Song Qing waved his hand,
“You’re always coming up with these crooked ideas. Instead of spending your energy making trinkets for Young Master Xu, better make a body for the Prime Minister first.”
The alchemist who had just suggested the “bad idea” asked,
“What happened? Is the Prime Minister dying?”
Song Qing shook his head,
“I heard from the people on the first floor that the Prime Minister has been ill for a long time with no cure. Overwork has led to illness, and if he doesn’t rest properly, he might not have much time left.”
The first floor referred to the arcanists in the pharmacy. It was worth mentioning that within the Sitianjian’s factions, Song Qing led the alchemists, specialising in refining tools.
The arcanists led by Yang Qianhuan were on the third floor, mainly handling feng shui for nobles and commoners and choosing burial sites.
Arcanists working in the large pharmacy on the first floor followed Zhong Li.
Every faction of the Sitianjian had its own field of expertise.
“It’s useless, useless, even making one would be pointless. The Prime Minister is just a mortal, if his soul leaves his body, all we can refine is a ghost. He won’t be able to enter the body we make.”
An arcanist shook his head, “Wei Yuan’s dead. If the Prime Minister dies too, tut tut, Yuanjing’s era will truly be over.”
…
Wang Manor.
The Rear garden.
Wang Simu wore a green gauze skirt with a matching jacket, walking side by side with Lin’an, who wore a red skirt.
“How did Sir Prime Minister just fall ill all of a sudden?”
Lin’an pursed her lips and said softly, “Even the arcanists from the Sitianjian can do nothing?”
With lotus-like steps, her skirt swayed. A pair of small deerskin boots appeared intermittently. On her head she wore a small phoenix coronet, golden hairpin, pearl hairpin and other ornaments. Her round, well-shaped face was fair and delicate, her peach blossom eyes hiding secret charm.
She became more alluring and increasingly graceful.
Wang Simu turned her head to look at her close friend Lin’an and sighed,
“The arcanists from the Sitianjian said that Father’s illness stems from worry and overwork. He should just resign and recover at home. But if he carries on and seeks his own death, what can we do?”
Lin’an laughed, “Those arcanists are still as arrogant as ever.”
Wang Simu tightened her fox-fur cloak against the cold, her voice full of worry,
“Actually, Father has been unwell for quite some time and should have rested. But with so many problems at court and the country beset by troubles, worry has made his illness worse until it’s come to this.”
Lin’an furrowed her brows slightly and could only offer comfort,
“At least now that he’s bedridden, he can finally rest properly.”
Wang Simu forced a slight smile,
“The arcanists from the Sitianjian said this is a problem of the heart and requires a cure for the heart. Before Father fell ill, he was troubled about three things: the war in Qingzhou, the refugees, and the Western Regions’ Buddhist sect.
“If even one of these three is resolved, Father could at least rest with peace of mind.”
The refugees and the empty treasury were two sides of the same problem, in truth, a single matter.
Lin’an’s delicate, beautiful brows knitted gently.
Wang Simu glanced at her straightforward friend and shook her head,
“Alright, let’s not talk about this. None of the important men have any way to solve it, what can we two women possibly do?”
Lin’an pursed her lips and acknowledged softly, sizing up Wang Simu,
“Semu, you’ve lost weight. I suppose you’re thinking about Xu Cijiu and are also worried about Sir Prime Minister’s health.”
Wang Simu’s face showed concern, “The situation in Qingzhou is dangerous. He’s just a scholar, of course I worry. Originally, he and I are meant to get engaged in half a month…”
“Don’t fear!”
At this, Lin’an’s eyes became lively again, like a bright little bird, “With the Running Dog there, even if Qingzhou falls, nothing will happen to Xu Cijiu.”
Earlier, speaking of the bedridden Prime Minister, she hadn’t wanted to appear too light-hearted, so she’d put on a sombre face to accompany her close friend.
Wang Simu was stunned, and retorted, “Who told you that Silver Gong Xu is in Qingzhou?”
“Is he not?”
Lin’an chirped, “He’s out there, of course he’d go to Qingzhou to fight.”
Although she had never admitted it outwardly, the Running Dog was her hero at heart.
“But I heard from Father that the situation in Qingzhou is tense, and Silver Gong Xu is not in the army. He hasn’t participated in the war…”
Seeing the disappointment in Lin’an’s eyes, Wang Simu quickly changed the topic, “Let’s not talk about that. Has His Majesty not helped arrange your marriage to Silver Gong Xu?”
A flush instantly appeared on Lin’an’s round face. She mumbled,
“You, what are you talking about? Who says I want to marry the Running Dog? Oh, this sort of gossip is unbearable.”
Wang Simu laughed,
“We’ve known each other for years, don’t you think I can’t see your thoughts? Silver Gong Xu is talented and handsome, a hero in the eyes of the people, there are countless women who admire him. What you should do is make sure you secure your position quickly.
“Once you have status, you’ll be his proper wife. The other women will be, at best, concubines, or wild lovers from his wanderings in the jianghu.
“But if you can’t secure your status, Your Highness, and forgive me for not meaning to look down on you, then you won’t be able to outmatch anyone.”
Lin’an felt underestimated and puffed up her cheeks.
In the dead of winter, the cold wind cut like knives. The two pampered young ladies didn’t wander long, heading back to the inner residence along a winding corridor with their maids in tow.
On the way, a middle-aged eunuch with a delicate, sinister air, led two young eunuchs out from the inner residence. The two groups met.
“Greetings, Your Highness Lin’an.”
The middle-aged eunuch and the two boys behind him bowed.
“You serve in my brother Emperor’s chambers… What are you doing here?”
Lin’an recognised him, though she couldn’t recall his name. Among the emperor’s eunuchs, she only remembered Head Eunuch Zhao Xuanzhen.
“Yes Your Highness, His Majesty ordered this servant to inform Sir Prime Minister that the Western Regions’ Buddhist sect has been restrained by the remnants of the Wanyao Nation, so they are unlikely to threaten the Great Feng. The Prime Minister can recuperate in peace.”
So there really is such good news… Wang Simu was overjoyed, unable to restrain her smile. “What did my father say?”
The middle-aged eunuch replied, “Sir Prime Minister asked me to pass a message to His Majesty: he may begin the official recommendation process.”
The official recommendation process referred to a selection system in which the emperor summoned all the officials to discuss appointments to important vacant posts.
Wang Simu immediately realised that her father intended to resign, or at least temporarily relinquish his post as Prime Minister.
“Thank you, my lord, for the information.”
Wang Simu took off a gold bracelet and tried to give it to the eunuch with a smile,
“Do you have any more detailed intelligence? If it’s inconvenient, you needn’t say anything.”
With Her Highness Lin’an watching, the eunuch dared not accept a bribe and quickly waved his hands,
“It’s not exactly secret intelligence. This servant heard His Majesty say this seemed to be related to Silver Gong Xu. While in the Southern Marches, he facilitated an alliance between the Great Feng and the Wanyao Nation. The information came back from Qingzhou.
“This servant knows no more than this.”
Silver Gong Xu facilitated an alliance between the Great Feng and the Wanyao Nation to restrain the Buddhist sect… Wang Simu was dazed for a long time before she finally understood why Silver Gong Xu wasn’t in Qingzhou.
She could not help turning to look at Lin’an.
Her close friend’s face was filled with a proud, sweet, and boastful smile.
“He never disappoints me.” Lin’an raised her chin slightly.
…
At dusk, the utterly exhausted Miao Youfang stood atop the crown of a tree. He appeared as weightless as a paper doll, his feet resting on a slender branch.
He moved with effortless grace, his body as light as a feather. Fifth Rank: Transforming Force!
So this is the splendour of the Transforming Force realm? Facing the sunset, Miao Youfang spread his arms as if to embrace the world.
In just over two and a half months, he had surged straight from the Refining Qi realm through to fifth rank, becoming a Transforming Force martial artist.
Although the Dragon Qi had long since been drawn away, before that it had left him one final gift, Xu Qi’an.
Meeting Xu Qi’an and receiving his patient guidance was also a great stroke of fortune bestowed upon him by the Dragon Qi.
“Come down!”
Xu Qi’an’s voice drifted up from beneath the tree, “I have something to say to you.”
“Alright!”
Miao Youfang lightly drifted to the ground, performing a dozen flips in the process, showing off his mastery of lightness skill to the fullest.
Martial artists in the Transforming Force period were highly accomplished in lightfoot skills. Once they reached Fourth Rank, they could even begin to fly through the air.
Xu Qi’an sat beside the campfire, boiling water as he spoke:
“Now that you have reached Transforming Force, our ties have come to an end. From today onwards, I am setting you free.”
Miao Youfang froze, the joy on his face fading bit by bit. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and said softly:
“Why? Silver Gong Xu, I… I said I would always follow you.”
Xu Qi’an replied irritably,
“Fuck off, you’re not a beauty, so what are you following me for? You’re just in the way.”
After scolding, his expression softened:
“When I was still weak, I met someone who devoted himself to nurturing me. We shared no blood relation, yet he was willing to raise me without expecting any reward.
“Simply because he thought I had a resolute character, that I wouldn’t lose my way, and believed that I could do something for the people of the world in the future. You should thank him, it was only because of this that I was willing to give you a chance.
“Just as he once nurtured me, not for reward, not for personal gain, but simply for the people of the Central Plains.”
Miao Youfang was silent for a while, then said softly:
“Then why, why are you driving me away?”
Xu Qi’an smiled:
“I have nothing left to teach you. Fourth Rank is the process of tempering your ‘intent,’ forging your own ‘Dao’ as a martial artist. Now is the perfect moment for you to go.
“Off you go, Miao Youfang. I look forward to hearing legends about you in the jianghu in the future, hearing people say that Hero Miao serves the country and the people, with the chivalrous heart of a hero.
“Becoming a great hero, is that not your dream?”
For some reason, the ever-cheeky Miao Youfang uncharacteristically showed a serious expression:
“Then, when I roam the jianghu in the future, may I claim to be your disciple?”
Xu Qi’an snorted:
“I don’t have such a useless disciple as you. Walk your own path, don’t associate yourself with me. Shoo shoo shoo.”
Miao Youfang ‘tched’ disdainfully:
“What’s so great about you? One day, I’ll be a hero famed throughout the world! Don’t come crawling to me then, begging me to call you…”
He left the words “Master” unsaid.
Miao Youfang travelled deeper into the forest, further and further away, without a hint of reluctance.
It was not until he had gone more than ten miles that he suddenly stopped and stood there in place for a long time.
…
Three days later, in the northern part of the Southern Marches.
Xu Qi’an, at the agreed meeting spot, a place called Triple Falls, finally saw Lina and Xu Lingyin arrive, two days later than planned.
From a distance, he saw a big beggar carrying a little beggar on her back, leaping nimbly among the rocks.
They were dishevelled, their clothes tattered, and their bodies emanating a sour stench, looking every bit like refugees fleeing famine.
Lina’s bright, black eyes shone from her dirt-smudged, delicate face. Xu Lingyin’s eyes were dull, her expression vacant, a dribble of drool trailing from her lips as she looked just like the slow daughter of a landlord’s family.
Xu Qi’an was shocked, “What happened, what happened…?”
Upon seeing Xu Qi’an, Lina looked relieved and bounced Xu Lingyin on her back:
“Alright, stop pretending, we’re safe now.”
Immediately, Xu Lingyin’s big eyes regained their sparkle. She called out cheerfully,
“Big Bwother~”
She jumped off her master’s back and threw herself at Xu Qi’an.
This must have some story behind it, is this why you were late two days? Xu Qi’an reached out, grabbed her by the nape, and flung her away.
“Plop!”
Xu Lingyin landed in the pool with a splash.
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