In the courtyard.
Snowflakes fell gently, swirling like willow catkins.
"What an excellent wine!" Ji Minghao exclaimed after downing a mouthful of the exquisite liquor from Jiang Ning. A few breaths later, he opened his eyes in amazement.
Then, pointing at the remaining half cup of wine shimmering like a river of stars he asked, "Jiang, what is this wine? I have always been fond of fine liquor, yet I cannot discern what this is!"
"The moment it enters the mouth, it is intensely cold, as if it freezes my very thoughts!"
"But once it reaches my stomach, the extreme chill turns into an intense heat. In this freezing weather, I find myself breaking out in a light sweat."
As he spoke, a glint of intrigue flashed in Ji Minghao's eyes.
Jiang Ning replied, "It's just ordinary wine."
"Ordinary wine?" Ji Minghao was taken aback. "How could ordinary wine possess such extraordinary qualities?"
Jiang Ning explained, "I mixed in a special kind of rare treasure from nature."
He then gave a simple description of the water he had found deep within the cave at the bottom of the lake.
Hearing this, Ji Minghao held his cup and furrowed his brows in thought.
Several breaths passed.
His expression gradually relaxed, and the dazed look in his eyes sharpened as he refocused on the cup before him. The liquid within rippled slightly, its surface dotted with silvery specks, like a miniature galaxy swirling in the cup.
"I think I might have an idea," Ji Minghao said softly.
"What idea?" Jiang Ning asked.
Ji Minghao replied, "Based on your description, what you found seems very similar to Imperial Nectar."
"Imperial Nectar?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.
Ji Minghao nodded. "According to ancient texts, Imperial Nectar is usually described as golden filaments flowing in countless strands. However, some records suggest that because Imperial Nectar is a manifestation of lunar essence when diluted, it takes on a silvery hue, resembling the waters of the celestial river."
"This bears a striking resemblance to the wine in our cups!"
Jiang Ning was inwardly astonished.
Though it was just Ji Minghao's conjecture, recalling the nearly evolved white dragon fish he had encountered in the sunken ship at the bottom of the lake, he felt that Ji Minghao's theory was likely true.
In this world, it was no easy feat for creatures to develop sentience, let alone take the crucial step toward transformation.
Yet, that white dragonfish undoubtedly possessed a certain level of intelligence.
If Imperial Nectar was involved, it all made sense!
After all, Imperial Nectar was known to enhance wisdom and awaken sentience, greatly benefiting all living beings.
"If that's the case, then that black stone must be something extraordinary! I suppose I'll call it the Lunar Stone for now," Jiang Ning mused.
Meanwhile.
Outside Jiang Ning's residence.
Crunch
Crunch
Crunch
A man clad in a white robe, with his hair tied in a high topknot, stepped lightly across the snow, approaching the entrance of Jiang Ning's residence.
He lifted his gaze slightly and looked up at the plaque above the steps.
[Jiang Residence]
"This should be the place," the man murmured with a slight smile.
The icy wind, blowing from the distant lake, rustled his white robe, making it billow dramatically.
Several strands of untamed hair on his forehead fluttered messily in the wind.
Crunch
Crunch
Crunch
His footsteps pressed into the snow as he ascended the stone steps to the main gate.
Knock, knock, knock
He rapped on the front door.
A moment later.
The door creaked open, and Jiang Li appeared in the doorway, eyeing the white-robed man with curiosity.
"And you are?"
The man smiled. "My name is He Jinsheng. I have come to visit Commander Jiang Ning."
"So, you're also here for A'Ning!" Jiang Li nodded in understanding.
"Come in!" He stepped aside, allowing entry.
At that same moment, inside the courtyard, as Jiang Ning conversed and drank with Ji Minghao, he suddenly sensed something and tensed slightly.
"Jiang, what's wrong?" Ji Minghao noticed the subtle change in his expression and asked curiously.
"Someone's at the door," Jiang Ning said.
"An uninvited guest?" Ji Minghao inquired.
Jiang Ning nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Even before He Jinsheng reached his doorstep, he had already heard the sound of snow crunching underfoot outside the gate.
When He Jinsheng knocked and introduced himself to Jiang Li, Jiang Ning immediately understood.
He Jinsheng had arrived in Luoshui County several days ago, and today, he had chosen to visit him in person.
For He Jinsheng to come knocking, it was clear that he wasn't here with good intentions.
Nearby, Ji Minghao perked up at Jiang Ning's words and strained his ears to listen.
However, amid the heavy snowfall, the hearing was naturally dulled. The occasional fall of accumulated snow from the trees further interfered with his senses.
He listened for a few breaths but failed to detect anything.
Puzzled, he turned his gaze toward Jiang Ning.
But in the next instant
He finally heard it.
The distant sound of footsteps crunching through the snow grew clearer as it neared.
Indeed, someone was approaching!
Ji Minghao was momentarily taken aback.
In martial cultivation, as one's body underwent transformation, the five senses would also sharpen beyond those of ordinary people.
Typically, the higher one's martial rank, the greater their physical evolution, leading to heightened perception.
"Could it be that Jiang's strength surpasses mine?" Ji Minghao wondered, glancing at Jiang Ning.
He quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head inwardly.
"Impossible!"
"I have already completed the forging of my Jade Bones. In just a few months, I will be able to temper my Divine Bones and attain the physique of a Martial Saint!"
"Jiang is still in the Bone-Refining stage there's no way he is stronger than me! The only explanation is that he possesses an unusually keen set of senses."
As the two turned their attention toward the courtyard's entrance, they soon saw Jiang Li leading a white-robed man inside.
The man appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a strikingly refined appearance.
Noticing Jiang Ning and Ji Minghao's gazes, He Jinsheng responded with a faint smile.
Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Ning and gave a subtle nod.
Before arriving at the eastern courtyard, Jiang Ning had already informed Jiang Li of the situation via sound transmission.
"This is my younger brother, Jiang Ning, Young Master He," Jiang Li said before turning to leave.
Following Jiang Ning's instructions, he took Liu Wanwan, Jiang Yiming, and Xiao Doubao with him to the front hall.
With Lin Qingyi present in the front hall, they would be safe under her protection.
At that moment, as Jiang Li walked away, He Jinsheng secretly shook his head.
"As expected of a country bumpkin!"
He then shifted his gaze to Jiang Ning before glancing indifferently at Ji Minghao.
"Commander Jiang, I originally intended to pay you a visit today," he said.
"But I see that you are already entertaining a guest."
"In that case, I won't impose any further. I shall return another day."
With those parting words, He Jinsheng turned and left.
Ji Minghao was stunned.
Jiang Ning, too, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Only after He Jinsheng's figure disappeared into the distance and his footsteps faded did Ji Minghao scoff in irritation.
"How utterly rude! He carries himself like an aristocrat, yet he doesn't even have the courtesy to properly introduce himself when visiting?"
Jiang Ning replied calmly, "He is the second son of the Qinghe Marquis Household. Of course, he understands etiquette he simply chooses to disregard us."
"The Qinghe Marquis?" Ji Minghao sneered. "A declining noble house, and he's not even the eldest heir what gives him the right to be so arrogant?"
Meanwhile
He Jinsheng walked away leisurely.
Along the way, he found himself recalling Ji Minghao's face and instinctively turned back to glance at the white walls that now separated them.
"That man looked familiar."
"Have I seen him somewhere before?"
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought.
"Never mind, he's probably nobody important. In a tiny county like this, what kind of big figures could there possibly be? No one here could be greater than my Qinghe Marquis Household."
In the Eastern Courtyard
At Ji Minghao's inquiry, Jiang Ning openly recounted his past conflicts with the Qinghe Marquis household.
However, he carefully omitted the most crucial detail
that he was the one who had killed the young marquis, He Jinyun.
Such a secret was something he wouldn't even casually share with a close friend like Cheng Ran, let alone with Ji Minghao, whom he had just met.
Moments later, after listening to Jiang Ning's account, Ji Minghao nodded slightly.
"So that's how it is."
"No wonder that man came uninvited today."
Then, Ji Minghao turned to Jiang Ning and asked, "Would you like me to intervene in this matter?"
"No need," Jiang Ning shook his head.
"Alright then." Ji Minghao nodded, then reached into his robes and pulled out a small token, no larger than a palm, made of gold inlaid with jade. The front of the token bore the engraved character "Hao".
"This is my identity token. If you ever need it, presenting this token will be as if I am there in person. You may use it to mobilize garrisoned troops anywhere."
Jiang Ning accepted the token without hesitation.
"Thank you, Your Highness, the Eighth Prince."
"I told you, no need for such formality!" Ji Minghao feigned anger.
"Brother Ji," Jiang Ning cupped his fists respectfully.
"That's more like it!" Ji Minghao laughed.
Then, rising to his feet, he said, "Brother Jiang, we've talked enough. How about we go meet my seventeenth sister?"
"Seventeenth sister?" Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned.
Ji Minghao smiled knowingly. "Naturally, my sister Little Seventeen. My sister-in-law believes you and she might be a good match. If fate is on your side, we may one day become family. Imagine that
we could spend our days together, talking deep into the night, drinking, and making merry. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
Jiang Ning was utterly speechless upon hearing this.
He then shook his head with a wry smile. "Brother Ji, this joke is a little too much! Who am I? My status is lower than a minor seventh-rank official! And your sister? She's a princess of the imperial family!"
"How could there possibly be a match between us?"
Ji Minghao regarded Jiang Ning seriously and shook his head.
"Brother Jiang, you underestimate yourself."
"At your age, you've already reached the Bone-Refining stage in martial cultivation."
"With such talent, I am certain that you will become a Grandmaster one day."
"When that time comes, regardless of your background, you will be more than worthy of my sister."
"Besides, I have my selfish reasons." His tone grew even more sincere.
He continued, "As you know, royal children, once they reach marriageable age, become nothing more than political bargaining chips."
"The descendants of noble families today indulge in debauchery. How many of them would make good husbands?"
"Rather than have my seventeenth sister marry one of those men and live a miserable life, I would rather she wed someone who treats her well, someone she finds pleasing."
"And in my eyes, you are far superior to those people."
"If fate truly brings you together, you need not worry."
"Whatever obstacles arise, I will clear the path for my little sister."
Seeing Ji Minghao's sincere expression, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly.
From his words alone, it was clear that Ji Minghao was a devoted elder brother.
And what he said wasn't wrong.
Royal princesses had no freedom to choose their spouses.
If they married a lesser noble, they could at least retain their royal status and avoid mistreatment.
But if they were given to the son of a powerful noble or general as a political tool, they would have no choice but to endure any hardship in silence.
The so-called title of "princess" was nothing more than an ornamental label just a means of securing alliances.
In such cases, royal daughters were merely sacrifices of politics, with no chance at true happiness.
At that moment, Ji Minghao, noticing Jiang Ning's pensive expression, reached out and pulled him by the arm.
"Brother Jiang, you can't refuse me this favor!"
"Alright." Jiang Ning nodded. "I happen to be curious about what kind of beauty our empire's Seventeenth Princess is."
"Now that's the spirit! I guarantee my little sister's beauty will leave you stunned!" Ji Minghao grinned with pride as if her appearance was his achievement.
In the Front Hall
"So boring!"
A young girl in a goose-yellow dress sat on a stool, her legs dangling as she swung them idly. She rested her fair chin on the table in front of her.
Beneath her feet, a square charcoal brazier burned warmly.
Nearby, Lin Qingyi watched her and smiled faintly.
"At this hour, your brother and Jiang Ning should be together. Why not go find them?"
"Okay!" The girl straightened up instantly, stretching her arms above her head, her slender waist arching gracefully.
From behind, her silhouette was especially striking her waist was impossibly slender, barely a hand's width.
As she stretched, she playfully asked Lin Qingyi, "Sister-in-law, is this Jiang Ning you keep talking about really that handsome?"
"He is," Lin Qingyi nodded slightly. "If I had met him when I was younger, I would have been smitten too."
"Sister-in-law, you're still very young!" The girl giggled mischievously.
"Don't talk nonsense!" Lin Qingyi shot her a look, a faint blush creeping onto her face.
Just then
Lin Qingyi's smile brightened.
"They're here."
Hearing this, the girl's eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly turned toward the slightly ajar front hall doors.
The next moment
Creak
The doors swung open.
She saw Jiang Ning and Ji Minghao step inside.
At the same time
Jiang Ning's gaze landed on Lin Qingyi, who was still dressed in her familiar azure robe.
And beside her stood a young girl with rosy cheeks, dressed in a goose-yellow gown.
Both had risen to their feet.
Standing next to Lin Qingyi, the girl appeared quite petite, a full head shorter than her.
When she noticed Jiang Ning's gaze, her eyes immediately began to flit around
first to the sides, then up at the ceiling
anywhere but at Jiang Ning himself.
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