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

Chapter 79: Undervaluing Oneself Half a month had swiftly passed since Cheng Yun Huan and Ran Fan Yin left the mountain. It was a beautiful day, right at noon, with the rare sight of a blazing sun over Beifa. The light bounced off the snow like scattered gold, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Ping Zi Lai was in high spirits, so he personally led a group of young disciples to the library for some leisure time. This group happened to be the new disciples, Ning Song Wu and He Lan Mian Mian among them. On the way to the library, He Lan Mian Mian noticed Ning Song Wu was only gazing at the expanse of white snow, her face devoid of emotion. Curious, she jogged alongside and tugged on Ning Song Wu's sleeve. "What are you thinking about, Ning Song Wu? You’re always cooped up in Hongfei Pavilion. We’re finally going to the library together, and you’re not even happy?" Ning Song Wu murmured, "Nothing... just thinking about a sword move I can never quite get right." He Lan Mian Mian patted her shoulder. "You’re already working really hard. During the day, you attend lessons, and at night you burn the midnight oil with all your tasks—practicing swordplay, reading, painting... Speaking of painting, how much have you completed?" Ning Song Wu patted the bag she carried. "I've done most of it, but time is always short. So, today, since I have some rare free time, I brought it with me to continue at the library." "Suddenly, I’m curious, how old is the Venerable One?" "Um... I asked. Shifu said he's about a hundred and ten years old. When I pressed for the exact number, he confessed even he doesn't remember. Apparently, after living so long, such details just slip away." He Lan Mian Mian thoughtfully stroked her chin. "Indeed... Then surely she remembers her birthday? Offering your painting as a gift would be nice." Ning Song Wu frowned and shook her head. "I asked about that too. Shifu said she doesn’t recall her birthday either. Practitioners don't worry about such things." He Lan Mian Mian twitched her lips. "The Venerable One has truly... become godlike..." As they chit-chatted, they arrived at the library. The Beifa library was vast, spanning seven stories in the shape of a pagoda, markedly different from other palace buildings. Painted in black and brown, it exuded a sense of gravitas and solidity. Ping Zi Lai led the young disciples inside. He instructed, "You may browse freely on the first and second floors. Remember to return the books to their original places. All the books are meticulously categorized, so don’t mix them up. The third and fourth floors aren’t for you to understand, so don't bother. The fifth floor and above are restricted areas; going there will result in expulsion from the Beifa Palace. You're free to explore now." "Expulsion from the Beifa Palace? That's harsh. I wonder what's in those books above the fifth floor. I'd guess they're about incredibly powerful but dangerous sword techniques," He Lan Mian commented to Ning Song Wu. "Probably... I’m going to find a quiet spot. You go ahead and explore," Ning Song Wu waved her off, seemingly uninterested in the so-called forbidden books. "Each floor has a resting area with desks and writing materials. You can do your painting there, and I’ll find you later." Ning Song Wu nodded and followed the path pointed out by He Lan Mian Mian. Locating the reputed resting area, Ning Song Wu found a tranquil corner, unfurled her scrolls, contemplated for a moment, then picked up a brush with her right hand and began carefully sketching. Not long after, a commotion drew near. Lan Ze entered first, clutching a book, followed by a group of chattering disciples. Initially cheerful, Lan Ze’s expression hardened upon spotting Ning Song Wu, a disdainful snort escaping her. "You little cripple, what are you scribbling with those crippled hands?" Ning Song Wu gritted her teeth hard, holding back her emotions, forcing herself to focus solely on her painting, ignoring Lan Ze’s spiteful words. Lan Ze, seeing Ning Song Wu ignoring her, felt snubbed and muttered disdainfully, "A discarded disciple playing the noble." She found a spot to sit while the fawning disciples around her settled nearby, their chatter filling the previously quiet resting area. Ning Song Wu sat alone in the corner, untouched by sunlight, as though she were shrouded in dust. Before long, another interruption jolted her from her artwork. Suddenly, He Lan Mian Mian burst in, filled with excitement, a broad, cheeky grin on her face, and without waiting for questions, she grasped Ning Song Wu’s arm, dragging her away. "Come with me. I found something interesting..." Ning Song Wu struggled, realizing He Lan Mian Mian was much stronger. "Hey! What's so urgent? My painting..." "Shh! Quiet! I’ll tell you when we get there. It's definitely more intriguing than your painting," He Lan Mian Mian promised, pulling Ning Song Wu along at a jog, weaving through the maze of shelves, and ascended the stairs not stopping till they reached the upper floor. Glancing back at her unfinished painting still spread on the table, Ning Song Wu sighed but had no choice but to follow He Lan Mian Mian. To her surprise, He Lan Mian Mian led her not just to the second floor, but further to the third and then the fourth! Ning Song Wu pulled He Lan Mian Mian back. "What are you doing? This is close to the restricted area!" "I know, but it’s on the fourth floor. Besides, there are guards at the fifth-floor entrance. I just checked. However, this level also has a..." He Lan Mian Mian suddenly lowered her voice and whispered, "I just discovered there’s a small restricted section on the fourth floor, in a secluded spot. Let’s go check it out." "A restricted section... on the fourth floor?" Ning Song Wu was stunned, but then childlike curiosity filled her heart. If there were no guards, it likely wasn’t anything critical. He Lan Mian Mian took the lead, navigating numerous twists and turns, until even Ning Song Wu forgot the path they’d taken. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a dimly lit section. There, three large bookshelves stood. Upon closer inspection, each shelf was inscribed with the words "restricted books" in small, neat script. The material and color of these shelves differed distinctly from the others, signaling their books were anything but ordinary. "Have you looked? What are these books about?" Ning Song Wu asked nervously, hesitant to step forward, tugging at He Lan Mian Mian’s sleeve with a tense voice. "I only glanced quickly before... These bookshelves are peculiar. Every other shelf has clear labels indicating the book categories, yet these three have nothing but fully stocked shelves without titles. Let’s randomly pick a couple and see," He Lan Mian Mian suggested, stepping confidently to the first shelf, plucking out a thick volume, steeling herself before flipping it open. Ning Song Wu scrutinized He Lan Mian Mian's expression. After a moment, He Lan Mian Mian relaxed and chuckled, "Ah, nothing much. This one's about some old, not-so-flattering history of Beifa. Probably why it’s restricted. Nothing major, just placed here. It's likely nothing here is urgent." Ning Song Wu asked, "Then... if we read these restricted books, would we be expelled from Beifa Palace?" He Lan Mian Mian grinned mischievously at Ning Song Wu, "What did Shifu say? He only mentioned going to the fifth floor meant expulsion—which this isn’t. I'll grab a few more; you should browse too. Surely, they’re more exciting than the usual texts." Relieved and slightly curious, Ning Song Wu cautiously approached the third shelf, eyes scanning the countless spines. They were unfamiliar, so she casually pulled one out. The cover was pitch black, devoid of any script. Flipping through it casually, she assumed it was a sword manual and eagerly delved into the first page. Her heart nearly stopped—she almost dropped the book. Snapping it shut with a loud clap, Ning Song Wu widened her eyes in disbelief. After several moments, she cautiously reopened it, sneaking glances around to ensure no one was watching before daring another look. The art depicted an explicit scene of intimate contact between a man and a woman, exquisitely detailed with lifelike expressions, capturing the raw intensity of the moment. The sight sent Ning Song Wu’s heart racing, her mouth dry with shock. No... this wasn't right... she shouldn’t be looking... Then again, no one was watching... these images... she’d never seen anything like them... Brows furrowed in distress, sweat beading on her brow, yet her hands couldn’t stop turning the pages. Each page illustrated intricate positions, capturing every intimate aspect vividly, an overwhelming decadence stirring unsettling feelings. Halfway through, a startling image of two women in profound intimacy leapt to Ning Song Wu’s gaze. Two equally attractive figures tightly entwined, their expressions blissful in a passionate embrace. Ning Song Wu’s mind seemed to explode. She recoiled, slamming the book shut, retreating until she crashed against the wall, gasping for steady breaths, as if confronting a monster lurking in plain sight. Startled by the noise, He Lan Mian Mian approached, concerned. "Ning Song Wu, what’s the matter..." The moment Ning Song Wu saw He Lan Mian Mian approaching, she quickly stepped forward to pick up the incriminating book, hurriedly shoving it back onto the shelf, feigning composure. "Nothing, nothing... really, nothing..." she insisted. He Lan Mian Mian cast a suspicious glance her way but decided not to press further. Returning to the first bookshelf, He Lan Mian Mian returned the book she held. "I flipped through a few. They’re mostly about some secret affairs of the martial world. There are details about Beifa Palace, the Valley of Wild Flowers, and the past dealings with a sect called Tian Sun. There are also connections between Beifa and the royal family... Turns out things are much more complicated than they appear..." "Mmm... yeah..." Ning Song Wu responded absentmindedly, her mind still cluttered with the vivid images from the book. "It seems love truly complicates things. Otherwise, such a grand sect like Tian Sun wouldn’t have been annihilated so easily. What a pity. Hey, Ning Song Wu, speaking of which, do you have someone you fancy?" "Huh?" Startled, Ning Song Wu snapped her head up, her expression one of bewilderment as she looked at He Lan Mian Mian, unsure of the implication. Taking Ning Song Wu’s surprise for misunderstanding, He Lan Mian Mian further explained, "Is there anyone you carry in your heart? Someone you long to see, and wouldn't mind spending a lifetime with?" Someone always on my mind, whom I wish to see, whom I wouldn’t mind living alongside forever. Shifu. Shifu... No... that's impossible... that's different... "That... that doesn't count..." Ning Song Wu awkwardly stammered, words tripping over each other in her haste. "What doesn't count? Could it be you've someone in mind?" He Lan Mian Mian teased with a mischievous smile. Reflecting further, she added, "If you say it doesn't count, do you ever wish to do something intimate with this person? Like kissing or hugging?" Once again, those blush-inducing images surged into Ning Song Wu's mind, sweat breaking out all over her. She desperately shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts. But a new image flashed through her mind. That night she had accidentally stumbled into Ran Fan Yin’s chamber. His expression had been one of irritation, fresh from the bath. The thin moon-white robe clung to his still-damp skin, outlining his perfect form, with a neckline revealing his neck and collarbones, droplets of water still visible. What if... what if that thin garment were to slide away... Ning Song Wu pinched her palm hard, berating herself for such thoughts, feeling as though she’d sullied Shifu’s pristine image merely by entertaining them. She wanted to slap herself. Ran Fan Yin is her Shifu! What was she thinking? Moreover, the thought of two women involved was against natural order, not to mention Ran Fan Yin was her Shifu... Wait, is she actually... imagining Shifu as her ideal partner? Observing Ning Song Wu lost in her own thoughts for some time, He Lan Mian Mian shrugged and returned to the bookshelves for another look. Just then, she heard footsteps—the voices of two men approaching the area. With no time to deliberate, she grabbed Ning Song Wu and slipped into a narrow passage, swiftly making their escape. They still couldn’t shake the feeling of doing something they shouldn’t.