Chapter 47: Really Narcissistic

“Speak. What is going on?”

Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes, his index finger tapping rhythmically on the table.

After eating, they had returned to Yingke Peak.

Ning Shengsheng was immediately summoned by Shuangxi.

“Older Brother, I don’t understand what you’re saying?”

Ning Shengsheng shrugged her shoulders and spread her small hands, her expression the picture of innocence.

“Still being stubborn?”

“Others might not recognize it, but do you think I wouldn’t recognize the storage pouch I gave you?” Ning Xuan leaned back, crossing his long legs, wearing an expression that said, ‘I’m watching you try to lie.’

“Alright, it is my storage pouch.”

She admitted it quickly, her gaze perfectly candid.

Ning Xuan, who had expected to have to interrogate her a few times, froze for a moment. He swallowed the words he had prepared and asked, “Why did you steal their Ice Soul Lotus?”

“It’s for the Huan Li. I heard spirit beasts need Ice Soul Lotus to advance,” she said without blushing or skipping a beat.

“You certainly treasure that little beast.”

Ning Xuan’s eyes held a hint of disdain, his tone high and mighty.

An indescribable emotion welled up in Ning Shengsheng’s heart.

Ning Xuan was tolerant and doting towards her, but that unintentional remark pulled her back to reality. He had always been a ruler who held life in contempt.

Human lives meant nothing to him, let alone a spirit beast.

In the past, not a few palace maids and eunuchs who served Princess Ning An had died unjustly.

She knew it was impossible to convince him with her own theories, and it would only arouse suspicion.

So she chose to shut her mouth.

Seeing Ning Shengsheng looking like she was ready to be beaten or scolded, Ning Xuan wondered if his tone just now had been too harsh.

He adjusted his tone and said, “It’s just a spirit beast anyway. It’s not worth you sacrificing so much for it. If you want something, just ask me.”

“There was no need to take a risk in the middle of the night.”

Ning Shengsheng held back the words in her mind three times before finally deciding to speak.

“I know Older Brother is worried about me, but the Huan Li is not just a small beast. When it grows up, it will protect me and fight alongside me. It is my best friend.”

She actually wanted to say that it was a life too.

Deserving of respect and fair treatment.

However, given the environment Ning Xuan grew up in, he couldn’t understand these concepts.

Seek common ground while reserving differences.

It was enough to just show how much she valued the Huan Li.

Ning Shengsheng never thought she could change anyone; she only hoped to maintain her own original heart.

“Alright, alright, alright. You little girl, I say two words to you, and you start giving me a long lecture.”

“It’s your good friend, alright?”

Ning Xuan didn’t want to quarrel with his sister over such a small matter.

“Mm, I was also inconsiderate and made Older Brother worry. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go now.”

“Go on.”

…

Ning Shengsheng returned to her room.

A second star pattern faintly appeared on the Huan Li egg on the bedding. She gently stroked the eggshell.

“Little Huan Li, work hard to absorb spiritual energy and come out quickly.”

Next door, Snowball had finally advanced after eating the fourth spiritual herb.

Xue Chen rubbed his thumb over the pattern on Snowball’s forehead. The pattern looked like a flame, purple in color.

Currently, three colors inside were filled.

There were still two blank ones.

This meant Snowball needed to advance two more times to reach its final form.

“This advancement is all thanks to Her Highness the Princess.”

“If I am not around in the future and she encounters danger, you should make an effort to save her, understand?”

“Meow~”

Snowball wagged its tail.

It didn’t know whether to tell its master that the palace maid who had interrupted his aperture induction was the princess.

However.

The princess had also saved it.

Humans were really complicated. Better not say anything for now.

***

They stayed at the Qingling Sect for another two days.

Finally, the Sect Competition arrived.

On this day.

Ning Shengsheng was woken up early in the morning.

Songgao and Zaoni came in holding a large wooden chest. When they opened it, it was filled with jewelry and dresses.

“What is this…?”

Ning Shengsheng was confused.

“His Majesty wants us to dress the Princess up beautifully. There will be many young talents today.”

Her imperial brother really wouldn’t give up.

It was someone else’s big event; why make a fuss? There was no need to steal the host’s thunder and cause displeasure.

“Don’t listen to Older Brother. I think that goose-yellow skirt looks nice, the one with begonia embroidery.”

“Is it this one, Princess?”

Zaoni held it up to show her.

“Mm, that’s the one. It looks cool and refreshing.”

“Your Highness has good taste. This servant also thinks you look better in this one.” Zaoni attended to her as she changed.

“You certainly know how to talk.”

Ning Shengsheng lowered her head and rummaged through her storage pouch.

“Found you!”

It was a small golden bell tied with a red string. There was a formation carved inside. It had a cooling effect.

The audience for the Sect Competition would be in the stands, just like attending a sports day at school.

The weather was so hot. She didn’t want to be favored by the sun.

She tied the golden bell to her wrist. Wisps of cool air emitted from her wrist and gradually traveled upwards. Before long, her whole body felt cool and refreshed.

Ning Shengsheng didn’t spend much time dressing up. She quickly finished getting ready and went out to wait for Ning Xuan.

Xue Chen was already waiting at the door.

The young man wore a green robe with wide sleeves, his black hair tied behind his head. Occasionally, a summer breeze blew past, lifting only a few strands of loose hair. If one looked closely, they would discover hidden details in the long robe; several golden butterflies were embroidered on the cuffs. If the wind were stronger and the sleeves blew, wouldn’t one see butterflies fluttering?

“Your Highness?”

Xue Chen called her a second time.

“Ah, oh, what is it?”

Ning Shengsheng had been staring in a daze just now, imagining golden butterflies flying around Xue Chen’s slender waist.

“Your hair is messy.”

Seeing her dazed look, Xue Chen helplessly stepped forward and helped her tuck the loose strands of hair behind her hair clasp.

Ning Shengsheng let him do as he pleased. A faint scent of orchids assailed her nose.

She wondered in her heart, Did he study spirit herbs all night last night?

“Done.”

The corners of Xue Chen’s lips lifted slightly, and he smiled as he returned to her side.

“Th-thank you…”

Ning Shengsheng touched the tips of her ears, which were burning hot, and inwardly complained that the cooling effect of the bell wasn’t working.

Sensing Xue Chen’s gaze fall upon her, she deliberately turned her face away to look elsewhere.

The smile on Xue Chen’s lips deepened, his gaze lingering seemingly inadvertently on her bright red ears.

“An’an, come look, how is my outfit?”

Ning Xuan strode out with large steps.

With his interruption, the atmosphere between her and Xue Chen finally became less awkward.

“Older Brother, uh… very imposing and noble.”

After a long while, she squeezed out a four-word evaluation.

Ning Xuan was dissatisfied. “That’s it? This is a new item from the Embroidery Pavilion; every stitch is outlined with gold thread!”

“Look at the dragon pattern at the waist again. It can be described as magnificent, representing supreme majesty.”

“Ah, right, right, Older Brother speaks well.”

Ning Shengsheng hugged his arm and dragged him onto the flying ship.

“If we don’t leave, we’ll be late.”

She was terrified that Ning Xuan would say more narcissistic things and be heard by Ling Hegui, who was coming to pick them up.

Then their Great Ning would really be finished.

Placed in the modern world, Ning Xuan would be a certified chunibyo (someone with delusions of grandeur).

“Hegui, you look full of energy today.”

Ning Xuan leaned against the side of the flying ship, posing coolly.

“Many thanks, Your Majesty. Your bearing is even better than before today,” Ling Hegui praised solemnly.

“You have the best taste. If you weren’t Sect Leader Ling’s own son, I would have abducted you to Great Ning and made you the Grand Chancellor, putting you above ten thousand people and below only one.”

“Your Majesty is too kind. I thank you here. If there is no place for me in the Qingling Sect in the future, I will go to Great Ning.”

“Haha, good!”

Hiding in the cabin, Ning Shengsheng simply couldn’t bear to look.

She asked Xue Chen suspiciously, “Tell me, are the two of them really the Emperor of Great Ning and the future heir of the Qingling Sect?”

Xue Chen raised his eyes coolly and said slowly, “Great Ning is worrying, and the future of the Qingling Sect is also worrying.”

“I am Ning Xuan’s sister, and I agree with your point of view.”

Ning Shengsheng nodded slowly.

Xue Chen looked at Ning Shengsheng, then at Ning Xuan.

No wonder they are siblings.