In the capital city of the State of Cangwu.
Five generations after Gu Hanxun's disappearance, the capital city changed its name.
It was now called the Flower Capital.
This was also related to the annual Flower - Hunting Festival in the State of Cangwu.
Zhao Shuning didn't remember many place names. Without the Phoenix by her side, it was already a great feat that she didn't get lost.
It was worth mentioning that not long after Zhao Shuning, Luo Qiu, and Xu Yue'er left Jiangning City.
Zhao Shuning suddenly felt a warmth in her heart.
She sensed something. She quickly stopped the carriage, flew onto a nearby big tree.
The soaring bird traced several graceful arcs in the air. When it saw Zhao Shuning, it swooped towards her.
"Phoenix."
This little thing had finally come back.
The Phoenix had been flying high all the way. Now that it saw Zhao Shuning, it shrank its body several times and landed on her shoulder.
Zhao Shuning stroked the feathers on the Phoenix's neck.
"Stinky Phoenix, you've finally come. I've missed you so much."
The Phoenix gave Zhao Shuning a cold look.
It seemed extremely impatient.
"If you hadn't left me in that lousy place to take care of that arrogant guy named Lin Lang, would I have come so late? Every time there's a mess, you just walk away. Is this how a master should be?"
"Yuck - you stinky bird, why are you in such a bad mood today?"
The Phoenix said angrily, "That Lin Lang almost burned my feathers. If it weren't for the fact that he's the one you want to win over, I would have killed him long ago."
Judging from the Phoenix's gritted - teeth look, it must have suffered a lot of grievances from Lin Lang.
The Phoenix was never the type to grovel. Who did it need to flatter?
"If you ever dump such a thankless task on me again, don't talk to me in the future."
"Are you really that angry?"
Zhao Shuning soothed, "Don't be angry. I'll take you to Dongzhou. I promise I'll never leave you with others again, okay? It's just that you're the most capable one around me. No one else could handle this matter."
The Phoenix rolled its eyes.
"Well, that's true."
The Phoenix was still as narcissistic as ever.
Zhao Shuning gave a flattering smile.
"Let's go. Let's get down."
The Phoenix was different from other demonic beasts. When it followed Zhao Shuning back then, it was actually a step down. Its strange and arrogant temper was indulged by Zhao Shuning when she was Ye Ling.
Back in the carriage.
The Phoenix had already entered the illusory realm that Yan Ruyu had created for Hundun and Bai Ze to rest.
It was obvious that it was really exhausted.
The carriage was moving on the road.
The official's daughter, Xu Yue'er, kept stealing glances at Zhao Shuning.
At first, Zhao Shuning could pretend not to notice, but after several times, she felt like there were thorns on her back. She had to say, "Miss Xu, is there something on my face?"
Xu Yue'er quickly shook her head.
She said gracefully, "I just feel it's a great honor to share a carriage with you, senior."
"Where, where."
To put it nicely, Luo Qiu and Zhao Shuning were taking Xu Yue'er with them on the journey to protect the Flower Fairy of the State of Cangwu.
But in fact, Zhao Shuning and Luo Qiu heard that Xu Yue'er was also going back to the capital, so they hitched a ride on her carriage.
If they could ride in a comfortable carriage, who would want to fly in the sky day and night, not to mention consuming mental energy, and it was also quite tiring to fly with a sword.
"I wonder if you have a place to stay when we get to the Flower Capital, senior?"
"We'll just find an inn. Luo Qiu and I aren't that particular."
"If you don't have a place, you and Miss Luo Qiu can stay at my Xu Mansion for a while."
"No, thanks."
Zhao Shuning immediately refused.
Not to mention that she and Xu Yue'er had only met a few times. It wasn't good to take too much advantage of her.
Moreover.
She heard that Xu Yue'er's father was Xu Bin, the grand tutor. Just thinking of a grand tutor, Zhao Shuning would picture an old, bearded, and head - shaking scholar in her mind.
He must be extremely rigid. She wasn't a rule - abiding person, so she didn't want to bother the grand tutor or make herself unhappy.
Xu Yue'er still wanted to persuade her.
Zhao Shuning quickly changed the topic.
"By the way, Miss Xu, you're so beautiful and talented. Is there someone you like in the State of Cangwu?"
Xu Yue'er blushed.
Zhao Shuning said again, "No?"
She nodded.
She straightened her expression and said, "The men in our State of Cangwu are all heroic, but I'm unlucky. I can't really talk to most of them."
"What a pity."
"What are you pitying, senior?"
"It's a pity that Gu Zhiruo is already married."
Hearing this, Xu Yue'er's face became even more embarrassed.
"Senior, what are you saying? The king and the queen are deeply in love. I only respect the king and have never had any improper thoughts. Moreover, before the queen got married, she was also a student of my father. I regard her as my own sister. Senior, your teasing isn't funny at all."
"Miss Xu, don't misunderstand. I just sighed that with your talent, the only one who can match you is the king of your State of Cangwu. I didn't mean that you have an affair with him or anything. I know that little brat's temper very well. If there was really a possibility between you two, you probably wouldn't be able to escape."
Xu Yue'er lowered her head.
Zhao Shuning said again, "A woman's destination isn't necessarily marriage."
Xu Yue'er raised her eyes.
She said excitedly, "Do you think so too, senior?"
Zhao Shuning said, "Yes. If a woman can't meet a good man and just settles for someone casually, the rest of her life will be filled with regret. Instead, it's better to find something she's willing to do in this world and strive to reach that height. Maybe during this period, she can also meet a good man. Even if she doesn't meet that man who can make her happy, she's still living and struggling for herself. Even when she closes her eyes, she won't have too many regrets."
Xu Yue'er put her hands under her chin.
She looked at Zhao Shuning while she was talking and felt more and more admiration.
"Senior, you're so right."
Xu Yue'er said again, "I wish I could be as unrestrained as you, senior. You see things so openly. You should have no one to miss, right?"
A rare blush appeared on Zhao Shuning's face.
She said, "I do."
She already had Buran, yet she was saying such high - sounding words. Wasn't it a bit...?
"Of course. For a woman like you, senior, if I were a man, I'm afraid I would be deeply in love with you. The person who can catch your eye must be extraordinary."
"Of course he is extraordinary."
Luo Qiu got up slightly.
She seemed a bit uncomfortable.
"Miss, it's a bit stuffy in the carriage. I'll go outside for a walk."
"Okay."
Xu Yue'er said, "The journey outside is arduous, and the carriage is moving fast. Once Miss Luo Qiu gets off, she may not be able to keep up with the speed of the carriage."
Luo Qiu didn't respond to Xu Yue'er and got off the carriage directly.
Xu Yue'er murmured, "Your maid, senior, is really a bit strange."
Sometimes she didn't look like a servant girl, but more like a high - ranking queen.
Apart from senior, Xu Yue'er had never seen Miss Luo Qiu give anyone a good look.