Zhao Shuning's birthday was fast approaching.
By then, the Zhao Mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere. Since Zhao Shuning had astonished everyone with her spiritual power test a few days ago, there were many more people coming to attend her birthday banquet.
Zhao Zheng had gone out early to greet the guests. Thanks to Zhao Shuning, the people in Qinghui Town had treated him with more courtesy.
The birthday banquet usually started in the evening.
After a while, Zhao Huai came to find Zhao Shuning. He had also changed into new clothes today.
Since Zhao Huai was an orphan with an unknown birthday, after Zhao Shuning was born, they celebrated their birthdays on the same day.
So, today was also Zhao Huai's eleventh birthday.
At eleven, Zhao Huai already had the appearance of a young man. When he entered the room, Zhao Shuning was stunned at the first sight of him.
Having been with him for a long time, it was the first time she thought he was so good - looking.
Zhao Huai was dressed in a snow - white robe. Under his medium - thick sword - shaped eyebrows, his long and narrow eyes were like gurgling spring water, gentle and soothing. His nose was straight like a hanging gall, as if it were a distant blue - black mountain. His thin lips were rather pale, with the corners slightly upturned. His long, smooth hair like black jade was tied up with a snow - white ribbon, half hanging loose and half tied up, making him a gentle and elegant young gentleman.
A man depends on his clothes just as a horse depends on its saddle. Previously, Zhao Huai always dressed very modestly. He often went up the mountain to look for herbs, so his clothes were always dusty. He had never looked so dazzling before.
"Brother, you're so charming today!"
Really, Zhao Shuning had met so many people. In terms of appearance, the only one who could surpass Zhao Huai was her terrifying master.
Zhao Huai seemed to have stepped out of a painting, while what about herself? She looked back at the mirror and thought she was just so - so.
Today, Zhao Shuning was wearing a light - green long dress embroidered with red plum blossoms on the hem. "Little Ning'er is really beautiful today. As charming as a peach in spring and as pure as a chrysanthemum in autumn. If you were a bit older, you would surely be a great beauty."
"Brother always knows how to compliment people."
"Does little Ning'er want to hear more?"
"If brother can come up with more, I'll surely listen."
Zhao Shuning looked at Zhao Huai with a smiling face, teasing him. The eleven - year - old boy's heart skipped a beat, and a strange feeling gradually grew in him, but he was completely unaware of it.
"Grace is hidden in your eyebrows and eyes, and tenderness is revealed in your voice and smile."
"Wow - brother, you're really good." But the word "tenderness" didn't seem to suit her.
"Your appearance is elegant and your skin is fair and your figure is well - proportioned."
"Am I really that good?"
"Your red lips are bright outside, your white teeth are shiny inside. Your bright eyes are charming, and your dimples are lovely."
"Okay, okay. I know brother is very learned. I can't compare with you."
Even Zhao Shuning felt a bit embarrassed being complimented like this.
Zhao Huai looked at Zhao Shuning who was joking and laughing with him with a gentle smile in his eyes. A warm current flowed through his heart.
If time allowed, he really wanted to protect this little sister in front of him forever and watch her grow up happily. But he knew it was impossible.
The world in little Ning'er's eyes was vast. The small Zhao Mansion and the small Qinghui Town couldn't hold her back.
Zhao Huai just hoped that he could protect her until this little girl's wings were fully grown.
If there came a day when she wanted to soar into the sky, he would also stand behind her to protect her.
Zhao Huai secretly made a vow in his heart.
In the future, he would become powerful and stand in front of his sister.
After the spiritual power test, Zhao Zheng got four spiritual stones. Since Zhao Shuning had already broken through to the second rank and didn't need these stones to activate her spiritual power, Zhao Zheng gave all the stones to Zhao Huai.
At first, Zhao Huai didn't notice anything strange.
But as time passed, he felt the surging spiritual power in his body continuously gushing out from his dantian.
This feeling was very strange.
Previously, the blood of the flying snake had also given him a short - term boost of spiritual power, but compared with now, it was nothing.
However, Zhao Huai felt that his spiritual power seemed to be sealed by some forbidden technique, and he couldn't break through it for the time being.
He would work hard to break this forbidden technique.
He wanted to become strong and be little Ning'er's strongest backing.
Zhao Shuning was playing in the yard while Zhao Huai was watching from the side. Suddenly, they heard a commotion coming from the main courtyard.
"What's going on?"
"Brother, you stay here. I'll go and have a look."
Zhao Huai nodded. He had been injured by Zhao Xiangxiang, and his legs were inconvenient. It was not easy for him to move around in a wheelchair, so he let little Ning'er go and find out what was happening first.
When Zhao Shuning reached the main courtyard, there was already a large crowd gathered there.
Someone with sharp eyes saw Zhao Shuning coming and quickly said, "Miss."
At this call, everyone fell silent and made way for Zhao Shuning. Then Zhao Shuning saw a servant lying on the ground.
Beside him were an extremely solemn Old Zhao and Zhao Xue.
Most of the servant's face had been burned, and there was an arrow stuck in his back. Blood was gushing out of the wound where the arrow was.
Old Zhao was extremely agitated. "The Meng family in Cangyu City is really crazy. Do they really think there's no one in our Zhao family!"
"Zhao Chao and the goods have been detained. We must go there."
From their words, Zhao Shuning finally understood that her uncle, whom she had never met, was in trouble.
"Father, you were already injured when you dealt with the red - flame giant scorpion some time ago. If you force yourself to use your spiritual power, it will cause your meridians to reverse. I'll go. That Meng Yang is only at the second rank. I can handle him."
Zhao Xue spoke up bravely at this moment. Zhao Shuning looked at his lifted foot and couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt well up in her heart.
How could Uncle go like this?
The Meng family in Cangyu City? What was their background?