Feng Qing's face was ashen. She probably realized that the girl really hadn't given them some poison pill, and she forcefully swallowed the interrogation that was at the tip of her tongue.
If she pressed any further, it would look like she was bullying a child.
She turned to Song Yao, suppressed her anger, and squeezed out a faint smile. “It seems your personal disciple indeed has some ability. This venerable one has misunderstood you. This venerable one offers an apology and will have someone deliver an apologetic gift later.”
Then, she swept her sleeves and stood up. “Pardon this venerable one, but I have urgent matters to attend to. Please make yourselves at home. Farewell!”
With that, she turned and left in a hurry, clearly not wanting to stay for even a second longer.
Once she left, the people from the Taiqing Pavilion and others also departed in indignation.
Seeing this, Jiang Jin whispered in Song Yao's ear, “I'm going to find the Wen siblings. I'll be back later.”
Song Yao: “...”
Still hasn't given up?
Still trying to influence the Wen family with love?
Stupid.
She was too lazy to stop him and simply nodded in agreement.
The Ninth Elder left some spirit stones for Chen He, telling him to take his junior brothers and sisters to wander around the city, before leaving with several familiar managers to discuss some important matters of their own.
Song Yao glanced in the direction Ye Chang'an had left, then looked up at the sun.
It was still early; it wasn't the right time to do bad things yet.
She took a small bunch of grapes and stood up unhurriedly.
Chen He smiled and said, “I heard there's a Zhenjiang Pavilion here. It's the most famous restaurant in Jiangshui City, built right along the river. The dishes are all local specialties, and there's even a storyteller singing Jiangnan ditties. Shall we go try it?”
Since her rebirth, Song Yao had never dined out.
Firstly, she had no money; secondly, she couldn't find the right opportunity.
Hearing this, she actually quite missed the days when she spent money like water in her past life.
Of course, she hadn't been spending her own money.
Ming Ran immediately huddled over and grabbed Song Yao's arm. “I heard their river seafood is a masterpiece, and they even have sweet osmanthus wine! I've never had alcohol before.”
Song Yao smiled and nodded. “Sure, let's go try it.”
The group eagerly headed outside together. Just as they stepped out of the hall, a well-defined hand suddenly reached out, blocking Song Yao's path.
Having been targeted so many times here, Ming Ran and Cheng Yue instantly became alert.
Song Yao looked up and saw a young man.
He wore a brocade robe with a few light green bamboo patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His features were elegant, his nose bridge high, and his lips pale. When he smiled, the corners of his eyes curved slightly, like a pool of spring water.
A faint medicinal fragrance drifted around him, and he looked gentle and refined.
Song Yao paused, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.
Chen He recognized him, quickly cupping his hands in respect, his tone highly respectful. “Could you be Senior Ji Duchuan of the Medicine King Valley?”
Ji Duchuan nodded with a smile, his gaze landing on Song Yao as he spoke gently, “Indeed. I happened to travel here a few days ago and have been an honored guest of the Beiyao Sect for the past two days.”
His eyes held a hint of curiosity and admiration. “I watched for a moment just now. The efficacy of Little Friend Lin's Qi-Replenishing Pills is truly astonishing. I wonder if you could spare a few for me? Price is not an issue.”
Song Yao's mind whirled.
Ji Duchuan?
The name sounded a bit familiar. She seemed to have heard her master mention it before.
He seemed to be the eldest disciple of the Medicine King Valley's Valley Master.
Someone from the Medicine King Valley was truly extraordinary.
Bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh on bones was a trivial matter for them.
She thought for a moment, then pulled out a pouch stuffed full of Qi-Replenishing Pills from her spatial pouch and handed it over. “Here.”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
At a glance, there were at least a hundred of them.
He quickly waved his hands. “I don't need this many. Five or six will do.”
Song Yao explained, “These were refined by me last month. Every single one has a different effect and a different side effect.”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
How could a simple Qi-Replenishing Pill be made to such an extent...
This actually made it somewhat impossible for him to refuse.
He hesitated for a moment before accepting them. “Then please name a price, Junior Sister Lin.”
“There's no need for spirit stones.”
Song Yao smiled at him, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “I also have a favor to ask of Senior Ji. Would that be alright?”
Ji Duchuan was startled, then came to his senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
This little girl had taken out a hundred-odd pills all at once, waiting for him right here.
Since he was the one who had spoken first, he naturally couldn't refuse. “Of course. What favor?”
“I'm going to eat now. I'll come find you later.”
Song Yao asked, “Which courtyard are you staying in?”
Ji Duchuan found it even more absurd.
When others asked people from the Medicine King Valley for help, they would beg and plead.
Instead of seizing the opportunity immediately, she wanted to go eat first.
Where did such a wild kid come from?
But on second thought, she was from the Nine Saints Hall.
Then it was only normal.
There had been someone even wilder in there before.
He shook his head helplessly and pointed her in a direction. “I will be at the Beiyao Sect for these two days. Come find me anytime.”
“Okay.”
Song Yao replied, then added enthusiastically, “If you don't have enough Qi-Replenishing Pills, I still have more.”
Ji Duchuan: “...That's enough, that's enough.”
...
When the group arrived at Zhenjiang Pavilion, there happened to be only one table left, right by the window.
Opening the window revealed the shimmering river water, and the evening breeze blew in, carrying a touch of moisture.
After ordering the food, Chen He looked at the expectant gazes of the others, stood up helplessly, and went to the counter to bring back two jars of sweet osmanthus wine sealed with clay.
“Let's agree beforehand. This wine is quite strong, so drink sparingly.”
As he poured the wine into celadon cups, he nagged helplessly, “If you get drunk later, the Ninth Elder will blame me for not keeping an eye on you.”
Ming Ran said, “Don't worry, don't worry. No one else will know except us.”
The amber-colored liquid was dotted with tiny osmanthus petals, and a sweet fragrance mingled with the scent of alcohol, wafting through the air.
The group ate and chatted. Having not drunk for a long time, Song Yao couldn't help but indulge.
Cheng Yue placed some food in her bowl and reminded her, “Drink less. Don't get drunk.”
Song Yao rested her cheek on her hand, feeling a bit tipsy. She squinted her watery eyes at them. “It's fine, don't worry.”
Trapped in the Nine Saints Hall against her will right now, she had to drink a few more cups of wine.
But her gaze was truly unfair. Whoever she looked at instantly averted their eyes, their earlobes turning bright red.
By the time the table was a mess of empty plates and the two jars of sweet osmanthus wine were completely drained, the sky had already turned pitch black.
The river breeze carried the scent of cooking fire and bustling life as the city's lantern display lit up. Lanterns along the river lit up one after another, stretching all the way to the end of the long street.
Chen He paid the bill and walked out. Seeing the bustling crowd on the street, he smiled and said, “It's getting late. Let's not take the long way back. We can stroll back slowly along the lantern display. It's a good chance to catch the breeze and sober up.”
Ming Ran nodded immediately, pulling Cheng Yue over to a sugar painting stall. Chen He followed behind to watch them, occasionally glancing back at Song Yao, who was at the end of the line.
She had drunk a lot, so her steps were a beat slower. One of her hands was tucked into her sleeve, while the other unconsciously stroked the hilt of the Bishui Sword.
Her face was flushed with a light pink, and the corners of her eyes were tinged with red. She followed lazily, showing absolutely no interest in the roadside trinkets, only occasionally raising her eyes to scan the lively crowd.
Having looked at her so much, Chen He always felt she seemed a bit familiar, yet he couldn't recall where he had seen her before.
Just as he was about to remind her to walk faster and not fall behind, she suddenly stopped. It was as if she had spotted something, and her slightly hazy eyes instantly became clear.
In the next instant, she sent a voice transmission over: “You guys go ahead. I have something to do and will return on my own later. No need to wait for me.”
Rate on N.U.
