The prince's mansion was vast.
When Zhao Shuning found Nianqing Pavilion, Wu Xuan had just entered the building.
Zhao Shuning glanced at the maid guarding outside, then went to a secluded corner, changed her clothes, and followed the next alchemist into Nianqing Pavilion.
The alchemist thought the maid following him was from the prince's mansion, so he didn't say a word. And the people in the mansion assumed the woman trailing the alchemist was his disciple, so they let them both in.
Inside, the voices of Wu Xuan and Xia Yan arguing could be heard.
"Princess, my son and you are just ill - fated lovers. From now on, please don't come to see him anymore."
After the alchemist arrived, Xia Yan said, "Thank you, senior. Someone, lead the senior to the young prince's room."
Zhao Shuning looked back. At that time, Wu Xuan was still throwing a tantrum.
Over the past few years, Wu Xuan's hair had grown back, even more black and shiny. Women in Tianli Country always cherished their hair, and she had taken excellent care of hers.
"Prince, please let me see Brother Qingyan. I haven't seen him for so many years. He never replied to my letters. I just want to tell him that I'm almost of marriageable age. I just want to see him one last time before I get married. Please?"
"My son doesn't want to see the princess now. Princess, please leave."
Although Wu Xuan was extremely reluctant, she was still escorted out of Nianqing Pavilion by Xia Yan.
"Senior, please. This is the young prince's residence."
Zhao Shuning followed the alchemist into the room. On the bed, Xia Qingyan lay there, his face pale as if drained of all color.
Seeing Xia Qingyan again, Zhao Shuning's heart was filled with mixed emotions. She could still remember the scene over three years ago when he knelt before her, begging for forgiveness.
Time flew by like a white pony galloping through a crack. In the blink of an eye, so much time had passed.
During these three years at Changkong Academy, in order to recuperate, Zhao Shuning never contacted anyone else. Even with her own family, she only spoke to Ye Qingluan once when she inquired about Gu Qingqing.
Apart from that, Zhao Shuning hadn't seen any old acquaintances or received any news from them.
According to her master, Xia Qingyan had written many letters to her. Lou Lan had also sent many precious items. Ruoqiang had sent many beautiful fabrics. Every month, Cangwu Country would send a purple - ling grass and a fine pill. There were many more.
Zhao Shuning had never read a single letter. She hadn't even contacted Luo Qiu in these three years. She knew her own condition, so she tried to control her emotions.
This time, she came to Hailing Country because she had no other choice. She didn't want to live in hiding anymore. Although she had lived a bit longer, she had done nothing meaningful.
"You're a maid from the prince's mansion, right? I'll be using some secret techniques when I examine the young prince later. You'd better not watch."
Zhao Shuning frowned. As an alchemist, she showed basic courtesy to her fellow alchemist. So, she politely asked, "Senior, can you cure the young prince's illness?"
"Of course."
"Of course?" This answer really surprised Zhao Shuning. The alchemist in front of her was at most a fifth - level alchemist. She wondered if Xia Yan had no other options and had to invite such an alchemist.
At first, Zhao Shuning thought this alchemist must have some special skills. But now, seeing his arrogant and disdainful expression and hearing him say "of course", she knew this alchemist was a quack and couldn't be trusted.
Zhao Shuning's spiritual power was almost at the ninth - rank. On the Nine - Continent Continent, there were probably no more than five alchemists who had reached the ninth - rank. Even with her ability, Zhao Shuning wasn't confident that she could cure Xia Qingyan. But this person in front of her was so boastful.
"Really? May I ask, senior, what kind of secret technique will you use later? Will it have any negative effects on the young prince's body?"
"Shut up! You're just a maid in the prince's mansion. Do you know your place? How dare you question me? I'm an alchemist, a fifth - level alchemist who is sought after by the common people and has cured countless diseases. Keep this in mind before you talk to me."
He had little real ability but an extremely arrogant personality. His tone was not what a fifth - level alchemist should use.
Zhao Shuning raised her head. The light in her eyes was impossible to ignore.
"As an alchemist, I don't expect you to benefit humanity, but I hope you don't use your skills to swindle people."
"You're just a low - born maid. How dare you talk to me like this? I was invited here with a large sum of money by your prince. If you offend me, your head may not be safe."
Zhao Shuning laughed. She said, "Thank you for your advice."
The next moment, a shrill scream echoed in the room.
Zhao Shuning clapped her hands and threw the person in her hand out of the third - floor window.
The third floor wasn't very high, but when the fifth - level alchemist landed in the main hall, he was seriously injured.
With a "thud", there came the noisy sound of footsteps.
"Senior, are you okay?" It was Xia Yan's voice.
Zhao Shuning opened the door, stood on the third floor, and looked down at the main hall in the middle.
Hearing the sound, Xia Yan also looked up.
In front of Xia Qingyan's room stood a woman in crimson clothes. The woman wore a veil, so her face couldn't be seen clearly. But judging from the aura she exuded, she was no ordinary person.
"Prince Xia, the maid in your mansion dared to hurt me. This is outrageous."
"Senior, please calm down. Someone, arrest that maid."
The fifth - rank alchemist, supported by others, gritted his teeth and said viciously, "If this maid isn't killed, I won't be able to cure the young prince's illness."
"Senior, please calm down. I will definitely give you an explanation."
Zhao Shuning gently tapped her toes, and her whole body soared into the air. The next moment, she flew down from the third floor.
She took off her veil.
The words on the tip of Prince Xia's tongue got stuck in his throat.
"Miss Luo—"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"This?"
"He's just a quack. Let me take care of the young prince's illness for now, okay?"
"Okay! Of course! It couldn't be better!"
Xia Yan was overjoyed. He knew that an alchemist of Zhao Shuning's level couldn't be bought with any amount of money. Before, he felt guilty and didn't dare to force her to come to the mansion to treat Xia Qingyan. But now, by the grace of heaven, she finally put aside her grudges and came.
"Prince Xia, this maid, she—"
"Someone!"
Before the man could finish his sentence, Xia Yan said to the guards behind him, "Throw this man into the desolate valley. For swindling money and destroying people's hopes, let the wild wolves in the valley deal with him."
"Prince, spare my life—Prince—Prince Xia—"