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“Er Er seems to be inherently kind. From what I’ve found, in all her past hundred-plus lifetimes, she has never committed a single evil act, yet she has suffered misfortunes in every life and never met a good end.”
“Isn’t that strange?”
Fang Yuean nodded seriously. “So, did you discover anything?”
Huai Ze answered sincerely, “No. I couldn’t find anything.”
Fang Yuean gritted her teeth, her voice carrying frustration. “So, can you tell me or not?”
Huai Ze pondered for a moment before replying, “I couldn’t find anything. There are no records of this in the divine archives.”
“Technically speaking, it’s not recommended. If it turns out to be forbidden, the shortened lifespan of a mortal would be your responsibility.”
Wasn’t this the same response Huai Ze gave when she first asked him?
He had even said he would look into it. So, what exactly had he been investigating these past few days?
Fang Yuean felt as if she was about to pass out from frustration. She glanced at Huai Ze’s ruffled feathers, then squeezed her eyes shut and let out a deep sigh.
She truly didn’t understand how Huai Ze managed to become an immortal.
He was slow at everything, worked himself to exhaustion, and often ended up with no results at all.
Once, she had scolded him for it, and Huai Ze had even cried.
She had no choice but to coax him gently.
Just when she thought he had calmed down, she reached out to pat him—only for him to shake off her hand, turn away, and continue crying.
It was a terrifying experience.
Fang Yuean knew better than to provoke him further, swallowing back the harsh words she wanted to say.
Forget it.
At the very least, he still called her “Great King.”
Huai Ze squinted at her, sensing something amiss. “What’s with that expression?”
“I couldn’t find the answer because we don’t know whether Er Er’s situation is caused by the immortal pill or if it’s fate itself.”
“If it’s the latter, then speaking of it should be fine. But we can’t confirm that!”
“And it’s all your fault for carelessly giving an immortal pill to a mortal. Now look at the mess we’re in!”
Fang Yuean retorted, “I gave one of my treasured pills to my own sister. What’s wrong with that?”
“You’re so annoying. Shut up!”
Qin Xuan could only make out parts of their conversation.
This time, their words were too fragmented for her to understand the full meaning.
What had happened to Er Er?
Could Er Er also hear their inner thoughts?
Qin Xuan glanced at Er Er, who was obediently gazing into the distance. The young girl’s expression was calm, without the slightest hint of anything unusual.
She had observed Er Er many times and had never noticed any reaction from her when thoughts were being projected.
As she was lost in thought—
“Madam, a group of people is approaching,” Nanny Lei said excitedly, though she hesitated soon after. “But judging by their presence, it doesn’t seem like the eldest young lady’s party.”
Qin Xuan shifted her focus from her daughters and looked toward the distant end of the street. A large group was making its way over at a steady pace.
As they drew closer, Qin Xuan still couldn’t tell who they were.
Just as she was about to ask, the crowd at the front of the procession stepped aside, revealing a familiar carriage and several well-known attendants.
“Mother!” A clear voice rang out.
Before the carriage had even fully stopped, Fang Zhiyi lifted the curtain and leaped down gracefully.
The hem of her sunset-red dress fluttered in the wind.
She ran forward excitedly but quickly composed herself, remembering the presence of outsiders. Slowing her steps, she steadied her emotions.
Mother and daughter, both with red-rimmed eyes, stood a few paces apart, silently gazing at each other.
Tears slipped down Qin Xuan’s cheeks without her realizing it. She carefully examined her daughter’s face to make sure she was unharmed, then checked her from head to toe before finally feeling at ease.
“Your daughter has been unfilial, making you worry,” Fang Zhiyi said, tears falling as she stepped forward to grasp her mother’s hands.
Qin Xuan shook her head, avoiding her daughter’s gaze as large tears rolled down her face.
Realizing her loss of composure, she quickly wiped her tears and glanced at the group behind her daughter. Finally, her eyes settled on a lavish carriage not far away.
Fang Zhiyi quickly explained, “Something happened on the road. I was rescued by Prince Dong’an, who escorted me back to the capital.”
Qin Xuan’s heart tightened. She didn’t know whether the people she had sent had failed to reach Zhiyi in time or had simply missed her.
It had been far too dangerous.
She didn’t have time to question her daughter further—her priority was to express her gratitude.
The sound of wooden wheels rolling echoed.
The guards stepped aside, revealing a man being slowly wheeled into view by attendants dressed in black.
Qin Xuan immediately lowered her gaze and curtsied.
All the servants followed suit, bowing respectfully.
Even Fang Yuean, who had been picked up by Nanny Lei, was urged to bow.
She gave Nanny Lei a bewildered look and asked in a hushed voice, “Huai Ze, who is this?”
Huai Ze responded, “Prince Dong’an, He Chuan. He is twenty years old and the emperor’s youngest brother. He first went to war at fifteen and achieved numerous military feats. Two years ago, when the former emperor passed away and feudal lords vied for power, he was ambushed while protecting the current emperor. As a result, his legs were permanently injured, and he could no longer walk.”
“The emperor and Queen Mother feel guilty and have tried every means to find renowned doctors to treat him, but there has been no progress.”
Fang Yuean could sense that this man did not exude any dark or evil energy.
He Chuan raised a pale, slender hand. “Madam Fang, no need for formalities.”
Under the sunlight, his fingers appeared even paler and more defined.
“Thanks to Your Highness, Zhiyi has safely returned. However, my household has no men at present to properly receive you. I dare not invite Your Highness inside for tea. I shall formally visit another day to express my gratitude,” Qin Xuan said, bowing again.
As she straightened, she suddenly noticed that Fang Yuean had run up to Prince Dong’an.
The little girl lightly patted his knees, mimicking an old doctor examining a patient. Then, with her hands behind her back, she confidently declared, “Your Highness must walk more if you want to recover.”
Qin Xuan felt her heart lurch and hurried forward, pulling Fang Yuean back to her side.
She gave an apologetic smile. “Please forgive her, Your Highness. My daughter is still young and ignorant. I will ensure she is properly disciplined in the future.”
He Chuan chuckled softly. “It’s fine.”
Seated in his specially modified carriage, he lowered his gaze to meet Fang Yuean’s.
“My legs lost all sensation when they were injured. I’ve tried many times, but I simply cannot stand, let alone walk.”
Fang Yuean blinked, deep in thought. Then, suddenly, her eyes lit up.
“Shall we make a bet?”
Intrigued, He Chuan smirked. “What shall we bet on?”
“One month from now, you will walk as you did before your injury,” Fang Yuean declared, extending her wrist to reveal a gold bracelet. “If I win, I want gold as my prize.”
“Another chance to make money! Hahaha!” she cheered internally.
She had been utterly impoverished in her earliest lifetimes, and the habit of seizing any opportunity to make money had stuck with her.
He Chuan observed her in amusement, unsure where this little girl’s absolute confidence came from.
“You truly believe you’ll win?”
Fang Yuean nodded firmly.
He Chuan, sensing an opportunity for mischief, lowered his voice. “If you lose, I’ll have you brought to my estate to run errands for me every day.”
Fang Yuean showed no fear at all.
Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi, finally shaken from her shock, realized something—this little girl wasn’t Er Er.
She turned to her mother in confusion, but Qin Xuan only shook her head.
Still bewildered, Fang Zhiyi looked at Er Er in Nanny Lei’s arms.
The little girl was gazing at her with bright, curious eyes.
She then turned back to Fang Yuean.
Two identical children.
Where was Miaoyi?
What on earth was going on?
And why hadn’t her mother mentioned any of this in her letters?