"I trust Ning'er," Yan Ruyu said with an even warmer smile, as gentle as a spring breeze.
If only she could.
Zhao Shuning really wanted to lie beside Bu Ran and just stare at him. She felt she could never get enough of looking at him.
They each had their own missions.
They were often apart.
But they both reserved their tenderest sides for each other.
Zhao Shuning gave a charming smile, looking as shy as a young bride seeing her husband for the first time.
Yan Ruyu looked at Ning'er in the image.
Involuntarily, he reached out his hand.
How wonderful it would be if she were by his side.
Suddenly, there were a few coughs nearby.
Both Yan Ruyu and Zhao Shuning turned towards the sound.
Feng Zhan couldn't hide his disgust. "Come on, you two. There are other people here!"
When they got all lovey - dovey, no one could beat them.
"And Bu Ran, it's not that I'm nagging you, but we're about to set off. How come you didn't leave a single life - saving pill for me? Seriously, we're family! You gave the red lotus to your woman and sent all the good stuff to the Zhao family. Being your older brother is so frustrating. I can't get any benefits at all."
Feng Zhan started muttering again.
Seeing this, Shi Jiu quickly pulled Feng Zhan aside.
Then, turning back to Zhao Shuning, he said apologetically, "You and Bu Ran talk first. I'll take A Zhan out to pack the things we need for the journey. Bu Ran, don't worry about those things. A Zhan will handle them for you."
Yan Ruyu nodded with a gentle smile.
Zhao Shuning could vaguely hear Feng Zhan's retorts, but the sound gradually faded away. It seemed that Shi Jiu's words still had an effect on him.
Actually, few people could control Feng Zhan's mouth. He was used to being devious, but he was surprisingly honest with his family. Just as he was about to finish his speech, Shi Jiu covered his mouth and dragged him away.
Yan Ruyu looked at Zhao Shuning in the image.
He said slowly, "Ning'er, do you have anything else important to say?"
"No. By the way, Bu Ran, where are you going?"
"To the Ghost Domain."
Hearing the Ghost Domain, Zhao Shuning forced a smile.
She didn't ask any more questions.
The last time Zhao Huai came, he said that he was now in the ancient desolate land of the Ghost Domain, living with fierce beasts. Bu Ran must have his reasons for going there.
"Ning'er, do you want to know why?"
"Would Bu Ran like to tell me?"
Yan Ruyu said, "It's better that you don't know about this."
"Then so be it. Bu Ran, I know you always know what you're doing. You're the founder of this Nine - Continent World. You always think things through carefully. I just want to ask you that if a battle is really inevitable, please give me a chance, a chance to persuade my brother."
Yan Ruyu smiled.
He didn't refute.
He just said, "Ning'er, you're still too naive. Many things can't be decided by feelings. Don't worry. I'm going to the Ghost Domain for other things this time. It shouldn't come to a big battle with Zhao Huai."
Zhao Shuning felt a bit more at ease.
She said again, "Be careful."
"Okay."
"Then you go ahead with your business. I'm going to the capital of the Cangwu Kingdom."
"Okay. Ning'er, be careful."
After the image disappeared, Zhao Shuning felt a bit lost.
The relationship between them was so complicated.
They were both the people she loved most.
If she really had to make a choice, what should she do?
"My head hurts," she murmured.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Miss, are you awake?"
It was Luo Qiu's voice.
Zhao Shuning opened the door.
Behind Luo Qiu stood Gu Hanxun. It seemed that they had met and talked last night.
"What's up?"
"Yesterday, I settled all the people in Jiangning City. The governor's mansion is temporarily empty. In less than a month, people from the capital should come to investigate this matter. But I heard from this monk yesterday that you're planning to go to the capital, miss?"
"Yes. I told you before that I must go to the capital."
"Can I go with you?"
Zhao Shuning looked at Gu Hanxun behind Luo Qiu.
Gu Hanxun's eyes glanced at Luo Qiu's face from time to time.
"Miss, is that okay?"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
Luo Qiu let out a sigh of relief and smiled brightly.
"I'll go see the master and the mistress first."
"Okay."
Xiao Qiu was actually very easy to please. She would be satisfied with just one word, without the need for much else.
After Luo Qiu left, Gu Hanxun didn't leave.
Zhao Shuning said, "You want to ask why Luo Qiu looks exactly like Luo Feiyan?"
"I knew a bit about it before, but I didn't expect that there really is someone who looks exactly like you in this world."
Exactly the same?
Zhao Shuning pursed her lips and smiled.
Bu Ran could tell the difference between Luo Qiu and her.
She felt herself getting closer to Bu Ran in her heart.
"When she was in Liu Yuan's womb, a master was invited to transfer my spiritual energy and appearance to her, so that's why they look so alike. By the way, Liu Yuan is Xiao Qiu's mother."
"I'm just surprised."
"I can understand. Xiao Qiu wasn't very happy before, so her actions were a bit extreme. If you're free, don't provoke her."
Gu Hanxun first squinted his eyes in confusion.
Then, realizing what Zhao Shuning meant, he quickly explained, "I don't have any special feelings for her. I was just shocked last night when I saw her because she looked just like you. I'm just curious about her. I don't have any other intentions."
"Xiao Qiu is a good girl. If you really have any intentions towards her, it's normal. But if the two of you get together."
Zhao Shuning shrugged and spread out her hands.
If the two of them really got together, the world would probably be in chaos.
"Miss, don't talk nonsense. I can feel that her spiritual power is quite high. And her attitude towards people is very cold. She only smiles when she's with you. I'm just curious about her."
Zhao Shuning motioned that she understood.
"However, if I see this face too often, I'll always think of some past events. Sometimes, it might distract me."
"You don't have to worry about this. When Xiao Qiu is outside, she usually doesn't show her true face. She can be either male or female, and her appearance can change accordingly."
"No wonder. If she always looked like this, I would have discovered it a long time ago. I can understand the part about changing appearance, but the part about being male or female?"
"She once made a mistake and did a lot of stupid things."
Luo Qiu once hunted the female mermaid tribe. On the surface, it was for the magic potion, but in fact, it might be for the ability of the female mermaid tribe to choose their gender when transforming.
"There are really a lot of strange and capable people around you, miss. She has such a beautiful face but instead goes to great lengths to become a man. What kind of obsession does she have? Could it be that she's in love with a woman?"
When Gu Hanxun said this, he was just joking.
Zhao Shuning didn't take it seriously either.
She casually said, "Xiao Qiu is so excellent. How can an ordinary man be worthy of her?"