14 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

【Girl, you’ve fallen.】 　　Outside the hall, Ran Fanyin, who was holding a white stone and focusing on the chessboard, trembled at these words, almost dropping the stone. 　　The woman, who was bored and propping her head to the side, asked, "What’s wrong, Senior Sister?" 　　"…They’re having quite an enjoyable conversation." 　　"Indeed, two little icebergs sitting together can actually chat. It's almost time, right?" 　　Ran Fanyin looked up and saw the girl holding two bowls of medicinal soup, Shiran, entering the room. She then placed another stone on the board. "It’s about to begin." 　　"One sword cultivator, one technique cultivator, one healer—a perfect combination." 　　"Are you dismissing Cen Ran's disciple straight away?" 　　The woman in pink pouted her lips. "Her intentions are not pure; let's forget it." 　　"But she will eventually need comrades." Elder Ran placed another stone on the board. "Let's see how long the person behind this can endure." 　　The woman placed a stone and clapped her hands joyfully. "Senior Sister, I won! Pay up, pay up." 　　"I genuinely can’t compete with you and your clever little tricks." 　　"Lack of skill is lack of skill. Is Senior Sister trying to renege? Hmm?" 　　In contrast to the joy outside, inside the room, the two girls sitting facing each other shrank back silently as Liu Ruoying brought in two bowls of dark medicinal soup. 　　Just the smell was bitter enough to make one shiver. 　　Luo Sheng’s reaction was even greater. Her fingers clutched tightly to her clothes, her lips pressed firmly together, her expression serious, as if preparing for a battle. 　　Ning Songwu wasn’t unafraid; she just didn’t show it, sitting calmly though her heart was in turmoil. 　　As if afraid they'd run, several thick vines rose from the ground, tightly binding them to the bed, leaving them unable to move. 　　They watched helplessly as the medicinal liquid floated toward them and forced its way into their mouths, sliding down their throats. 　　Immediately, the bitterness spread, seeping through their whole bodies. 　　Luo Sheng shook like a sieve, her brows furrowed. Though the pain had not yet hit, she was already sweating and trembling lightly, looking quite unwell. 　　The girl in a green dress standing nearby hurried over, placed a hand on her shoulder, and gently transferred some warmth to calm her trembling. Luo Sheng gazed at her gratefully, not yet able to speak before the medicinal effects reached her dantian, causing almost excruciating pain to surge through her body. 　　At that moment, her cold, pale fingertips were enveloped by the hand of the person next to her, who gave them a gentle squeeze. 　　She glanced sideways. The girl in white was also trembling, eyes shut tightly, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Even the platinum ribbon in her hair was trembling. Sensing her gaze, the girl turned her head slightly, her eyes half-open and gave a weak smile. 　　She couldn’t hear the girl’s thoughts and assumed she still had some energy left, unaware that in her heart, the girl was cursing eighteen generations of the heavens' ancestors. 　　And just as well, the heavens couldn’t hear her thoughts. 　　[... Just excruciating abdominal pain! This girl has also endured periods!] 　　Even her thoughts were trembling. 　　Ran Fanyin touched her ear, trying to cast out the foul language cursing the heavens she had just picked up. Opposite her, her opponent had become the green-dressed woman, her hair half-bundled at the back, pinned with a wooden hairpin, looking particularly simple. 　　Qin Siyue noticed her abnormality and raised her eyes slightly. "What’s wrong? Not feeling well? Did you collect this month’s medicine on time?" 　　"I did, I’m not unwell." 　　"Then why the constant change in expressions? I thought you finally understood the chessboard." 　　Helan Mianmian, sitting to the side, chuckled at this. "If Senior Sister’s farm income doubles again, it would still be more likely than her understanding this chessboard." 　　"..." Ran Fanyin silently placed another stone. 　　Qin Siyue changed the topic. "Have you made any progress in cultivation recently? Is the restriction of the heavenly spirit root still that serious?" 　　Elder Ran sighed deeply. "Yes, the cultivation speed hasn’t increased much. But, from what I’ve checked, Ning Songwu went from entering the Dao to mid-Foundation Establishment within two years in the outer sect. She seems to be unrestricted." 　　Qin Siyue paused her move. "If that’s the case, we have a comparison at hand. If Ning Songwu progresses quickly with the same technique, then there’s no issue with the technique. If she’s as slow as you, you need to reconsider." 　　"Mm, I will." 　　"Alright, I’ve won." Elder Qin extended her hand. "Pay up, Elder Ran." 　　"..." 　　* 　　Ning Songwu was awakened by the scent of food, her consciousness clear, but her limbs weak, her lower abdomen aching and empty, her body feeling heavier. 　　She only recalled the pain surging from her dantian, her meridians feeling as if they were peeled apart and then rejoined, her body becoming increasingly limp. When she had completely lost consciousness, she seemed to fall into a fragrant and soft embrace. 　　[... In the end, was that Master?] 　　Clad in moon-white robes, it should have been her Master. 　　Master, so fragrant... 　　And the food smells so good... "Now that you’re awake, get up and eat." Ran Fanyin's voice drifted in, cool and emotionless. 　　Ning Songwu struggled but failed to sit up. 　　[So painful, so painful, why does it hurt so much? If I had known it would hurt this much, I would’ve let Lin Yuxue push me off. I don’t even know if I die if I can go back to my world.] 　　A sudden flick on her forehead made little Ning cry out softly and open her eyes wide. Her Master was glaring at her with an unpleasant expression. Seeing her awake, she huffed coldly, "Get up and eat." [Why is Master suddenly angry? Truly, a woman's heart is a needle in the sea.] Why was she angry? Ran Fanyin silently mocked. Someone so disrespectful of life, she could have kicked her off Chaomu Peak. She just flicked her forehead, already holding back a lot. Ning Songwu followed behind the woman, her legs trembling. Her white clothes, previously soaked with cold sweat, had been changed. Her new white dress bore slightly different patterns. [Master really likes the white and gold combination.] [No, the atmosphere is too awkward. Need to think of a topic.] The woman, who initially thought of explaining the current situation, closed her mouth and waited for the girl to bring up a topic instead.