The small poetry pavilion quickly gathered three groups of people.
Looking at Feng Ninghe standing before him, Si Jianye let out a muffled hum, his deep male voice laced with slight displeasure, "Feng Ninghe, do you not wish to see this seat?"
Only then did Feng Ninghe relax her brows, replying impassively, "What is the Underworld King saying? I wouldn't say I *don't* wish to see you."
She particularly did not wish to see him.
After the incident at the palace banquet, she had come to see Si Jianye as a troublemaker.
This man was unpredictable, and who knew what tormenting affair he might stir up next. It was best to stay away.
Si Jianye gazed at her silently, a bouquet of flowers appearing in his palm.
The flowers were a riot of colors, blooming vibrantly, as if stained with rouge.
Xiao Zhao's eyes widened instantly, his gaze fixed on the large bunch of flowers.
Master!
The Underworld King certainly had a generous hand. Look at these flowers; they were all precious and rare!
If Xiao Zhao could recognize their value, Feng Ninghe certainly could too.
"What is the Underworld King's intention?"
Feng Ninghe did not reach out to take the bouquet, instead looking at him with wary eyes.
Unsolicited favors often hid ulterior motives, especially from Si Jianye.
Her reaction made Si Jianye raise his eyebrows.
Didn't A'Xi say women liked flowers?
Why did Feng Ninghe have such an expression upon seeing them?
Could it be that A'Xi had lied to him?
After a moment, Si Jianye withdrew his gaze and casually handed the flowers to Feng Ninghe, "These flowers are useful to you. I happened to see them, so I brought them along."
Feng Ninghe's gaze fell upon the bouquet again.
These flowers were extremely precious, with demanding growth conditions, impossible to find in Jinling. Some of them even grew exclusively in Xiyou Continent.
She had two different spiritual energies within her body, and these flowers could precisely promote the fusion of these two energies.
They were indeed useful to her.
This time, Feng Ninghe did not refuse, casually accepting the bouquet, "Since that is the case, I shall accept them."
She had treated Si Xin Xin, so Si Jianye helping her in return was only right and proper.
If she could absorb these flowers and fuse her two spiritual energies, her cultivation would advance further.
Watching Feng Ninghe accept the flowers with little discernible emotion, Si Jianye frowned slightly, a flicker of light in his eyes.
Did this woman perhaps not like flowers?
Feng Ninghe subtly assessed the man before her, inquiring calmly, "Underworld King, do you require anything else?"
Si Jianye stood alone, his black robe perfectly accentuating his strong physique. On his chiseled face, his deep-set eyes held a hint of indifference.
He stood motionless, seemingly with no intention of leaving.
Si Jianye's gaze narrowed, fixed on her, "I have traveled a great distance to bring you flowers. Do you not intend to invite me in for a cup of hot tea?"
Having tea was not the issue; the problem was that being with Si Jianye made her uncomfortable.
Especially after the incident at the palace banquet, which had left her with considerable resentment, she did not wish for further contact with Si Jianye.
However, she could not directly refuse.
After a moment of thought, Feng Ninghe casually gestured for him to enter and led the way, "I have no good tea here, I hope the Underworld King will not mind."
The man shook his head dismissively, calmly uttering two words, "No matter."
Even just sitting there, Si Jianye exuded an overwhelming presence.
Xiao Zhao did not wish to interact with Si Jianye. It nimbly leaped from Feng Ninghe's shoulder and went to play with Old Man Xu.
Feng Ninghe took out the worst-tasting tea leaves and began to brew tea.
When she was in Lin Country, she would bring out the worst tea for those she did not wish to entertain.
If others couldn't drink the tea, they wouldn't linger for more.
"I didn't expect you to know formations."
Si Jianye sat calmly on the wooden stool, his narrow eyes sweeping across the surroundings before speaking with ease.
Upon entering the room, he had noticed the abundant spiritual energy and the presence of a spirit gathering formation.
Even the spiritual energy in the imperial palace was not as dense as this. This was a profound-grade spirit gathering formation, nearing the Earth level.
Feng Ninghe generously handed him the tea, replying indifferently, "An ordinary spirit gathering formation, it's nothing."
Si Jianye's thin lips curved upwards subtly, his eyes clearly showing more interest.
This explanation might fool others, but not him.
Formation masters were as precious as alchemists, let alone a formation of this caliber.
Even Immortal Xu only knew alchemy, not formations. Where did she learn all these skills?
At this moment, Si Jianye's curiosity about her deepened significantly.
He picked up the tea and took a sip. His eyebrows instantly knitted, and he put the tea down, spitting out the liquid he had taken into his mouth, "How can there be such terrible tea in this world!"
The man's reaction was within Feng Ninghe's expectations. She slightly curved her lips, her eyes even showing a hint of pleasure, "I told you, I have no good tea here. You were the one who said it didn't matter."
Si Jianye's intense gaze locked onto Feng Ninghe.
He had a feeling this woman was doing it on purpose.
After a moment, he withdrew his gaze and casually took out a delicate porcelain jar, "Brew some of this. I'll give you the rest, so you can taste good tea."
Upon seeing the porcelain jar, Feng Ninghe subtly clicked her tongue.
As expected of the Underworld King, even the jar for tea leaves was no ordinary item.
In a short while, she had brewed new tea.
The fragrant aroma permeated the entire room.
She casually picked up the tea and took a sip. The tea's flavor deepened, with an endless aftertaste, and a rich fragrance filled her mouth.
"How is it?"
Seeing her taste the tea, Si Jianye spoke first, his handsome face bearing a hint of pride.
This tea was only found in Xiyou Continent.
Feng Ninghe nodded without hesitation, "It is indeed good."
Si Jianye tilted his head slightly, his deep eyes looking down, "This tea is irrigated with spiritual water. The annual yield is not much, and it can only be found in Xiyou Continent. It is not comparable to ordinary tea."
Feng Ninghe seemed to recall something and turned her gaze to Si Jianye, "Once Xin Xin finishes her medicine, I can treat her. I will not accept your spiritual flowers for nothing."
With those flowers, she could attempt to fuse her two spiritual energies. If successful, her cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.
His simple words caused Si Jianye's gaze to deepen, a subtle ripple beneath the surface. His low voice slowly fell, "Then I shall eagerly await. I have another condition: I must be present during the treatment."
Over the years, he had sought out renowned physicians across the land, but none had been confident in treating her.
He wanted to see what method Feng Ninghe would use to cure Xin Xin.
Feng Ninghe understood Si Jianye's concerns. Xin Xin was his child, after all, so it was natural for him to be worried.
Feng Ninghe nodded unhurriedly, "Alright, you can watch, but you cannot be too close to me, or it will distract me."
Once she had treated Si Xin Xin, Si Jianye would take Si Xin Xin away.
After this parting, who knew how long it would be until she saw Xin Xin again.
Si Jianye did not linger. After a brief conversation, he departed.
Watching the man's retreating figure, Feng Ninghe's eyes sharpened, and she took out the bouquet Si Jianye had given her.
She transformed the flowers into a ball of light and swallowed it in one gulp!