“Your Highness, this subject departs.” Lan Xinyu greeted the fifth princess with a proper farewell along with a slight bow. She glanced coldly at Ling Chuxi as she walked past her with Shu Yuanfeng and Pei Qianqian in tow.
When Lan Xinyu and her group were at quite a distance, the fifth princess immediately switched from the arrogant demeanour she’d been projecting to one of a little white rabbit. She bounced up to Ling Chuxi to obtain validation. “What do you think, master? Didn’t I put on a good show? Wasn’t I very cooperative?” The fifth princess blinked her eyes until she became starry-eyed as she looked at Ling Chuxi with an expectant expression, practically begging to be rewarded.
“Yes, that wasn’t bad. I’ll teach you something later on.” Ling Chuxi smiled as she reached out a hand to pat the fifth princess’ head. She only retracted her hand once she had tousled the fifth princess’ hair into resembling a bird’s nest.
The fifth princess was stunned. After Ling Chuxi turned around and walked away, the fifth princess placed a hand on the spot of her own head where Ling Chuxi’s hand was. ‘How long has it been since someone patted my head like this and complimented me? Master’s hand was so warm. This is a really, really good feeling.’
Just like that, the fifth princes let a bird’s nest remain on her head and obediently followed after Ling Chuxi and Ling Yichen and happened to overhear their conversation.
“Chuxi, is it really wise to agree to her conditions like this?” queried Ling Yichen worriedly.
“You should be worried about her instead,” sneered Ling Chuxi. “This Lan Xinyu has been spoiled. She grew up in a honey jar and had never met with any setbacks. Therefore, she’s unable to withstand any stimulation. She spoke without leaving any room for retreat, so I’ll see what she’ll do when the time comes.”
“Master, why do I feel like you’re talking about me?” interrupted the fifth princess as she blinked her eyes. “Spoiled, grew up in a honey jar, never experienced any setbacks—”
“You are different from her. You are able to withstand stimulation. Weren’t you still happy even though you were kicked by me and were rolling on the ground? You have a strong determination and your heart is tenacious. Therefore, your future is full of possibilities,” Ling Chuxi interrupted the fifth princess right back and rolled her eyes as she did so.
“Oh my, master. Are you complimenting me?” The fifth princess frowned slightly. Why were her own emotions so complicated? Her master was complimenting her, but why was it that she felt such a compliment was nothing to be proud of?
“Yes, I am.” Ling Chuxi looked laughingly at the fifth princess whose usually smiling face was already scrunched up.
When the fifth princess heard Ling Chuxi say this, she began to smile happily once again.
The corners of Ling Yichen’s mouth twitched as he observed the interaction between Ling Chuxi and the fifth princess. He no longer knew what to say. What an eccentric pair!
…
Ling Chuxi’s group of three picked up their paces respectively as they rushed forward. The first place at the annual White Stone Academy training was not won by the first person to arrive at the finishing point, it was won by whoever managed to obtain items of the highest value within the stipulated time. If the value of the items were estimated to be about the same, then the deciding factor would be the amount of people in the group. The group with less people would win. If even the number of people in both groups were tied, then the deciding factor would be on which group had less injuries. Even if that were tied, then the final and most direct method was used. Both groups were challenged to a fight! Whichever group was stronger would prevail!
That night, all three of them stopped and found a spot of dry and empty land to set up camp. Ling Yichen started a fire so they could roast some meat while Ling Chuxi sorted out the herbs they had managed to collect during the day.
“Hmm. Plucking and collecting herbs based on the value they could bring if they are used to refine pills doesn’t add to the overall value of our haul,” observed Ling Chuxi in a serious manner as she studied all the herbs they had collected. After pondering a bit, she turned to look at Ling Yichen.
“Yichen, is there anywhere in White Stone Canyon where we can pick or hunt precious items?”
“There is such a place, but it is very dangerous,” replied Ling Yichen. He raised his head and shifted his attention from the fire to look at Ling Chuxi as he said this.
A very dangerous place. To go, or not to go?