By the time the three Zhao brothers returned, Zhao Shuning had already been there for quite a while.
Zhao Huai, who had come looking for little Ning'er, saw Zhao Shuning return in a gray robe. He was just about to call out to the little girl, but unexpectedly, Zhao Shuning moved so quickly that she didn't even notice Zhao Huai hiding behind the potted plant.
Zhao Huai thought for a moment and decided not to say anything.
Not long after, little Ning'er came out, having changed into a light yellow dress.
Stepping out of the yard and seeing Zhao Huai, Zhao Shuning was startled at first, then smiled and said, "Brother, why are you strolling around the yard again?"
"Father's back. Grandpa asked me to come get you. He wants you to go to the front hall to meet someone."
"Okay, got it."
With that, Zhao Shuning skipped out of the yard.
Zhao Huai watched little Ning'er's back, smiling tenderly. He didn't ask too many questions.
If little Ning'er had secrets she didn't want to share with him, he wouldn't pry.
When she reached the main hall, she saw Zhao Zheng and Zhao Xue supporting Zhao Chao.
At that moment, Zhao Chao was still excitedly talking about the old man he'd met in the mountains. His expression was extremely animated, while Old Master Zhao looked rather solemn.
"You're saying that the Meng family invited a first - rank alchemist? And when you were outmatched, an old man came to your rescue?"
"Yes, Father."
"Father, you have no idea how decisive that old gentleman was when scolding the Meng family. He showed them no mercy at all. Meng Yang really took a beating this time."
Zhao Chao was seriously injured. Every time he spoke, he'd wince in pain, but that didn't dampen his admiration for the old gentleman.
Zhao Shuning watched all this and thought her uncle was really cute.
However, Old Master Zhao seemed even more solemn.
"Zheng'er, did you invite the old gentleman to our Zhao family as a guest?"
Zhao Zheng shook his head. "Father, the old gentleman never showed himself. Maybe he doesn't like to accept offerings from small families like ours."
Old Master Zhao sighed, his sigh full of meaning.
"Father, why do you look so glum? I'm back safely, and the Meng family has received their due punishment."
"The Meng family in Cangyu City is not that easy to deal with."
When it came to the Meng family in Cangyu City, everyone knew that Cangyu City was much larger than Qinghui Town. The reason the Meng family was the dominant force in Cangyu City was not just because Meng Hao's father was a third - rank alchemist, but because the Meng family had the support of the Wang family. The Wang family had four direct disciples, each with their own palace.
The four disciples were Fei Yang, Nan Feng, Wang Xiling, and Bai Fan.
The one related to the Meng family was Fei Yang, one of the four direct disciples.
Fei Yang was a cousin of the Meng family. Although he despised the Meng family's good - for - nothing attitude, he was on very good terms with Meng Yang's father.
Fei Yang was thirteen years old this year, but he was already a fourth - rank spiritual pharmacist.
Fourth - rank spiritual pharmacists were divided into four levels from lowest to highest: Yellow, Black, Earth, and Sky.
Nan Feng, Wang Xiling, and Bai Fan were also fourth - rank spiritual pharmacists, but Fei Yang's rank was slightly lower. He was only at the Yellow level of the fourth - rank spiritual pharmacists.
It was precisely because of Fei Yang's support that the Meng family could maintain their position as the masters of Cangyu City.
"Father, are you worried about Fei Yang from the Extreme Cold Palace?"
Zhao Zheng, being well - read, naturally understood his father's concerns.
"Yes. The Wang family is not someone we can easily provoke."
Zhao Shuning just quietly listened to the conversation among the family's decision - makers from behind. Only then did she realize that no matter how small a place was, the power dynamics were extremely complex.
"Zheng'er, do you know where the old gentleman went?"
All three of them shook their heads. Old Master Zhao's face grew even more solemn.
"If we knew where the old gentleman went, we could offer all our family resources to him. With him around, the direct disciples of the Wang family wouldn't dare to easily touch our Zhao family."
"Father, maybe Meng Hao doesn't have the guts. His son was humiliated by the old gentleman today. He surely won't turn his anger on our Zhao family, right?"
Even Zhao Xue himself didn't believe what he'd just said.
They'd all seen what kind of person Meng Yang was today.
Everyone fell into a moment of silence. Zhao Huai, who was standing behind Zhao Shuning, looked at the situation and then at Zhao Shuning's solemn face. It seemed as if he understood something.
He coughed gently to draw everyone's attention, then the young man smiled warmly.
"Father, little Ning'er is here."
Seeing the little girl frowning in the front hall, Old Master Zhao immediately gave a subtle signal, indicating that they should put this matter aside for the time being.
"Ah, our little treasure of the Zhao family is here."
"Grandpa, Father, Uncle."
Everyone nodded. Old Master Zhao then pulled out the bruised Zhao Chao and pointed at him. "Little Ning'er, this is your Uncle Chao."
"Hello, Uncle."
Seeing his little niece, Zhao Chao forgot about his injuries and quickly moved closer to Zhao Shuning.
"What a cute little thing. So chubby and adorable."
As he said this, he reached out to pinch Zhao Shuning's cheek.
Zhao Shuning clearly wasn't used to this and silently took a step back.
"Little Ning'er, do you dislike your uncle so much? Uncle even brought you a birthday gift."
Zhao Shuning finally understood why her father had said she'd like her uncle. Her uncle, a grown man, was as innocent and optimistic as a child.
He should be able to get along well with kids. It was a pity that she wasn't a child.
"Shuning, your uncle is talking to you. Don't be so impolite."
"Uncle, I'm sorry. I'm not really used to people touching me."
Zhao Chao looked at Zhao Shuning with a hurt expression, his face full of grievance.
Zhao Shuning now understood why Grandpa had sent Zhao Chao to do business in Cangyu City.
If Uncle Chao made that expression in the Zhao Mansion every day, those hot - blooded young men of the Zhao family would surely be tempted to beat him up.
"Xiaochao, little Ning is also a second - rank spiritual pharmacist, just like you. If you get too close to her and get beaten up, don't come to us to complain."
After Zhao Xue said this, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.
The atmosphere gradually became more lively. Zhao Shuning also smiled happily. This family had given her a lot of warmth, something she'd never experienced in her previous life.
She received many gifts. None of them were extremely valuable, but they were all very heartfelt.
What interested her the most was a feather in a small wooden box.
The feather was bright red and had the aura of a phoenix. This gift was extremely precious.
Later in the evening, most of the guests had left. Old Master Zhao called the three Zhao brothers into the ancestral hall to discuss something extremely important.
At this moment, a small figure slipped out of the back door of the Zhao family.
That person was Zhao Shuning.
Taking advantage of the fact that the Zhao family was empty and her parents were in the ancestral hall, she finally had some free time to refine the Yimi Flower into pills.
Refining first - rank pills was not that easy. Moreover, Zhao Shuning hadn't done this for a long time. She estimated that it would take at least five days, and five days later would be the day she was supposed to go to the Misty Rain Tower.