Ye Jiu let out a sigh of relief and walked outside, with Ada following closely behind her.
Turning around and looking at his expression, Ye Jiu asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Ada nodded, "I presume, Master Ye, you’ve already guessed the purpose behind Xiang Nan bringing the Prince of Jing out, haven’t you?"
Ye Jiu nodded, but her tone was thick with warning, "I can understand his desire to return to the capital city, including all of you—if you don’t want to stay in this small mountain village, I can let you go, but that doesn’t mean you can make arrangements about my affairs without my consent for your own purposes."
Ada rarely smiled, "If Master Ye thinks of us that way, that would be a mistake. We are different from Xiang Nan and his people. We grew up without families, without kin. From the moment we entered the Royal Residence, we could only stay in a secluded place to train, with our sole possession being obedience to orders. If Master Ye chooses to return to the Royal Residence of the Prince of Jing, we will protect you. If Master Ye wishes to remain in this small mountain village, then we will stay and farm alongside you."
"Are you declaring your loyalty or... are you pleading for Xiang Nan?" Ye Jiu asked directly.
"Neither, I am simply stating what I know," Ada continued to explain, "Xiang Nan’s cutting himself was not because he truly wanted to stay, but because leaving would mean he and his men would only face death.
The Prince of Jing ordered him to stay here to protect you, Master Ye, but your actions have left him uncertain whether the stay here is temporary or permanent.
Xiang Nan has his own agenda, he wishes to return to the capital city, hence he resorted to these clever tricks, but he did not expect Master Ye to see right through him.
If they return to the capital, they will certainly be punished. A subordinate who does not obey orders has no right to live in this world."
This world is always so cruel.
Everyone complains about the unfairness of fate, yet they don’t know that there are many more who are far more pitiful than they are, hidden from their sight.
Ye Jiu might be able to understand Xiang Nan’s actions, but she couldn’t agree with them, "So according to you, for the sake of their lives and futures, I should leave this place, leave my parents and family, to live in that unfamiliar place?"
Heh, why should she sacrifice her own life for others?
Sorry, but she, Ye Jiu, just couldn’t do such a thing where one sacrifices oneself for others.
"No matter what Master Ye chooses, we will always protect you," Ada immediately stated.
Before Ye Jiu left, Ada revealed something else that gave her a deeper understanding of Xiang Nan’s actions.
Xiang Nan was married and had a six-year-old daughter, but his wife had died two years ago. Because of his duties, his daughter could only live with his brother and sister-in-law.
Xiang Nan’s brother was timid, his sister-in-law overbearing. Aside from his own living expenses, he gave all his monthly salary to them.
When he was in the capital city, his sister-in-law would complain, but she dared not go too far. He feared that if he didn’t return to the capital city for a long time, his sister-in-law would mistreat his daughter, which is why he had resorted to some cunning schemes.
After hearing everything, Ye Jiu gained some understanding of Xiang Nan’s heart.
The toughest choice in life is when the consequence of not making money is being unable to support your child, yet the consequence of choosing to make money is not being able to take care of your child.
Many people say, what’s the use of earning so much money? It’s better to spend less time making money and more time with your child, which is more important than any amount of money.
But the reality is, without money in hand, all one is faced with is going hungry alongside one’s child.