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

Chapter 90: Closeness It had been ten days. Cen Zhan sat at a table, staring blankly at the spread pages of the "Ancient Swordsmanship Discussions" in front of her, her fingers idly pinching one of the pages without turning it for quite some time. Ning Songwu had gone to Hongfei Pavilion ten days ago. During this time, her master also stayed at the Sword Casting Pool and hadn't returned to the Rongku Pavilion. It was too dull. In Senior Brother Zisheng's Rongku Pavilion, boredom reigned supreme. Cen Zhan closed the book and sighed. Perhaps she should take some clothing and books to Ning Songwu? Visiting Hongfei Pavilion wouldn't even take half a day, and it would help pass the time. Cen Zhan gathered some thick and thin garments, slipped in a few intricate swordsmanship books, and packed some of Ning Songwu’s favorite little trinkets before heading to Hongfei Pavilion. Upon arrival, the disciples of Hongfei Pavilion were engrossed in their morning lessons. She peeked through a crack to see Ning Songwu’s room. Cheng Yunhuan was lecturing them on the philosophy of the Tao. As the chief disciple under the sect leader, Cheng Yunhuan was perpetually busy with internal sect affairs and external worldly matters. It was known that when the current leader stepped down in a hundred years, it was Cheng Yunhuan who would assume the leader's position. It surprised Cen Zhan that such a busy man could find time to teach a class at Hongfei Pavilion. Soon, she spotted Ning Songwu, quietly sitting in a corner seat, listening intently with her chin in her hand. After ten days, her cheeks had noticeably thinned, her expression somewhat exhausted, and the paleness of her complexion only served to accentuate the bright red cinnabar mark on her forehead. It seemed as if Ning Songwu's once sharp demeanor had been smoothed over quite a bit. "Sister Cen Zhan, why not leave the items here, I'll pass them on for you?" a junior disciple asked, respectful as all were to the disciples of the tri-respected masters. "No need. I’ll wait for her," Cen Zhan replied with a gentle smile. During the break, Cen Zhan approached Ning Songwu from behind. Upon class ending, Ning Songwu was so tired she’d collapsed onto her desk for a quick nap. She’d been staying up late painting these past few nights, wasting numerous sheets without producing a satisfactory piece. Determined not to be outdone in class, fearing her master might favor another more accomplished disciple, she worked diligently during the lessons. When Helan Mianmian saw Cen Zhan approaching, she blocked Cen Zhan’s attempt to wake Ning Songwu, holding her wrist gently. Cen Zhan hadn’t expected a little hand to intervene, the warm and soft grip sending an inexplicable sensation from her wrist to her heart. "She's sleeping," Helan Mianmian remarked with a sweet smile. Her fair, delicate face was even prettier than Ning Songwu’s at nine years old, with dimples that dipped charmingly when she smiled. Cen Zhan found herself entranced by the girl’s exquisite face. "Yes," Cen Zhan swallowed, resisting the urge to poke at the dimples on Helan Mianmian's cute cheeks. "Are you friends with Ning Songwu?" Cen Zhan asked. "We share the same dorm and are desk neighbors during lessons," Helan Mianmian replied with endearing long eyelashes. Cen Zhan tried to recall, but in all her years at Beifa, she could not remember encountering such a lovely child before—a plump little face, eyes like pure, clear orbs, as if a porcelain doll carved from flawless jade, perfectly charming. "What’s your name?" Cen Zhan couldn’t suppress her curiosity, momentarily forgetting Ning Songwu was still asleep at the table. "I'm Helan Mianmian. And you, sister?" "Cen Zhan." "Ning Songwu told me about you. You’re also a disciple of the illustrious Ran Fanyin. You must be very skilled," Helan Mianmian looked at Cen Zhan with a worshipful gaze, slightly embarrassing Cen Zhan as her ears tinged red. "No, not really... Ning Songwu isn’t very docile, does she trouble you?" "Not at all, Ning Songwu studies really hard and often stays quiet." "Well... since you're Ning Songwu's friend, if you need anything in the future, you can also come to me," Cen Zhan said, a bit flustered by Helan Mianmian's bold, clear eyes, barely managing to keep her composure, urgently wanting to leave, "I should go now, I'll visit again sometime." Helan Mianmian watched Cen Zhan leave, her smile warm. This sister truly had a gentle, elegant aura, naturally endearing, unlike Ning Songwu’s sometimes unreasonable mischievous nature. The disciples taught by Ran Fanyin were all very accomplished. Ning Songwu lay deeply asleep at her desk, entirely unaware she had missed the chance to meet Sister Cen Zhan. Her little eyebrows furrowed tightly, murmuring softly in her dreams, vague words escaping her lips: "Teacher... Teacher..." Cen Zhan walked absentmindedly all the way back to Rongku Pavilion before realizing she still had the bundle of clothes and sundries in her hand. Tch, she had forgotten to leave the bundle behind. Just then, Luo Sheng returned from the library and spotted Cen Zhan at the entrance of Rongku Pavilion with a bundle. He curiously asked, "Sister, planning to run away from home?" "Of course not!" Cen Zhan replied with exasperation, giving Luo Sheng a look, "This was supposed to be for Ning Songwu. I ended up forgetting to give it to her." Luo Sheng chuckled, his face always wearing that slightly mischievous expression, "You've got a great memory, Sister. Let me handle it; I’m just heading to Hongfei Pavilion anyhow." "Alright," Cen Zhan nodded, then paused as if remembering something, "Wait, make sure to get a box of hearty food from the kitchen to bring over as well. Ning Songwu has lost quite a bit of weight there." "No problem, anything else?" "And..." Cen Zhan thought of that incredibly pretty little girl again, her eyes narrowing, "Bring some extra, give a portion to the little girl sitting next to Ning Songwu." Luo Sheng, laden with bundles, made his way to Hongfei Pavilion. Seeing this, a fellow disciple expressed surprise, "Senior Brother Zisheng, aren’t you here to teach the junior disciples? What's with all the packages to carry?" Luo Sheng gave a cheeky grin, "What do you think? Lead me to where Ning Songwu is." The disciple, hearing this, respectfully led Luo Sheng to find Ning Songwu. A thought crossed his mind—had Ning Songwu really been expelled by the venerable Ran Fanyin? Why else would Sister Cen Zhan and Senior Brother Zisheng take turns visiting here? Ning Songwu seemed quite favored indeed... When Luo Sheng arrived, he saw Ning Songwu chatting with the little girl next to her. He called out, "Ning Songwu!" Both Ning Songwu and Helan Mianmian turned around, and Ning Songwu, delighted to see Luo Sheng, responded enthusiastically, "Senior Brother Zisheng!" But when Luo Sheng caught sight of the little girl's face next to Ning Songwu, he gasped, his expression twisting as he exclaimed, "Luo Helan Mianmian! What are you doing here?!" Ning Songwu looked puzzled by Luo Sheng’s reaction as he swiftly stepped forward, grabbed Helan Mianmian, and pulled her outside. Finding a secluded corner, Luo Sheng put Helan Mianmian down, ready to question her when she coyly called out in a sweet voice, "Brother~" "Cut it out. How did you get into Beifa?" Luo Sheng demanded angrily. "The same way you did, Brother," Helan Mianmian replied, her pretty eyes blinking innocently. "What exactly are you doing here? Does Father know?" "Father knows. He sent me to urge you to return. It's been two years since you last visited the palace, right? Father says you're eighteen now; it's time to settle down and serve the country." "Helan Mianmian, are you itching for a punishment?" Luo Sheng narrowed his eyes, rolling up his sleeves, cracking his knuckles with a menacing sound, "You think Beifa Palace is secluded from the world?! Father already named our eldest brother as crown prince a year ago. Do you think he has time to care for a wayward son like me? Tell me the truth!" "Alright," Helan Mianmian stuck out her tongue, "I wanted to come on my own. The palace is too dull. I'm quite impressive, you know—I'm only nine years old and already got into Hongfei Pavilion, even a year earlier than you." "Hmph, if Father finds out his most cherished little princess sneaked out to Beifa Palace, he’ll have my hide! What are you really trying to do?" "Brother, come here, let’s make a deal..." Helan Mianmian tiptoed, pulling Luo Sheng down to whisper something into his ear...