The Viper returned to the Zhao Family.
Because of what had happened to Zhao Huai this time, he had always been worried that Zhao Shuning might do something stupid, so he had never left.
But today, seeing the actions of Yan Ruyu and Zhao Shuning, he finally showed a relieved smile.
As long as it couldn't kill the senior, it would only make the senior stronger.
What Ye Xingchen had said to him today, besides confiding, was also meant to tell Xie An that for some people, if they couldn't be obtained, it would be better to step back and watch her be happy.
Xie An smiled.
Ye Xingchen could really see through what others were thinking sometimes.
Just as Ye Xingchen had said, Xie An and Ye Xingchen were of the same kind.
Xie An entered Zhao Shuning's courtyard and had a simple farewell with her.
He couldn't stay by her side forever. Moreover, for the current Zhao Shuning, his ability was not yet sufficient to be her helper.
"Xiao An, be careful on your way."
"Senior, please accept my condolences."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
Xie An then left the room. Looking at the setting sun in the distance, he suddenly felt that life was not that gloomy after all.
Loving someone didn't necessarily mean trying every means to get her.
Maybe his love for the senior wasn't deep enough.
Maybe it was the excessive gratitude from his youth that had made him sink too deep.
Today, Ye Xingchen's words had completely awakened the Viper.
Xie An suddenly remembered something and quickly chased after.
Right, he wanted to say something to Ye Xingchen.
A person like Ye Xingchen wasn't someone who no one liked. At least, when he looked at him, he didn't feel disgusted but rather thought he was cute.
Yan Ruyu looked at Zhao Shuning.
At this moment, she was writing in the room.
Writing could calm the mind.
After coming back this time, Zhao Shuning could be said to have remained the same or changed.
At least there was not that much light in her eyes anymore.
In the days that followed, Zhao Shuning spent her days writing and painting in the room over and over again.
Half a year passed by quickly.
On this day, when Zhao Shuning finished writing the last stroke, someone came to deliver a message from outside. She knew then that the time had come.
People from the Lin Family had come.
It was said that the one leading them was Madam Begonia, the first lady of the Lin Family.
Zhao Shuning gently put down the writing brush.
She said to the maid who had come to deliver the message, "I see. Let them wait."
In the past half year, Zhao Shuning had been practicing calligraphy and painting every day. Every month, she would also go to the Moon - viewing Tower and sit there for a day. Besides, she had also written a lot of poems.
After she came back, she had become like this.
The foundation of the Zhao Family was not yet stable, but it was still one of the four great families.
Before, when Zhao Shuning was under sixteen, most of those who came to propose marriage had been driven away by Zhao Zheng. Now, Zhao Shuning was proficient in all kinds of arts, behaved gracefully, spoke gently, and with her peerless beauty.
Somehow, someone had given her the title of the Most Beautiful Woman in the Eastern Swamp Wilderness. After that, this title had quickly spread all over the country within half a year.
After Zhao Shuning washed the writing brush clean, she put away the inkstone.
Everyone said that the current Zhao Shuning had changed.
She was like a real Jiangnan woman, gentle and endearing. Even her voice was no longer as rough as before.
When she smiled, she would gently cover half of her face with her sleeve.
She started to draw her eyebrows and wear some simple and delicate hairpins.
When she went out, she would also carry a small umbrella.
The current Zhao Shuning was the model among all the well - bred young ladies.
But only Yan Ruyu knew what kind of schemes were hidden beneath those gentle and watery eyes.
If it weren't for the sudden need to grow up, who would be willing to hide their true nature?
"Ning'er, handle this carefully."
"Master, I will."
In the room, Yan Ruyu's figure couldn't be seen, but his voice could be heard.
Zhao Shuning knew clearly in her heart what she had to do.
The Lin Family was powerful. She had no way to deal with them openly, so she could only act secretly.
With Zhao Huai gone, Zhao Shuning had truly grown up.
Now, all she could think about was to take revenge as soon as possible, and make those villains pay for their crimes in the fastest way. Only by getting rid of the villains and developing the Zhao Family's strength could she protect the people she cared about.
Madam Begonia had been waiting for a long time, but Zhao Shuning still hadn't come out to see her.
A concubine's daughter from a side branch could actually catch the attention of the master, and he had specially sent her to the Zhao Family to show goodwill, hoping to gain the Zhao Family's influence.
"Old Mr. Zhao, I've been waiting here for a long time. Your little daughter of the Zhao Family seems to have quite a big air these days."
"Making Madam Begonia wait for so long is Shuning's fault."
Zhao Shuning walked over gracefully.
When she reached Madam Begonia's side, she specially offered a cup of tea before leaving.
When Madam Begonia first saw Zhao Shuning, she was just a child. Her facial features hadn't fully developed, and her appearance hadn't been fixed yet.
After so many years, the impetuous and headstrong little girl had suddenly turned into a stunning beauty.
After the competition that year, Madam Begonia had only then known that the little girl was actually the granddaughter of Yu Xiang.
No wonder no matter what olive branch she had offered her back then, she had never joined her camp and had always gone against her.
"Shuning is becoming more and more like a young lady from a noble family now."
Zhao Shuning nodded slightly.
"Madam Begonia is joking."
Actually, it would have been most appropriate for Madam Xiang to come on this trip. But now Madam Xiang was in the favored stage, and Lin Feng couldn't do without Yu Xiang for the time being. So this important task had fallen on Madam Begonia, who didn't have much real power.
"I'm sure you know the purpose of my visit today, Shuning."
"Yeah."
"Our master has also read the poems you wrote. Every line of your poems reveals your longing for home. And our master has also read your letter."
The letter Zhao Shuning wrote was for Yu Xiang.
The general idea was that if she had time and Lin Feng allowed, she hoped that she could go back home and visit. Lin Min'er missed her very much.
And Zhao Shuning knew that this letter would definitely pass through Lin Feng's hands first before it reached Yu Xiang's room.
Knowing that the Zhao Family intended to make up, and with Zhao Shuning's great reputation in the Eastern Swamp Wilderness now, what Lin Feng liked most was to be respected by everyone.
If Zhao Shuning returned to her ancestral family and became a member of the Lin Family, Lin Feng's status in the Eastern Swamp Wilderness would surely rise.
Once a spiritual pharmacist reached the Seven Realms, they would have the ability to prolong their lifespan and keep their appearance unchanged. So the current Lin Feng still looked the same as before, while Madam Begonia, although maintaining her appearance with beauty - preserving pills, could still be seen the traces of time on her face.
It was only a matter of time before Lin Feng got tired of her.
"That letter was written by me."