Yun Shu and Qin Yiqing looked up as Ningde County Princess, who was now just a few steps away, approached them.
Today, Ningde County Princess wore no makeup, appearing more pure and ethereal than when they had met at Yueran Teahouse.
Both women appreciated beauty.
Thus, upon seeing Ningde County Princess, Yun Shu’s lips curved upwards. "Ningde County Princess."
"Miss Ning," Ningde County Princess nodded kindly.
It was then that Yun Shu realized the surname she had impulsively chosen that day, Ning, was the same as the 'Ning' in Ningde County Princess’s title.
Ningde County Princess also noticed this, thinking to herself that perhaps this was her destiny with Miss Ning.
"Have you had breakfast, Miss Ning? Would you care to join me?" Ningde County Princess had, in fact, met with her brother before coming here.
After taking the medicine yesterday and the medicinal bath last night, her brother had slept soundly from the moment he fell asleep until she arrived. If she hadn't woken him, he likely could have slept much longer.
For Zhen Lin, achieving a comfortable night's sleep was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Therefore, Ningde County Princess understood more clearly that she and her brother were indeed fortunate to have met Miss Ning.
"I haven't had breakfast yet, but the staff at the manor have already begun preparing it and should bring it over shortly," Yun Shu said with a faint smile at Ningde County Princess.
From Qiu Lu’s investigation, Yun Shu had learned that Ningde County Princess was the reason Zhen Lin had maintained a stable position in Pingyang Manor over the years.
Even at such a young age, Ningde County Princess already knew how to establish herself among the influential figures in the capital.
However, a good reputation that everyone praised was not enough to secure Zhen Lin's position solely through Ningde County Princess.
There had to be other reasons.
Yun Shu thought of Yueran Teahouse.
But as soon as the thought arose, she dismissed it. This was not the time to ponder such matters.
"Then I'll stay and have breakfast with you," Ningde County Princess offered, then turned to a young maid beside her. "Go and prepare more food."
The maid accepted the order and quickly departed.
Qin Yiqing, aware of her current status as an apprentice, grabbed a handful of melon seeds and rose to return to her room. "Master, I'm going back to my room to read medical texts."
"Go ahead," Yun Shu suddenly found Qin Yiqing's constant address of "Master" rather pleasant.
It was a pity that Qin Yiqing had little talent in medicine.
Ningde County Princess sat down and, seeing Yun Shu shelling melon seeds, smiled. "Thank you, Miss Ning. I just saw the Heir. He slept extremely well last night."
"He will gradually improve," Yun Shu said, her tone very light as she spoke of his illness.
Ningde County Princess nodded inwardly. This was precisely why she had believed Miss Ning at Yueran Teahouse. She did not exaggerate the illness or her medical skills, but simply stated the facts.
If she had harbored any doubts yesterday, they were now completely dispelled.
For a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence.
However, it was not an awkward silence; they simply smiled at each other.
Ningde County Princess did not particularly enjoy eating melon seeds, always feeling that it made her appear ungraceful.
But seeing Miss Ning eat them with such perfect poise and without any hint of awkwardness, she felt a desire to try them herself.
"Are you troubled by something these past few days, Your Highness?" Yun Shu noticed the faint dark circles under Ningde County Princess's eyes.
Ningde County Princess’s heart stirred. She had noticed? She smiled and replied, "It's been like this for years. I often can't sleep at night. I've drunk countless calming teas, but none have worked. I've grown accustomed to it now; sleeping for an hour or two is enough."
Yun Shu confirmed her suspicions. Merely wanting to secure her position as a County Princess and her brother's as Heir would not lead to such deliberate disruption of sleep. It must be that during the quiet of the night, she had more significant matters to plan.
She lowered her gaze, picked up a cup of tea, and took a sip. "I will give you a prescription shortly. Try taking it for a while."
Ningde County Princess's expression brightened. "Then I thank you, Miss Ning."
She felt a sense of anticipation.
Perhaps a prescription from Miss Ning would be different from others.
Her gaze shifted slightly as she asked, without revealing her intentions, "Have you always lived in the capital, Miss Ning?"
"No, I travel the world, staying in each place for a period of time." Yun Shu also remained unfazed.
"I see. No wonder I've never heard of you in the capital before," another thread of certainty loosened in Ningde County Princess's mind.
She wouldn't be staying in the capital long…
Even traveling the world.
This suggested she was not from a noble family, but a person of the martial world.
People of the martial world disliked constraints and did not curry favor with the powerful. Thus, over the years, she had sent people to search for divine physicians. She had even approached renowned miracle doctors, but they had refused. Later, she learned that the miracle doctor was actually the daughter of Yun Changfeng, the great general of Dongning Kingdom.
It was no wonder she wouldn't come to Xixia Kingdom to treat her brother.
However, she had also sent people to inquire about Yun Shu's mentor. How had she become a miracle doctor in just a few years, yet there was still no news?
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she asked, "Do you have any senior or junior sisters, Miss Ning?"
As women, and both possessing exceptional medical skills, perhaps they were from the same lineage.
"Probably. I've been away from my sect for many years. My master always takes disciples as she pleases, but my fellow disciples have never met each other," Yun Shu fabricated a story.
These were explanations she had used to placate others before, so she delivered them smoothly now.
Upon hearing this, Ningde County Princess's doubts diminished further. "I see. It seems your master is a recluse of great skill."
"Indeed. My master lives in seclusion, using a hidden name, and rarely ventures into the martial world," Yun Shu said, effectively blocking any further inquiries from Ningde County Princess.
Someone living in seclusion and using a hidden name, who also did not travel the martial world, would certainly not want their identity revealed.
Ningde County Princess was intelligent and knew when to cease probing. She continued, "Great masters always prefer to live in seclusion in the mountains."
She had once thought of living in seclusion in the mountains with the one she loved, leading a simple life like drifting clouds and flowing water.
But this thought had only flickered in her mind for a moment, never leading her to make a firm decision.
This was because what she truly desired was not to live in seclusion, but to survey the world.
Soon, several maids brought the breakfast. It included not only steamed dumplings and pork rib soup but also some delicious side dishes and even light seafood congee.
Qin Yiqing came running out, drawn by the aroma.
The three of them chatted casually, their conversation flowing with ease.
Occasionally, bursts of laughter could be heard.
Ningde County Princess rarely engaged in lengthy conversations with others. Today, with Miss Ning and her apprentice, she had unconsciously let down some of her guard.
Not long after she got up to leave, she suddenly came to her senses.
In front of Miss Ning, she seemed to have not been in control of the conversation!
She pursed her lips slightly and instructed Lu Qiao, "Deliver a post to the palace in my brother's name, inviting Prince Jin to Pingyang Manor for a discussion."