Feng Ninghe walked into the room on her own.
Xiao Zhao excitedly hopped onto the bed, not forgetting to stretch out a paw to pull the quilt over herself.
Just as Feng Ninghe was about to rest, a familiar aura struck her heart. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and instinctively turned her gaze towards the direction of the door.
The next moment, she abruptly stood up and pushed open the door.
The moment the door was pushed open, she saw a figure standing in the courtyard.
The bright moon cast a long shadow of the solitary, upright figure.
The man, dressed in black, wore a golden mask that was half-hidden in the darkness, making him appear mysterious.
Even though his face was obscured by the mask, one could imagine that the face beneath it was undoubtedly extraordinary.
"It's you?"
She recognized the owner of the mask at a glance.
Xin Xin's father.
Si Jianye's cold eyes were sharp, his gaze locked onto her, and his thin lips parted slightly: "Your reaction is quite swift. I've only just arrived, and you've already detected someone."
He hadn't concealed his presence, so it was normal to be discovered.
But he had only just arrived, and this woman appeared so quickly. Her reaction speed was truly remarkable.
Feng Ninghe didn't rush to speak. Instead, she scanned her surroundings.
This time, he had come alone.
Feng Ninghe finally spoke, "What brings you here? Is it about Xin Xin's matter?"
The man nodded generously and strode towards her.
With each step the man took, a sharp gust of wind swirled around them, and an invisible pressure assaulted Feng Ninghe.
"Feng Ninghe, if you help Xin Xin, I naturally won't let you act in vain. I've come today to make a deal with you."
Si Jianye spoke, his indifferent male voice slowly dropping.
Feng Ninghe raised a delicate eyebrow, her gaze falling upon the man: "What kind of deal do you wish to make with me?"
She was not seeking profit by saving Xin Xin.
However, since the man before her wanted to make a deal, she might as well hear him out before deciding.
Si Jianye didn't hesitate and directly revealed his thoughts: "You possess two different spiritual energies within you, and I can help you merge them into one."
The simple words successfully captured Feng Ninghe's attention. Her pupils involuntarily contracted as she stared intently at the man before her: "How do you know I have two different spiritual energies within me?"
Facing her question, Si Jianye said dismissively, "How I know is not important. What's important is that I can solve your problem, and my transaction with you is to heal Xin Xin."
Even controlling the onset of her illness would suffice for him.
As long as Si Xin Xin's congenital deficiency no longer affected her, it wouldn't be a problem even if it couldn't be completely cured.
Si Jianye detested owing favors the most. The best approach was mutual benefit through transactions.
If the two spiritual energies could be merged into one, Feng Ninghe's cultivation would also advance by leaps and bounds.
Her eyes brightened slightly. She tilted her head up to meet the man's indifferent gaze.
Their eyes met, and hidden within both their gazes were emotions that were difficult to fathom.
Si Jianye's eyes were deep and sharp, his phoenix-like eyes like an abyss, impossible to see through. The alluring red mole at the corner of his eye held an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
The man stood there quietly, as if he had merged with the night, his invisible pressure subtly announcing his extraordinary identity.
For years, Feng Ninghe had been searching for a way to manage the spiritual energies within her. Even she couldn't merge these two energies into one. What was this person's identity?
"Have you considered it?"
The man's voice, as cold as frost, interrupted her thoughts.
Feng Ninghe narrowed her eyes, subtly appraising him: "Do you truly have a way to merge the two spiritual energies within me into one?"
Sensing her doubt, Si Jianye let out a low chuckle, as if mocking her ignorance: "For an ordinary person, there would naturally be no way. My cultivation method is far from ordinary. My help is contingent on you being able to heal Xin Xin."
In other words, if she couldn't heal Xin Xin, the deal would be off.
Feng Ninghe was moved. She no longer refused and nodded generously: "Deal."
She had far too many enemies. If she didn't improve her cultivation quickly, she wouldn't be as fortunate the next time she encountered Mo Zisang.
Only by rapidly improving her cultivation could she seek revenge.
As the crisp female voice fell, Si Jianye transformed into a gust of wind and vanished rapidly.
Watching the man's departing figure, Feng Ninghe's expression was somber, her eyes filled with contemplation.
Who was he?
Why did he give her such a sense of familiarity?
She stood there for a long time, unable to figure it out, and had no choice but to withdraw her thoughts and quickly turn back into the house.
Looking at Xiao Zhao, who was sleeping soundly, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
If only she could live a peaceful and harmonious life like this forever. Unfortunately, such tranquility was exceptionally brief.
Her life was destined to be turbulent.
The next day.
Feng Tongtong woke up early to dress and groom herself.
Taohua, standing beside her, attentively helped her with her makeup, inserting a luxurious golden hairpin into her hair. She praised her from time to time, "Third Miss, you are truly beautiful. The First Prince will surely be captivated by you."
Feng Tongtong couldn't help but smile, tilting her head up with an air of pride.
Today was the day she was to discuss marriage with Baili Ye, so she naturally needed to dress up grandly.
Many people were already seated in the main hall.
Several elders of the Feng family, along with Feng Guangyao and Zhang Shi, were present.
"The First Prince arrives!"
As the servant announced, Baili Ye strode into the room.
Upon seeing Baili Ye, Feng Guangyao quickly stood up and pointed to an empty seat: "First Prince, please be seated quickly. The tea has just been brewed; please taste its flavor."
Baili Ye did not refuse. He quickly took his seat and picked up the tea to drink.
The clear tea fragrance filled his mouth. It was a good cup of tea.
He put down the tea with satisfaction and nodded in praise: "Indeed, it is good tea. The tea also contains a trace of spiritual energy. Drinking more is beneficial for the body."
Seeing that he liked it, Feng Guangyao chuckled heartily: "Since the First Prince likes it, I will have someone send some to your residence."
Baili Ye's hand, holding the teacup, unconsciously tightened its grip. He specifically looked at the people present: "Someone invaded the treasury a while ago and cleared out all the valuables. I hadn't intended to get married so soon; I was thinking of earning more before getting married."
"It's alright."
Feng Guangyao said dismissively, "You are the First Prince; your status alone is enviable. Even if the betrothal gifts are fewer, it's no matter. Our Feng family has its own foundation and is not greedy for money."
His words, however, caused a shift in Baili Ye's gaze. At this moment, he directly voiced his thoughts: "Actually, I've decided that the Third Miss doesn't seem suitable for me. Too many things have happened in Licheng recently. I find that the Eldest Miss is more suitable for me. I already have a marriage engagement with the Eldest Miss. It was because she met with an accident back then that the marriage candidate was changed."
Initially, he was betrothed to Feng Ninghe, but later the person changed.
Now that Feng Ninghe had safely returned, it was only reasonable to switch back to Feng Ninghe.
"What!"
Zhang Shi couldn't sit still: "Feng Ninghe is rude and ill-mannered, and she is utterly unworthy of you, the First Prince. Only Tongtong is the most suitable for you."