Emperor Nangong Shenzong's mission was to refine elixirs to save the common people. His elixirs were so powerful that they could cure all diseases.
Miao Gong was skilled in using Gu poison, which could both save and harm people.
For hundreds of years, the two palaces have been united in strength, and no one has dared to disrespect them. In the eyes of the world, they are revered like gods.
Although the Nangong Shenzong and Miaogong belong to different ethnic groups, due to the traditions passed down for hundreds of years, each Nangong Shenzong must marry a Miaogong spirit maiden or spirit child as their partner, and the two palaces have long been as close as family.
Nangong Min was supposed to inherit the position of sect leader a few years ago, and at the same time exchange wedding invitations with Miao Gong. However, he suddenly disappeared on the eve of the inheritance, and his fate remains unknown.
For several years, the two palaces had been searching for Nangong Min without success. Moreover, the Nangong Shenzong could not remain without a leader for long. Under the guidance of the old lady and the elders of the Nangong Shenzong, Nangong Ce was allowed to succeed as the new sect leader of the Nangong Shenzong.
However, when Nangong Ce ascended the throne, Bai Ling'er, the spirit maiden of Miao Palace, refused to exchange wedding invitations with him according to the tradition between the two palaces.
The reason was that Bai Ling'er insisted on waiting for Nangong Min to return, an action that moved the old lady of Nangong Shenzong to tears.
For many years, Bai Ling'er spent half her time living in the Nangong Shenzong residence, accompanying the old lady and waiting for Nangong Min to return.
Those around them looked puzzled: "Since a hundred-year agreement has been made, why is Bai Ling'er unwilling to marry Nangong Ce? Although Nangong Ce is not the son of the former sect leader, he is still the successor of the Nangong Divine Sect. To become the sect leader's wife of the Nangong Divine Sect is such an honor."
The man laughed and said, "You don't know this, but although Nangong Min and Bai Ling'er belong to two different palaces, their families have been on good terms for generations since their ancestors' marriage."
"Nangong Min and Bai Ling'er were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little. They both knew that after they grew up, they would get married and go to the palace together. They saw each other often since childhood, and Bai Ling'er would follow Nangong Min wherever he went. Therefore, how could Bai Ling'er marry someone else?"
Everyone asked, "What does Bai Ling'er look like?"
The man glanced at the person who had asked the question and said.
"Anyone who can become a spirit maiden, needless to say? I heard that Bai Ling'er is as beautiful as a flower bud, and she is also skilled in Gu poison. Most importantly, she is not only deeply loved by the Miao Palace, but also deeply loved by the old lady of the Nangong Shenzong. So the two palaces let Bai Ling'er have her way. If she doesn't want to marry, then she won't marry."
Those around couldn't help but sigh: "Looking at it this way, if the two palaces can't find Nangong Min, then wouldn't Bai Ling'er's best years be wasted in vain? But then again, Bai Ling'er is indeed a person of affection and righteousness."
The group chattered excitedly about the secrets of the Nangong Shenzong and Miao Palace, but they failed to notice the unusual behavior of the two customers sitting at the next table.
Mu Jin sipped her tea and ate her pastry. As she ate, she suddenly found the pastry, which she had just enjoyed, to be tasteless and hard to swallow.
Nangong Min, standing beside her, remained stiff, occasionally glancing at her face. His own face, however, was deathly pale. The pine nuts he had just placed in his hand to peel for Mu Jin had been crushed into powder without him even realizing it.
Mu Jin tossed the pastry she was about to put in her mouth back onto the plate. She suddenly stood up and smiled at Nangong Min.
"I'm full and feeling a bit sleepy. Let's find an inn to rest for a while."
Looking at Mu Jin's expressionless face, Nangong Ming suddenly felt a pang of panic. He said to Mu Jin with difficulty and anxiety, "Ah Jin, let me explain~"
Mu Jin knew that Nangong Min was eager to explain to her, but at this moment she was a little annoyed. She didn't know what she was annoyed about, but at this moment, she didn't want to listen to Nangong Min and Bai Ling'er anymore.
Finally, Mu Jin sighed softly and said, "This isn't the right place to talk about this. Let's find an inn to rest first, and then we'll talk about it later."
Nangong Min's body remained tense for a moment, and upon hearing Mu Jin's words, he could only nod.
Seeing Mu Jin take a step to leave, Nangong Min hurriedly followed, like a child who had done something wrong, afraid that the adults would be angry and abandon him.
Soon, the two found a fine inn in the bustling city and booked two superior guest rooms.
Nangong Min escorted Mu Jin back to her guest room, but Mu Jin stopped him as he was about to enter.
"I'm tired. Let's talk after we've rested." Mu Jin said, and was about to close the door when Nangong Min stopped her.
"Ah Jin~"
Mu Jin leaned against the guest room door, looking at Nangong Min's eyes, which were slightly red from nervousness, and couldn't help but feel a little deflated. He couldn't stand seeing him like that.
Mu Jin lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and finally asked the question that had been on her mind all the way from the teahouse to here.
"So there really is a Miao palace spirit maiden named Bai Ling'er. She is not only your cousin, but also your~."
Mu Jin paused for a moment, then asked, "Fiancée?"
Nangong Min looked at Mu Jin, opened his mouth as if to explain himself, but after a few attempts, he couldn't utter a sound. He didn't know where to begin.
Mu Jin understood: "If you haven't figured out how to say it yet, then tell me after we've both rested."
"I want you to tell me this yourself, rather than having me hear it from someone else, do you understand?"
After Mu Jin finished speaking, she tried to close the door, but no matter how much force she used, the door, which was blocked by Nangong Min, did not budge.
Mu Jin pushed him several more times, but Nangong Min still wouldn't let go.
Mu Jin laughed in exasperation. She was losing her patience and said to Nangong Min, "Let go!"
Although the two words were not spoken heavily, they seemed to carry immense power, causing Nangong Min to lose his strength.
The door slammed shut the moment Nangong Min opened it.
When Mu Jin returned to her room, she saw a large bathtub filled with bathwater and fresh flowers. This was prepared by the innkeeper when Nangong Min first arrived at the inn, as she knew Mu Jin liked to take baths.
Mu Jin decided to put all her thoughts behind her. She quickly stripped off her clothes, stepped into the bathtub, and slowly sat down. Her body relaxed completely, and the comfort made Mu Jin feel a little lightheaded.
Mu Jin kept her eyes tightly closed, as limp as a puddle of mud. But in an instant, she thought of what the people in the teahouse had said, and she opened her eyes again, pondering how Nangong Min would explain things to her tonight.
Is it possible that Nangong Min has been deceiving herself all along? Or is it that she's the powerful one, while Bai Ling'er is the subordinate?
Mu Jin couldn't help but laugh at herself for her wild thoughts, feeling that she was really getting more and more senile, actually thinking about sharing a husband with another person.
This ancient iron tree, which has finally managed to bloom once in a long time, surely won't wither away so quickly.
As Mu Jin thought this, she was so overcome by the steam from the bathwater that she couldn't open her eyes. After a short while, she actually fell asleep.
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