A second-grade pill, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill… Logically, anyone who’d even dabbled in alchemy could refine this pill. Why would the Princess want him to refine it for no reason?

Her Highness’s bait is a bit too obvious…

Mu Zhian glanced at the Princess discreetly and said, “I just need to refine a Minor Rejuvenation Pill?”

The woman looked at him, her eyes clear like a deep autumn pool, with a hint of gentleness, and nodded, “Indeed, just refine a Minor Rejuvenation Pill.”

“Then I’ll gladly oblige… I hope Your Highness will honor our agreement.”

Mu Zhian cupped his hands, then took out the ingredients for the Minor Rejuvenation Pill from his storage ring.

Although he couldn’t refine third-grade pills, he had refined countless Minor Rejuvenation Pills back in the Two Polarities Sect. Refining one wasn’t difficult for him.

The Princess stood nearby, quietly observing Mu Zhian’s alchemy technique.

…Although she didn’t understand alchemy at all, as long as the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian refined was the same as the one in her hand, it would be enough to prove certain things.

For example… why Luo Tan chose him.

Was it simply lust, or… did Luo Tan have other intentions?

Based on her understanding of Luo Tan, she believed it was the latter.

After nearly fifteen minutes, the Princess smelled a faint medicinal fragrance and looked at the cauldron before Mu Zhian.

Mu Zhian took out six perfectly round pills from the cauldron, placed them in a jade bottle, and handed it to the Princess.

“Your Highness, the Minor Rejuvenation Pill you requested.”

The Princess opened the bottle and took out a Minor Rejuvenation Pill.

Although she didn’t understand alchemy, what kind of pill hadn’t she seen before? Whether the Minor Rejuvenation Pill in her hand was the same as the one Mu Zhian refined, she could tell with a single glance.

After comparing the two Minor Rejuvenation Pills, the Princess subconsciously looked up at Mu Zhian.

They were refined using different techniques, and the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian just refined didn’t contain any Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy…

It seems I guessed wrong…

“Your Highness…?” Mu Zhian called out tentatively.

“Mmm… Go ahead,” the Princess snapped out of her thoughts. Although she wore a veil, Mu Zhian could still sense the disappointment in her eyes.

“Is there anything else?” Mu Zhian asked.

The Princess quickly recovered, shook her head gently, and smiled politely, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Mu. These Minor Rejuvenation Pills are enough.”

She paused, then continued, “I know why the Jade Empress came to Yu State. Luo Tan already told me.”

“Therefore, I also know what you want.”

Mu Zhian’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent, slightly surprised she knew Yao Meng’s purpose.

As if guessing his thoughts, the Princess said calmly, “I am the Princess of Cloud Province, after all. I’m aware of most of the Jade Empress’s movements.”

The Princess paused and glanced at Mu Zhian meaningfully, “I just didn’t expect that you would be the one dual cultivating with her.”

“However, since she’s already made up her mind, I won’t interfere.”

“I hope you’ll cherish this opportunity and successfully comprehend the Dao Rhyme,” the Princess said again.

From the Princess’s perspective, Mu Zhian and Luo Tan were now so close, and the Jade Empress wasn’t in Yu State. It was probably only a matter of time before their relationship progressed further.

Mu Zhian nodded politely, then quickly feigned a troubled expression, “But if I go to Cloud Province with Your Highness, the Great Peng Emperor will probably find out immediately, right? What if he acts like he did today?”

“Today, Her Majesty Luo Tan was present, and this is Yu State, plus the Great Peng Emperor needed something from Her Majesty, so he reluctantly left. But if I go to Cloud Province with you in the future… If the Great Peng Emperor finds out I’m with you, he’ll definitely be angry, right?”

“The Great Peng Emperor is so scary.”

The Princess of Cloud Province gently shook her head and said softly, “You have the Jade Empress backing you. He won’t offend the Jade Empress for your sake.”

“And with me here, he won’t do anything to you.”

Hearing this, Mu Zhian was first stunned, then a touched expression appeared on his face: “Your Highness is willing to protect me?”

Seeing the gratitude and relief on Mu Zhian’s handsome face, the Princess couldn’t help but smile: “I already promised you that as long as you refined the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, I would take you to find the Cloud Smoke Willow. During this time, I’m naturally responsible for your safety.”

“It’s just a pity…” She paused and sighed inwardly, but didn’t continue.

It was a pity she had guessed wrong.

Judging from the Minor Rejuvenation Pill Mu Zhian refined today, he probably had no connection to the Heavenly Court.

“What does Your Highness mean by ‘pity’?” Mu Zhian asked.

The Princess came back to her senses, smiled gently, and said, “Nothing.”

After saying that, she gave Mu Zhian one last look.

For some reason, looking into this young man’s eyes, she always felt an inexplicable pull.

Even she, a great power connected to the Great Dao, felt this way, so it wasn’t strange that Luo Tan was attracted to him.

Undoubtedly, Mu Zhian had some secret, but this secret wasn’t related to the Heavenly Court…

The Princess gently placed her hand on her full bosom, feeling her racing heart gradually calm down.

She thought she was close to the secret of Transcendence, but it seemed she had overthought things…

She just didn’t know what Luo Tan meant earlier when she said she had discovered the ‘secret of Transcendence’.

Luo Tan should still be reviewing memorials now. After all, with the recent Sabbath, all the provinces were more or less busy. She would probably have to wait until nightfall to see Luo Tan.

She would go see her tonight…

Logically, a Minor Rejuvenation Pill containing Heavenly Court Spiritual Energy wasn’t nearly enough for someone to transcend.

What exactly was Luo Tan planning to do?

She wasn’t just curious, but also worried that Luo Tan might be on the wrong path.

After all, the Great Peng Emperor, for the sake of Transcendence, had practically become obsessed over the years.

Although she herself was almost the same… The Princess chuckled self-deprecatingly, stared at Mu Zhian for a moment, then pursed her full, rosy lips, and said with a smile, “Since Young Master Mu is still refining pills, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Farewell, Your Highness.”

Mu Zhian watched the Princess’s graceful figure disappear from sight, then let out a long sigh of relief.

“Why didn’t you tell her?”

Just then, a slightly sarcastic voice came from beside him: “If she knew you possessed the Innate Celestial Furnace, she would probably be much friendlier towards you.”

Mu Zhian turned his head towards the voice and saw Wei Mengrou in the shadows.

Today, she wore a slightly loose goose-yellow dress, paired with a dark, wrinkled long skirt. Her hair was neatly tied up, and a faint, ominous black mist seemed to emanate from her body, making her appear incredibly alluring.

Of course, those familiar with Wei Mengrou would know that this alluring beauty was easily flustered when teased, no matter how well she disguised herself.

“Not everyone is interested in the Innate Celestial Furnace. Besides, she’s innately connected to the Great Dao, my Innate Celestial Furnace might not be of much help to her… Moreover, Luo Tan doesn’t seem to want the Princess to know about this so soon.”

Mu Zhian naturally held Wei Mengrou’s hand, pulled her to his side, and said with a smile, “It’s not too late to tell her after we go to Cloud Province.”

“Speaking of which, seeing me being intimate with other girls… Sister Mengrou, aren’t you jealous?” Mu Zhian suddenly asked casually.

Wei Mengrou snorted, raising her snow-white chin condescendingly: “You overestimate yourself.”

Just a mere bug, what was there to be jealous of?

“Then I’m relieved,” Mu Zhian seemingly sighed with relief upon hearing this.

“What do you mean?” Wei Mengrou frowned, feeling something wasn’t right.

“Luo Tan summoned me to her bedchamber tonight… So I might be going there later,” Mu Zhian explained.

Seeing the young master so openly revealing his plans, Wei Mengrou’s eyes flickered slightly. But then, noticing his teasing gaze, she snorted coldly, “Do as you please. Not having to be by your side every day actually makes me feel much more relaxed.”

After saying that, she turned around, a hazy black mist seemingly emanating from her body, and vanished into the shadows, instantly returning to her guest room.

Mu Zhian slowly tidied up the cauldron, alchemy ingredients, and other things in the courtyard, then silently counted down in his heart.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he arrived before Wei Mengrou’s room and knocked on the maid’s door.

“Didn’t Luo Tan summon you? Does Young Master have anything else?”

An incredibly cold reply came from inside.

Mu Zhian said calmly, “Sister Mengrou, may I come in?”

There was no response from inside. Mu Zhian pushed open the door and saw the beauty sitting on the soft couch with an expressionless face, her intricate and exquisite dress accentuating her alluring coldness.

Seeing Mu Zhian, Wei Mengrou turned her face away and said coldly, “Aren’t you going to see Luo Tan soon? Why do you have the leisure to come here? Are you here to kill time?”

Mu Zhian closed the door and shook his head, “After thinking about it, I decided to accompany Sister Mengrou first… As for Luo Tan, let her wait.”

After saying that, Mu Zhian walked to the soft couch and held Wei Mengrou’s cold small hand.

Wei Mengrou immediately pulled her hand away, but Mu Zhian didn’t give up, instead holding her hand tighter.

This time, Wei Mengrou didn’t struggle, clearly acquiescing.

Mu Zhian lifted her chin, his face slowly approaching hers. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, he suddenly said softly, “Sister Mengrou, let me give you a gift.”

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite small box from his storage ring.

Wei Mengrou snapped out of her daze, looked at Mu Zhian doubtfully, then opened the small box and glanced inside.

It was a pair of black fishnet stockings she had never seen before.

Sensing Mu Zhian’s expectant gaze, Wei Mengrou’s eyes gradually turned cold, and she glanced at the young master disdainfully: “Is this a gift? Clearly it’s…”

Clearly, he just wanted to see her wear them.

“Please, Sister Mengrou, this is one of my dreams,” Mu Zhian pleaded sincerely.

Wei Mengrou stared at the young master with some doubt: “What exactly do you want me to do?”

“I’d like Sister Mengrou to wear these…”

Wei Mengrou: “And then?”

“Then look at your master with disdain… The rest is up to you, I believe Sister Mengrou can definitely handle it,” Mu Zhian said.

After all, Wei Mengrou possessed the relevant attributes of a maid: sharp-tongued, cold, and tsundere. Although she might not realize it herself, to Mu Zhian, this was an irresistible attribute.

Wei Mengrou took the small box, glaring at the young master: “Are you a pervert?”

Mu Zhian hummed in agreement, looked at Wei Mengrou, and said sincerely, “Exactly, it’s fine for Sister Mengrou to scold me more.”

Wei Mengrou: “???”

…

Government Affairs Hall.

“Your Majesty, Her Highness the Princess went to see Young Master Mu again today.”

Before Luo Tan, who was reviewing memorials, a maid knelt respectfully on the soft carpet, reporting everything that happened at Mu Zhian’s place today.

Looking closely, one could tell that this maid was one of the maids serving Mu Zhian.

Luo Tan leaned over the mountain of memorials on her desk and asked with a chuckle, “Do you know why the Princess went there?”

“She asked Young Master Mu to refine a second-grade pill…”

Luo Tan hummed softly, her gaze shifting from the memorials to the maid before her: “The Minor Rejuvenation Pill?”

“Yes, Your Majesty is wise,” the maid replied respectfully.

“Do we need to investigate her purpose?” she continued asking.

Luo Tan slowly shook her head: “No need. The Princess’s innate perception is extraordinary. Even great powers of the same realm can’t approach her without being noticed. Besides, she wouldn’t harm Mu Zhian.”

“You may leave.”

“Yes.”

Luo Tan glanced at the bronze bell hanging in the corner, then softly instructed, “Right, I need to enter seclusion tonight. Without my orders, no one is allowed to disturb me in my bedchamber.”

After saying that, she stood up, intending to leave.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached from the distance, accompanied by the arrival of a spy: “Your Majesty, we just received a report that a Sabbath envoy seems to have clashed with students from Zunyun Academy. There’s quite a commotion there now.”

Luo Tan paused slightly, her delicate brows furrowing: “I understand, I’ll personally go there later.”

In Yu State, Zunyun Academy held a similar status as the Two Polarities Sect in the Eastern Continent. A Sabbath envoy causing trouble there… Even Luo Tan couldn’t ignore it. She needed to understand the details.

She walked gracefully to the entrance of the hall in her snow-white jade boots, looked up at the hazy moonlight, placed a finger against her red lips, and sighed softly.

It seemed she would have to return later again.

…

That night.

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse. Mu Zhian took a bath and left the courtyard refreshed.

The Spiritual Energy within his Innate Celestial Furnace seemed to have decreased significantly.

Because Luo Tan had given orders earlier, Mu Zhian smoothly passed through the front hall and walked along a luxurious path into the rear palace. The maids and servants along the way bowed slightly, only gathering together in hushed whispers to discuss the young man’s identity after he left.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Princess sat alone in the bedchamber, flipping through a book boredly, waiting for Luo Tan to return.

Luo Tan had just left the palace not long ago, seemingly going to Zunyun Academy because of the Sabbath incident.

It seemed she might not return tonight.

I’ll wait for another hour or two. If Luo Tan still hasn’t returned, I’ll go back tonight… Just as the Princess thought of this, she suddenly heard a respectful voice from outside the hall: “Your Majesty, Mu Zhian has arrived as promised. May he enter the hall now?”

Mu Zhian?

What is he doing coming to the bedchamber so late at night?

And it seems Luo Tan asked him to come?

The Princess narrowed her eyes, recalling the various interactions between Mu Zhian and Luo Tan she had witnessed during the day. After pondering for a moment, she gently lifted her veil, a soft white light flickering in her palm, gently caressing her beautiful face.

The Great Dao hummed.

The next moment, the Princess transformed from a gentle beauty with a mature charm into a noble and elegant Empress. Her dress also changed into a magnificent white gown, and she wore sexy snow-white jade boots, revealing the delicate skin between her skirt and calves.

“Come in,” she said in an elegant voice.

Soon, Mu Zhian entered the bedchamber, looked at the woman sitting on the soft couch, immediately cupped his hands, and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, I apologize for making you wait.”

A strange glint flashed through ‘Luo Tan’s’ eyes, then she smiled and gestured, “It’s fine, come and sit.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay