Xia Qingyan was angry with his father.
Perhaps it was on behalf of his mother, or perhaps on behalf of himself.
"You treat me differently now," Xia Qingyan said with a touch of emotion.
Zhao Shuning put down the teacup in her hand.
"A bit," she replied.
"Is it because there are some things I haven't told you?"
"Yes," Zhao Shuning said. "We're friends. I don't want you to be unhappy in the future. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll return to Ruoqiang soon. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"You're willing to help me?" Xia Qingyan seemed quite surprised by her words.
"Yes," but there won't be a next time.
It was just her way of repaying Xia Qingyan for helping her out at the banquet in Ruoqiang.
"If you're really willing to help me, you might as well stay by my side forever. That would comfort me more," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning stood up and rolled her eyes at him.
"Don't push your luck."
"I'm just joking. Don't be so agitated," Xia Qingyan said.
How could Zhao Shuning not be agitated? She was talking business with him, but he suddenly said such a thing.
"Seriously, Miss Luo, was that man you were with last night really the one you like?"
"Yes."
"No wonder," Xia Qingyan said.
"No wonder what?"
"Since I met you, I've always been curious about what kind of man would be by your side in the future. Or rather, what kind of man would be worthy of such a free - spirited you. After that man revealed his true self last night, I knew I had no chance. In every aspect, he's beyond my reach."
Xia Qingyan's praise for her master made Zhao Shuning feel quite comfortable.
"By the way, have you ever told your father about your feelings towards him?"
Xia Qingyan shook his head.
"My father is no ordinary person. Even if I don't say it, he should be able to sense it."
"Do you need me to be the middle - man?"
Xia Qingyan was about to refuse.
But when he saw Zhao Shuning's eyes,
it was as if a gray cloth had been thrown over his heart.
There was a fleeting glint of cunning in Xia Qingyan's eyes. It was so brief that Zhao Shuning, with her head down, didn't notice.
"Sure," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning looked up. She thought Xia Qingyan would definitely refuse.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Okay—"
"However, to enter the palace, there are some procedures. How about this? You should rest well first. In a couple of days, I'll send you the clothes. I'd like you to visit my father's residence and check if that woman has ulterior motives. If she treats my father well, that's fine. If not, please help me."
Zhao Shuning was an alchemist. Xia Qingyan had known this since he stayed at the Luo family.
"Do I have to change clothes?"
"Consider it the price for leaving me alone in the Nether Valley," Xia Qingyan said.
Zhao Shuning smacked her lips. Then she remembered.
She really seemed to have forgotten that he was also in the Nether Valley at that time.
"I'm really sorry. I forgot. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Of course I'm fine. If it weren't for the heavy rain that woke me up later, I don't know if the man - eating ants in the forest would have devoured my body completely."
Zhao Shuning felt guilty.
"Alright, I admit my mistake. It's just changing clothes. I'll do as you say."
"Then it's settled."
Zhao Shuning nodded, stood up, and stretched.
"Prince, I won't waste your time. I have something to do. I need to find my grandfather."
"Okay," Xia Qingyan said with a smile in his eyes. He watched Zhao Shuning walk away silently.
His expression changed slowly after a moment. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. He just stared in the direction where Zhao Shuning had left, his face solemn.
"Are you still in touch with the young prince of the Hailing Kingdom?" Ye Qingluan asked.
"Yes. I'm just repaying him for helping me out at the Luo family," Zhao Shuning replied.
"This man is not as simple as he seems," Ye Qingluan said.
"I know, Mother. I'll be on my guard."
Just then, Ye Feng walked out from the back hall.
"Girl, here's something for you."
"What's this good thing?" Zhao Shuning quickly reached out her hand. Ye Feng mysteriously placed the object in her palm.
It was a copper - like piece, but it didn't seem to be ordinary copper. And the texture was strangely familiar.
"Grandfather, what is this?"
"I don't know either. Anyway, this thing can suppress extremely powerful forces. It's useless for me, so I'll give it to you."
Zhao Shuning calmly took it. Maybe it was just a special copper piece.
"Show this to my grandson - in - law. He might know what it is," Ye Feng said.
"Grandfather, why do you always mention him?"
"Hahaha, I'm happy," Ye Feng said.
Zhao Shuning also laughed.
Ye Feng called Zhao Shuning here not only to give her this copper piece but also many precious medicinal herbs. He knew his granddaughter was an alchemist, and these herbs could help improve her skills.
After Ye Feng's birthday celebration, he planned to leave for Qianji Kill today. Luo Hao was also anxious. After all, he had been away from Ruoqiang for some time. But since Ye Qingluan didn't mention going back, he didn't dare to say anything.
"Let's go. Pack your things. We'll leave today," Ye Feng said.
Zhao Shuning put her hand down.
"Old man, I still have something to do here. I don't want to leave yet."
"What's the matter?"
"I'm waiting for him to come to me."
"Him? Is it your master?"
Zhao Shuning nodded. Her master seemed to have discovered something yesterday and told her to wait for him. She couldn't leave now.
"That's fine. You're grown - up. You should make your own decisions," Ye Feng said. Moreover, with the Emperor by her side, they were at ease.
Ye Feng agreed, and Ye Qingluan and the others naturally didn't dare to object.
Later that evening, they all left. The room where Zhao Shuning had stayed was specially reserved by Xia Qingyan.
In the middle of the night, Zhao Shuning felt someone standing in front of her bed.
She opened her eyes. Sure enough,
her master was standing there, staring at her.
"Master—Bu Ran, why are you here?"
"I'm a bit tired," he said.
Hearing this, Zhao Shuning quickly moved to the inside of the bed.
"Come up and sleep with me. The bed is big enough for both of us."
She thought her master would refuse. But he took off his boots, washed his feet, and then got into bed.
After lying down fully dressed, Zhao Shuning's heart was pounding.
Her master just closed his eyes and said gently, "Go to sleep."
Zhao Shuning let out a sigh of relief.
She thought she had done even more absurd things with her master. This time, just sleeping together soberly was nothing. There was no need for her to be shy.
Thinking of this, her eyelids began to droop. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.