcing him to shift focus to the smaller families in the Sword Guard Mansion.
This time, his intention in coming to Fang Village was similar, to stand up for Rong Tianhai and seize the opportunity to win people over, but his luck was so foul that he unexpectedly encountered Mu Hanyan again.
Hadn’t it been thoroughly investigated? Wasn’t the Fang Family supposed to have no backing? The Fifth Prince felt frustrated, casting a glare at Qu Fengting. Back in Xiangling Country, he thought highly of this man’s shrewdness – how did he become so unreliable after returning to Anyun Country?
"Your Highness, I did thoroughly investigate the Fang Family’s background and truly heard of no backing." Seeing the Fifth Prince’s questioning look, Qu Fengting hastily explained.
Honestly, upon seeing Mu Hanyan, he felt a bit vexed too, but what vexed him more was the Fifth Prince’s displeasure: I’m reluctant to contend with Mu Hanyan due to the underhanded tactics used in Exotic Beast Valley, feeling guilty and lacking confidence in facing Mu Hanyan. Even if slapped by him and teeth knocked out, I can only swallow my pride.
But you, you are the Fifth Prince. How do you fall short of Mu Hanyan in terms of status and strength? Yet you want to play both sides, acting righteous and moral without a shred of authority, unable to keep Mu Hanyan in check, trembling at the sight of others – what’s that got to do with me? Thinking this, Qu Fengting couldn’t help but feel some disdain toward the Fifth Prince.
"I don’t blame you, I’m just in a bit of a dilemma." Although feeling discontent with Qu Fengting in his heart, the Fifth Prince, having only this confidant, didn’t want to dampen his spirit, so he rubbed his temples and lamented through Gathering Qi Transmission.
"Your Highness needn’t worry. You need not intervene directly, as Nian An Yao has already spoken up. Are you not aware of this old man’s disposition? This affair hardly requires us to step in," Qu Fengting replied confidently.
At these words, the Fifth Prince’s eyes brightened. Of course, how could he forget about Nian An Yao’s notorious temper? This old man was well-known throughout the Capital for his obstinacy and unreasonable nature. Years ago, it was said that a prince who had been enfeoffed in a remote land returned to the Capital to see the emperor and his carriage was startled, nearly colliding with Nian An Yao.
Even though that prince was of good character and didn’t need to concern himself with such a minor matter – after all, no one was harmed, right? – he nevertheless warmly apologized to Nian An Yao in person. Unexpectedly, Nian An Yao was relentless, slapping the prince’s carriage to pieces right then and there, leading to a scuffle between them on the street.
Finally, the emperor personally intervened, ordering the prince to apologize and admit fault to Nian An Yao, and only then was the incident resolved.
Nian An Yao’s flamboyant, domineering nature was thus evident, giving face to not even royal relatives. How could he possibly fear Mu Hanyan?