Chapter 100

"Have the second brother and the others already left?" Lin Zhiyun asked with a hint of regret.

For this younger brother she had grown up with, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

"They left early this morning," Nangong Ling replied obediently. "Apprentice knows that Master and Lin Young Master have a deep sibling bond, but it's not yet time for you to meet. Please bear with it for a while longer."

"I understand, Ling'er, this time it's all thanks to your vigilance," Lin Zhiyun sighed slightly. "If Uncle Fu had summoned me back in Father's name, I really wouldn't know how to respond."

"If you don't want to go back, just refuse," Zhong Wen's voice came from outside the door. "Do you really want to marry Xiao Wenjian just because the elders at home say so?"

Following Zhong Wen into the room was a woman in a green robe, with rosy lips and a beautiful face.

Lin Zhiyun was about to retort, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the green-robed woman, feeling that her posture and eyes were somewhat familiar.

"It's you!" Nangong Ling scrutinized the green-robed woman for a while before suddenly speaking.

The green-robed woman's face showed a hint of apology, and she said softly, "It's me."

Nangong Ling stared at her handsome face in surprise. "You're so beautiful, why did you always cover your face before?"

Ye Qinglian, who hadn't expected Nangong Ling's focus to be on this, was taken aback for a moment before answering, "I was disfigured in the past, so I didn't want to show my true face. Now that he has healed me, I no longer need to cover it."

She pointed at Zhong Wen beside her.

"Let me guess, before he healed you, he must have made some conditions, right?" Nangong Ling's eyes sparkled with a lively light. "Did he want you to join the Piaohua Palace?"

This woman was simply too clever.

Zhong Wen's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, feeling completely exposed.

"I promised him that I would no longer force you to return to the capital," Ye Qinglian shook her head. "Wherever you want to stay, I will protect you there, fulfilling my promise to the Nangong family head."

Nangong Ling's beautiful eyes fixed on Zhong Wen, making him feel uneasy.

"Miss Nangong, I have offended you in the past, and Qinglian apologizes to you," Ye Qinglian bent her knees and said sincerely, "If there is anything I can do, please command me, as a way for Qinglian to make amends."

Nangong Ling didn't react as emotionally as expected, instead looking at Zhong Wen. "Zhong Wen, what do you think?"

Her tone was somewhat like asking "Yuan Fang."

"Miss, Miss Nangong, we will eventually face off against a behemoth like the Xiao family, and now is the time to unite all possible forces," Zhong Wen said with a smile. "Sister Qinglian is a Tianlun expert with profound cultivation. Why not let her join the Piaohua Palace and fight against our enemies together?"

To Ye Qinglian's surprise, Nangong Ling didn't show any opposition, instead looking as if she had expected Zhong Wen to say this.

"Master, what do you think?" She turned to Lin Zhiyun.

"I don't know much about Sister Ye," Lin Zhiyun was taken aback by the sudden turn of events, "Is Sister Ye, a Tianlun expert, really willing to join our small sect?"

"Qinglian is a person with deep sins, and only wishes to serve as a gatekeeper in the Piaohua Palace," Ye Qinglian lowered her stance, "I beg Palace Master Lin to take me in."

Lin Zhiyun knew nothing about Ye Qinglian and was unsure, but she saw Zhong Wen standing behind Ye Qinglian, making funny faces at her.

"Master, since Sister Ye is sincere in joining, why not grant her the position of elder, like Elder Shangguan?" Nangong Ling unexpectedly supported her, "From what I see, major sects often have elders specifically responsible for guarding important scriptures. With the library's collection growing, it's time for us to have a dedicated guardian."

Lin Zhiyun knew that Nangong Ling and Zhong Wen were both very decisive people. Seeing their support and being moved by Ye Qinglian's powerful strength, she finally nodded after a moment's thought. "What do you think, Sister Ye?"

"Qinglian will follow Palace Master's orders," Ye Qinglian bowed.

"Since that's the case, Sister Ye is no longer an outsider," Lin Zhiyun felt a sense of joy at having another Tianlun expert in the sect, and couldn't help but take Ye Qinglian's hand. "The Piaohua Palace may be humble, but the disciples are friendly and harmonious, like a family. Since you've joined, consider this your home, and don't feel constrained."

Hearing Lin Zhiyun's sincere words, Ye Qinglian felt a warm sensation in her heart. "Thank you, Palace Master."

"Since Sister Qinglian has joined the Piaohua Palace, none of us here are outsiders," Zhong Wen came to Ye Qinglian with a smile, and in her surprised gaze, placed his right hand on her Baihui point. "There are some things that Sister can now know..."

...

From then on, the Piaohua Palace's library had a new, stunningly beautiful green-robed elder...

***

"Doctor Sun, how is my father?"

In the princess's residence, Shangguan Mingyue anxiously asked an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face.

Venerable Feng and Huo Tongtian stood not far behind her, their faces showing concern.

Doctor Sun looked troubled and sighed. "Miss Shangguan, although your father was not directly stabbed in the heart, the spiritual energy of a Tianlun expert has severely damaged his heart meridians. After the subsequent turmoil and the invasion by another Tianlun expert's cold energy, even if I had the power to move heaven and earth, I cannot save him. Please make preparations."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Mingyue's face turned pale, and she swayed, almost falling to the ground if not for Li Yiru's support.

"Doctor Sun, is there really no other way?" Li Yiru pleaded softly. "Lord Shangguan is of great importance. Please think of a way."

"It's not that I don't want to, but I can't," Doctor Sun stroked his beard and sighed. "I have already extended Lord Shangguan's life by a month with the 'Xuanji Pill.' This is the best I can do. If Miss Shangguan knows any capable individuals, please find them quickly. After this month, you will need to make arrangements."

"How could we let Lord Shangguan..." Huo Tongtian punched the wall, creating a dent, completely disregarding that it was the princess's room.

"This is not your fault. Who could have predicted that Liu Chengfeng would be so ruthless and inhumane?" Venerable Feng consoled her. "You killing a Tianlun and saving Lord Shangguan's life was already beyond their expectations."

"You're right, Uncle Huo. There's no need to blame ourselves," Li Yiru said softly. "The most urgent task is to find a renowned doctor to treat Lord Shangguan."

Although she said this, she didn't have much hope. Doctor Sun was the imperial physician, and there were very few in the world who could surpass him in medical skills.

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Mingyue, who had been in a daze due to her grief, suddenly brightened up. "Speaking of a renowned doctor, there is one on Qingfeng Mountain."

Li Yiru also reacted. "Could it be the extraordinary person who created the 'Shenxian Pill'? But according to Sister, he is not even twenty years old, so..."

Shangguan Mingyue shook her head. "This person's abilities are profound and far beyond his age. My aunt's health was cured by him."

"Really!" Doctor Sun was also surprised. "Someone could cure Miss Junyi's condition?"

Given the relationship between the Shangguan family and the royal family, Shangguan Junyi had been treated by imperial physicians, but Doctor Sun could only slightly alleviate the backlash from the incomplete 'Yangji Gong' and could not cure it.

Later, Shangguan Tong sought help from the scholars of Wenda Academy, but only received some drugs to temporarily suppress the spiritual energy turmoil, ultimately watching his young sister gradually decline.

"Indeed, my aunt is now fully recovered and has greatly improved in cultivation," Shangguan Mingyue nodded, her hope rekindled. "I will write to my aunt and ask her to bring Zhong Wen to the capital no matter what."

"If that's true, then this 'Zhong Wen' must have extraordinary abilities," Doctor Sun stroked his beard. "If he is willing to help, Lord Shangguan might still have a chance."

"Sister Mingyue, don't delay. Write to this Mr. Zhong quickly," Li Yiru, seeing Shangguan Mingyue's agitated state, took the initiative to arrange things. "I will also search for renowned doctors. We must save Lord Shangguan within this month."

"Thank you, Yiru," Shangguan Mingyue, moved, held Li Yiru's soft hand.

"Liu Chengfeng's plan failed, and the Xiao family might send people to the princess's residence to sabotage," Venerable Feng looked at Huo Tongtian and the others. "During this time, we must protect Lord Shangguan. If anything happens, what is the point of the Shangguan family keeping us?"

"Agreed!" Huo Tongtian and the others responded in unison.

Outside the door, a maid hurriedly passed with a basin of water, her eyes showing panic. She placed the basin in a corner, took out a shopping bag, and walked to the princess's residence gate, chatting with the guards before leaving in the opposite direction of the market.

***

"Xiaocui, did Shangguan Mingyue really say that?" Xiao Wuqing's voice was as smooth as jade.

"Yes, I heard it with my own ears," if 'Princess Chuyun' Li Yiru were here, she would be surprised to find that 'Xiaocui' was a handsome maid from her residence.

"Qingfeng Mountain, Zhong Wen," Xiao Wuqing murmured. "This Qingfeng Mountain is truly a mysterious place."

"Master, what should I do?" Xiaocui asked nervously.

"Xiaocui, you need to return to the residence and find out which doctors Li Yiru is seeking," Xiao Wuqing extended his right hand and gently stroked Xiaocui's soft cheek. "Once Shangguan Tong dies, I will take you out of the princess's residence and live with you in 'Fengyue Manor.'"

"Yes," Xiaocui, unable to hide her joy, gazed at the handsome Xiao Wuqing with adoration.

"Even if this Zhong Wen is a skilled doctor, he must still be alive to reach the capital." Watching Xiaocui's light steps gradually disappear, Xiao Wuqing picked a purple bellflower, placed it to his lips, and blew gently, scattering the petals in the wind...