The next morning.
When Gu Fangchen pushed open the door, he saw Qing Jian standing quietly by the doorway, her entire figure tightly wrapped in a black robe.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Has Princess Prajna Lianyue finally come to her senses?"
Qing Jian turned her head and shook it helplessly.
"The Princess is still sulking..."
"So you came here on your own, then?"
Gu Fangchen stepped a little closer, brushing aside a strand of black hair near Qing Jian's stiff face, bringing it to his nose with a teasing smile.
"You smell of incense and herbs. You went to find the Guardian Apothecary these past few days, didn't you?"
Qing Jian, long used to his unnerving accuracy, pressed her lips together and nodded silently.
"I did... but he couldn't refine the Jade Tempering Pill."
Or rather, after trying for nearly a month, he had failed every time.
Although he had made an effort, the apothecary had quickly realized his own limits. Even if he could eventually figure out the refining method, it would take a very, very long time...
Gu Fangchen's expression didn't change.
The pill had been lost to history for ages and was of high grade. It was perfectly normal that an apothecary couldn't make it.
Especially since the formula he had provided contained only the ingredient list—no refining steps. The rest had to be discovered through trial and error.
If it could truly be produced that easily, it would never have been lost for so many years.
These days, Qing Jian had watched her princess grow anxious and restless, waiting for word from her followers—none of which were right. She knew that the Princess would inevitably have to come back to this man.
Thus, she was merely laying the groundwork in advance, saving her princess from embarrassment later. It wasn't really "acting without permission."
"The Princess has offended you in many ways before," Qing Jian said gently, "I hope you will forgive her. The 'Lotus Concealed in the Womb' is a sacred relic of our Tara Sect. Her Highness was too anxious and impulsive."
"These few days, the Princess has actually been quite remorseful..."
Qing Jian's tone tactfully gave her mistress several steps down the stage.
As the saying goes, one who knows how to read the situation is a wise person.
Qing Jian considered herself a loyal maidservant—truly acting for her Princess's sake.
If they failed to obtain the "Lotus Concealed in the Womb," her Princess would regret her stubbornness for the rest of her life. Someone had to act as the mediator.
It absolutely wasn't just for the sake of getting the Jade Tempering Pill.
Gu Fangchen, of course, didn't believe that Prajna Lianyue—a woman whose temperament leaned closer to a demoness than a saintess—would ever feel remorse. But it was clear enough that Qing Jian had been completely swayed by the temptation of the Jade Tempering Pill.
That meant turning Prajna Lianyue herself wouldn't be far behind...
"It's fine," Gu Fangchen said calmly, sighing as he waved his hand.
"To recognize one's mistake and correct it is the greatest virtue. As long as she knows she was wrong, that's enough. I've always been generous—I don't stoop to bickering with young ladies!"
Listening in secret, Prajna Lianyue gritted her teeth in fury.
If it weren't for the missing sacred relic, she would have stormed in right now and torn this insolent man limb from limb!
Qing Jian quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"That's good."
Gu Fangchen smiled.
"I've had Xuexiang prepare a new alchemy furnace. I can refine the Jade Tempering Pill for you on the road."
Qing Jian froze for a moment.
She had thought that, given his personality, she would have to coax and plead for quite some time.
But it seemed he had already prepared everything in advance.
She quickly bowed, her tone softening noticeably.
"Thank you, Young Master."
...
Inside the carriage, Xuexiang curiously examined the furnace placed in the center, while Ning Caiyong gazed quietly out the window at the passing scenery.
Gu Lianqian leaned against Ning Caiyong's side, stiffly turning her head toward Gu Fangchen and muttering,
"I—I only came because I'm worried about Mother's safety, not because I wanted to ride in the same carriage as you..."
Gu Fangchen could believe she didn't want to share a carriage with him.
But as for why she insisted on coming along at all—that was a different story. It clearly wasn't for the reason she claimed.
After all, a Martial Saint was traveling with them. If she wanted to worry, she should worry about other people, not Ning Caiyong.
He stroked his chin with a smile. Most likely, she simply lacked a sense of security and didn't want to stay alone in the Prince's manor.
In the past, wherever Gu Yuye was, Gu Lianqian would have felt safe.
Now, her reaction proved that Gu Yuye no longer gave her comfort—only unease.
Training, complete success.
Gu Yuye was no longer the pillar Gu Lianqian relied upon; in fact, he had become the very source of her fear.
Gu Fangchen couldn't be bothered to argue with her. Soon, he would move on to the next step anyway.
He turned his head lazily and called out,
"Mother~ look at her~"
Ning Caiyong shook her head, gently patting Gu Lianqian's head with a serious look.
"This trip is not for amusement. Do not make trouble for Chen'er."
Gu Lianqian instantly wilted.
"Oh..."
The truth was, she had wanted to come for fun.
She had rarely been allowed to go out before, and the last time she did, she was nearly beaten half to death—an unforgettable experience.
Now that she had another chance to travel to Gushu, of course she was itching to go.
Coincidentally, her father had come to her, asking her to accompany Gu Fangchen and report back on their movements and his strength.
And so, she came along.
But what Gu Yuye didn't realize was that Gu Lianqian had already changed.
Most of her thoughts now aligned with that mysterious figure that should not exist. Her trust in Gu Yuye had long been replaced by fear.
So she went with the flow—more to escape from Gu Yuye, hoping that in Gushu she might finally step out from under his dark shadow.
Gu Fangchen was controlling the flame beneath the alchemy furnace when Qing Jian's voice came from outside.
"Young Master, there seems to be someone being stopped up ahead."
At once, Gu Lianqian's eyes lit up. She was the first to lift the curtain and look outside.
But her brows soon furrowed.
"Huh? Isn't that... Miss Xiuxiu?"
Gu Lianqian certainly recognized the girl who used to be Gu Fangchen's favorite target of torment.
Several times, she had secretly schemed against Gu Fangchen just to avenge Miss Xiuxiu. Recently, when she heard that he had redeemed Xiuxiu from servitude, she had been skeptical—but it had still changed her opinion of him slightly.
At least this time... he had actually done something right.
She looked ahead and saw that Xiuxiu was sitting in a carriage surrounded by fallen guards. The few surviving martial artists, clearly outmatched, were fleeing and shouting for help.
Above them hovered the shadowy figure of an old man.
Judging by his aura, he was at least of the fifth rank!
Seeing the survivors attempting to flee, the old man snorted coldly and waved his hand.
In an instant, several heads fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.
Xiuxiu noticed the commotion, her face turning pale as she looked toward their carriage and shouted desperately,
"Help me!"
The old man raised his head, his voice cold and sharp.
"So, I've finally found you—Your Highness, the Heir!"
Gu Fangchen lifted the curtain and nodded.
"I've been waiting for you, too."
The old man narrowed his eyes.
"Such arrogance. Does Your Highness think I came alone?"
Gu Fangchen glanced at him.
"You misunderstand. I wasn't talking about you."