"Oh?"
Feng Ninghe raised a delicate eyebrow, her interest piqued as she looked at Su Hongxiu. "What play?"
For some reason, she felt remarkably calm and comfortable in Sixth Master's presence.
In response to her question, Su Hongxiu answered unhurriedly, "Some busybodies in Liguo have turned your deeds into a play. Now, everyone is condemning the third daughter of the Feng family and the First Prince as despicable and shameless villains. Many even regard you as a role model."
These words also ignited Feng Ninghe's enthusiasm, her eyes involuntarily brightening.
Her deeds had actually been turned into a play.
Without a second thought, she nodded decisively. "Since that's the case, I must go and see it, of course."
Afterward, Feng Ninghe specifically looked at Si Jianye beside her. "I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Xin Xin won't wake up for a while, and I'll be back before she does."
Si Jianye remained unmoved, standing still. His gaze had already fallen upon Su Hongxiu.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice a little colder. "It's been a while. Shouldn't we have a cup of tea to catch up?"
"I've been meaning to. You've been in Liguo for some time, and I must fulfill my duties as a host."
Su Hongxiu nodded with feigned seriousness and gestured with her hand, "If you don't mind, shall we share a carriage?"
The conversation between the two surprised Feng Ninghe. Her gaze, filled with a hint of inquiry, darted between them. "Do you know each other?"
Their exchange gave her a peculiar feeling.
It seemed as though they had known each other for a long time and shared a deep connection.
"Naturally."
Su Hongxiu spoke first, gently fanning herself with a bone fan. Her gaze towards Si Jianye held a touch of amusement. "We've known each other since we were children. I can't even count how many years it's been. After so many years apart, I have a lot I want to say."
Simple words, yet they held hidden depths.
Liu Mian Pavilion was established only in recent years, and its master, known as Sixth Master, was a mysterious figure.
Si Jianye was the King of Xiyou Continent.
Xiyou Continent was a great distance from Liguo, making their acquaintance truly surprising.
Feng Ninghe's eyes curved into a smile, a spark of interest appearing in them. "You've known each other since you were children?"
Su Hongxiu nodded slowly, her eyes lingering. "I know many interesting stories about him."
"Enough."
Si Jianye did not wish to elaborate. His gaze slightly narrowed, interrupting the conversation. "The play will be over soon if we delay. Are we going to watch it or not?"
Only then did Feng Ninghe retract her gaze and quickly board the carriage.
She was somewhat curious about the past of this King of the Underworld.
The world knew the King of the Underworld for his cruel methods, hence his title.
She wanted to know what others did not.
There would be plenty of opportunities to ask Su Hongxiu in the future; there was no need to rush.
The group traveled together and soon arrived at the opera house.
Su Hongxiu was a regular patron. The opera house manager personally greeted them and led them to a private room on the second floor.
On the stage on the first floor, a play was being performed.
This play depicted Feng Ninghe's rampage at the First Prince's mansion.
The actors performed with lifelike skill, making the audience feel as if they were there.
Su Hongxiu casually picked up a fruit and chewed it slowly, her eyes brightening as she gazed at the stage. "Miss Feng dares to act and dares to take responsibility. She is a person of character, and I admire her."
In Liguo, among the great noble families, only Feng Ninghe possessed such boldness, single-handedly bringing ruin to the First Prince and Feng Tongtong.
Su Hongxiu could not hide the admiration in his eyes.
He had never met anyone as courageous as Feng Ninghe.
Unfettered by power, her actions were guided solely by her heart.
Si Jianye noticed the subtle shifts in Su Hongxiu's expression.
He lowered his gaze, picked up his tea, and took a sip. Changing the subject, he asked, "How long do you plan to stay in Liguo? Can you bear to stay in the small Liguo?"
Si Jianye believed that Su Hongxiu's endeavors in Liguo were mere child's play. While Liu Mian Pavilion held some status in Liguo, it was insignificant in Jinling.
Su Hongxiu shrugged casually, his voice melodious. "I don't plan to leave Liguo anytime soon. There are many interesting things here, and it's quite lively."
The most interesting person, by far, was Feng Ninghe.
In life, one sought only freedom and joy. Her carefree and spontaneous nature was enviable.
It was precisely for this reason that he wanted to know how many more surprises Feng Ninghe could bring.
Si Jianye opened his lips and slowly uttered, "At first, I thought you wanted to live in seclusion, which is why you came to Liguo. Now, seeing this, you genuinely like it here."
Su Hongxiu's gaze towards Feng Ninghe was filled with deep, intriguing meaning.
Such a look made one feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
Si Jianye deliberately shifted his body forward, subtly blocking Su Hongxiu's line of sight towards Feng Ninghe.
The moment they entered the opera house, Feng Ninghe summoned Xiao Zhao to watch the play.
At this moment, Xiao Zhao was excitedly staring at the stage, occasionally stuffing food into its mouth, and making soft chirping sounds.
"Master, the words you spoke in front of the First Prince's mansion are all performed by these people. But they can't capture your dominance at all! A bad review!"
Xiao Zhao smacked its small lips, its clear, sapphire-like eyes fixed on the stage.
"Miss Feng, this little beast of yours is quite interesting. It's truly unexpected to see an ancient Qilin in Liguo."
Su Hongxiu, as if discovering a new amusement, turned his gaze to Xiao Zhao.
Its identity revealed, Xiao Zhao froze. The fruit in its mouth suddenly lost its flavor, and it uncomfortably looked at Feng Ninghe.
Sensing Xiao Zhao's unease, Feng Ninghe reached out and pulled it into her embrace, comforting it. "I didn't expect Sixth Master to recognize Xiao Zhao's identity as well."
In Liguo, very few could recognize Xiao Zhao's true nature.
Su Hongxiu chuckled dismissively, his gaze casually resting on Xiao Zhao. "In this form, it's indeed hard to recognize. If not for these exquisitely delicate horns, I wouldn't have been able to tell."
The pair of small horns on Xiao Zhao's forehead were unremarkable, appearing quite ordinary.
To have its identity recognized even with such subtle features, Sixth Master's eyes were truly sharp.
Feng Ninghe couldn't help but click her tongue, idly stroking Xiao Zhao's fur. Her gaze then shifted to the stage.
Su Hongxiu sipped his tea and spoke in a voice only they could hear, "The dignified King of the Underworld has always been aloof from women. To see you walking with a woman on the street today is truly rare."
The slightly teasing words made one's heart inexplicably agitated.
Si Jianye raised an eyebrow, his sharp, eagle-like gaze suddenly turning cold. "She is Xin Xin's godmother. Your habit of talking too much hasn't changed, has it?"
"Xin Xin's godmother?"
Su Hongxiu's interest intensified. His clear, magnetic male voice slowly descended, "I didn't expect Xin Xin to have a godmother. It's truly astonishing that you would allow another woman to become Xin Xin's godmother."
Countless women in this world wished to be Xin Xin's godmother.
No woman had ever caught Si Jianye's eye, let alone become Xin Xin's godmother.
Xiao Zhao pricked up its ears, trying to hear their conversation.
But no matter how high it held its ears, it couldn't hear clearly.