The matter in the State of Cangwu was, so to speak, over.
Zhao Shuning finally let go of the burden in her heart.
These children were not exactly a source of distress for her, but if she knew they were in trouble, she would still risk everything to save them.
Due to the tight schedule, Zhao Shuning didn't return to Jiangning.
Gu Zhiruo arranged a large dragon boat for her to depart directly from Huadu. Setting off from the canal, it would be much faster.
Before boarding the dragon boat, she received images from Luo Qiu and Gu Hanxun, saying that they had sent her parents back to the Zhao Family in Linjiang. They also said that although her father was still suffering from dementia and couldn't speak, he could move his hands and feet and even walk on the ground. It should only be a matter of time before he regained his sanity.
Zhao Shuning felt relieved.
On the dragon boat, she was restless.
The phoenix beside her sensed its master's uneasiness.
It revealed itself, shrank its body several times, and perched on Zhao Shuning's shoulder.
At this moment, Zhao Shuning was pushing open the window, gazing at the boundless sea outside.
There were doubts, uneasiness, and even a hint of fear in her heart.
"Master, do you really take what's on the silver plate seriously?"
"Man proposes, God disposes. It's fifty - fifty."
The silver plate was an ancient artifact that had been lost for many years. Now that it appeared in the palace of the State of Cangwu, few people could recognize such an object. If it weren't for Luo Qiu, who had lived for hundreds of years and had a sharp eye, they might have mistaken it for an ordinary plate.
"However, I've never carefully investigated the matter of the silver plate before."
The phoenix replied, "The silver plate is actually closely related to the Star - Disk Great Formation."
"Is the Star - Disk Great Formation the thing that Bu Ran is in charge of guarding?"
The phoenix nodded.
It continued, "Five hundred years ago, there was a significant upheaval in the Star - Disk Great Formation. It can be said that although the Star - Disk Great Formation currently under the control of the Emperor Venerable is complete, it is not perfect because one corner of the formation was lost during that abnormal shock."
"Is that corner the silver plate?"
"Yes."
The phoenix was an old monster that had lived for many years. Although it didn't know much about this, it still knew more than Zhao Shuning.
Five hundred years ago?
"Exactly when?"
"It was when you, in your previous life as Luo Feiyan, perished. At that time, the Emperor Venerable was in a bad mood, lacked self - control, and was heartbroken. So, the Star - Disk Great Formation also became turbulent then."
"Bu Ran has never told me these things."
However, given Bu Ran's character, how could he tell her such things?
He probably didn't want to increase her sense of guilt.
"Master, the matter of the silver plate may not be reliable. For the past five hundred years, the Star - Disk Great Formation has been in the hands of the Emperor Venerable, and there has been no major chaos in the Nine - State Continent. Maybe the silver plate has no function at all."
Zhao Shuning nodded with a smile.
She stroked the phoenix's fur.
This guy was still too naive.
If it knew the content on the silver plate, it probably wouldn't react like this.
"Master, you're so uneasy because of what's on the silver plate. Is there some bad omen on it?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"I'm just overthinking."
The phoenix naturally didn't believe it. But since Zhao Shuning didn't want to tell it, it couldn't press for details.
"Alright, this ship will be sailing on the sea for at least seven or eight days. You should rest first. There will be many times when I need you when we reach the Eastern Continent."
The phoenix flapped its wings, and its gorgeous feathers formed a beautiful sight.
"Master, you watch first. The waves on this sea are really making me dizzy."
The phoenix got into the Qiankun Pouch.
Zhao Shuning looked down.
Gazing at the blue sea outside the window, she smiled faintly.
She stretched out her hand.
The sea breeze blew through her fingertips, feeling like a gentle caress, carrying a hint of moisture.
Suddenly, a slight pain came from her lower abdomen, and Zhao Shuning frowned slightly.
Lately, her body always seemed to be uncomfortable.
Bu Ran should be very busy recently.
After she finished the things at hand, she would spend all her time with him.
She took out the silver plate from her bosom and enlarged it.
At first glance, it really wasn't much different.
It was entirely silver - white, just like the Milky Way in the legend.
There were dense small characters on the silver plate. Zhao Shuning had long memorized the content by heart.
The silver plate was originally a corner of the Star - Disk Great Formation, used for prediction. Now, this lost corner recorded Zhao Shuning's fate.
Bu Ran once said.
There were three lifetimes of entanglement between them, and none of them ended well.
After the three lifetimes.
Bu Ran's thousand - year lonely and evil fate could be resolved, and he could obtain happiness.
However, a bitter smile appeared on Zhao Shuning's face.
But Bu Ran, you only saw the general outline of the whole thing and didn't know there was an ending to these things. You are the Emperor Venerable, the most noble being in the Nine - State Continent. I am just the medicine to resolve your thousand - year lonely and evil fate, but I am not your final destination.
How ridiculous!
You will finally obtain happiness, but the destination of that happiness is not me.
The content on the silver plate was faintly visible.
Zhao Shuning tossed the silver plate gently. It drew a beautiful arc in the air, and then with a "plop" sound, it sank into the water and gradually disappeared into the seabed.
This silver plate.
If she kept it by her side, it would always be a curse.
It always reminded her that she and Bu Ran would not end well.
The ancients often said that what is destined to be will be, and there is no use in forcing things that are not. But Bu Ran, what should I do? You are so good. How can I convince myself to give you up? How can I leave you?
I am the antidote to your thousand - year lonely and evil fate, but I am also your archenemy.
Many times when you were on the verge of death, it was all caused by me.
Zhao Shuning took a deep breath.
"So what? Even if I know this is a disaster, I will surely cherish it well."
She stretched.
When she raised her eyes again, there was no trace of sadness in them.
"I still have many things waiting for me. If I don't handle them well, I won't be at peace even on my deathbed."
Zhao Shuning closed the window.
She sat down at the table.
Looking at the small notebook that Dongfang Yinuo had solemnly given her before leaving, she began to study it.
This notebook could help her better understand the origin, development, and current situation of the Eastern Continent.
The Eastern Continent had existed for eight hundred years.
In its early days, there was a general named Dongfang Sheng, and there was a princess from the State of Tianli beside him. Their personalities complemented each other. When Ruoqiang and Loulan were at war and in conflict, they chose to stay out of it. So, the power of the Eastern Continent had not been greatly affected.
Over the years, the development of the Eastern Continent had mostly relied on the Dongfang Family.
The Dongfang Family was extremely powerful.
But as time passed, the number of male descendants in the Dongfang Family became fewer and fewer. In this generation, if one didn't look back into history, there was only Dongfang Yinuo, the direct - line descendant.
The Eastern Continent respected men. Although the common people were afraid of the power of the Dongfang Family, because there were no strong male descendants in the family, the family had suffered a lot of criticism.
The morale of the army was also becoming increasingly unstable.