Previously, she had occupied Luo Qiu's identity.
She had also completed the apprenticeship ceremony on her behalf. So, what should she do next to make everything develop normally?
"Miss, what about you? Why are you here?"
Luo Feiyan's voice was very soft. It was obvious that she was afraid of disturbing Zhao Shuning, who was deep in thought.
Zhao Shuning gave a charming smile and said, "To be honest, I was originally a student at Changkong Academy too. But I was late for registration. That old guy was so unaccommodating that he only gave me the status of an outer - sect disciple. I'm not the kind of person who can stay quiet. I can't do things like serving tea to inner - sect disciples every day. So I built a small cottage in the suburbs and stay here when I'm free."
"I really envy you."
"Envy me?"
"Yeah." Luo Feiyan nodded, looking yearning. It didn't seem like she was lying.
Zhao Shuning noticed that the wound on Luo Feiyan's back was splitting open and bleeding. She said, "Lean against the side first. I'll treat the wound on your back."
Luo Feiyan looked behind her. Actually, she had noticed the pain a long time ago, but she didn't want to trouble the girl in front of her, so she didn't say anything.
"Yan'er, you have so many wounds on your back. Why didn't you write to your parents? You're the only daughter of the Marquis Mansion. They should treat you very well, right?"
"They do treat me well. That's exactly why I can't let them worry about me. Since childhood, they've always thought I would be an outstanding child. But unexpectedly, I'm already eighteen now, and I can't even use the simplest mental power, let alone spiritual power. I've disappointed my parents too many times. I don't want to trouble them anymore."
"So, you've endured all this humiliation and are willing to be bullied by your fellow disciples."
"It's not exactly bullying, Miss. Actually, they're right. In Changkong Academy, strength is respected. I can't do anything, yet I occupy a spot as an inner - sect disciple. It's only natural that they're dissatisfied with me."
After saying this, Luo Feiyan gently turned her head.
She looked at Zhao Shuning with gentle eyes and said softly, "I still don't know your name, Miss. How old are you?"
Zhao Shuning smiled slightly and said, "I should be older than you."
Even if it's just one second older, it still counts.
Luo Feiyan looked back and whispered, "Then can Yan'er call you sister?"
Zhao Shuning, who was treating the wound on Luo Feiyan's back, was stunned.
No way?
The legendary Luo Qiu actually wanted to call her sister?
"Cough, cough, cough—"
"Miss, is it not okay?"
"No, it's okay, of course it's okay. Cough, cough, cough. Yan'er, from now on, if anyone bullies you, just tell me. I'll beat them all away for you."
This sounded more like a vow between kids.
But Luo Feiyan smiled.
When she smiled, she was so beautiful.
"Yan'er, you're really beautiful."
Luo Feiyan shyly stopped smiling and turned her head back.
"Sister, what are you talking about."
Zhao Shuning said, "It's not your fault that you're so beautiful, but they put all the unfairness on you. It's so unfair to you."
Luo Feiyan smiled but didn't reply.
Of course, she knew it was unfair, but what could she do to resist? Over the years, the people in the Marquis Mansion had doted on her. Except for her mother, no one had ever really connected with her or talked to her properly. She had never even had a friend.
"What can I do about it?"
"I'll teach you."
"What?"
"I'll teach you how to cultivate spiritual power and mental power."
"That's impossible, sister. My body can't cultivate mental power. If it could, I wouldn't have ended up like this."
But Zhao Shuning became interested.
She spun around and came in front of Luo Feiyan. Looking seriously, she said, "How do you know you can't cultivate mental power? Let's build a good foundation first. Even if you really can't cultivate in the end, it's still good for your body to be stronger."
Luo Feiyan looked into Zhao Shuning's serious eyes and unconsciously nodded.
Zhao Shuning was even happier after getting her consent.
She never dreamed that one day she would teach Luo Qiu to cultivate mental power.
After Luo Feiyan finished bathing, when Zhao Shuning was bandaging the wound on her back.
She saw a raised part on her back. When she gently touched it, Luo Feiyan let out a soft cry.
"Does it hurt?"
"Yeah."
"What is this?"
Luo Feiyan reached out and gently touched her back. Her eyes were full of confusion.
"I don't know. There was no such mark before."
Zhao Shuning frowned too.
This mark was so similar to the totem of Loulan.
Right, she was the real Luo Qiu. But looking at her now, it seemed that this mark had only appeared today.
Could it be that her guess was right? Only after going through all these things could Luo Qiu become stronger?
"Sister, is there any problem?"
"No."
Zhao Shuning quickly helped Luo Feiyan put on her clothes and then said, "Maybe it's a mark left accidentally when you hit the rock today. Don't worry."
Luo Feiyan nodded.
Zhao Shuning added, "Your wound won't heal for at least two or three months."
"What should I do then? I definitely have to go back to Changkong Academy. If I disappear without reason for more than five days, my status as an inner - sect disciple will be revoked. If my father finds out, he'll be even more disappointed in me."
"Yan'er, you also have to consider your wound. Is the so - called title of inner - sect disciple more important or your life?"
Luo Feiyan lowered her eyes.
Her expression was so sad.
She said, "Sister, you won't understand. People like me, who are born into a noble family, have enjoyed many honors that ordinary people can't. I also shoulder the mission that comes with this honor. I can't back down. The title of inner - sect disciple was obtained by my parents using all their connections. I can't give it up."
"You—"
"Even if I have to die, I'll die in Changkong Academy."
"You'd better think it through. There are all villains there. If you go back, they'll never let you go. I've even heard of the bad reputation of Princess Wu Xuan of Tianli Kingdom, even though I'm not an inner - sect disciple. You don't have spiritual power now. If you go back to Changkong Academy, they'll surely find an opportunity to attack you again. I'm in the outer sect and can't take care of you."
"Even so, I'll accept it."
In this world, besides her mother, the only one who cared about her life and death should be the girl in front of her.
Zhao Shuning looked at Luo Feiyan in frustration.
Then she suddenly stood up.
She said, "You stay here to recuperate. I'll go back to Changkong Academy on your behalf. How about that?"
Anyway, she had already done all the things that belonged to Luo Qiu before. Now, it wouldn't hurt to do a little more.
"You— Sister, don't make fun of me. How can we just swap identities like this? You—"
Zhao Shuning gently pulled off the red veil.
A peerlessly beautiful face appeared in front of Luo Feiyan.