A woman in white descended from the sky, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, exuding an otherworldly, aloof aura. Her peach blossom eyes held a distant, sharp glint.
This cold gaze felt strangely familiar to Feng Tongtong.
"Is this how you beg for favors?"
The woman spoke, her serene voice carrying a chilling, human-compressing pressure as she looked down at Feng Tongtong.
Seeing Feng Tongtong, Feng Ninghe's mind flashed back to the humiliation she had endured five years ago. The hatred embedded in the original body's heart surged forth.
Five years, and the Feng family was still so unruly and unreasonable, showing no improvement.
"You dare to hit me? Do you know who I am?"
Snapping back to reality, Feng Tongtong was helped up by her attendant. She glared at the woman, gritting her teeth, her eyes filled with malice.
Feng Ninghe raised her delicate eyebrows, a chill emanating from behind her veil. "For an ant like you to even think of inviting Immortal Xu out of seclusion, you'd best scram."
She turned her head and walked away as if to herself.
"Wait!"
Feng Tongtong was anxious. Her purpose for coming was to invite Immortal Xu to help the First Prince.
Once the First Prince was saved, he would surely be grateful, bringing her one step closer to the position of Imperial Consort.
She would endure this slap for now. Once the First Prince awoke, she would make this wench pay!
Lost in thought, she forced a naive smile. "Of course, I sincerely wish to invite Immortal Xu. Whatever Immortal Xu desires to cure the First Prince, I will give."
"Oh?"
Feng Ninghe's lips curved slightly as if amused, and she slowly uttered, "If you agree to my three conditions, I can then invite Immortal Xu out of seclusion."
Upon hearing that Immortal Xu was willing to come out, Feng Tongtong, disregarding everything else, quickly agreed.
However, her expression plummeted the moment she heard the woman's subsequent words.
"The first condition: I want you to personally drive the carriage to bring Immortal Xu to the First Prince's manor."
As she spoke, Feng Ninghe lowered her gaze, her eyes capturing every flicker of emotion on Feng Tongtong's face.
Feng Tongtong felt like a rat whose tail had been stepped on, erupting in fury. "My status is so noble, and you expect me to personally drive the carriage!"
"If you are not sincere in seeking help, then leave."
Feng Ninghe turned her head, no longer intending to pay Feng Tongtong much attention.
If she hadn't wanted to torment Feng Tongtong slowly, she would have already torn the woman apart.
Feng Tongtong grew desperate.
Opportunity knocks but once.
While pride was important, saving the First Prince was more crucial.
Without a second thought, Feng Tongtong nodded. "I agree! Tell me your other conditions."
Feng Ninghe's red lips curved, and she said with interest, "Immortal Xu prefers tranquility. Prepare a courtyard for him at the Feng family manor, the Poetry Courtyard will do. As for the third condition, I will tell you when I've thought of it."
"Poetry Courtyard?"
These two words inexplicably made Feng Tongtong wary.
Her gaze swept over Feng Ninghe inch by inch, but she detected no anomaly.
The Poetry Courtyard was the very courtyard Feng Ninghe had once lived in.
How could someone from the Medicine Valley be so familiar with the layout of the Feng family's inner court?
Seeing Feng Tongtong's silence, Feng Ninghe raised her delicate eyebrows. "You refuse?"
Feng Tongtong dismissed her doubts and quickly said, "It's just a courtyard, what's the harm?"
After all, ever since that good-for-nothing Feng Ninghe died, her family had considered the Poetry Courtyard unlucky and had left it vacant.
The immediate priority was to invite Immortal Xu to treat the First Prince; everything else was secondary.
The Poetry Courtyard was going to waste anyway, so it might as well serve its purpose.
Feng Ninghe nodded. "Alright, wait here. I'll go and invite Immortal Xu now."
The moment she stepped into the Medicine Valley, she sensed two gazes fixed upon her.
"Come out."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze towards a figure and a beast hiding in the shadows.
An old man and a young one emerged hesitantly from the darkness.
Xiao Zhao leaped onto Feng Ninghe, his large, round eyes blinking as he looked up at her, whimpering.
Master, I want to go down the mountain with you.
Feng Ninghe stroked Xiao Zhao's incredibly soft, furry body and smiled. "Alright, we'll go down the mountain together."
Xiao Zhao was a spiritual beast formed from the essence of heaven and earth. Although he was a small qilin, he could transform into countless forms and even take human shape.
Others could not see his true form, nor could they discern his true identity.
Then, she turned her gaze to Old Man Xu. "Old Man Xu, I need to discuss something with you."
This time, since she had chosen to leave the valley, she would turn the Feng family upside down.
Old Man Xu's eyes curved, and he rubbed his hands together expectantly. "If you are willing to take me as your disciple, we can discuss anything."
If the world were to hear this, they would be utterly astonished and incredulous.
Immortal Xu, a third-grade alchemist, had gained renown years ago. He was a reclusive figure, yet he now wished to become the disciple of a twenty-year-old girl...
Feng Ninghe's ruby lips curved slightly. "I'm not interested in taking disciples as old as you. However, I need you to cooperate with me in a play..."
The gate of the Medicine Valley.
Feng Tongtong waited anxiously. She couldn't wait any longer.
Just as she was about to step forward to inquire, several figures darted out from the Medicine Valley, instantly capturing her attention.
"Immortal Xu, we've finally found you!"
Feng Tongtong strode to Old Man Xu's side, her eyes filled with fervor and urgency. "Hurry, the First Prince is waiting for you!"
She had already overlooked Feng Ninghe and the fluffy little beast beside Old Man Xu.
Xiao Zhao's appearance was quite different from the qilin described in legends; he was only about the size of a watermelon.
Only a pair of ram's horns and wolf-like hooves could vaguely connect him to a qilin.
Therefore, it was not unusual for him to be mistaken for an ordinary spirit beast.
Old Man Xu didn't even spare Feng Tongtong a glance and got into the carriage himself.
If not for Feng Ninghe's sake, he, with his innate pride, would never have deigned to notice such an insignificant noble family.
Feng Ninghe, along with Xiao Zhao, also got into the carriage.
After the three of them were in the carriage, Feng Tongtong let out a soft snort. She then gestured to her attendant beside her, signaling him to get up and drive. "Depart."
Before the attendant could even get on, Feng Ninghe's clear, cold voice came from behind the carriage curtain. "I hope Third Miss Feng will honor her promise."
Feng Tongtong's face stiffened.
Damn it.
She actually had to drive the carriage herself?
She, the esteemed Third Miss of the Duke of Zhenguo's manor, driving for someone else. Wouldn't she become a laughingstock if seen?
Her agreement earlier was merely a tactic to stall.
And this woman actually took it seriously?
As Feng Tongtong hesitated, a heavy snort came from inside the carriage, clearly indicating Immortal Xu's displeasure.
Feng Tongtong gritted her teeth and had no choice but to mount the horse herself.
At the same time, a malicious glint flashed in her eyes.
Once the First Prince was cured, she would make the woman in the carriage pay.
As promised, Feng Tongtong personally drove the carriage to escort them.
It took half a day to travel from the Medicine Valley to the imperial city. Feng Ninghe closed her eyes, lost in thought.
Five years had passed. It was time to avenge the original body.
Xiao Zhao, as Feng Ninghe's contracted spirit beast, sensed his master's fluctuating emotions. His round, sapphire eyes flickered, a hint of cunning flashing within.
Feng Tongtong was speeding along, feeling utterly stifled.
She just wanted to reach the First Prince's manor as quickly as possible, praying no one would see her driving the carriage!
*Bang!*
A bird suddenly flew overhead. It tilted its plump rear, and a fresh dollop of excrement landed squarely on Feng Tongtong's head.
"Ah!"
"What the hell is this!"
Feng Tongtong shrieked, her delicate face turning deathly pale!