Xiao Zhao's azure eyes were as clear as glazed glass. His cheeks were still tender, but he was as tall as an eight-year-old child. "Master, besides the roasted chicken, Old Man Xu and I have prepared quite a bit more."
Upon hearing there was more food, Feng Ninghe's eyes brightened further.
Before she could speak, Xiao Zhao waved his hand, and countless delicacies instantly appeared on the stone table.
At that moment, Old Man Xu also placed the freshly baked roasted chicken on the stone table. "You have successfully regained control of the Zhen Guo Gong Manor and secured your position as acting matriarch of the Feng family. We shall have a small celebration for you."
Looking at the table full of delicacies, Feng Ninghe couldn't help but smile, though her gaze deepened with a hint of seriousness. "Control is indeed in my hands, but I cannot yet rest easy."
Xiao Zhao blinked his azure eyes and quickly offered a large chicken leg. "Master, no matter what happens in the future, let's be happy today!"
He knew how incredibly arduous the journey had been for his master.
Even with control gained, there was still a long way to go to reach the ultimate goal.
Looking at Xiao Zhao before her, Feng Ninghe raised a bright smile, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a watery light. "Alright, let's celebrate briefly today, and may our future be smooth sailing!"
After the meal, Chi Xia arrived in a hurry.
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Zhao flickered and swiftly shrank, transforming into a spherical shape. He nimbly leaped onto Feng Ninghe's shoulder, tightly gripping a chicken wing.
In front of others, he was still accustomed to this form.
"Eldest Miss, someone from the Bai family is outside, requesting the Valley Master of Medicine Valley to come and save someone."
Chi Xia blurted out.
Xiao Zhao gently nuzzled Feng Ninghe's neck with his fluffy body, muttering incessantly.
*Master, the Bai family, as the foremost of the four great families, is in utter chaos. They can barely handle their own affairs and have had little contact with the Feng family. The top three in the previous hundred-bout competition were all juniors from the Bai family.*
Feng Ninghe instinctively asked, "Save whom?"
"The Bai family did not specify whom to save, only requesting the appearance of the Valley Master of Medicine Valley. They also said there would be a generous reward if the person could be cured."
As she finished speaking, Chi Xia deliberately glanced at Old Man Xu, who was eating a chicken leg. Old Man Xu seemed not to hear, lowering his gaze as if to himself.
After dismissing Chi Xia, Feng Ninghe looked at Old Man Xu. "What do you think?"
The Bai family possessed a certain foundation. She had just taken control of the Feng family, and befriending the Bai family would not be detrimental to her.
Old Man Xu leisurely bit into his chicken leg and shrugged indifferently. "With so much delicious food, I naturally want to stay and enjoy it slowly. Besides, the Valley Master of Medicine Valley is you, not me. They are looking for you."
For Old Man Xu, it was better to avoid trouble. He was not concerned with these noble families and did not wish to get involved.
Feng Ninghe lowered her eyelids, her gaze deep and contemplative, as if considering whether to go.
Zhen Guo Gong Manor.
The members of the Bai family were waiting at the entrance.
"Why hasn't the Valley Master of Medicine Valley arrived yet?"
Bai Qianqian, dressed in pink, raised her delicate eyebrows. Her exquisitely made-up face showed displeasure, clearly having lost patience.
Behind Bai Qianqian were two other young members of the Bai family.
"Although the Valley Master of Medicine Valley hasn't arrived, I am his disciple and can also heal people."
A crisp female voice echoed from within the mansion.
Feng Ninghe, clad in white, emerged slowly. Her eyes, visible through the veil covering her face, were cold.
Bai Qianqian's brows immediately furrowed. Her gaze, tinged with scrutiny, swept over Feng Ninghe. "I wish to see the Valley Master of Medicine Valley, not a disciple of the Valley Master of Medicine Valley."
In the eyes of the world, there was a vast difference between the Valley Master and a disciple. The Valley Master possessed miraculous healing skills, while a disciple could hardly compare to their master.
Feng Ninghe let out a cold laugh and walked directly past Bai Qianqian.
Xiao Zhao on her shoulder rolled his eyes indignantly. *Master, this person's tone is truly arrogant. Since they can't recognize talent, we're too lazy to make this trip.*
Bai Qianqian felt ignored and a strange sense of annoyance welled up. She quickly caught up. "I wish to see the Valley Master of Medicine Valley. The Bai family patriarch is gravely ill, and only the Valley Master of Medicine Valley can hope to cure him. Sending a disciple is not treating the Bai family with sincerity, is it?"
Feng Ninghe looked up and met her gaze, her eyes icy. "Since you feel it is insincere, then find someone else."
These simple words enraged Bai Qianqian. She bit her lip, glaring at Feng Ninghe. Just as she was about to speak, a swiftly passing figure caught everyone's attention.
"Quick, catch the thief! He stole my spatial pouch!"
A girl of fifteen or sixteen, moving with haste, stopped, panting. She urgently pointed forward at a rapidly fleeing figure.
Bai Qianqian raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms. A hint of schadenfreude flickered in her eyes. "Bai Niannian, you're truly useless if even your spatial pouch can be stolen."
Feng Ninghe's gaze sharpened, and she transformed into a gust of wind, moving rapidly.
The thief was running at full tilt when suddenly a figure appeared before him. Before he could react, he was airborne, crashing heavily to the ground. By the time the thief realized what had happened, the spatial pouch in his hand had vanished.
Bai Niannian rushed forward. Feng Ninghe handed her a spatial pouch. "Miss, is this your spatial pouch?"
Bai Niannian nodded repeatedly and quickly took the spatial pouch, her eyes sparkling. "You're so amazing! I didn't even see how you moved, and the thief was already down!"
Feng Ninghe smiled dismissively at the praise. "This is just a minor trick, nothing worth mentioning."
"Hey."
Seeing the two conversing, Bai Qianqian walked over, her eyes darting around. She let out a muffled hum. "Our Bai family is not a small clan. We hope you will invite Immortal Xu out. Our Bai family will certainly treat you with courtesy. As for you, being Immortal Xu's disciple, you might also gain some benefits."
"Immortal Xu's disciple?"
Bai Niannian looked at Feng Ninghe as if she had discovered something amusing.
Feng Ninghe met Bai Niannian's gaze openly and slowly nodded. "I come from Medicine Valley and am knowledgeable about herbs. If you have the ability, go and invite the Valley Master of Medicine Valley yourselves. I will not stay any longer."
She had initially intended to go and heal the patient, perhaps to gain some favor, which was why she had appeared. However, the Bai family had sent such an ill-mannered person. She saw no reason to make the trip.
"Is this how your Medicine Valley treats people? How could Immortal Xu be so blind as to accept you as a disciple?"
Bai Qianqian's eyes widened, her exquisitely made-up face showing a hint of anger.
Bai Niannian, however, interrupted her. "Cousin, since the disciple of the Valley Master of Medicine Valley is knowledgeable about herbs, why not give it a try? This young lady just demonstrated her skill by catching the thief, and her martial arts are extraordinary. I believe her!"
Bai Qianqian let out a scornful laugh as if she had heard a joke. "Brother Qi Mu has already gone to find medicine. I trust Brother Qi Mu more. If you trust her, let's compete based on our own abilities and see who can save the family patriarch! If I win, you give me that Purple Night Pearl."