When Saro arrived at the Imperial Palace, she found Verdant Green Maiden chatting and laughing with Li Shimin, Li Chengqian, and Li Xiu Ning, the scene warm and harmonious.
"Your Majesty, I have brought her!"
The eunuch hurried forward and reported to Li Shimin first.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Saro. Li Shimin nodded. "Good! You may withdraw now!"
"Yes!"
The eunuch bowed and took his leave.
Seeing Saro, Verdant Green Maiden smiled as well. Leisurely, she said to Saro, "I thought you would take this chance to run away! After all, if you ran now, given my current condition, I might not necessarily be able to find you and bring you back."
"..."
Saro looked helpless. "Goddess, you jest."
Since she had promised to stay, she naturally would not leave.
Verdant Green Maiden beckoned Saro over to sit, then introduced her identity to Li Shimin and the others.
Upon learning that Saro was not a mortal either, they were merely surprised, not overly stirred.
After all, they were Verdant Green Maiden's students.
They talked until deep into the night, though most of the time, it was the three siblings Li Shimin, Li Jiancheng, and Li Xiu Ning who spoke, while Verdant Green Maiden simply listened.
By late night, unlike Verdant Green Maiden, they did not possess such physical vigor and had all begun to feel weary.
"Let us end it here."
Verdant Green Maiden spoke, bringing the meeting to a close.
Everyone nodded.
Li Xiu Ning asked again, "Master, shall we meet again tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow..."
"We'll see."
After thinking it over, Verdant Green Maiden did not give a definite answer. "For now, go and rest. You're not getting any younger—do you still think you have a young person's stamina? Even young persons should be asleep at this hour. Go on,