Ning Rongrong's face turned livid the instant she heard that. Her chopsticks clattered onto the table, and she shot to her feet.
She pushed open the private room door and strode next door, moving so fast she stirred a breeze. Her pink skirt fluttered behind her like a butterfly.
Fang Fan gave Shui Yue'er a look. They set down their chopsticks and followed at an unhurried pace.
Two Soul Ancestor guards stood outside the neighboring room. Both froze when they saw Ning Rongrong storm toward them, then bowed.
"Greetings, young sect master!"
Ning Rongrong did not spare them a glance. She spat out a single word.
"Move."
The guards exchanged looks but dared not stop her. They stepped aside.
Ning Rongrong shoved the door open. Ning Chen was holding a teacup. At the sight of her, it clattered onto the table, and he jerked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Ning Rongrong? What are you doing here? Stay out of this..."
"Ning Chen, you've got some nerve!"
Her voice was as cold as a blade drawn from an ice cellar. Anger and disappointment filled her bright eyes.
"Have you no shame?
Do you want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's name disgraced for generations?
Poisoning someone?
You'd actually do that? Are you an animal?"
Ning Chen's face went from pale to flushed and back again.
He clenched his fists and sprang up, his voice thick with years of suppressed resentment.
"Young sect master, you're talented. Father values you, and Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa dote on you. But what about me?
Because I'm a little less talented than you, I'm nothing but a pawn, expected to marry into a family with gifted children so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can endure another ten thousand years!
Do