"Ah, is there anything else? Please go ahead, Your Majesty. As I said, I will certainly help." Seeing that business was concluded, Zhao Yi wanted to find a reason to have the guest stay a little longer—after all, beauty is a feast for the eyes.
Emperor Zhengde kept a straight face as he said, "My imperial sister is fond of reading, and she has some questions that cannot be resolved by us ordinary mortals. She would like to seek guidance from the Immortal Master. I wonder if the Immortal Master has the time to clear up her doubts?" Having said this expressionlessly, the Emperor thought to himself that the Immortal Master was far too busy, and his sister would likely not get her wish.
Upon hearing the Emperor say this, Zhao Yi was momentarily taken aback. What, what? Haha, he was just dozing off when someone handed him a pillow—didn't this opportunity present itself right on cue? Inside, Zhao Yi was blooming with joy, but on the surface, he answered with a completely straight face, "The Princess is exceptionally talented and learned. I am afraid my own knowledge is shallow, and I might not be able to help the Princess." He thought it best to be modest first; then, Zhao Yi leisurely raised his teacup and took a sip.
Hearing this, the Princess felt rather anxious inside. This Immortal Master was about to refuse! If the Immortal Master couldn't resolve her questions, probably no one else could either. She tugged at her brother's sleeve, signaling him to say more.
When Emperor Zhengde heard Zhao Yi put it that way, he felt sure the Immortal Master was refusing, and subconsciously wanted to take his leave. Feeling someone tugging at his sleeve, he turned his head to see that his younger sister looked somewhat unhappy. *Sigh, very well, I shall beg the Immortal Master once more.* Changing his expression into a smile, Emperor Zhengde flattered him, "The Immortal Master is being too modest. If even a transcendent being like the Immortal Master cannot resolve these doubts, then we ordinary mortals have no hope at all. I earnestly request the Immortal Master's assistance."
This was the Emperor of the realm begging him, and Zhao Yi felt quite pleased inside. Conversing with a beauty sounded like a most delightful prospect. Forget it, he would stop feigned modesty lest he scare the person away. Looking into the Princess's hopeful eyes, his heart softened, and pretending to hesitate for a moment, he went along with the request, "Very well, I shall discuss things with the Princess and we can resolve her doubts together, though I only hope the Princess will not be disappointed when the time comes."
"Thank you, Immortal Master. Qingyue is deeply grateful." Hearing Zhao Yi say this, Princess Qingyue offered a slight curtsy in gratitude.
Hearing that the Immortal Master had agreed, Emperor Zhengde felt a stone lift from his heart, though at the same time he felt a pang of loss, sensing that his sister was about to slip away. Remembering his sister's strange ailment, he thought, *Never mind, as long as she is happy, I won't interfere. Out of sight, out of mind.* He immediately asked to take his leave, letting his younger sister stay behind alone.
Zhao Yi asked Chuntao to see the Emperor and the Grand Tutor out. Once the Emperor had stepped out of the middle courtyard and returned to the Abode of Immortal Abiding, Zhao Yi invited the Princess to be seated once again.
Princess Qingyue did not sit down. Catching sight of a painting hanging on the wall directly ahead, she grew interested, and bowing to Zhao Yi, she asked, "Immortal Master, may I take a closer look at these calligraphy and paintings?" With that, she looked toward the bold characters right in the center. Zhao Yi had originally wanted to remind the Princess, but then he figured that since the Princess was a mortal, this piece of calligraphy would have no effect on her, so he let her look.
Zhao Yi sat down to one side. Watching Princess Qingyue as she admired the calligraphy and painting, he thought of his wife and son. Having suddenly vanished from Earth, he wondered how they were doing now. There were also his elderly parents; before he could properly show them filial piety, he had simply disappeared—he truly was an unfilial son. As these thoughts swirled in his mind, an inexplicable wave of sorrow washed over him, and he wondered if he would ever be able to return to Earth.
He quietly took a sip of tea and looked at the Princess once more. To his shock, the Princess's eyes were hazy and her body was swaying precariously. *Not good, she's fallen into it!* Zhao Yi let out a sharp cry, "Snap out of it!" and flashed forward to block the Princess, preventing her from coming into contact with those characters again.
Yet it was strange—the Princess was merely of mortal flesh and blood, so how could she be affected? Could it be that the Princess possessed Spiritual Roots for cultivating immortality? But that was impossible; if she had immortal cultivation potential, she would have long since been taken away by the Imperial Sword Sect—how could she have remained until now? There had to be something wrong.
"Chuntao!" he shouted loudly. After seeing the Emperor and his companions out, Chuntao had been keeping watch in the outer courtyard and hadn't come inside. Hearing her young master calling her just then, she immediately ran in. Zhao Yi instructed Chuntao to help the Princess sit down in a chair and wait for her to regain consciousness.
"Young Master, what is wrong with the Princess? She was completely fine just a moment ago." Chuntao had been an inseparable bosom friend of the Princess back in the day, and seeing her in distress, she asked with concern.
"Oh, she must have been too mesmerized by these calligraphy and paintings, and her spirit got pulled in. Let's wait for her to wake up." Zhao Yi also wanted to figure out what was going on, so he quietly waited for the Princess to recover.
Before long, the Princess let out a soft moan, opened her eyes, and shook her head, feeling the dizziness in her mind subside somewhat. Seeing that the person before her eyes was her former good friend Zhou Ruonan, she was overjoyed for a moment. Grabbing Zhou Ruonan's hands, she said happily, "Ruonan, the Immortal Master was here just now so I couldn't speak with you, but are you doing well here? If you aren't doing well and anyone is bullying you, I will go beg the Immortal Master to let you go."
Upon hearing this, Chuntao hurriedly blinked frantically at the Princess. The Princess was truly daring to say such a thing right in front of the Immortal Master.
Zhao Yi rubbed his nose and gave two dry coughs. The Princess instantly snapped back to reality—this was Gongfeng Manor, not the imperial palace! Her face flushed with intense embarrassment, and Chuntao dropped straight to her knees, pleading, "Please forgive the Princess for her words, Young Master. The Princess only spoke without thinking. This maid has no desire to leave."
Seeing Chuntao act thus, the Princess realized she had spoken amiss as well, and she bowed to Zhao Yi, saying, "Immortal Master, it was my impulsiveness. Please do not blame Ruonan."
"Get up, Chuntao. Haven't I said before not to drop to your knees at every turn? What the Princess said is also true; you can leave whenever you are unhappy, and I will not hold you back."
"Does the Young Master not want me anymore? This maid has no wish to leave," Zhou Ruonan said hurriedly, her voice carrying a trace of a sob.
"Alright, alright. I didn't mean to make you leave. I still need you to manage these people right now, so get up."
Realizing that her young master was not just saying empty words, Zhou Ruonan finally got to her feet. She tidied up the teacups on the tables, exchanged a glance with the Princess, and said to Zhao Yi, "This maid will take her leave."
Zhao Yi waved his hand helplessly, signaling for her to withdraw.