Chapter 46: Deep Chamber Overnight

“Zhao Xiang'er...”

Ning Changjiu remembered her name and called out weakly. His hand, which he had struggled to raise, fell back limply onto the soft bed.

Zhao Xiang'er reached behind her neck and gently gathered her still damp long hair. She had just bathed and was now draped in a dark, intricate dragon robe with gold embroidery. Her features were delicate and elegant, untouched by cosmetics, and the faint fragrance of herbs lingered in the air.

The girl gently set down her brush and slowly walked to the bed. Through the white gauze bed curtains, she made a pinching gesture towards his neck and said softly, "You dare call me by my name the moment you wake up? It seems you want to sleep a little longer?"

Ning Changjiu adjusted his breathing. He wasn't in the mood to joke with the girl. He tried hard to sense his body, confirming whether it was intact.

Seeing his lack of response, Zhao Xiang'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her slender, fair fingers parted the curtains, and her hand reached towards his neck.

Before her hand could touch him, Ning Changjiu felt a chill on his neck. He quickly opened his eyes and saw the girl's cool, aloof face, sensing an inexplicable yet real killing intent. He tried to shrink back, thinking, "When under someone's roof, one must bow." He quickly amended, "Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life."

Zhao Xiang'er let out a cold snort, relaxed her claw-like fingers, tucked the blanket around him, and then gently sat down by the bed.

"How's your body?" she asked.

Ning Changjiu could clearly feel that something had left him forever. That empty, hollow feeling was irreplaceable, leaving only a bitter ache in his heart.

"It's alright," Ning Changjiu replied. "Just glad to be alive."

"I'm very curious, how did you survive that lightning tribulation?" Zhao Xiang'er asked.

In her understanding, such powerful heavenly lightning might not even be withstood by her, even with her red umbrella. He had nothing; what did he rely on?

Lu Jiajia had said he was extraordinary, which she had previously dismissed. Only after witnessing the lightning tribulation herself did she realize that Lu Jiajia's assessment was an understatement.

Ning Changjiu exhaled softly, the soreness in his bones weighing on him. He spoke with difficulty, "I thought I was surely going to die... Perhaps I was just lucky."

Zhao Xiang'er knew he was hiding something but didn't press. She simply said, "Do you remember anything from when you were unconscious?"

Ning Changjiu saw her eyes narrow slightly, and for some reason, a faint, almost imperceptible killing intent emanated from her again.

He didn't understand where this hostility came from, but he honestly replied, "I don't remember..."

Zhao Xiang'er looked at him skeptically and said, "Your methods are indeed quite remarkable. You managed to suppress your junior sister's demonic nature and even withstood that almost fatal tribulation lightning. I... I'm a little impressed with you."

Ning Changjiu quickly asked, "Where is my junior sister? Where is she now?"

Zhao Xiang'er replied, "Immortal Lu is looking after her, so rest assured."

Ning Changjiu sighed with relief. With Lu Jiajia taking care of her, there was naturally nothing to worry about.

Zhao Xiang'er suddenly asked, "I hear that Immortal Lu wants to take you both as disciples?"

Ning Changjiu hummed in affirmation and said, "Miss Lu does have that intention, but we haven't agreed yet."

"Why not?" Zhao Xiang'er asked.

Ning Changjiu said, "Taking a master is a very important matter; it shouldn't be done so casually."

Zhao Xiang'er gently shook her head. "That can't be the only reason. There must be another, perhaps... you have another lineage or master?"

Ning Changjiu's heart jolted. He was very weak at the moment, and the shadow of his past life's condensed memories lingered in his mind, refusing to disperse. The word "Master" was like a persistent dark cloud, shrouding his spiritual sea and making it difficult for him to find peace.

And now, Zhao Xiang'er's seemingly casual remark still stirred ripples in his heart. Had he not practiced quiet cultivation for decades in his previous life, his expression would likely have changed by now.

Ning Changjiu gently shook his head. "No, it's just that my aptitude is ordinary, and I truly don't dare to accept such an offer so casually."

"Hypocrite," Zhao Xiang'er scoffed.

Ning Changjiu originally wanted to retort with the word "harsh," but considering his current situation, he grudgingly swallowed his words.

"How are your injuries?" Zhao Xiang'er asked.

Ning Changjiu had just sensed his body. Although he found it incredible, he still replied, "Mostly external injuries. My Zifu and Qi Sea are intact, no major issues. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Zhao Xiang'er nodded and said, "It's similar to what the imperial physicians said earlier. You truly are strange; to be struck by such heavenly lightning and yet be completely unharmed..."

Ning Changjiu silently felt the pain radiating from his bones and said helplessly, "Yes... completely unharmed."

Zhao Xiang'er gently pinched his face and said, "You averted the catastrophe of the demon seed attacking the city. You are now a meritorious official of the Zhao kingdom. Is there anything you wish for? I will try my best to grant it."

Ning Changjiu didn't think much. "I ask for nothing."

He would leave here soon to find that Taoist temple and his Master, so he had no reason to linger. He had only wanted to save his junior sister; saving the imperial city was merely a side effect.

Zhao Xiang'er, however, frowned slightly. Her thin, upturned lips pressed together, seemingly displeased. "You saved everyone in the city. If you take nothing at all, it would make me seem unjust."

A thought flashed through Ning Changjiu's mind. His gaze fell upon her clear, charming, and youthful face, and he said with a faint smile, "Then, may I ask for Your Highness?"

Zhao Xiang'er leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the edge of the bed, moving much closer to him. Her delicate hair brushed his neck, carrying a faint scent, a slight tickle. The tip of the girl's nose was almost touching him. She smiled faintly and said, "You can try to ask for me. Do you dare?"

Ning Changjiu opened his mouth but eventually closed it obediently.

He wasn't afraid of this crazy girl refusing; he was afraid that if she actually agreed, it would become a tangled mess. At the moment, he had other concerns and naturally didn't want to stay in the Zhao kingdom for too long.

However, he had to admit that this young girl was indeed captivatingly beautiful.

Seeing him silent, Zhao Xiang'er smiled faintly. "Boring... I wonder how someone as uninteresting as you managed to trick your adorable junior sister into being so utterly devoted."

Ning Changjiu retorted confidently, "I treat people with sincerity."

Zhao Xiang'er looked at him with a half-smile. "Treat people with sincerity? If I hadn't examined your body, I'd think you were possessed by an old fox right now."

Ning Changjiu didn't know how to respond, so he simply asked, "What else did you examine?"

Zhao Xiang'er pursed her lips, gazing steadily into his eyes. "I saw everything there was to see."

Ning Changjiu said no more.

The girl smiled sweetly, her eyes reflecting a sense of triumphant pride. "Then rest well and recover from your injuries. Don't move around too much."

Ning Changjiu nodded and said, "I want to sleep a little longer."

Zhao Xiang'er asked, puzzled, "Do you need to report that?"

Ning Changjiu was silent for a moment, then spoke honestly, "With Your Highness by my side, I... can't sleep."

Zhao Xiang'er's small face creased slightly, seemingly annoyed. "This is my private chamber. Are you... trying to drive me away?"

As she spoke, a wisp of killing intent lingered.

Ning Changjiu shivered slightly, feeling a surge of surprise. To think this was Princess Xiang'er's private chamber, and this very bed was where she usually rested—an odd sensation welled up within him.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness," Ning Changjiu said after a moment's thought.

Zhao Xiang'er withdrew the deliberately emitted killing aura. "Alright, I won't scare you anymore. Rest well, but I won't leave. I'm not sure how you withstood the lightning tribulation. If you were truly possessed by some evil spirit, I must know immediately. I am the Princess of Zhao, so I must watch you."

"Of course, I won't disturb you. I'll be reading by the desk. If you need anything, you can call me," the girl instructed.

Ning Changjiu was wide awake.

For some reason, deep within him, he felt a complex emotion towards the girl before him—a mix of apprehension and guilt.

And so, the lone man and the young woman remained in the same room, with the latter being the most noble and beautiful maiden in the Zhao kingdom.

However, Ning Changjiu harbored no romantic thoughts whatsoever.

The bedside lamps were extinguished, and all the lights in the room dimmed. Only a celadon jade lamp with a lotus pattern still glowed on the dark desk.

As it was the only light source in the room, even though faint, it remained conspicuous.

The girl's porcelain-white skin reflected the lamplight, outlining soft curves. Though only sixteen, her figure was well-developed, and her loose, dark dragon robe still couldn't conceal her rather impressive figure.

Ning Changjiu's body was in tatters. His already ordinary aptitude, having endured several trials and tribulations, was now like a bamboo basket trying to hold water, unable to retain spiritual energy.

And the farewells from the two remnant souls during the heavenly lightning still echoed in his mind from time to time.

One looked stubbornly and sadly towards the direction of the temple and his junior sister, while the other calmly gazed back at the moon from many years ago.

Thoughts and doubts swirled in his mind like a tangled ball of twine, yet he could vaguely sense that the truth about his rebirth seemed very close.

He suddenly felt a little afraid of that answer.

He looked at the upper part of the bed, where the carved wooden frame depicted dragons and phoenixes, giving it a grand, soaring presence rather than a delicate, demure feel.

Though the carvings were beautiful, they lost their appeal after a prolonged gaze.

So he quietly turned his head, observing the girl sitting alone by the lamp. Zhao Xiang'er's long hair flowed down like silent water, her dark dragon robe like the vast night, and only her beautiful, youthful face was clearly visible in the lamplight.

Zhao Xiang'er set down her brush, lifted her head slightly, and asked, "Are you going to sleep, or are you going to watch me?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "May I ask what Your Highness is writing?"

Zhao Xiang'er glanced at the rice paper and calmly replied, "Tomorrow's schedule."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. Now that the major events have concluded, everything is awaiting reconstruction. Naturally, there are many things to consider. Moreover..." Zhao Xiang'er's eyelids drooped slightly, and her voice paused before she continued, "Moreover, tomorrow is my birthday."

Ning Changjiu nodded gently and sincerely said, "Congratulations, Your Highness. You have done so much for the Zhao kingdom; tomorrow should be a day of universal celebration."

Zhao Xiang'er's lips curved into a faint, self-deprecating smile.

Ning Changjiu noticed she seemed preoccupied and asked, "The old fox is dead, and my junior sister's demon seed has been sealed. What are you still worried about?"

Zhao Xiang'er said uneasily, "My mind is always restless; I fear unforeseen changes."

Ning Changjiu said, "The general situation is settled. It should be hard for new waves to rise."

Zhao Xiang'er stopped writing. Her slender fingers rested on her lap. She looked up at Ning Changjiu, her expression faint. After observing him for a moment, she finally said, "I'm watching you today not because I'm interested in you, but because I believe you might be that unforeseen change."

Ning Changjiu's brows furrowed slightly. "Why?"

Zhao Xiang'er explained, "Because I don't know your origins, your background. You clearly have ordinary aptitude, yet where did your cultivation come from? And why did it dissipate so completely? Furthermore, as far as I know, that night, both you and Ning Xiaoling were killed by Ning Qinshui. Why then did you come back to life? I don't believe such things truly exist in this world, yet you don't seem like you're possessed by an evil spirit. When I examined your soul, I found that you possess complete three souls and seven spirits, no different from an ordinary person."

"So I can't understand what exactly you... went through."

"Tonight is still long. Can you help me dispel the doubts in my mind?"