The other sects' members had all departed. Chu Ruoqiao, affecting the demeanor of a naive junior, ran over to support the Tianji Elder and coquettishly pleaded, "Grandpa Tianji, please don't be angry anymore! Be careful not to blow your beard off with anger."
"Hahahahaha, Ruoqiao, you're so thoughtful." The Tianji Elder looked at Chu Ruoqiao, still a little shaken from the near miss.
He had once firmly believed she was the destined Phoenix Girl of the Chu family. For this reason, he had even found an excuse to bring her from Shengjing. He intended to have her attempt that wooden bridge formation.
Fortunately, he hadn't had the chance to do so yet. Otherwise, if someone who wasn't the Phoenix Girl had entered that formation, there would likely have been nothing left of her. He wouldn't have known how to explain it to the old Duke.
According to the words left by Chan Master Bujie, the masked young girl should be the second daughter of the Chu family who was abducted years ago.
It was truly a close call! He had almost brought back a younger one only to lose an older one! And this older one was personally raised by the old Duke.
After Gongsun Zan and the others had left, he walked over to Su Muqing and the others. "Qing丫头! So it really is you!"
Su Muqing saw that Gongsun Zan recognized them and didn't deny it, but she was a little surprised to see him here. "Didn't you say you were returning to the Valley of the Immortal Doctor? Why are you here?"
Gongsun Zan glanced sideways at the Tianji Elder. "Wasn't I told that in the No Man's Land there is..."
Before Gongsun Zan could finish, the Tianji Elder interjected, "Old Gongsun! Is this the talented junior you mentioned encountering on the road?"
Because Zhikong had previously stated that the mastermind behind poisoning Huo Qiyuan had not yet been found, it was crucial to be cautious and not expose the news of his survival.
Upon being questioned by the Tianji Elder, Gongsun Zan immediately beamed and praised Su Muqing. "Yes, yes, it's her! This girl has an extremely high talent for medicine, and her medical skills are unlike ours. Even my most accomplished disciple, Qu Fei, is slightly inferior to her. She can absolutely be called a prodigy rarely seen in a century!"
The Tianji Elder stroked his grizzled beard and nodded in agreement. "Hahahaha! That's only natural! Rarely seen in a century? In my opinion, perhaps not even in a millennium!"
Huo Qixiao and Chu Ruoqiao turned to look at Su Muqing upon hearing Gongsun Zan's words.
Huo Qixiao furrowed his brow, his fingers toying with the jade pendant of his folding fan, and he couldn't help but murmur inwardly. Where did this person suddenly appear from? Why were Tianji and Gongsun Zan showering her with such praise!
Upon hearing this, Chu Ruoqiao's wariness intensified tenfold. Qu Fei was her paternal aunt and currently the matriarch of the Old Duke's manor.
Qu Fei was once Gongsun Zan's most accomplished disciple. Later, after her daughter was abducted, she sealed her medical practice. She vowed not to practice medicine again until her daughter was found.
It was unexpected that Gongsun Zan would consider this girl to have even more talent than Qu Fei. Who was this person?
Chu Ruoqiao, with a smile of innocent charm, casually asked, "Grandpa Tianji, Grandpa Gongsun, is this elder sister really that amazing? Who exactly is she?"
The Tianji Elder smiled mysteriously, his tone filled with hidden meaning. "You two! Haha... I'll keep you in suspense for now. You'll know later!"
However, Chu Ruoqiao immediately grabbed his arm and pleaded coquettishly, "Oh! Grandpa Tianji, please just tell me! Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight..."
Su Muqing stepped forward and addressed the Tianji Elder. "Senior, I have something I wish to inquire about!"
After speaking, she looked at the man and woman, her meaning clear: unrelated individuals should leave.
The Tianji Elder looked at Chu Ruoqiao and the other. "Ruoqiao, you and Young Master Huo should go rest for a while! I'll call you when it's time for dinner."
Upon hearing that Tianji wanted them to leave, Chu Ruoqiao was immediately displeased. "I won't! What are you going to talk about? I want to hear too!"
The Tianji Elder was surprised that Chu Ruoqiao, who was known throughout Shengjing for her knowledge, etiquette, and talent, would act so unreasonably today.
However, considering he had invited her himself, he couldn't be too harsh. He merely chided her casually, "Ruoqiao, don't be difficult!"
Seeing the significant shift in the Tianji Elder's attitude towards Chu Ruoqiao, Huo Qixiao felt a bad premonition. Although the Tianji Elder hadn't stated it explicitly before, his action of bringing Ruoqiao to the No Man's Land during such a crucial selection of leaders clearly indicated his intention to support her.
Why did he seem to have changed his mind after these people appeared? No! Many things had been going awry recently! The No Man's Land was a critical step, and there could be no mistakes!
He also stepped forward, adopting the air of a refined nobleman. "Are there any great secrets we cannot hear? Or do you have any difficulties? Feel free to speak, and we can discuss it together. I have some connections in many places across the Great Yu Dynasty. Perhaps I can be of assistance!"
Lu Yuzhi listened to Huo Qixiao's words and raised an eyebrow. This cousin was the son of his own second uncle. His second uncle and his father were full brothers. However, his uncle was born with a disability and had always been kept at home.
Huo Qixiao was almost thirty years old and had never married. Before the incident at the Prince of Battlefield's manor, he seemed to be doing nothing, spending his days with cats and dogs and mingling with other noble scions, appearing utterly unreliable. It was unexpected that he would be so smooth and eloquent in front of outsiders.
When the manor incident occurred, his fourth uncle claimed it was because he had discovered evidence of his father's involvement in rebellion. Fearing implication if it were investigated, he chose to report it.
The Emperor later sealed the Prince of Battlefield's manor and rewarded the Huo family for their righteous act of disowning their kin, bestowing his fourth uncle the title of Marquis of Loyalty and entrusting him with great responsibilities, much like the former Emperor's trust in Huo Sijun.
Huo family's second son disdained his illegitimate younger brother for betraying his elder brother. However, the current Huo family was supported by Huo's fourth son. Lacking any ability and daring not to resist, he could only live subserviently in the Marquis's residence.
Lu Yuzhi found Huo Qixiao's current demeanor somewhat surprising. Clearly, his recent life had been quite good. It seemed that Huo's fourth uncle treated them quite well!
At the same time, Su Muqing was growing increasingly impatient. Why were these two so persistent and unwilling to leave? What did it have to do with them?
Especially regarding the woman. Su Muqing, for some unknown reason, had a very bad feeling about Chu Ruoqiao and found her utterly displeasing to the eye. Especially seeing her acting coquettishly and cutely, her eyes filled with schemes and calculations, yet feigning an innocent and adorable appearance. Su Muqing felt like she was going to vomit!
And that man, with his detestable appearance, clearly wasn't a young man anymore, yet he insisted on putting on the facade of a handsome young lad. It truly incensed her!