Seeing the surprise on Yu Qinghan's pretty face, Zhao Huai smiled. "Maybe it's because of your guidance, my wife. I used to struggle just to get started, but now it's become much easier."
Yu Qinghan nodded at his words.
Her husband was right. With someone guiding him at his side, the chances of success would indeed rise greatly.
Then Yu Qinghan looked at him with utmost seriousness and instructed him, "When qi travels through the meridians and gathers in the dantian, it means you have broken through to the Qi Refining First Layer and formally stepped onto the path of cultivation. From now on, you must cultivate diligently and never slack off."
"Got it. I'll work hard at cultivating."
Zhao Huai nodded solemnly, then rubbed her serious little face and smiled faintly. "Otherwise, how could I grow old with my wife?"
Yu Qinghan's cheeks reddened, and her gaze became incomparably gentle as she softly said,
"Since when did my husband's words become so pleasant to hear?"
"As long as you like hearing them."
Seeing the delicate beauty before him, Zhao Huai could not resist leaning closer.
"How about now—"
Knock, knock!
Just as they were at the most tender and intimate moment, an ill-timed, urgent knock sounded from outside, as though something major had happened.
"Seriously? Of all times."
Zhao Huai muttered, his train of thought utterly interrupted.
Yu Qinghan covered her mouth and smiled. "All right, go on."
"Fine, I'll get the door."
Zhao Huai answered, then rose and walked toward the entrance.
With lifeless fish eyes, he impatiently undid the door bolt.
But when he opened the door, the person standing there surprised him.
"Brother Yan, is something wrong?"
Zhao Huai asked in surprise. The physician Yan Jing stood at his door with a grave expression.
"Something happened."
Yan Jing said solemnly.
"What happened?"
Zhao Huai frowned and glanced at the sky outside.
It had already dimmed slightly, wholly carrying the look of the sun sinking behind the western hills. Cultivation really made time fly.
"Do you remember that group of unscrupulous merchants from earlier today?"
"I remember. What about them? I even got quite a bargain from them."
Zhao Huai chuckled.
Seeing Zhao Huai like this, Yan Jing instead let out a sigh of relief. "That unscrupulous merchant is dead."
Zhao Huai raised a brow, somewhat surprised. "How did he die?"
Although the news had come suddenly, he was not surprised. Or perhaps he had already been mentally prepared for it.
Yan Jing explained calmly, "Someone slit his throat with a single sword strike. A cartload of valuables was robbed, and his heart was dug out. The wild beasts outside the city gnawed him until little was left. The authorities are already investigating.
"At first, I thought you had done it. Other than at the inn, he spent the longest time at your place. But after thinking it over carefully, with your carefree, unrestrained nature that never contends with the world, it probably wasn't you."
Zhao Huai understood Yan Jing's purpose in coming. Yan Jing had initially thought Zhao Huai had killed someone and had come to help him. Warmth rose in his heart, and he smiled. "Indeed, you understand me. If I wanted to kill him, the authorities wouldn't even be able to find the corpse."
Yan Jing smiled helplessly and continued, "Even so, you can't let your guard down. I estimate that after the authorities investigate through the night, they'll probably come to question you tomorrow morning. You should be prepared."
"Mm, I know. It's a small matter. I wasn't the one who killed him anyway."
Zhao Huai spread his hands.
Yan Jing nodded, then pondered aloud, "It's just that the murderer's methods are strange. Why was only that merchant's heart dug out, while the guards around him were left untouched?"
Zhao Huai thought for a moment and reached a conclusion.
"Maybe the merchant's heart was blacker."
Yan Jing asked again, "You met him today. Did you notice anything unusual, or anyone suspicious? The sooner the murderer is found, the safer you'll be."
"I did, but I'm not certain enough yet. I'll tell you once I am."
Zhao Huai did have someone in mind, along with a suspicion. It was none other than the guard from earlier that day. He had thought his words had not had any effect, but it seemed that was not the case.
Still, he did not dare claim one hundred percent certainty. It was not enough to nail the coffin shut, though he was seventy percent sure.
"Any other news?"
Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Huai wanted to ask for more information.
Yan Jing thought for a moment and said with a straight face, "There is one thing. The nearby towns have been very unsettled lately, with demons and monsters appearing often. It's best not to go out for the time being. Jinzhou is still safe."
"Understood."
Zhao Huai nodded.
Inside the room.
A maid silently emerged from the shadows and handed bags of bundled medicinal herbs to Yu Qinghan.
"Princess, do you truly intend to teach Young Master Zhao cultivation? He's already so old. It will probably consume a great many resources."
"Then let it consume them. Even if I have to bury him beneath pills, I will help him cultivate."
Yu Qinghan accepted the Spirit Herbs handed to her, her pretty face utterly serious.
The maid sighed softly. "Ah, Young Master Zhao is truly enviable, to have married such a virtuous wife as the Princess. If the veteran generals in the army saw such treatment, their eyes would probably pop out of their heads."
"All right. If there's nothing else, withdraw."
The maid said, "Princess, Your Majesty's old injury has flared up again. Are you really not returning to see him?"
"Father is ill again?"
Yu Qinghan frowned, though a trace of hidden worry flickered in her eyes.
"Yes. He has been bedridden for three days. The imperial physicians say the hidden injuries left from the battlefield have flared up again. The First Prince and the Second Prince have both entered the capital to visit him."
Yu Qinghan sneered. "Since when did those two become so understanding and considerate? Back in the early days after the founding of the nation, they argued endlessly over their fiefs."
"This servant does not know. The First Prince has kept vigil day and night beside Your Majesty's bed and has been quite filial. Even the civil and military officials at court praise him."
"Then all the better. Let him take care of Father and fulfill his filial duty while he's at it."
Yu Qinghan's tone was exceedingly calm.
The maid said helplessly, "Yes, understood. Then this servant shall take her leave."
With a whoosh, her figure leaped upward, passed through the skylight, and swiftly vanished into the night.
"My wife, I'm back."
Zhao Huai's voice came from outside the bedroom door.
Yu Qinghan pulled shut the skylight, carried the medicinal herbs, and walked out, asking, "Husband, what happened?"
Zhao Huai explained, "A friend came to pass along some news. He said someone died tonight. It's probably demons and monsters causing trouble, so he told me to be careful."
In truth, he knew very well that demons and monsters could not have done it. He only said that to give his wife an explanation.
"My wife, what are those in your hands?"
Zhao Huai suddenly noticed the bundle of herbs in Yu Qinghan's hands and could not help asking curiously.
Yu Qinghan smiled and explained, "These are medicinal herbs I selected for you. They can temper your body and speed up your refinement of spiritual energy. They will be very effective for you at your current stage."
"Don't worry, they won't cost much. You needn't be concerned. Though my dowry is not much, it is more than enough to buy you medicine."
Zhao Huai was stunned upon hearing this, yet his heart was deeply moved. He said gently,
"My wife, you're so good to me."
"Let your husband reward you properly."
Before you continue