A Jiu calmly drank a cup of tea. Although the matter of his grandmother did not have a satisfactory outcome, it made him feel that Xue Zhen was not the kind of person to engage in deception.
Perhaps his grandmother was truly gone, having vanished from the world forever. Or perhaps, as Xue Zhen suggested, his grandmother's spiritual path would continue to pursue cultivation.
By then, A Jiu would not know where he would be. This was perhaps what his grandmother meant by their fate together having run its course.
Once A Jiu had a definitive answer about past events, he never tormented himself with them.
Tuoba Yan's eyes gleamed. His admiration for this young woman grew:
"Zhao Kun has already left. Within half an hour, he won't be far. If he doesn't find her, sound the drums of war."
...
Yong'an City
Prince Qi's Manor.
Prince Qi Ming had summoned Xue Zhen three times.
The answer was always the same.
He was not present.
"Didn't he say he was expending too much energy and needed to recuperate in bed?" Prince Qi uttered this statement with deep suspicion.
Xue Zhen had made excuses for over seven days regarding the portrait, claiming to be afflicted by illness. Yet, the man was nowhere to be found recuperating in the Wisteria Pavilion.
At this moment, Prince Qi frowned deeply within the Wisteria Pavilion.
"Your Highness Prince Qi, Xue Zhen has always kept himself out of worldly affairs. You have shown him kindness; he certainly would not harbor disloyalty."
His personal guard, Zhou Quan, seeing his master's suspicions, quickly spoke up in Xue Zhen's defense.
After all, Xue Zhen had once saved his life when he was gravely injured.
Prince Qi's stance was firm. He had never truly trusted anyone. As the saying goes, one must guard against others.
As they were speaking, Xue Zhen arrived.
"Your Highness Prince Qi, I heard you sent for me. I was drunk yesterday and fell asleep by the banks of the Wanhua River. The painting is completed."
Xue Zhen naturally knew Prince Qi desired the portrait.
He spoke, drawing a scroll from his sleeve and presenting it with both hands.
Zhou Quan quickly took it and offered it to Prince Qi.
Prince Qi burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha, Xue Zhen, you have rendered a great service this time. Let this King see what manner of wondrous woman she is."
Xue Zhen clasped his hands at his dantian, his gaze lowered, his expression as placid as water.
A rustling sound of unrolling parchment filled the air, and Prince Qi was suddenly stunned.
It took the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea before Prince Qi Ming exhaled the breath of astonished admiration he had suppressed within his chest:
"Her eyes are like stars; truly, she possesses the beauty of a celestial being. Xue Zhen."
"Yes," Xue Zhen replied.
"Are you certain this woman bears the destiny of the Huagai Heavenly Star?"
"Indeed," Xue Zhen stated plainly.
The admiration on Prince Qi's face turned to a wistful sigh as he paced back and forth in the main hall: "What a pity for such a beautiful specimen. If she cannot be of use to me, then she cannot be allowed to live."
He then tossed the portrait to Zhou Quan: "Send men to search for this woman. Bring her back alive to see me."
"Yes," Zhou Quan, having served Prince Qi for many years, immediately understood that Prince Qi considered it a waste to kill her.
If she could be persuaded to remain by his side after being brought back, then there would be no need to kill her.
After Zhou Quan departed, Prince Qi Ming, in his delight, rewarded Xue Zhen with twenty thousand-year-old ginseng roots.
"Thank you for your reward, Your Highness," Xue Zhen said, cupping his hands and bowing respectfully as he exited the main hall.
Upon returning to his residence, the Wisteria Pavilion, he lifted the yellow cloth. On the tray were neatly arranged those superior ginseng roots.
Silently, he took out the one Meng Jiu'er had given him from his embrace. He had to admit, this single root possessed a thousand times more spiritual energy than a hundred of Prince Qi's finest ginseng.
What perplexed Xue Zhen even more was this tomato.
This fruit had been introduced to the Central Plains' Huachang Kingdom from a vassal state three years ago. Only the imperial court enjoyed it. Emperor Huachang had praised it highly after eating it and ordered his people to cultivate it.
However, a few years of severe drought followed, making it difficult for the common people to cultivate. Even if some managed it, it was very scarce. Yet, this girl's possession, even this common crop, contained rich spiritual energy.
Based on his century of cultivation experience, even infusing his own spiritual power into the fruit would consume a significant portion of his vital energy.
Strange, incredibly strange.
Xue Zhen bit into the tomato with a crisp crunch. The juice was both sour and sweet. Spiritual energy exploded in his mouth, like a fine thread flowing through his meridians, submerging into his dantian. A surge of spiritual energy gathered there, refusing to disperse.
Yet, his face, hidden beneath his white hair, was clouded with a hidden melancholy.
When Zhao Kun, by Tuoba Yan's side, had caught up to him, he had already noticed the tomato's abundant spiritual energy.
He had immediately guessed the intention of Tuoba Yan's wife.
He was in a difficult position.