If Shangguan Bing'er didn't understand what Shangguan Xi said just now, he would say something else.
"Bing'er, you are my daughter, don't I know you? When Queen Wang Zhen was alive, you played with Wang Yanzhou for the snacks she gave you in the palace. After the Queen passed away, his child was sent to Qingliang Valley. When have you ever said a word of concern or sent a letter to him? If we hadn't met again at the New Year's Eve palace banquet, would you be as crazy as you are now?"
Shangguan Xi's words immediately left Shangguan Bing'er speechless, "I..."
Reading people's expressions was an entry-level skill for Shangguan Xi. He knew his own daughter's temper. "Think about it, even if you really marry into the palace now, you'll only be a concubine. If you marry into the royal family, it will not only bring honor to your family, but also benefit the country and the people. You will be recorded in history in the future."
“…”
Seeing that she had stopped talking back, Shangguan Xi's expression softened, and he continued to persuade her, "I once met Haodu Khan before he became Khan. He was definitely as handsome as Wang Yanzhou. Since he took the initiative to ask for the marriage, he certainly wouldn't dare to treat you unfairly."
His words forced Shangguan Bing'er to seriously consider her future. Should she be a concubine, perhaps forever unloved and without a title, in the mansion of a handsome prince, a thorn in the emperor's side, yet aloof from worldly desires and unconcerned with imperial power? Or should she accept the princess's offer and become the legitimate consort of a regional hegemon...
Shangguan Xi raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "Think about it carefully. Your father is going to the palace to discuss the marriage with His Majesty."
...The news of the upcoming marriage between Daliang and Beimo also spread to this sparsely populated deep mountain forest.
"Master, there is news from the palace."
"read."
After Yao Chen finished reading the court reports and the secret reports from the palace, Wang Ruo was surprised and focused on a strange point: "Haodu Khan? That kid has become Khan? Not bad, not bad."
Although Yao Chen had been with Wang Ruo for many years, he knew very little about her. "Master, have you ever been friends with the Khan?"
Wang Ruo said as she sorted the books on the shelf, "We're not close friends, but we've met a few times when I was traveling with your master."
After that, Wang Ruo happened to read Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and suddenly remembered a line: "If one keeps constant virtue, one will return to the state of an infant." He casually asked, "By the way, Xihe told me that you were asking her to refine the elixir of immortality?"
Yao Chen glanced aside and knelt down hurriedly: "...Master, please calm down!"
Wang Ruo signaled him not to perform the grand ceremony and said, "Immortality is nothing but illusion, and Peng Zu is merely a fictional figure. Think of Xu Fu's search for the secret of immortality overseas, only to find himself lost in the vast ocean. Xihe was born different from others, and although she retains eternal youth, her lifespan is not much longer than that of ordinary people. So, put aside your bold idea."
Yao Chen knew all these things, but since he could achieve the same level as Xihe, who could guarantee that immortality would not come true one day? "Then, Master, what about you? Don't you want to be immortal?"
Wang Ruo suddenly laughed upon hearing this. "What's the fun of living forever? Is it watching the people you care about die one after another in front of you, defeated by fate, and then suffering eternal loneliness? Or is it to be treated like a monster by future generations?"
Although she wasn't immortal, she had witnessed countless joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, and the tragedies of life and death over the years. She was still only middle-aged, and although she hated to admit it, she had already experienced so much in just a few short decades. If she were immortal, she would probably end her life before the end of time.
Yao Chen disagreed with Wang Ruo's statement: "What's wrong with living forever in heaven and earth and enjoying eternal glory? If you are immortal, you can regain what you have lost."
Wang Ruo sighed softly. She wasn't as good at debate and public speaking as Wang Zhen. Just as she was thinking about how to get him back on track, the book in her hand gave her a brilliant idea: "Silly child, as you said, immortality does exist. However, with your current abilities, you simply can't achieve it."
Yao Chen suddenly became excited. He knew that Wang Ruo was no ordinary person. "Master, please teach me!"
After Wang Ruo stuffed the book in her hand into his arms, she spread her arms and said, "In this study, there is the place of immortality. Take your time to search."
Yao Chen held the book, looking at Wang Ruo's back with a puzzled look on his face. Wang Ruo stopped, turned around and smiled: "Don't worry, I'm not teasing you this time."
A day passed, and Yao Chen stayed in the study, reading books non-stop, as if possessed. The master stood outside the study and whispered, "Master, this is not a good thing for you."
Wang Ruo couldn't help but smile at Yao Chen's serious study. "What's wrong with that? Besides, I really didn't lie to him. Although this child has a violent temper, it was also shaped by the outside world. He has a good nature and is very intelligent. If he can truly understand the 'way to immortality', it will put an end to my worries."
It was indeed good to read seriously, but it was too boring to do so. No matter how high one's enthusiasm was, it would eventually be completely worn out. She had to think of a way: "Go, call Xihe."
The gentleman was puzzled for a moment: "Huh?"
Wang Ruo said, "Just go and call her. Don't tell her what to do. Just ask her to come here."
After Xihe was called to the study door by the teacher, she looked around but could not see Wang Ruo. After waiting for a long time, Xihe felt a little tired, but she did not dare to leave. So she pushed open the stone door and wanted to go inside the study. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Yaochen reading a book with great interest.
"What are you doing?"
Yao Chen looked up and saw the sea of stars in Xihe's eyes. He hadn't thought of paying attention to her, but after seeing her, he felt a little embarrassed not to reply. After a dry cough, Yao Chen said, "Read a book."
Upon hearing this, Xihe sat down next to Yaochen and stretched her neck to see what was written on the paper. But to her disappointment, although she had read many medical books, they were all passed down orally. She seemed unable to understand the mysterious symbols on the paper.
"......" Yao Chen sighed slightly, and as he read, he unconsciously read out the contents of the book.
Yao Chen recited word for word, while Xihe listened attentively while observing the mysterious characters. Outside the study, Wang Ruo nodded in satisfaction and instructed, "Have the kitchen prepare some candied pears and send them over. When they return to rest, light a few more lamps in the study."
"yes."
After that, Wang Ruo returned to her room, changed her clothes, put on her veil, took some money, and hummed a little tune as she headed for the cave entrance. The master had noticed early on that she seemed to be about to leave, so he pretended to meet her by chance at the cave entrance.
"Master, are you going out?"
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