Hence, Hua Qiyue cherished these two friends highly.
Ji Jing's eyes lit up. He winked at Ji Feng, and said, "Great! I'll visit you in Hua's Mansion with my brother some other day. Heh heh!"
Thinking of the reason why Hua Qiyue participated in the competition, Ji Feng paused and thought, "If the Purple Lotus Phoenix Ice is Hua Qiyue's only purpose, is there a possibility that she will reject to be an apprentice of the Ji family after she gets the first prize?"
"No, no... Hua Qiyue is not such kind of girl!" For some unknown reason, Ji Feng had this thought in mind, "In any case, the first place must go to Hua Qiyue because she received teachings from supreme masters." Anyway, the scouts he sent had known that Hua Qiyue planted the Long Red, Thousand-Year Magistery, in her yard.
Even a medicine saint like him was not able to cultivate this magistery.
Then why Hua Qiyue didn't exchange her Long Red for Purple Lotus Phoenix Ice? It was because she didn't want to be indebted to them!
Looking at Hua Qiyue's smiling face which was like a blooming flower, Ji Feng said abruptly with a smile, "Qi Yue, I heard that Tianci needs Purple Lotus Phoenix Ice to heal his throat and we want to give it to you in advance. What do you think about it?"
But Hua Qiyue was shocked at that time. Indeed, her only purpose was Purple Lotus Phoenix Ice, but she didn't expect Ji Feng, a man who loved herbs as his life, to give it to her in advance.
"Was he really certain that I would win?
"Has he sent someone to investigate me?"
At the thought of this, Hua Qiyue's heart sank, but she rejected Ji Feng calmly and said, "Childe Ji, there is no need to do that since it's against the rules."
Thinking that Ji Feng was so indiscreet, Ji Jing glared at him quickly. After all, Hua Qiyue was a girl who played by the rules. Besides... hearing what Ji Feng had said, Hua Qiyue might instead suspect that they had investigated her.
And that occurred to Ji Feng, too. He, having some change in his countenance, quickly explained, "Qiyue, please don't read anything into it. I just take you as my good friend sincerely. And I am fond of Tianci too, hoping that he can recover quickly."
Looking at the nervousness on his face, Hua Qiyue could not conceal a snort of laughter which made her eyes arched. Ji Feng didn't seem to be a cunning man to her.
Hence, she replied, "Never mind. Tianci hasn't been detoxified completely. And it will be the right time when I get the Purple Lotus Phoenix Ice. There is no need to break the rules."
Ji Feng and Ji Jing all felt relieved to hear Hua Qiyue's words.
"Sister Qiyue, you're going to win, right?" Ji Jing said to Hua Qiyue with a wink full of excitement and radiance. "I know you're excellent! Even before you stepped on the arena, I had taken to you. If there's anything that we can help, please don't hesitate to ask," Ji Jing continued.
Looking serious, Hua Qiyue nodded, "I must win. Tianci's throat... is bound to be alright again."
Seeing that Hua Qiyue was so serious, Ji Jing and Ji Feng looked at each other for a moment. They all believed that if Hua Qiyue showed too much love for the adopted son, then she would not be a too bad girl.
Suddenly, a burst of fragrant scent hit. Ji Feng jumped up and rushed to the window, saying surprisedly, "The Prickly Bird is flowering!"
Prickly Bird, a kind of flower almost the same as the shape of a bird full of thrust, was a kind of panacea, too. Though it was a few levels lower than Long Red, it was truly rare.
Hua Qiyue had never seen this kind of herb, but she was attracted by its unique fragrance. Then she walked to the window with Ji Jing, looking out at Prickly Bird.
Hua Qiyue stood by Ji Feng's side. And they were so close to each other because of the small window that Ji Feng had smelled a faint fascinating fragrance on her. Though blushed and nervous, Ji Feng was glad that Hua Qiyue didn't notice his expression.
His heart pounding, Ji Feng glanced over at Hua Qiyue.
To him right now, the girl by his side was more attractive than Prickly Bird.
Hua Qiyue raised her eyebrows slightly, not expecting the Prickly Bird to be like this—The herb was as smug as a peacock that it spread its "tail" with small colorful flowers on it. It looked like spring scenery in front of you at eye level.
This herb was said to be an important ingredient in alchemy. Take a look at other herbs. They were all of odd shape, surrounded by a thin layer of floating immortal air.
This was the case with advanced herbs. Magisteries were more dazzling than these herbs.
When Yun Shimo took Tianci out by the hand, he saw Ji Feng gazing at Hua Qiyue. They were so close to each other that Ji Feng's shoulder almost leaned on Hua Qiyue's.
However, Hua Qiyue was totally unaware of the look of Ji Feng. Looking at her pretty figure, Yun Shimo raised his eyebrows slightly. A sense of upset flowed in his heart.
Yun Shimo had no idea why he was unpleasant.
He was not a quick-tempered man. However, somewhat, every time he saw Hua Qiyue, he felt like his emotions were under her complete control.
One word from Hua Qiyue could simply drive him mad. Was it because she had "thrown herself" at him?
"Ahem..."
Yun Shimo coughed quietly. Everybody looked back. Ji Feng's face was as red as the sunset. "Well, I didn't expect your Prickly Bird will bloom so soon. If I want one of these in the future, you must save one for me!"
"That's for sure!" Yun Shimo simply answered. Then, he glanced at Hua Qiyue and snapped. "You, follow me!"
Yun Shimo pointed to Hua Qiyue. All of a sudden, everyone was dumbfounded. "What's that supposed to mean?"
However, seeing Yun Shimo did not intend to elaborate and directly strode into the inner hall, Hua Qiyue had to leave Tianci alone in the hall, and quickly followed Yun Shimo.
She followed Yun Shimo through the inner hall. When she walked out of the hall through the side door, a zigzagging corridor was presented to her eyes. On one side, there were houses, and on the other, there were herb gardens. In the garden, all kinds of herbs were grown. Hua Qiyue found them hard to recognize.
The medicine saint seemed to have the real deal. In Changjing Kingdom, very few people could refine elixirs and do medical treatment. In a word, the emperor thought highly of Yun Shimo just because of his excellent skills in medicine and elixir.
After all, the emperor was expecting longevity from Yun Shimo's elixir.
In the corridor, after a few dozen steps, Bingyi was walking toward them. Then, he presented a pile of notes to Yun Shimo with his both hands. "You're Highness, here are the notes."
"Give them to her." Yun Shimo stopped and glared at Hua Qiyue from afar. He looked quite upset.
Hua Qiyue was dazed for a second. Then, she recalled that Yun Shimo had written something a letter as well. She raised her eyebrows because she remembered that Yun Shimo placed the bet on her.
"My rule is that I'll present them with 100 worth's notes when they win. I think I'll pass these." Hua Qiyue glanced at the notes in Bingyi's hands.
Yun Shimo knitted his gorgeous brows. Bingyi could not help feeling sorry for Yun Shimo. He had never frowned for any woman, however, for her, he actually...
"I just want to buy the note I wrote to you, in case someone makes an issue of it."
Yun Shimo said coldly. He was acting indifferent.
Hua Qiyue failed to read between the lines. However, she did not want to argue at all, since she counted on him to heal Tianci's throat.
"Well, if you insist, it'll be impolite to decline." Afterward, Hua Qiyue took the pile of notes and put them away without even looking at them.
"Is there anything else? If we're finished, then I'll have to leave first, Your Highness." Hua Qiyue looked into Yun Shimo's dark eyes.
Yun Shimo scoffed. "You love money and men, I should've known..."
Hua Qiyue did not bother to argue. He could call her what he wanted, because she really did not care about his opinions.
As long as he could heal Tianci's throat, he could say whatever he wanted.
Soon after Hua Qiyue walked toward the outer hall, a doorman rushed in and reported in a low voice. "Your Highness, Third Madame is here with her daughter for treatment."
"I won't take any patient today." Yun Shimo's voice sounded. He was as arrogant as usual.
Hua Qiyue had to snicker in secret. Yun Shimo was not into money. He had lots of herbs and he had refined numerous elixirs. If he could sell even one single elixir of his, he would get money that could support his life for a few months.
"But..."
The doorman looked at Hua Qiyue, who was walking toward the outer hall. Yun Shimo squinted and countless thoughts crossed his mind. Seeing Hua Qiyue was walking away, he slowly uttered. "Well, let's meet them."
Hua Qiyue almost tripped at his words. She hated Hua Xiaoyi and she did not expect that Yun Shimo was also someone who ate his words. He just declined their request and now he was meeting them? He was really having fun!
However, at second thought, why would she care anyway? Hua Xiaoyi had a lesson. If she dared to plot something against Tianci and Hua Qiyue again, the things that would get ruined were more than her face.
Hua Qiyue curled up her lips and did not hesitate to stride away. Yun Shimo furrowed his eyebrows. He actually completely failed to keep her this time...
"Well, that's odd. Why would I want to keep her?" Yun Shimo got startled at his thought. He finally collected himself after Bingyi had called him a few times.
Hua Qiyue entered the hall and then saw the doorman hurry to fetch Third Madame and Hua Xiaoyi. She really did not want stay any longer, thus, she said goodbye to Ji Feng and Ji Jing.
However, Ji Jing and Ji Feng wanted to have a walk outside with her. Hence, they said goodbye to Yun Shimo as well.
Yun Shimo coldly eyed Hua Qiyue and Ji Feng up and down, and then he gently said, "Brother Ji, didn't you want the book on Cyan Yang Pill? After I finish the session with my patient, I'll take you to my study."
Hearing that, Ji Feng was elated and decided to stay. Likewise, Ji Jing stayed as well.
Hua Qiyue wryly smiled. "That's OK. Tianci and I will have to leave. Visit us some other time."
After that, with Lv Xin and Youshui, Hua Qiyue grabbed Tianci's hand to leave. When they were in the outer corridor, they met with Third Madame and Hua Xiaoyi.
Veiled by a black mask, Hua Xiaoyi's entire face was covered up, except the pair of sharp eyes.
However, Hua Xiaoyi was feeling envious seeing Hua Qiyue. After all, Hua Qiyue suddenly rose to fame in the capital. Moreover, her reputation was much better than before.
Rumor had it that she was close to the medicine saint Ji Feng.
Moreover, she was on intimate terms with Prince Nan.
People also said that the emperor liked her and was highly likely to marry the crown prince to her.
"Older sister, I didn't expect to see you here. Well, I heard that his Majesty really likes you and wants to marry the crown prince to you."