Yan Ruyu knew that those five children were Zhao Shuning's hope.
Ye Ling had brought them back then and treated them like her own family.
Now, you tell her.
One of the children she had raised was no longer there, and even the real culprit hadn't been found out yet. Such a thing would be hard for anyone to bear.
Yan Ruyu held Zhao Shuning in her arms.
There was always a reassuring smell on Master's body.
Zhao Shuning's emotions gradually began to ease.
" Ning'er, everything will come to light in the end."
" Master."
" Ning'er, don't be sad. Ji Qinglin wouldn't want to see you like this."
" Master, that little rascal Ji Qinglin was the most smiling one among us since childhood. When he was little, he even told me that he would surely become the most powerful alchemist in the Eastern Ze Wilderness when he grew up. He did it, Master. He did it. He was so capable, but why did he still lose his life?"
Among the five children before.
Ji Qinglin was the most smiling one.
Xia Wanning was the most timid one.
Song Zhiyi was well - versed in all things in the world and the most talented one.
Gu Zhiruo had a feminine appearance but the strongest heart.
Dongfang Yuxi liked quietness, was upright, imposing, and a rare talent.
Those five children had all grown up under her watch.
They were so young. In Zhao Shuning's eyes, they were the purest and cleanest children in the world.
But after her rebirth, after she became Zhao Shuning, she found that many things were actually different.
Take Ji Qinglin for example. He was no longer as clingy as he was in childhood, always following others around. He was responsible and capable. He became an elder of the sect and had managed the sect in good order over the years.
And Xia Wanning, that little girl who couldn't stand being scared since childhood, that kind - hearted girl who was willing to share her pastries with others, that warm - hearted girl, just now, could calmly say that Ji Qinglin was dead.
Since childhood, Ji Qinglin had been Xia Wanning's playmate. No matter what Xia Wanning did, he always helped her.
But Ji Qinglin was dead, and Zhao Shuning couldn't see a trace of sadness on Xia Wanning's face.
It was ultimately because her cultivation was too shallow, so she couldn't see clearly what the true faces of the people in front of her were like.
Yan Ruyu gently patted Zhao Shuning's back.
It was not until Zhao Shuning completely got out of her sad emotions that she let go of her.
When her feet touched the ground, Zhao Shuning's legs were numb.
Yan Ruyu accompanied her outside the yard for a long time before she got up and walked towards the Zhao family.
Her back was limping.
" Ning'er, many things are not just what you see."
What made Zhao Shuning so sad was not only Ji Qinglin's death but also Xia Wanning's coldness.
After Zhao Shuning left, an image appeared in front of Yan Ruyu again. It was Xia Wanning who had just left.
As soon as she saw Yan Ruyu, Xia Wanning looked on the verge of tears.
" Is there anything else?"
" Your Majesty, is Zhao Shuning okay?"
Yan Ruyu didn't say a word.
Xia Wanning continued, " As an elder of the sect, I don't want to argue with her. That pendant was something Qinglin gave me before he died. I didn't know that Zhao Shuning would snatch it from me. It's just because she is my student that I didn't want to take action against her."
What she meant was that Zhao Shuning was greedy for the pendant.
Seeing that Yan Ruyu didn't show any reaction.
Xia Wanning said again, " Your Majesty, she is just a disciple of our sect. Why...?" Why did Your Majesty personally attend her sixteenth birthday banquet?
Your Majesty had never been so caring towards her.
" Your Majesty, please comfort Zhao Shuning about what just happened. Although I don't know when she got so close to Qinglin, but Qinglin is already gone. No matter how sad we are, it won't help."
Did this mean that there was something improper between Zhao Shuning and Ji Qinglin?
" Elder Xia, Ji Qinglin is already dead."
" Your Majesty."
" If, as you said, Ji Qinglin was your family since childhood, then please show basic respect for the dead."
Instead of constantly using Ji Qinglin as an excuse.
Xia Wanning stared fixedly at Yan Ruyu.
Her eyes were red again.
It seemed that if Yan Ruyu said one more word, her tears would fall.
" Your Majesty, it's my fault. I'm sorry—"
Yan Ruyu waved her hand gently. Before the image could finish speaking, it disappeared in mid - air.
Xia Wanning on the other side was stunned and felt very uncomfortable.
But in just an instant, she held back the tears that were about to well up.
Your Majesty had always been taciturn, but he never spoke with such emotions. The tone Your Majesty used just now was the most unfriendly one Xia Wanning had ever felt in all these years.
For the sake of a Zhao Shuning? Your Majesty actually treated her like this.
Seeing Zhao Shuning tonight was beyond Xia Wanning's expectation.
As time passed, this little girl's appearance had become more and more amazing. Just a glance and a smile were full of charm.
With such a face, it was natural for her to be liked.
Xia Wanning still held the pendant inlaid with a ruby in her hand.
She walked to the river, loosened her hand, and the pendant plopped into the river. Along with the rushing water, it was carried away to who - knew - where.
" Ji Qinglin, didn't you say you liked me?"
" Didn't you keep saying you loved me?"
" Then why were you still entangled with this Zhao Shuning on the other side? What did you do behind my back?"
Xia Wanning's smile was a bit terrifying.
She walked slowly along the river.
This was just the first step. So what if Zhao Shuning had won Your Majesty's favor for a while? There would always be a day when she would grow old and lose her beauty. Even if she took the beauty - preserving pill and the longevity pill, she would find a way to make sure Zhao Shuning wouldn't live to be eighteen.
Three days later would be Zhao Shuning's birthday.
Xia Wanning had said that she would give her a gift.
At that time, Zhao Shuning better not be too surprised.
She didn't know how things were going with the Ghost Domain Divine Sect. However, with so much additional power, Zhao Huai shouldn't be able to escape.
Now, the only thing to worry about was the time.
Xia Wanning waved her hand, and the soul of the purple - gold and black - robed figure appeared in front of her. It seemed that the barrier had been somewhat damaged. Without the help of the black - clothed man, the purple - gold and black - robed figure could appear in front of her.
" My Lord, how is the progress of the matter?"
" Everything is going smoothly."
" That's good. I want to ask you for something."
" Hmm? What?"
" Zhao Huai's corpse."