"I'm still here. Just do as I said and repair your soul. Once it's complete, you can leave and see what the outside world is like. Asking too many questions now won't do you any good."
Shen Xiaoyan frowned. She disliked people who spoke in riddles, but she had no choice but to accept Xiao Rongrong's suggestion.
No matter how much she asked, no one else responded. Even the soft crying she had heard earlier had vanished. It was as if it had all been her imagination, gone without a trace.
Shen Xiaoyan was silent for a long time. Finally, with no other options, she compromised. Even if she was willing to repair her soul, she still needed to know how to do it.
"Xiao Rongrong, are you still there?" Shen Xiaoyan asked softly.
"Yes."
This time, Xiao Rongrong responded readily. Shen Xiaoyan inwardly scoffed at Xiao Rongrong's inconsistency. Just moments ago, it had acted mysterious and aloof, refusing to engage with her. Now, it instantly answered her question. Strangely, she found this capricious little thing somewhat endearing.
"You told me to repair my soul, but you have to tell me how!" Shen Xiaoyan asked helplessly.
Xiao Rongrong hesitated. It didn't know how either. Yue Hua hadn't told it those details. Xiao Rongrong pondered for a long time, and Shen Xiaoyan waited just as long. When Xiao Rongrong remained silent, Shen Xiaoyan grew uneasy. Was repairing a soul that difficult?
"Xiao Rongrong, why aren't you speaking?" Shen Xiaoyan asked cautiously, fearing the answer she didn't want to hear but also not wanting Xiao Rongrong to remain silent, which would leave her like a headless fly.
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's question again, Xiao Rongrong knew it couldn't stay silent any longer. If it continued to be quiet, Shen Xiaoyan's briefly calmed heart might become agitated again. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Rongrong blurted out, "I don't know!"
Shen Xiaoyan was so amused she almost laughed. Where did this Xiao Rongrong get the nerve to so shamelessly and confidently declare that it didn't know? If it knew nothing, what was she supposed to do?
For a moment, neither of them knew what to say. Xiao Rongrong secretly observed Shen Xiaoyan's expression, and seeing its peculiar look, it became somewhat anxious. As a qualified pet, failing to answer its master's question was a clear failure. But it truly knew nothing.
Xiao Rongrong thought for a long time and then suddenly had an idea. "I know! I know!"
Shen Xiaoyan, lost in her own thoughts, heard Xiao Rongrong's excited voice. When she realized what Xiao Rongrong had said, Shen Xiaoyan was also relieved. Knowing was good; it meant there was hope for her to get out.
"You know? Then quickly tell me, what do I need to do to repair my soul?"
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's urgent words and seeing the anxious expression on her face, a flicker of guilt crossed Xiao Rongrong. "Yue Hua gave you the task of repairing your soul. She also told me that you absolutely cannot leave until your soul is fully repaired, so she asked me to supervise you." Xiao Rongrong's voice held a hint of helplessness and apology.
Shen Xiaoyan found Xiao Rongrong's strange behavior odd but didn't dwell on it, focusing instead on waiting for Xiao Rongrong to continue. Xiao Rongrong cleared its throat and then said, "As for how to repair your soul, I suddenly remember that Yue Hua seemed to have told me."
Shen Xiaoyan's eyes lit up. "Then tell me quickly!"
"Ahem," Xiao Rongrong coughed, then said, "She said you should figure it out yourself."
"What?"
Shen Xiaoyan froze for half a moment before dazedly uttering the word. Had her ears malfunctioned?
"It's exactly what you heard. She said you should figure it out yourself, meaning she believes you can find a way and you don't need to worry," Xiao Rongrong continued.
However, Shen Xiaoyan did not relax upon hearing Xiao Rongrong's words. Instead, she felt a surge of anger rising in her chest. What did she mean by "she believes you can find a way"? Was this Yue Hua bored? Trapping herself here, unable to see anything, and then telling her to repair her soul. That was one thing, and she would try her best to get out quickly. But telling her to figure it out herself? What kind of nonsense was that?
If Shen Xiaoyan had a physical body now, her forehead would be visibly throbbing, and her chest would be heaving up and down. But without a body, none of these physical manifestations would be apparent. Even without a body, her heart felt like it was burning with an intense fire, or as if a massive rock was lodged in her chest. Either way, it clearly indicated her extreme displeasure.
"Xiao Rongrong, don't hide. Let's have a good talk, and I can have a good look at you. What do you say?" Shen Xiaoyan asked softly after taking a deep breath.
However, upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's tone and seeing the gentle smile on her face, Xiao Rongrong shivered all over. Why did it inexplicably feel that this wasn't quite like Shen Xiaoyan? Even though it was only the second time it had met Shen Xiaoyan, that didn't mean it didn't understand her at all. As a spirit pet that had lived for an unknown number of years, it was skilled at reading people. Its experience told it not to be fooled by Shen Xiaoyan's outward appearance; the current Shen Xiaoyan was not just gentle and approachable, but could only be described as ferocious and brutal. Therefore, Xiao Rongrong decided that no matter how pleasant Shen Xiaoyan's words might be, it would absolutely not say another word. No, not just not say another word, but not utter a single sound.
Shen Xiaoyan continued to speak for a full fifteen minutes, but seeing no response from Xiao Rongrong, she knew this little creature had completely retreated. Did this little creature not realize that the monk could flee, but the temple could not? Once she figured out how to repair her soul and left this space, would it still be able to disappear? Or perhaps Xiao Rongrong believed that she wouldn't be able to figure it out within a certain timeframe and wouldn't be able to leave. By the time she could leave, she might have forgotten all about this matter due to the passage of time and various other distractions.
Shen Xiaoyan's expression remained unchanged, but she chuckled inwardly several times. Xiao Rongrong, just wait. Once I get out, you'll have a lot to answer for. Xiao Rongrong, unaware of Shen Xiaoyan's thoughts, mistook her expressionless face for resigned acceptance. It never imagined that Shen Xiaoyan was already contemplating how to "thank" it for the great gift it had given her today once they met again. If Xiao Rongrong knew the truth, it would surely weep tears of blood. What kind of situation was this? It was merely a messenger, so why was it the one getting hurt?
In the west wing of the Shi'an Courtyard, Zheng Wei sat by the window, looking at Ruanruan sleeping on the bed, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Ruanruan's little face was flushed, tear tracks lingered at the corners of her eyes, and her lips were pursed. Anyone seeing such a sight would feel immense heartache. Earlier, Huo Fen and the wet nurse had given Ruanruan medicine. After taking the medicine, Ruanruan cried even harder, as if trying to cry out all her grievances. Zheng Wei tried to coax her for a long time to no avail. Only when Ruanruan cried herself out and the medicine took effect did she finally fall into a deep sleep. Looking at Ruanruan, Zheng Wei remembered how much Shen Xiaoyan had loved her. If she saw Ruanruan like this now, he wondered how heartbroken she would be. Taking a deep breath, Zheng Wei said to Huo Fen and the wet nurse, "It's late. You two discuss who will take the first half of the night and who will take the second half. You don't both need to stay here."
The two exchanged glances. Hearing Zheng Wei's words, they understood that he wanted them to take turns resting, while he himself would stay up all night. But how could they rest when their young mistress was ill and their master was staying awake? Although it was their master's kind intention, they could not truly presume upon his favor. Therefore, Huo Fen stepped forward, bowed, and said softly, "We'll stay. Master, please get some rest early. Tomorrow is the first day of the lunar month, and there might be many things to do."
Zheng Wei chuckled at this. This wasn't Baiyun Village. Even if it were New Year's Day tomorrow, there wouldn't be swarms of children coming to pay their respects and ask for lucky money. Even among adults, there were few people they got along with in the capital, let alone anyone who would come to visit them. Zheng Wei shook his head, thinking, "Although tomorrow is the first day of the lunar month, no one will likely come. Besides, you cannot compare yourselves to me. Discuss it and go to sleep quickly. You need to be up early tomorrow."
Huo Fen and the wet nurse exchanged glances and finally retreated slowly. Since their master had made up his mind, if they continued to refuse, it would seem rather affected. As the door closed, Zheng Wei's lips curved upward imperceptibly. While Zheng Wei stayed awake to watch over Ruanruan, and the surroundings were quiet, within the Forbidden City, chaos had erupted. The events began with the banquet. Since they hadn't departed particularly early, Yi Zhixie and Sima Han arrived at the banquet hall just as the feast was about to commence. Although the time hadn't officially arrived, Sima Zhu and Sima Hao had already appeared. They arrived later than the Emperor and the Grand Emperor, which meant they were late. However, these two individuals who were late held rather sensitive positions. There was no need to mention Yi Zhixie; as the Grand Tutor, now that he had finally been invited back, no one dared to find fault with him. Besides, the official start time had not yet passed. As for Sima Hao and Sima Zhu, this could be considered them making an effort to be diligent, purely by coincidence. As for Sima Han, a prince who had been demoted to commoner status, and who had now returned to the capital after performing meritorious deeds, the Grand Emperor and the Emperor would naturally treat him with leniency.