Chapter 41: Strange Stones

Lily shrugged, her expression one of utter bewilderment. "I don't know either! I’ve just been practicing according to the cultivation manual you bought for me!"

"You freak, you are seriously a freak!" Zhao Erdong considered herself a quick learner, a talent in her own right, but compared to Lily, there was clearly a gap. This girl was simply bizarre.

She had seen the manual Lily was practicing from; it was a common introductory text for martial arts, certainly nothing exceptional.

"Miss, I often hear you say 'damn.' What does that mean?" Lily blinked her bright, limpid eyes, looking at Zhao Erdong earnestly. She had noticed that ever since her mistress had nearly drowned, she had become a completely different person, frequently using words that Lily couldn't understand. While this change was positive, she still wanted to know what had truly happened to her.

Zhao Erdong raised an eyebrow, her red lips curving into a playful, enigmatic smile. "You’d better not ask. I don't think you want to know."

...

The Imperial Capital boasted eighteen streets, each one bustling and prosperous.

The most famous stretch in the city was the street of food stalls. There were no luxurious restaurants here, nor the sycophants who loved to look down on the lowly. Every stall was packed with commoners in simple clothes, their faces glowing with the satisfaction of a delighted palate.

Bringing together flavors from all corners of the Great Yue Kingdom, the aroma wafted across several streets, drawing in countless diners—including Zhao Erdong and her maid.

"Damn! This tastes incredible. What on earth is it made of?" Zhao Erdong held her ceramic bowl, gulping down the last drop of broth. She wiped her mouth without a shred of decorum, her usual air of nobility vanishing entirely, transforming her into an innocent, carefree girl next door.

Lily set down her own bowl and took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of Zhao Erdong's mouth, laughing in spite of herself. "I must say, Miss, you eat like a starving ghost. Has Lily ever deprived you of food?" Compared to the aloof, noble persona she maintained in public, Lily preferred her mistress like this—hearty, joyful, and unpretentiously free. She was stunning.

"This is Python Snake Soup. These snakes feed on fresh prey and live atop the cold mountains, wandering through ice and snow year-round. The meat is cool, smooth, and tender, emitting a faint, savory fragrance. It’s so delicious that it needs no seasoning at all." Lily didn't seem to be a first-timer here; she appeared quite knowledgeable about the dish.

Zhao Erdong smacked her lips and waved at the busy owner. "Boss, one more bowl!"

Across the street, inside the Plum Wine House, a man dressed in fine silk robes stared at Zhao Erdong without blinking, his peach-blossom eyes—full of charm—shimmering with intensity.

"Is it her?" Yue Wuqing watched Zhao Erdong from afar, his expression inscrutable. At the Zhao estate, she was calm, composed, and unreadable. At the Immortal Guest Inn, she was noble, cold, and imposing. Today, she was casual, pretty, and spirited. Which one was the real her?

"Imperial Treasure Appraiser, First Rank! Once hired, enjoy a lifetime of honor! Applications close today!" A loud, resonant voice drew nearer. The man was dressed in the purple-red uniform of the Imperial Guard, equipped with a long saber, his posture upright as he called out every ten steps.

Behind him, two tall, handsome horses pulled a wooden cart laden with dozens of stone blocks.

Zhao Erdong glanced at the man, then shifted her gaze to the cart, her expression suddenly changing.

"What is it?" Lily followed her gaze, seeing only the stone blocks on the cart. They looked no different from the ones they had previously bought at the spirit stone shop, and she couldn't fathom why her mistress was so agitated.