Chapter 290: Required Herbs Are Hard to Find

"It’s acceptable." Considering the technology of this era, forging it to this standard is quite good.

’If this were made with modern construction and mechanism controls, its silver needles could easily pierce through two large trees.’

’Acceptable?’

It wasn’t hard for Luo Wen and Du Ying to tell that it clearly hadn’t met her expectations. ’Just how powerful did she imagine it would be?’

When Du Ying had taken the blueprints to have the saber forged, the entire Sword Casting Sect had been stunned. The Sect Leader and the elders deliberated for several days before the Sect Leader decided to forge it himself.

He hadn’t understood back then, but he did now. The hilt contained a hidden world, its power was astounding, and its design was truly awe-inspiring.

’This saber is mostly fine,’ Ye Qianning thought. ’It’s just that the secret mechanism’s power is a little weak. The blade doesn’t just hide one projectile; the tip has its own secrets, and the long hilt conceals a sharp sword.’

’It’s suited for killing enemies on the battlefield, especially advantageous in close-quarters combat.’

The more she thought about it, the more a fierce glint appeared in her eyes. She used to use dual blades for close combat, in addition to guns.

"Pangtuan," Fourth Granny said as she walked in.

The faint, fierce glint in Ye Qianning’s eyes vanished. She turned and smiled. "Fourth Granny."

"Oh my, where did you get such a big saber? It looks awfully sharp. Be careful you don’t get hurt." Fourth Granny pulled her away from the table.

"I’m fine," Ye Qianning said with a wave of her hand.

Du Ying wrapped up the blade and left the room.

"It’s not proper for a young lady to be playing with weapons," Fourth Granny said, leading her around a screen and sitting her down on the bed. "Fourth Granny made you a few new outfits. You should try them on."

"The clothes you make always fit perfectly, Fourth Granny." Ye Qianning opened the bundle to find that Fourth Granny had made her several outfits.

"I hadn’t seen you for half a month. I was worried you might have lost weight at the academy, so I didn’t dare make them too large. But when you came back yesterday, it looked to me like you’d gotten a bit chubbier again. I’m not sure if they’ll fit."

"I didn’t get chubbier, I’ve actually lost weight," Ye Qianning protested as her little hands started to undress.

"Have you been listening to your teachers at the academy?" Fourth Granny asked, helping her with the new clothes.

"Of course! I even got the highest grade on this month’s exam. No one in my entire class scored better than me," Ye Qianning said, her tone impossibly smug.

"Your father told me. I’ve heard here in the Capital City that students from Lou Mountain Academy all have very promising futures. When our Pangtuan grows up, she’ll surely marry into a good family."

"I don’t want to get married at all."

"Nonsense. All young women get married," Fourth Granny said, having already helped her into the new clothes. "Look at what a pretty little doll. When you’re all grown up, you’ll be a real heartbreaker."

Ye Qianning looked at herself in the bronze mirror. The pinkish-purple dress was in the most fashionable style in the Capital City. "Fourth Granny, you’re incredible!"

"Hehe, I learned it all from Sansan. These two outfits are for you to wear now, and these others are for next year, though who knows if they’ll still fit then." Fourth Granny folded the other clothes and placed them in a small bundle.

Ye Qianning froze for a moment, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. "Fourth Granny, why did you suddenly make so many clothes for me?"

Fourth Granny’s large hand stroked her cheek, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "All this time in the General’s manor, I’ve been watching your father and everyone else here. At first, I was worried the second household and the Old Madam would mistreat you, so I didn’t dare leave. But now that they’re both out of the manor, I can finally rest easy. Your father treats you very well, and the other ladies in the manor are kind to you too. You’re even attending the academy now. Fourth Granny can finally return to Nanyuan with a clear conscience."

"You’re going back to Nanyuan, Fourth Granny?"

"Yes. It’s been over a year since I left Nanyuan. I don’t know how my family is doing." She was very worried about her own parents.

"I don’t want you to go, Fourth Granny. Let’s have Father send people to bring them here, all right?" Ye Qianning’s heart ached with sadness and reluctance.

"They’re both over eighty. It’s not easy for them to travel. Besides, at their age, they wouldn’t want to leave Nanyuan."

"Stay in the Capital City for just a few more days, Fourth Granny. We haven’t even gone out to explore together since we arrived," Ye Qianning said, taking her hand.

"It’s not as if I’m leaving and never coming back. We can go exploring then. It won’t be too late."

"Then... when are you planning to leave, Fourth Granny?" Since she was so insistent, Ye Qianning knew she couldn’t stop her.

"First thing tomorrow morning."

"That soon?"

"I’ve been in the Capital for a long time, and you’re all settled in. I can finally be at ease." If her own injuries had healed sooner, she would have wanted to return long ago; after more than a year away, she was truly worried about her family.

"Tomorrow, I’ll have a carriage and guards prepared to escort you back," Ye Qianning said. She was deeply worried about the journey.

Fourth Granny couldn’t help but chuckle. "What would I need guards for?"

"Absolutely not. I won’t be at ease with no one to look after you on the road. If you don’t agree, I’ll take you back to Nanyuan myself." ’The roads aren’t safe right now.’

’There are definitely a lot of people searching the roads between Nanyuan and Beili.’

Fourth Granny sighed. "All right, all right. Still so headstrong. Your stubborn streak hasn’t changed one bit."

Ye Qianning grinned and leaned into Fourth Granny’s embrace. ’The elixirs I just finished concocting a few days ago should be helpful for the elderly. I’ll prepare some tonight for her to take with her. Her home in Nanyuan... she can’t stay there anymore.’

’Tonight, I’ll have Father personally select some capable guards. Once they reach Nanyuan, they’ll help her entire family relocate.’

"Young Miss, the Crown Prince and the Eighth Prince are here. Dean Chen sent me to ask you to come over," a guard reported from outside the door.

"I know," Ye Qianning replied, reluctantly straightening up.

"Go on, now. Don’t keep the Crown Prince waiting."

"Mm," Ye Qianning nodded.

Still worried, Fourth Granny added another reminder, "The Crown Prince is a person of high station. You must keep your temper in check when you’re with him. No fighting."

"I know, I know. I’m going now." Ye Qianning walked out the door.

’What’s that character Sang Qi doing here too?’ she wondered.

In the front hall, Xiang Minghou was seated in the host’s chair, with Dean Chen to his left, and Sang Qi and Sang Zhi to his right.

A maid brought in tea and pastries. Sang Qi’s eyes lit up the moment he saw them.

"The tea at the General’s manor is simply excellent," Dean Chen said, lifting his cup. ’The delicate fragrance is even more mellow and full-bodied than the tea I drink at Lou Mountain Academy.’

’That little girl really is closer to her father, after all.’

"Is it? Luo Xuan sent this over the day before yesterday. I hadn’t had a chance to drink it yet," Xiang Minghou said, then picked up his cup and drained it in one go.

"...Good tea is meant to be savored," Dean Chen said with a regretful tut-tut.

’Drinking it like an ox at a trough. Such a waste of good tea.’

Yesterday, Sang Qi had tried every single pastry at Nianyunjian, but none of them tasted like the ones Ye Qianning had brought.

The pastries on the table were a delicate pink and looked delicious. He picked one up and took a bite. It was fragrant, sweet, soft, and chewy—the taste was indescribably good.

It wasn’t quite the same as what he’d eaten the other day, but the flavor was absolutely divine.

Sang Zhi didn’t reach for the pastries. Instead, he picked up his cup and took a light sip. His expression faltered for a moment. It had a sweet and tangy flavor. He couldn’t resist taking a few more sips.

"General Xiang, what kind of tea is this?" he asked, setting down his cup.

"Milk tea."

"It’s quite good."

Dean Chen glanced over. "What’s milk tea?"