278 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

If not for the brief, amused smile tugging at the corner of Ran Fanyan's lips, any onlooker would sigh wistfully at the sight and think, "With such a lovely wife, what more could a husband ask for?" Ning Songwu, lost in a whirl of guilt and anxiety, paid no attention to these subtleties. Muttering internally, she thought, "Mother was right to tell me to always keep my distance from her. This woman is indeed frightening." Seeing Ran Fanyan still standing there, Ning Songwu got up and sighed, saying, "Madam, you only need to be yourself. There's no need to change for anyone—it's my problem." Ran Fanyan, her patience exhausted, stopped arguing. She stood up and approached the table, picking up a bowl of soup and handing it to Ning Songwu with a smile, "Wu Lang, if you don't drink this chicken soup soon, it'll get cold." At this moment, Ran Fanyan resembled Pan Jinlian, urging her Da Lang to quickly drink his medicine. [No one knows what the bloodline of this demon god looks like. Aren’t they afraid of killing recklessly and possibly eliminating a newly reincarnated demon god?] [If the Sword Immortal hadn't rescued Elder Cat, such a genius would have been slain by that group of demon clan crazies.] [Support A Sheng not ascending the throne. It’s not like the previous life where only she could take that position. What's the point of holding it? It would be better to return to the sect and act as an idle elder.] [No wonder Rong Yuan didn't have screen time by the end of the previous life. She must have given her life to bring A Sheng back to the demon clan.] [Why bother? Ye Wuchen is also a competent commander—clear-headed, ruthless, skilled in manipulation. It’s just a bloodline. Besides, not being in the demon clan doesn't mean he won't help.] [How can we convince Elder Rong Yuan? Such a high-level combatant—she must not be lost.] […Madam…] [Aaaaaahhhh…] [Oh my gosh, Master referred to herself that way.] [Is Master blushing from belated realization?] [No way, I have to seize the opportunity.] [So embarrassing, can’t say it out loud…] [I do seem overly sentimental.] [What does Yuwai Haetian have to do with me? As long as those who rescued me are safe, that's enough.] [Forget it, every pitiable person must have some contemptible traits.] [Not protective? It felt like Elder Cat was going to drill a hole through Rong Yuan with her stare earlier.] [Alright then, if not protective, so be it. It’s not important.] [Master, honestly, very unromantic.] [Been back for so long.] [Not even a kiss.] [Ugh.] Chapter 107: Interstice (1) [Wonder if she has grown into her reliable past self.] [All those cheat skills had reasons behind them; it’s everyone working together to save ourselves again.] [Only two problems left.] [Who wrote that book, and…] [Coming to Tiancheng Xian Sect this time, first, to find the person behind the scenes, and second, to find Xiao Wancheng. This matter surely involves her.] [!!!] [Nascent Soul Realm?!] [I have Master's help in cultivation, specialized techniques, and worldly aid, yet over the years I've only progressed from Nascent Soul to Deity Transformation. Jiang Mang jumped straight from Nascent Soul to Nascent Soul Unification?] [Please, Jiang Mang, you’re the most obsessed swordsman I know. Don’t fall for these things.] […] Waiting anxiously for half a month without receiving Ning Jingyang’s letter, Ning Songwu felt uneasy. Zhou Huaxiu asked her every few days. "Wu'er, have you received a letter from your father?" "Wu'er, could your father have encountered some problem?" "Wu'er, I need to return to the capital immediately. Your dad might be in trouble." "Wu'er, your dad hasn't lived to see a grandchild yet..." One day, Ning Songwu had just gotten off the carriage when Zhong Xiang, who had been waiting at the door, came up, visibly happy, "Young Master, you’ve finally returned. The old master sent a letter; the lady is waiting for you to read it to her." Being born into a poor family, Zhou Huaxiu was almost illiterate, hardly recognizing a few characters. Years ago, when Ning Jingyang was destitute and nearly starved, Zhou Huaxiu’s father, out of kindness, took him in, allowing him to focus on his studies and pursue fame without the worry of hunger. Under the same roof, they developed feelings for each other day by day. Later, when he became an advisor for the Sheng family and saved some money, he married her. "Dear Huaxiu, peace to you. I’ve safely arrived in the capital for a few days; do not worry." "The Empress Dowager, being blessed, is recovering steadily. The Emperor is greatly pleased and has allowed Wu'er a month's vacation to return to the capital with family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together." "Recently, I’ve been handling official duties and will set off for the capital in early August. I hope to see you, Wu'er, and Fanyan soon." Ning Songwu finished reading and handed the letter to Zhou Huaxiu. "Your father says the Emperor allowed us to return to the capital for Mid-Autumn? That's wonderful. Finally, we can go back to the capital. Hurry and pack, don’t forget anything." Zhou Huaxiu got up and paced the hall, ordering the maids to pack up belongings, wishing she could leave immediately. "Mother, we’ll still be returning to Zhongzhou County. There’s no need to pack extensively; we’ll be back in a month." Ning Songwu observed Zhou Huaxiu's large-scale preparations and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This wasn’t a vacation but seemed like a permanent move. Ning Songwu added, "Moreover, there’s everything in the Sima residence. Just pack a few personal clothes and some pocket money. Staying at the official post won't cost much." Zhou Huaxiu agreed, "True, true. This is a vacation, not returning to be capital officials. We shouldn’t pack too much then. But Sa Jin must bring some souvenirs to make those little ladies envious, and also Hong Ji smoked duck, Xu Ji ham, Liangpin date cake, and Yan's sausages from Zhongqiao Street. We need to bring everything." Although Zhou Huaxiu disliked Zhongzhou, its delicacies had captured her heart. "Mother, there are still more than two weeks before August. We have time," Ning Songwu reassured her. Ning Songwu had intended to secretly send the "Shanhe Jinxiu Tu" to the capital, but with this timely letter, a month's vacation meant he could bring it to the capital himself, reducing the risk of mishap.