If Qing'er really gets together with Xiao Jian, she will never see Qing'er again.

At that time, even if she wanted to see Qing'er again, she was powerless to do so.

Her health condition would not allow her to travel long distances multiple times.

Besides, she didn't skip or change a single step of the original plot, so it's not her fault if the story doesn't unfold the same way as the original.

Otherwise she'll cry foul, hmph.

"Yes, I've thought about what you said. I want to investigate the truth. I don't want that incident to cause any rift between us."

Upon hearing Shen Nian's words, Xiao Jian nodded sincerely.

"Senior brother, believe me. There must be some misunderstanding about your father and mother. The emperor is not the kind of person who kills innocent people indiscriminately without distinguishing right from wrong."

Before leaving the valley, she told Xiao Jian that there was a misunderstanding about his father and mother.

Having grown up together since childhood, there's no doubt about that level of trust.

"Well, let's not talk about me anymore. The truth will be found out sooner or later. Don't worry, I won't wrong the Emperor."

"After returning to the palace, were you bullied? If so, tell your senior brother, and he and your other senior brothers will help you teach them a lesson."

Xiao Jian cared deeply for Shen Nian, the only junior sister among their fellow disciples, asking her with concern and worry in his eyes.

Xiao Jian watched Chen Nian grow from a tiny little dumpling into the charming young woman she is today, and his eyes were filled with both satisfaction and joy. He also regarded Chen Nian as his own younger sister.

When he first lost his sister, it was the appearance of Chen Nian that helped him get through that agonizing period.

He kept telling himself that his sister was still alive, which helped him to pull himself together.

Chen Nian was like a beacon for the two siblings, guiding them step by step forward.

With some reflection in his mind, Xiao Jian's hatred for the emperor wasn't that deep, but it was still there.

"Don't worry, no. Did Master ask you to bring me anything?"

Hearing Xiao Jian's concern and seeing that Xiao Jian didn't want to talk about it, Chen Nian changed the subject accordingly.

She smiled and shook her head. Perhaps it was because of her rarity that she was so cherished. As the only female disciple her master had ever taken in, she was especially doted on by her fellow disciples.

Sometimes she even wondered if she was also given the same "favorite" role as Little Swallow.

But she couldn't believe that someone like herself could receive such a beloved role; she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it.

Thinking that Qing'er was still waiting for him, he stopped pondering and got straight to the point.

"Junior Sister is as clever as ever. By the way, Junior Sister, you didn't use your martial arts, did you?"

Just moments before, Xiao Jian was praising him with a smile, taking out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, about to hand it over, when suddenly, for some unknown reason, he withdrew his outstretched hand.

The next sentence was extremely serious.

"No, don't worry, I wouldn't joke around with my health."

Hearing Xiao Jian's serious words, Chen Nian shook his head calmly and lied without batting an eye.

"Sure?"

Xiao Jian stared blankly at Chen Nian's face, trying to find a flaw in it. Having been deceived by Chen Nian so many times, he was hardly willing to believe this little liar anymore.

A few seconds passed, and he couldn't detect the slightest flaw.

"Yes, yes, senior brother, please give me the things quickly. They are still waiting for me. If we delay any longer, they might have to send someone to look for me."

Chen Nian nodded obediently, feeling a little nervous. He was afraid that if he stayed too long, he would lose his composure and drag others into the mess in order to leave as soon as possible.

"Give."

Hearing Shen Nian say this, Xiao Jian knew how much they cared about Shen Nian, so he handed over the porcelain bottle.

"Thank you, Senior Brother—Xiao Jian—!"

...