How could Princess Ling Wang appear in Lingjiu Hall? Had she met the National Master?
Wasn't it said that the National Master, apart from the Emperor, basically saw no other guests?
Even a distinguished figure like Prince Yu, when wishing to meet the National Master, could be heartlessly refused.
Why could a mere Princess Ling Wang move freely in and out of Lingjiu Hall?
Seeing Princess Ling Wang about to leave the backyard, Chu Qianli wanted to chase after her, but suddenly a cool breeze attacked from behind.
A gentle, soft cool breeze brushed past her ear, utterly lacking any aggression, yet Chu Qianli sensed danger.
With a turn, a swish, the short blade landed in her hand, and she instantly moved to a spot more than ten paces ahead.
Where she had been standing, not far behind, a figure in plain white stood against the wind.
A veil completely obscured his face.
But the eyes revealed were clear and bright, as pure as water.
"National Master?" Chu Qianli immediately put away her dagger, bowed, and cupped her fists, "I am Chu Qianli of the Longteng Kingdom. I came tonight specifically to pay my respects, with no ill intentions."
Glancing to the side, the figure in the backyard had completely vanished.
Princess Ling Wang had left, and should not have discovered that Chu Qianli had seen her.
Chu Qianli just couldn't understand what her relationship with the National Master was, and why she could enter and exit here so freely.
The National Master simply watched her quietly, without speaking.
Chu Qianli withdrew her gaze from the courtyard and completely suppressed the remaining traces of hostility within her.
"National Master, I truly have no ill intentions. I merely wished to meet you."
The National Master's gaze remained fixed on her.
Quietly, as if scrutinizing, and as if appraising.
Chu Qianli felt a little nervous. Facing such a sacred figure, she always felt immense pressure.
Especially since he didn't say a word, and his face showed no expression. Moreover, he always exuded an aura of purity, as clean as untainted water.
It made her feel messy and dirty in his presence.
Perhaps everyone felt this way when they came before the National Master.
Because the overall impression he gave was one of profound cleanliness.
"National Master..." After waiting for a long time without the National Master speaking, Chu Qianli, breaking out in a cold sweat, couldn't help but say again, "I came tonight to seek a favor."
"You are Chu Qianli?"
Time seemed to freeze in an instant.
His voice was so ethereal.
As if it had built-in special effects during recording, the sound seemed to echo in a vast, empty space.
Or like a sound reverberating in the depths of a valley.
One moment it seemed close at hand, and the next, as if it were far away on the horizon.
Chu Qianli found herself unable to determine the source of the voice.
If she hadn't seen him standing right in front of her, she might not have been able to locate where the sound came from.
How could this be?
Her very soul seemed to be purified by his voice.
She felt so dirty.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt dirty.
Her heart was dirty, her soul was dirty, even her body felt dirty.
So dirty that she felt she had no value in living in this world.
No... something was wrong!
Everything felt wrong!
Her thoughts were even more wrong!
Suddenly, Chu Qianli's heart ached, and her entire body felt as if it had been instantly emptied.
Her legs gave way, and with a thud, she knelt on one knee.
So painful!
Her whole body ached!
She didn't want to live anymore! She felt that living itself was pain!
Suddenly, she truly didn't want to live.
Her fingers trembled, and she desperately wanted to retrieve the short blade and plunge it deep into her heart.