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

Chapter 47: Saturated with Envy Despite the agreement to stay indoors, Ning Songwu found herself sneaking out after just a few days. A gentle gaze followed her as she slipped away; he couldn't help but chuckle seeing her leave even without her Zhūquè. This girl, they had agreed to stay inside for a few days, but she still went out. Ning Songwu didn't wander far; she sneakily poked her head around Huànxī Peak, glanced around but didn't see the person she was looking for. Just as she was about to leave silently, a cold body pressed against her back. The softness on her shoulder told her the newcomer's identity. "Sister Ning, what brings you to our peak? That little fox is in seclusion," Su Ye's voice was as cold as her temperature. Ning Songwu awkwardly stepped aside, escaping both the mountain side and Su Ye's embrace, and hunched her shoulders. As a respectable young lady, she couldn't always be teased like this. Su Ye teased, "It’s summer, and the little ice cube won't let me hug her?" Ning Songwu shook her head vehemently, even as she asked, "I'm looking for Elder Helan. Is she not here today?" "Master is idling away in the back mountain, cooling off. Should I take you there?" Su Ye swaggered out from behind the mountain, revealing a long gray-marked tail coiled leisurely around the stone she had been standing on. Just one look made Ning Songwu's palms break into a cold sweat, the summer suddenly feeling chillier than winter. With a trembling voice, she stammered, "Thank you, Senior Sister, I'll go by myself." Helan Mianmian was reading in the pavilion of the back mountain. Seeing Ning Songwu approach, she was about to wave her over but noticed the pale face of the young girl and exclaimed, "What happened to you?" "Nothing," Ning Songwu shook her head, taking out several booklets from her bosom, "Auntie, I’ve finished making the corrections. Can you take a look?" She handed over booklets that Helan Xian had written in his spare time. Through these booklets, which shared her deep interests, Ning Songwu had confirmed that the CP she shipped must be real. If Elder Helan didn't care for the sect leader, she'd write their names backward. Their connection had started back during the late spring cold snap. Ning Songwu, unsure of how to help ease Ran Fanyin's suffering from the wind chill illness, thought of the symbols drawn on the enchanted robes. If she could learn such symbol art, she could draw them regularly, designing beautiful and practical patterns for each season's needs. The master of Huànxī Peak, well-known for his expertise in symbol art, was her target. With anxiety, Ning Songwu sought Elder Helan, only to find him telling stories to his eldest disciple. But these stories... turned out to be lady-love romances?! No wonder Senior Sister Su Ye seemed... not straight... Caught between leaving and staying out of politeness, Ning Songwu ended up interrupting their quiet. Thus, under unexpected circumstances, she was also drafted to proofread Helan Mianmian's works. Fortunately, Elder Helan's writing and story logic were exceptional, making her job a simple task of preliminary reading and correcting typos. In exchange, she gained the opportunity to study symbol art under Elder Helan—quite a good deal. Helan Mianmian laughed as she accepted the two booklets, patting them with affection. "You weren’t caught by my sister, were you?" Ning Songwu obediently shook her head. "Good, good. If she caught me, she'd lecture me about not focusing on proper matters. How’s your penmanship coming along?" Mastering symbol art required excellent control of the brush, and practicing good handwriting was the best training method. Ning Songwu took out the scriptures she had copied over the past few days. Helan Mianmian bit her lip as she examined them, shaking her head. "No good. You need more practice. The strokes lack strength, and your writing is too cautious." "Go back and practice. I have no more booklets for you to proofread. The one you wanted to read, 'After the New Rain in the Empty Mountain,' was borrowed by the sect leader and hasn’t been returned. Wait a bit longer." Ning Songwu regretfully agreed, "Alright. How long should I practice before turning in another assignment?" Helan Mianmian gave her a significant look and said, "Until you are no longer so hesitant and cautious." With this directive, Ning Songwu practiced through summer, fall, winter, and spring. As her cultivation approached the Golden Core stage, her handwriting still had not passed the stringent evaluation. 【How irritating, don’t you understand manners? Why interrupt?】 【... Expected as much.】 【Why does Master explain so thoroughly? It feels like... she's comforting me.】 【Is it just my misconception?】 【I'm scared, really scared.】 Even though she hadn't grown to her mother's level, her strict senior sister, raised under such harsh conditions, was the most upright person. She couldn't imagine any opportunity for little Ning to make a move. She liked women and teased by a woman, yet couldn't tease back daily. She had already planned the characters and plot for her next booklet. It'll be so heartbreaking, such a gut-wrenching tragedy, how pitiful. Su Ye looked at the person beside her, seemingly devastated, and couldn't help rolling her eyes. So narcissistic. Who would span centuries to fall for you two? Su Ye always preferred ice cubes. With vertical pupils scanning, a snake’s tongue flicked out as she softly said, "Master, you analyze others so thoroughly, when will you analyze yourself? You and..." "Enough, they’ve left. Close shop, close shop." The cat-man folded his hands behind his back, sighed, and shuffled off, shaking his head in an old man’s manner. Ran Fanyin went to fetch Ning Songwu not entirely because the young girl had been crying. Who hadn't been through such things? When she was a young girl, she too hid and cried with Mianmian in the back mountain, only to be dragged out by her mother to continue training afterward—it didn’t interfere. However, Ning Songwu's cultivation had stagnated near the Golden Core stage for nearly a month now. Ran Fanyin originally planned to take her down the mountain for some vital herbs once the weather warmed. This seemed like a good opportunity to take the teary-eyed little bunny down to relax. Watching the young girl awkwardly holding a hat she had presumably bought, wanting to speak but hesitating, her cuteness made Ran Fanyin unable to hold back her smile as her eyes curved slightly. “What’s this?” She reached out and took the hat, roughly gauging its size. Hmm, probably intended for her. “I read in some texts and booklets that people should cover up a bit when going out,” Ning Songwu whispered, sneaking a peek at her beauty of a master. The hand holding the hat stiffened. Booklets again, always these booklets. So young, yet reading so much. Her chest tightened suddenly, and this hat now seemed a little irritating. 【Especially with Feng Hua’s early arrival, some plots were pushed forward. What about others? For instance, the time when Master was severely injured during an expedition, will that also be earlier?】 【If it's early, then about a decade earlier—how could one not worry?】 【Master, right now... I only have you. I must change, I must save you.】 After embarking for a while, she suddenly heard a startled cry within her inner voice. After that, she heard nothing, and neither jade pendant nor bracelet could connect with Ning Songwu, as if... as if... Ran Fanyin cursed herself in her heart for her pessimism, shook off all negative thoughts, and raced westward, hoping to arrive as soon as possible. Ning Songwu was a pseudo-spirit; any divine beasts would respect her, let alone harm her—definitely not, couldn’t possibly... Absolutely, definitely not. By now, she was filled with regret. That child always placed her life last. She could teach her, guide her—they had so many years to share, so why insist on the moment's truth and stew in a short-lived anger, only to end like this? No matter what, she'd resent herself forever. Ran Fanyin sighed heavily. Both of them had suffered from holding back their words before, why hadn't they learned? When she reached the western region’s Azure City, dawn was breaking, and at the mountain entrance, a team of cultivators appeared ready to ascend the mountain. Ran Fanyin recognized them as Cǎnglíng Sect disciples from the foothills of Azure Mountain. She lowered her cloud and prepared to ask for directions to Bai Ze’s abode. Just before landing, she overheard their conversation— “Last evening’s avalanche near Bai Ze’s abode was quite strange. How did it get so close?” “Who knows, maybe the person there woke up. Let’s just go save people.” “Eh, even though we’ve repeatedly warned mortals to stay away from that area, why don’t they listen? Whatever, it’s our responsibility here.” Ran Fanyin stumbled a bit as she landed, forcing herself to stay calm amidst their astonished gazes. She walked up to the leader and said, “I am Ran Fanyin of Shangyun Sect. May I ask the quickest route to Bai Ze’s abode?” The leader, recognizing her, stuttered in response, “I’m of Cǎnglíng Sect... Ah, you mean Bai Ze’s abode, right? For cultivators, head northwest, climb the highest mountain and over its shaded side.” Ran Fanyin nodded in thanks, took a few steps, then returned to ask, “Did you see a tall woman in green attire ascend? About at the Nascent Soul stage?” The man shook his head, "I haven't seen her." Ran Fanyin sighed deeply, expressing her thanks before taking off again toward Bai Ze’s abode, repeatedly channeling spiritual energy into the jade pendant, trying to reestablish connection. Nothing. It was as if Ning Songwu had vanished into thin air. Although Nascent Soul stage cultivation wasn’t extraordinarily high, it shouldn't be insignificant before Bai Ze. Moreover, since Zhūquè, with her fiery temper, had not outright attacked, Bai Ze, who had lived alongside ice and snow for years, surely wouldn't harm someone with such a pure ice spiritual root. Ran Fanyin forced herself to remain calm, soon realizing another possibility. Those people mentioned an avalanche near Bai Ze’s abode. Perhaps during the fight, Ning Songwu fainted and was buried in the snow. That would be relatively easy to handle. Avalanches are usually quite noticeable. Additionally, the group of rescuers was heading there too. Gritting her teeth, Ran Fanyin steadily hovered above Bai Ze’s abode, summoning her radiant warm sword, a fire phoenix gradually forming behind her. Excavating might be unrealistic, but she could melt the snow, exposing anyone buried beneath, hoping to find who she sought. The night was clear; the snow-capped Azure Mountain reflected the light, making the moon dull compared to the radiant glow from the fire phoenix illuminating the entire northwestern slope. "Good heavens, what are you up to…" At the peak of Azure Mountain, a pure white beast looked skyward at the gradually forming figure of an old friend through sword aura, swallowing nervously. With a light step, it ascended to the heavens, facing the fire phoenix. Upon reaching the cloud, it transformed into a pristine white maiden, with a long trailing veil, appearing quite dignified despite her casual speech. “Oh my, little fairy, what do you intend to do?” The maiden’s eyes widened in shock, “I never stopped Cangling Sect from rescuing people when they disturbed my rest. What are you planning to do now?” Ran Fanyin withdrew some of her sword aura, dimming the fiery light, “I’m not from the Cangling Sect.” “Then where are you from? If you have a grudge against the Cangling Sect, deal with them directly. Why come to my abode? Oh heavens, don’t tell me you plan to level Azure Mountain? Hey, there are tens of thousands of villagers down there, stay calm.” The maiden dramatically gestured as she spoke, making Ran Fanyin furrow her brows. However, seeing such a nonchalant divine beast reassured her that Ning Songwu was likely not in grave danger. Ran Fanyin sighed, attempting to explain, “I am Ran Fanyin from Shangyun Sect, here to find someone.” Bai Ze arched an eyebrow, “Looking for a little ice spiritual root cultivator?” Receiving a confirmation, Bai Ze, the divine beast herself, seemed somewhat helpless and rubbed her forehead, “Then why didn't you just ask me?” With such a casual attitude from a divine beast, it suggested nothing serious had happened. Ran Fanyin relaxed, “May I ask, where is that cultivator now?” The maiden patted her stomach, “I ate her.” Her nonchalant tone was as casual as describing a light snack. “…” The air froze momentarily, the firebird behind Ran Fanyin flaring up brighter, its flames noticeably rising to her eyes. Frightened by such decisiveness, Bai Ze stumbled back, hastily waving her hands, “No, no, don’t be so serious. I was joking. Little fairy, can’t you take a joke?” The sudden surge and withdrawal of spiritual energy left Ran Fanyin dizzy due to her already unstable power, but she steadied herself and asked, “So where is the little cultivator?” Bai Ze admitted defeat, “Follow me.” Landing on the snow, the white-veiled maiden swiftly transformed back into a giant beast and entered her abode. Ran Fanyin remained vigilant, scanning with her spiritual sense for signs of life but paused as the giant beast emerged with a girl in her mouth. The girl grinned at her foolishly. “…” Seeing Ning Songwu unharmed, Ran Fanyin suddenly realized a long-overlooked truth. If Ning Songwu were ever in real danger, she would feel it in her heart. If severe threats surged, like uncontrollable spiritual outbursts risking life, the pain would be incapacitating. But at this moment, it was pure... Confusion. She had rushed here, blindly disregarding her physical and emotional state without even reconciling with recent arguments between them. 【Master, if you’re putting on an act, don’t endanger yourself. What if someone seizes this moment to attack?】 【In the text, Feng Hua always targeted Master, but why?】 【Feng Hua's objective must be the Absolute Heaven Formation core. If the core is destroyed, Shangyun Sect and the entire territory would lose protection, and the demon clans could advance unimpeded, reaching the borders.】 【No wonder, no wonder she often “accidentally” enters various secret realms; she’s searching for the core!】 【No wonder, no wonder...】 Xiao Tao knocked politely. After hearing the command to enter, she wobbled in with a teapot. Her mother said these two sisters were incredibly important and should be well-cared for. Xiao Tao had asked, "More important than the immortals?" Chun Hua had smiled, tweaking her ear. "The immortals saved us from disaster, but these two sisters ensure we have enough to eat and drink. Which do you think is more important?" Xiao Tao didn’t quite grasp the concept of being saved from disaster. It seemed the immortal teachings made several villagers age rapidly, including her brother. Meanwhile, the few who refused to cultivate remained youthful, roughly her age. How is that saving people? Isn’t it more like killing? The little girl shook her head, "I think the sisters are more important." Chun Hua’s eyes curved as she patted Xiao Tao’s head, “Then how about you bring them this tea?” “Okay!!” The thought of seeing the beautiful sisters instantly brightened the girl's eyes. Momentarily forgetting her playdate, she eagerly took the teapot and fluttered off to find the two sisters. Xiao Tao thought, I hope I get to see the sister with the hat this time. Unfortunately, the sister with the white hat only sat sternly, her hat still on. Instead, the sister in green attended her. Why wear a hat inside? Mother said wearing a hat indoors would stunt growth. Oh, the sister is already very tall, taller than the other sister by half a head. Guess she doesn’t need to grow anymore… Sigh, such a pity not seeing her face. Xiao Tao pouted. Ning Songwu took the teapot, pouring three cups and gently seated Xiao Tao on a chair, stroking her head, “Xiao Tao, how old are you this year?” Squatting before her, Ning Songwu’s rarely seen soft expression made her look very kind and different from usual. Xiao Tao focused entirely on her, not noticing Ran Fanyin lifting part of the veil, quietly watching Ning Songwu. She could always sense contradictions in her disciple—so young yet often mature; lazy yet shouldering many tasks; overflowing with thoughts but rarely voicing even a fraction, often contradicting her heart. Little one, just how did you grow this way? Ran Fanyin, resting her chin on her hand, quietly watched Ning Songwu entertain Xiao Tao. Facing each other, Ning Songwu seemed adept at dealing with children, making Xiao Tao giggle and stick her tongue out playfully. “Sister is a baddie, making Xiao Tao laugh.” Ning Songwu took the chance to hug her, gently shaking her hands, “How old is Tian Ci this year? He’s so tall, why call him a little brother?” “Tian Ci is four, but can’t tell you more, Mother won’t allow it.” “How about I show you a trick? Then you tell me, deal?” Xiao Tao resolutely shook her head, jumping out of Ning Songwu’s lap, waving her hands, “Sister should rest early, don’t ask.” “Wait, Xiao Tao, even if sister won’t ask, let her show you a trick.” Ning Songwu chased after her, catching her shoulders. A small ice figurine appeared in her hand, dancing in place. Sparkling and radiating cold. Xiao Tao was stunned, “Sister, are you an immortal too?” “The previous immortal made stones dance. Sister making ice dance is amazing. Can you teach me?” “Well... Sister has much to learn too, Tao, can you tell sister?” Ning Songwu’s sorrowful expression made her look pitiful. Ran Fanyin quietly chuckled in her heart, clever little rascal. Xiao Tao clutched her clothes tightly, struggling, “But you can’t tell anyone.” Ning Songwu didn’t need to be told twice, nodding earnestly. After securing numerous assurances, Xiao Tao finally spoke, "Mother said it was about two years ago when an immortal master passed through our village and placed some protective formations. He also left a set of cultivation techniques with the village chief, saying it would strengthen the body, extend life, and provide protection." "But those who practiced started aging rapidly. The village chief aged considerably but didn't die, seemingly extending his lifespan. Many stopped practicing, but continued to age. Yet, they didn't die, so they just stayed that way." After her stumbling explanation, Xiao Tao nervously stared at her toes and twisted her foot. Mother forbidding her to speak weighed on her mind, but perhaps sharing a story with an immortal sister wouldn't bring trouble? Peeking at Ran Fanyin, she thought, This sister must be very powerful too. Ning Songwu's tone grew colder, "Did you practice it, Xiao Tao?" Xiao Tao shook her head but remained silent. Ning Songwu didn't probe further. She raised her hand, conjuring an ice bracelet on Xiao Tao's wrist, adjusting its temperature carefully. After a brief instruction on its use, she watched the girl clutching the bracelet, running out gleefully, and exhaled slowly. 【I'm here, throwing a tantrum. Can’t you see?】 【Damn it, even if for investigation, such intimacy is intolerable. Damn it.】 【Moreover, being so close, if Feng Hua harbored ill intentions, escape would be impossible.】 【I'm sulking, can't you tell? Must I be even colder for you to see?】 Amidst the recent upheaval of ice and lightning, Ning Clan's elders in seclusion were alarmed. As Cheng Yunhuan mentioned, it would take them the time of a burning incense stick to rush over. By then, everyone had already boarded a boat, departing from Feng Island to the mainland. This action indeed caught the Ning family and the other three families off guard. Their escape proceeded smoothly initially. On board, Cheng Yunhuan used her spiritual power to create water oars, swiftly propelling the boat forward, while Luo Sheng rapidly inscribed defensive symbols, layering protection over the vessel. Inside the cabin, Ning Xiujie sat beside, gently laying Ning Songwu’s head on her lap. Softly patting the unconscious girl, she brushed aside strands of hair that threatened to disturb her breathing, quietly humming a tune picked up from Jiuzhou. Liu Ruoying sat nearby, applying healing spiritual energy inch by inch to Ning Songwu’s shallow wounds, fighting the urge to sigh. Ning Xiujie, seeing through her, turned and spoke softly, “It’s alright, if you feel like sighing, just sigh.” Liu Ruoying forced a smile, “Senior Sister’s secrets are many. My skills are limited; some wounds can only be barely soothed, we’ll need my master to look at them.” “You’ve done wonderfully,” Ning Xiujie’s voice was warm, “I can feel her spiritual energy balancing, she should wake soon. Truly impressive, don't belittle yourself.” Such gentleness made Liu Ruoying feel slightly embarrassed. At this moment, the gentle senior extended a hand, pulling her over to sit beside her, asking in a soft voice, “I’d like to ask about Xiao Wu’s recent years. How has she been?” Ruoying knitted her brows in hesitation, “Forgive me, Senior, but I have an impertinent question…” “Go ahead.” “Senior Sister Ning… I’ve occasionally heard Master mention, she seems closely tied to a great formation, so... is she really your child?” Ning Xiujie, neither hurried nor angry, slightly bowed her head, “She is.” No need to delve deeper, no need for further acknowledgment. She just is. Whatever essence may tie her to that formation, with a heart bringing her here, she’s the most precious daughter. Ruoying breathed a sigh of relief, “Alright. Senior Sister… she grew up in a town outside Shangyun Sect. Townsfolk said she often climbed trees alone to watch the moon, perhaps missing her family.” Seeing Ning Xiujie didn’t interrupt, Ruoying carefully recounted selected incidents; the gentle beauty’s eyes became misty, and at amusing parts, she’d lightly pat the still-comatose girl’s cheek, saying “silly” with affection devoid of blame. When Ruoying paused to catch her breath, Ning Xiujie inquired, “What about her master? How is Fairy Ran Fanyin?” She had pieced together bits already. During Ning Songwu's rage, none could reach her, only a weak voice from the jade pendant pacified her. “Is Fairy Ran’s health still poor?” Earlier, conversations through the jade pendant were primarily handled by another person, seemingly Elder Helan. Once Ning Songwu calmed, everyone relaxed, Luo Sheng staggered over to retrieve the jade pendant, hearing Helan Mianmian’s voice, “Asheng, Ning Ning, Ruoying, how are you? Ready to leave?” “Master, we’re alright, leaving soon.” “Why you! Asheng, where’s Ning Ning?!” Luo Sheng peered at the disheveled, pale Ning Songwu, deliberated for a moment, then carried her, charging forward, recounting the day’s events while running. Upon mentioning Ning Songwu’s explosive power, advancing her sword intent, Helan Mianmian gasped, repeatedly asking when it happened. “Not long ago, barely half an incense stick's time.” A strange silence spread. Luckily, Ning Leyan had previously shown them a shortcut to the shore where a boat awaited. Stepping aboard, Helan Mianmian’s deliberately hushed voice came through, “Head to Feng Ling Abyss, Ye Wuchen’s people will meet you, beware of Ye Wuxin’s men.” “More to discuss in person.” Luo Sheng responded with a "Got it," unaware that on the other end, Helan Mianmian, clutching the jade pendant tightly, turned toward someone even paler, who had just spat blood, silently sighed. From Asheng’s recounting, Ran Fanyin spewed blood at Ning Songwu’s peak outburst. She always knew the two shared a deeper connection. Solving problems they pondered for centuries was already remarkable. Yet, this level of connection was unimaginable. Whether this bond was beneficial or detrimental for them remained unclear. Helan scarcely sighed, “So did you wake up?” she asked, helping Ran Fanyin sit. The woman rubbed her reddened eyes, “Didn’t cry, did I?” Helan glared, turning her flushed face aside, muttering, “Who cries as easily as Cen Ran?” Ran Fanyin barely smiled, “Where are Ning’er and the others now?” Helan slapped the bedside table, “Senior! Care about your health! Why did you spew blood when Ning Ning's spiritual energy surged?” Ran Fanyin rarely faced the cat’s wrath, momentarily stunned, then suppressed a smile, “Probably because... my wounds were healed by Ning’er’s spiritual energy, there's some link.” “Really?” Helan skeptically stared, then shook her head firmly, “Regardless, after this, you must retreat for five years until the next major competition. Your cumulative injuries are terrifying. Earlier, the demonic healer checked your pulse, turned pale, tremblingly asking if you were even alive...” Her eyes reddened and heated again, transforming into a small cat, burrowing into Ran Fanyin’s arms, muffled, “My face was paler than hers, Senior...” “Hmm, here, you and Ning’er are clingy.” “I was first!” “What’s to contest? She’s Ning’er, you're Mianmian, both equally important.” The cat transformed back, resting on the chest, tearful, "Senior, stop involving yourself, please? You’re my only family now." Gentle warmth spread from within, soothing her heart strained by overflowing spiritual power. Ran Fanyin smiled, pulling Helan’s cheek, “Got it, Cen Ran’s next in line.” “Of course...” Helan paused, “Anyway, Ashe contacted them, heading to Feng Ling Abyss.” Despite the opaque view, urgency pressed Helan to learn any hint of news.