Chapter 478: Greets the Master

Only I and my imperial older brother know.

Back then, my imperial older brother and I played together; I accidentally fell into this secret passage, my imperial older brother almost got beaten to death by father the emperor, and from that time on I was poisoned with a deadly toxin, nearly losing my life.

Then I had a master who nurtured my meridians and taught me cultivation methods.

What I have been cultivating is not inner strength, but the Zhongzhou cultivation method my master taught me.

Ning Chengyan, in front of Jiang Yunchu, wanted no secrecy; she was his Young Princess Consort, the person closest to him.

He secretly went to see his mother consort; she did not want to return to the Wang Fu, nor did she want to deal with worldly turmoil.

Actually, the mother consort had always been watching the children, watching them stay safe, watching them change day by day, and she finally felt relieved.

She began accompanying the father emperor; she did not wish to be buried with him, but wanted to spend more time with him while alive.

Master?

Jiang Yunchu suddenly realized that she seemed to have forgotten someone all along.

Your master, is that Ze?

She spoke tentatively; seeing Ning Chengyan raise his eyebrows, she knew she had said it correctly.

Yes, it's him.

Ning Chengyan thought it was introduced by the imperial older brother.

The voice was introduced softly; just looking at Jiang Yunchu's expression, there was something odd.

What's wrong?

He is my master and also the benefactor who let me survive, but more than twenty years ago he disappeared.

He abandoned his wife and disappeared.

No one knows where he went, and no one knows his whereabouts.

His mind is not sound; he was deceived and trapped himself.

Later I saved him, and he stayed at the Wang Fu, in that bamboo grove behind.

He said, that was where he used to live.

Seeing he had no ill intentions, I also did not drive him away.

Jiang Yunchu frowned slightly, then looked at Ning Chengyan with some doubt, "I don't know why, whenever the imperial uncle and Jiang Second Uncle mention him, their expressions become strange."

The last time she brought it up, both of their expressions were not good, so she didn't continue.

Ning Chengyan's mouth twitched involuntarily; every time he heard his Young Princess Consort call the imperial older brother uncle, he couldn't help wanting to correct it.

How should this generation be discussed?

"It should be strange." Ning Chengyan probably knows the reason, but some things need confirmation.

He must see the master first to know what's going on.

Jiang Yunchu raised her eyebrows, looked at Ning Chengyan, "Do you know what's going on?"

Ning Chengyan looked at her, then rubbed her soft hair, covering her lively eyes; every time he saw those eyes, he wanted to surrender unconditionally.

I know a little.

"But I need to confirm some things with the master, Yun chu; after I finish confirming, I'll tell you everything, okay?"

He didn't release her eyes, the corner of his mouth bearing a smile, his tone gentle, as if coaxing.

Jiang Yunchu pushed his hand away, wrinkled her nose, "Got it."

The imperial uncle said so, and the second uncle said so.

Now even Ning Chengyan says so; it seems something really happened back then, but what exactly was it?

She thought it over, finally still rubbed her brow, forgetting it; waiting for the result is also fine.

When the two returned to the Wang Fu, Zi Su had been guarding the gate.

"Prince, Princess Consort, you're back." Zi Su looked behind, then closed the gate of the Rhyme Courtyard.

Jiang Yunchu wrote a prescription, then handed it to Zi Su, "Let the manor's doctor go fetch the medicine; we have supplies in the manor, best to use what's in the manor."

If the manor doesn't have it, go to different pharmacies to fetch the medicine.

Although the imperial uncle's poison has been cleared, after years of poisoning his body is already depleted; now he needs not only detoxification but also nourishment.

Moreover, a body that cannot tolerate tonics needs gradual regulation.

Jiang Yunchu pondered for a long time before writing this prescription.

Yes.

"Over at the small kitchen, not wanting to disturb the cook, the servant has simmered some porridge; Prince and Princess Consort, please have some warm porridge first."

She knew that the two had gone out incognito, surely on business.

Not wanting everyone to know, she herself made some food to fill the two's stomachs.

"Good, my Zi Su is still thoughtful." Jiang Yunchu smiled; Zi Su helplessly shook her head, whenever the master doesn't want to say anything, they just muddle through like that.

But what can I do?

Our master, our darling.

Ning Chengyan also smiled lightly, "I'll go see the master first; you eat well, then rest."

After that, we'll need to plan further.

Ning Chengyan collected his thoughts, brought two jars of fine pear blossom liquor, one hand holding a catty of beef, then step by step walked to the small courtyard behind the manor.

The small courtyard remained as usual, the Jade Bamboo standing tall; whether spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the Jade Bamboo never turned yellow or withered.

Disciple Ning Chengyan greets the master.

His voice carried a hint of regret; the last time he shouted like that, he was still a child, while the master stood aloof and upright in white robes, his whole person exuding a warm, jade-like aura.

In a flash, many years have passed.

Inside the courtyard, no one spoke, but the small gate outside the courtyard swung open on its own.

Ning Chengyan walked in from outside; the bamboo forest was secluded, with a few bird songs, a winding path opening in the middle of the bamboo forest, and after passing through it, the view suddenly opened up.

That person, unseen for over twenty years, still wore a white robe, his bearing carrying a hint of the lofty mountains and flowing water.

Only his black hair, at some point, had turned snow‑white, and his eyes were bound by a white cloth strip, tied in a knot at the back of his head.

It was hard to tell whether the whiteness came from the cloth strip or from three thousand strands of white hair.

"Disciple Ning Chengyan pays respects to his master."

Ning Chengyan knelt on the ground, looking at the man before him; after many years apart, his aura seemed to carry a hint of decadence, as well as a sense of desolation.

Jiang Zeyang held a cup of clear tea in his hand, his voice slightly hoarse, "Zhugan, you've come back."

That familiar address—after so many years, the one who called him that finally appeared.

"Master." Ning Chengyan raised his head to look at the person before him.

His whole being was like a dry well, without any ripple.

It seemed that nothing that happened could affect him.

"Mm, get up." Jiang Zexian gave a light smile, his lips, slightly pallid, now slightly upturned.

That arc…

Ning Chengyan's eyes darkened.

"Master, I brought the finest pear‑blossom liquor and some beef."

These were the things they liked most when a few people gathered together.

But now everything has changed; the setting remains but the people are gone.