Second-Rank Grandmaster, Jiang Ning!

The National Preceptor's Residence.

Jiang Ning gulped down mouthful after mouthful of sixfold lotus seed porridge.

"How is it?" Su Qingying waited until Jiang Ning set down his spoon before asking.

"Pretty good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Wisps of clear energy circulated through his body, swiftly devoured by it.

A shaft of golden light pierced the clouds and fell across the table before them.

Just then, Su Qingying's eyes shifted slightly, and she looked toward the entrance of the National Preceptor's Residence.

"My lord, the Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao, is here!"

"The Eighth Prince?" Jiang Ning turned slightly toward the entrance. His spiritual sense spread out, and he instantly saw Ji Minghao standing there in splendid robes.

Before Ji Minghao stood the same maid from the National Preceptor's Residence who had shown him the way earlier.

The maid tilted her head slightly toward the two of them, as though seeking instructions, or perhaps listening.

"My lord, the Eighth Prince is here to see you. Shall we receive him?" Su Qingying asked Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Let's see him."

"Very well!" Su Qingying nodded.

Meanwhile.

At the gates of the National Preceptor's Residence.

The maid nodded slightly toward Jiang Ning and Su Qingying, then turned to Ji Minghao.

"Your Highness, please follow me!"

Inside the bamboo house.

"I'll change my clothes!" Su Qingying rose and tugged at her loose collar.

"All right!" Jiang Ning nodded.

He watched Su Qingying walk barefoot toward the room where they slept.

Several dozen breaths later.

Su Qingying appeared before him again.

She wore a well-tailored black-and-white robe.

With that change of clothes, her bearing transformed in an instant. She looked like a Daoist nun with the air of an immortal.

"I used to think you didn't look the part