Chapter 80 Defying Fate

Chapter 80: Defying Heaven's Will

Just now, Hao Li hoisted the carriage with his bare hands. Even the well-traveled Ling Wu found it somewhat hard to believe.

Although she had seen many peerless martial artists from the martial world, she had never encountered such an extraordinarily strong and unusual individual.

How did the Young Lady discern this slave's exceptional talent?

Jiang Tianze was the first to voice the question in her heart.

"Eldest Sister seemed to have anticipated Hao Li's divine strength. However, this was clearly your first time at the East Market and also your first time seeing Hao Li." Jiang Tianze's gaze was sharp, firmly fixed on Jiang Shuning, not missing the slightest change in her expression. "Eldest Sister, how exactly did you manage this? Could you tell me?"

"What's so difficult about it?" Jiang Shuning replied with an air of nonchalance. "I simply observe more carefully than most. Earlier, when I saw these slaves being sold, I noticed they were all bound with ropes, curled up, their faces filled with sorrow and despair. Only Hao Li, despite being tied up, remained calm and composed, showing no sign of discomfort. From this, I deduced that mere ropes were useless against him, utterly incapable of restraining him. Naturally, I could guess he possessed divine strength and was someone with potential."

At first glance, this explanation seemed quite reasonable. But upon closer scrutiny, one would find it riddled with holes and hard to believe.

Jiang Tianze looked at Jiang Shuning with a profound, meaningful gaze. "Eldest Sister is indeed observant and meticulous, truly admirable."

"You flatter me, Third Brother." Jiang Shuning smiled faintly, avoiding his overly sharp gaze.

This third brother was perceptive and not easy to fool. However, this matter had no bearing on him. Even if he sensed something amiss, it shouldn't be an issue.

Jiang Tianze naturally didn't believe Jiang Shuning possessed some supernatural ability to see through everything.

If she truly had the power to read minds, wouldn't his own deeply buried, shameful secret thoughts have been exposed long ago?

Hao Li followed Jiang Shuning back to the Prime Minister's residence.

The addition of Hao Li, this Herculean marvel, left the estate's steward at a loss, unsure how to properly accommodate this "strongman."

Initially, the steward assigned Hao Li to move flower pots. But his strength was too great; with the slightest carelessness, he crushed the pots to pieces. He shattered several in a row, including one of Madam Jiang's most cherished exotic flowers, nearly giving the matron in Madam Jiang's courtyard a fit of anger.

Later, he was assigned to chop firewood. As a result, he alone completed in one hour what would take the other servants seven days' worth of work.

The idle servants gathered in the courtyard to chat, which made the steward see red.

After that, he was tasked with repairing the fence in the rear courtyard. But his hands were clumsy, yet his strength was astonishingly great. Not only did he fail to fix the fence, but he also damaged more parts...

Throughout the day, a steady stream of people came to the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard to complain to Jiang Shuning, almost wearing down the doorstep.

The steward, especially, looked worried and miserable. "Young Lady, we really don't have that much work suited to Hao Li! Moreover, his appetite is simply too large. In just a few days, he has consumed nearly a month's worth of rations for the other servants. If this continues, what are we to do?"

"Hao Li is born with divine strength; he was never meant for trivial chores within the residence," Jiang Shuning said with a comforting smile. "Steward, rest assured, I will quickly arrange a better place for him."

"In that case, I must trouble the Young Lady!" The steward, greatly relieved, expressed his profuse thanks and withdrew.

Ling Wu asked curiously, "Where does the Young Lady intend to send Hao Li?"

"With such an earth-shattering ability, confining him to the Prime Minister's residence doing menial labor is truly a waste of talent. Such a person naturally should be sent to the military for training, allowing him to master exquisite martial skills. In the future, he will have the opportunity to serve the court and protect the vast lands of our Great Ye!" Jiang Shuning stated.

Ling Wu's heart stirred, and she suggested, "The Young Lady speaks wisely. I've heard that each of the Princes has his own guard unit. Why don't we present him to a Prince in need? We could gain favor by doing so, killing two birds with one stone."

If the Fourth Prince could obtain such a Herculean and extraordinary individual, the future possibilities would be limitless.

Jiang Shuning smiled. "I had the same thought."

The next day, Jiang Shuning brought Hao Li to the Xia residence.

In the courtyard, Xia Yan was practicing with twin sabers. The blades flashed, her movements agile and vigorous, like a dancing butterfly, heroic and awe-inspiring, truly a sight to behold.

Jiang Shuning watched, mesmerized, and praised sincerely, "Xia Yan, you truly embody the phrase 'a heroine among women'! Throughout the entire Great Ye dynasty, it's hard to find a second woman whose martial prowess can rival yours."

Although Jiang Yaozhen also had a passing knowledge of martial arts, her interests lay only in pastimes like horseback riding, archery, and cuju. She simply couldn't be compared to someone like Xia Yan, dedicated to perfecting her martial arts.

Hearing Jiang Shuning's praise, Xia Yan's smile grew even brighter, and a hint of pride appeared between her brows. "I've been practicing so hard today just to perform well before the Second Prince in a few days when we enter the palace!"

Jiang Shuning winked and teased, "With such heroic bearing and exceptional martial skills, the Second Prince is sure to be utterly smitten, unable to eat or sleep!"

"You! Always teasing me!" Xia Yan shot her a playful glare, then sat down, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp before asking, "Alright, tell me, what's the important business that brings you here today?"

"I've acquired a man born with divine strength. I was hoping you could recommend him to the Second Prince. Here is his deed of sale." As she spoke, Jiang Shuning took Hao Li's deed of sale from her sleeve and handed it to Xia Yan.

Xia Yan took the deed, glanced over it briefly, then turned her gaze to Hao Li standing behind Jiang Shuning.

Seeing his burly build and bulging muscles, he certainly looked the part of a strongman.

"He certainly appears very robust. However, I need to test just how strong he is myself!" Xia Yan stood up and said to Hao Li, "Follow me!"

She led Hao Li to the armory in the residence and told him to freely choose any weapon from the room to use.

Hao Li did not disappoint her.

No matter what weapon he picked up, he handled it with effortless ease.

Xia Yan couldn't help but marvel, her eyes full of appreciation. "Truly gifted, born with divine strength! Such a capable and extraordinary individual, if recruited under the Second Prince's banner, would surely accomplish great things, a tremendous asset!"

"Hao Li, why don't you quickly thank Miss Xia? She will soon recommend you to the Second Prince. From now on, you can serve the Second Prince and achieve merit!" Jiang Shuning said to Hao Li.

"Thank you, Miss Xia!" Hao Li knelt and kowtowed to Xia Yan.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked somewhat sheepishly, "If I follow the Second Prince, will I get enough to eat?"

"Of course!" Xia Yan said with a laugh. "Don't worry about food; there will be plenty!"

"That's a relief!" Hao Li gave a simple, honest smile. "From now on, Hao Li's life belongs to the Second Prince. Wherever the Prince commands, Hao Li will go!"

Jiang Shuning solemnly instructed, "Hao Li, you must remember: from today onward, the Second Prince is your master. You must be utterly loyal to him, protect him with your life, and never harbor disloyal thoughts!"

"Yes! Hao Li respectfully obeys the Young Lady's teaching and will surely remember it in my heart!" Hao Li nodded vigorously, his expression resolute.

A look of satisfaction appeared on Jiang Shuning's face.

In this life, if war ultimately breaks out between Great Ye and Nanyue, she will spare no effort to protect the Second Prince's life.

Regardless of whether the Second Prince has feelings for Xia Yan or not, she cannot bear to watch him die tragically again due to the Third Prince Xiao Xiuzhan's schemes. To take the person who protected Xiao Xiuzhan in her past life and have him swear to protect the Second Prince unto death in this one—such a reversal of fate, how can it not be considered defying heaven and changing destiny?