Chapter 256: Fawning (Third Update)

“Haha! Previously, Lord Chu Ning came to me for help, saying that Miss Liuyue had gone missing. I was also very anxious, so I immediately sent people everywhere to search. When there was no news for a long time, I thought I would head to the mountains outside the Imperial Capital to try my luck. I didn't expect that shortly after entering the forest, I would run into Prince Li's confidant, Yan Qing. Hearing that he was going to find Prince Li, I followed along, thinking perhaps I could ask Prince Li for help.”

“I didn't expect that as soon as we arrived, we would see Miss Liuyue there as well! After making some inquiries later, I learned that Prince Li happened to encounter Miss Liuyue unconscious in the forest and rescued her.”

He gave a cheeky laugh.

“After returning, I immediately sent someone to notify Lord Chu Ning. And look, Lord Chu Ning has only just arrived and was just saying we should go to Canaan Square together! I didn't expect you to return so soon, Miss Liuyue!”

Yan Ge's words were half-true and half-false.

Chu Liuyue had indeed returned with Yan Ge and Yan Qing, but the part about Rong Xiu saving her was something he had added himself.

They were in a hurry at the time, so they hadn't discussed the details.

Yan Ge blinked.

Chu Liuyue understood immediately; this was a fabricated story intended to put Chu Ning at ease.

She didn't expose him, but simply nodded in agreement.

In any case, in Chu Ning's eyes, Rong Xiu had already stepped in to help several times; it wouldn't matter if he did it once more.

Chu Ning sighed

“Speaking of which, the debt of gratitude our father and daughter owe His Highness is truly growing more and more.”

Rong Xiu smiled.

“Lord Chu Ning is too polite. It was merely a small matter.”

Seeing how humble he was, Chu Ning felt even more grateful and appreciative of him.

This Prince Li could be considered the most gentle and kind-hearted among His Majesty's current princes.

It was a pity his health was not good, as he had been bedridden for years.

“Has Your Highness's health improved recently?”

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Chu Ning. It is much better than before.”

“That is good.”

Looking at Rong Xiu's expression, it did seem to be somewhat better than before.

But hearing that even the Divine Physicians of the Yaochen Kingdom had no way to cure his condition, he wondered about his current state...

He suddenly thought of something and cast a discreet glance at his daughter.

That's right, perhaps Yue'er has a way!

Previously, weren't his old injuries and her original meridians all restored by her own nurturing?

If she could help Prince Li recover his health, it would count as repaying a favor!

Thinking of this, he felt it was increasingly feasible and planned to find an opportunity to chat with Yue'er in private.

After all, they were father and daughter, and their hearts were connected; with just one look from Chu Ning, Chu Liuyue guessed eighty to ninety percent of his thoughts, feeling somewhat amused and helpless.

If Chu Ning knew that the Rong Xiu standing before him now was not only perfectly healthy but also possessed formidable strength, making him one of the top figures in the Yaochen Kingdom, he wondered what his reaction would be.

Chu Ning looked at Chu Liuyue again, still feeling uneasy.

“Yue'er, what exactly happened yesterday? Why did you leave the academy? Who was it that—”

Chu Liuyue coughed.

“Father, this matter is quite complicated, and I haven't quite sorted it out yet. I will tell you in detail later. However, there is something else I didn't have time to tell you just now—in today's Mystic Master competition, I took first place!”

Chu Ning had been feeling somewhat anxious, but upon hearing that last sentence, his face was instantly filled with shock.

“What did you say!? First place in the Mystic Master competition!?”

He knew Yue'er had registered for both the Mystic Master and the Martial Artist competitions, but when she took first place in the Martial Artist competition yesterday, he was already overjoyed. He never imagined she would also—

“Is it true!?”

“Could I possibly lie to you?”

Chu Liuyue's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

“Although it is a bit of a regret that you couldn't see it in person today, this result didn't disappoint you, did it?”

Looking at her beaming face, Chu Ning found it difficult to believe for a moment.

First in Martial Arts! First in Mystic Arts!

There were a total of three competitions in the Qingjiao Assembly, and she had taken two first places!

It was Yan Ge who reacted first; he clapped his hands together and said excitedly

“Miss Liuyue is truly amazing!”

His master's vision was truly beyond reproach; the lady he had set his sights on was truly one in ten thousand!

“Since you won the Martial Artist title yesterday, I had already ordered the entire Phoenix Pavilion to be reserved! I was just waiting for the competition to end to invite you directly! I didn't expect you to win another one today! It seems reserving it for one day is far from enough! Hahaha!”

Chu Liuyue immediately shook her head.

“How could I possibly accept such a gesture? The matter last time already caused a lot of trouble for Second Master Yan, this time I really shouldn't—”

“Ai—your status is different now! Throughout the years, those who achieve outstanding results in the Qingjiao Assembly are highly sought after and rise rapidly in status! Now that Miss Liuyue has secured two first places, you will surely become a highly sought-after figure! If you don't agree, you would be disrespecting my Treasure Pavilion!”

Chu Liuyue knew he seemed to be trying to build a connection.

But given the status of the Treasure Pavilion, it didn't seem necessary...

However, she did not show it, and instead accepted with a smile.

“Fine! Then I shall thank Second Master Yan in advance! However, regarding the time, could we perhaps postpone it until the Qingjiao Assembly has completely concluded?”

Yan Ge laughed loudly.

“That is naturally no problem!”

After they chatted for a while longer, Chu Ning prepared to take his leave with Chu Liuyue.

Before leaving, he did not forget to express his gratitude to Rong Xiu once more.

“Your Highness has intervened repeatedly; I truly do not know how to express my thanks. If Your Highness has the time, perhaps... you could come to my humble abode for a visit?”

Chu Ning asked tentatively.

Only if Rong Xiu came could Yue'er take his pulse.

Rong Xiu smiled sincerely.

“Lord Chu Ning's hospitality is great; as a junior, I naturally have no reason to refuse. Once the matters here are settled, I will certainly visit in person.”

Chu Liuyue coughed.

If he went, it might be to propose marriage.

Rong Xiu had always been a man of his word.

She also curtsied, bidding farewell to Rong Xiu and Yan Ge, before leaving with Chu Ning.

Only after the father and daughter's figures had disappeared did Rong Xiu turn around.

Yan Ge instinctively moved to bow, but remembering there were outsiders, he suppressed the impulse and asked with a smile

“Does Your Highness wish to pick out something?”

Rong Xiu nodded slightly.

“It is time to pick something... Do you know what Lord Chu Ning likes?”

He only knew Yue'er's preferences, but he did not know much about Chu Ning.

“Ah?”

Yan Ge was stunned.

Rong Xiu gave him a faint glance.

Yan Ge almost slapped his own head!

Stupid!

It was obvious his master was starting to win over his father-in-law!

“Ah! This, this... Lord Chu Ning used to run a weapon shop, so he seems to have quite an interest in those. Additionally, there are things like porcelain and such; why don't you go and take a look yourself?”

Only then did Rong Xiu step inside.

He spoke lazily without looking back

“Yan Qing, go and handle the matter I assigned to you immediately.”

Yan Qing immediately bowed his head and said respectfully

“Yes!”