194: Chapter 194 Am I getting old?

"The Heir is noble and righteous; the Academy will naturally keep this in mind."

Su Jianqing elegantly picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and then got straight to the point.

"However, Feiyu is, after all, an unmarried young lady."

"Staying in the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion every day is improper and lacks justification."

"If word gets out, it would be bad for the reputation of both the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion and the Academy."

Su Jianqing set down her teacup and continued, "So, I've come today intending to take Feiyu back to the Academy."

"Ah? Master, I have to go back?"

Hearing this, Jiang Feiyu immediately pouted reluctantly.

The food in the Marquis Mansion was so delicious, and she could comfortably have Chen Shanzhi heal her wounds every day.

Furthermore, she could eat things she hadn't even known were edible before.

Chen Shanzhi even said that when there was a chance in the future, he would let her eat fire-roasted stone sausage.

Though Jiang Feiyu didn't know what it was, it sounded delicious.

That's why she didn't want to go back to the Academy to eat those bland meals!

"Nonsense!"

Su Jianqing gave her disciple a rare glare, then turned to look at Chen Shanzhi.

"Heir, rest assured. Feiyu's injuries have not yet fully healed."

"From now on, I will personally bring her here every day to continue her treatment."

Chen Shanzhi was slightly stunned as he listened to these words.

This woman... there's more to her words than meets the eye!

What bad reputation?

This was clearly Su Jianqing sensing the change in Jiang Feiyu's attitude toward him.

She was afraid her silly disciple would fall for his charms!

She was drawing a line in the sand between him and Jiang Feiyu!

"Since Palace Master Su has said so, I naturally have no objection."

Chen Shanzhi smiled magnanimously, with no intention of trying to make her stay.

Anyway, as long as treatment was still needed, the meat was still in the pot; what did it matter when he ate it?

There was no need to get on this big shot's bad side right now.

The two of them exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Su Jianqing, being a woman of action, stood up and decisively stated she was taking her disciple and leaving.

Chen Shanzhi and Chen Rou escorted the three of them all the way to the main gate of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.

Outside, the carriage from Four Seas Academy was already waiting there in complete silence.

Su Jianqing had Jiang Feiyu and Yaya board the carriage first, while she herself turned around gracefully.

"Heir."

Su Jianqing looked at Chen Shanzhi, and with a light flick of her slender, jade-like fingers within her wide sleeves...

*Swish!*

A palm-sized piece of ordinary-looking, yellowed Xuan paper shot towards Chen Shanzhi's face like a sharp bolt of lightning!

Chen Shanzhi's eyes narrowed, and the True Essence from his Xuan Guan Ten Apertures instinctively gathered in his palm, allowing him to catch the paper firmly between two fingers.

"I cannot let the Heir exert effort for Feiyu's injuries for nothing."

"Consider this a token of my gratitude."

Su Jianqing gave Chen Shanzhi a meaningful look, then decisively turned and boarded the carriage.

The carriage smoothly drove away from the Marquis Mansion.

Standing on the steps, Chen Shanzhi looked down curiously at the Xuan paper in his hand.

The paper was very ordinary, but in the center, written with sharp, vigorous strokes, was an ancient seal script character: "Guard!"

The moment Chen Shanzhi's fingers actually touched the character "Guard"...

A faint yet vast ripple of Divine Soul energy quickly traveled from his fingertips into his mind.

"Holy crap!"

Chen Shanzhi immediately realized the purpose of this paper and couldn't help but swear.

This thing... was a Life Fire Talisman Treasure!

The "Guard" character on this paper had been personally written by the big shot Su Jianqing using her Origin Life Fire and Divine Soul power!

With just a simple infusion of a sliver of True Essence to activate it...

This paper could instantly form an incredibly powerful protective shield that would last for a full fifteen minutes!

Within those fifteen minutes, this shield could easily withstand any attack from a Martial Artist at the Tongxuan Realm or below!

As for those above the Tongxuan Realm, the shield could even withstand a single strike from them!

A brilliant smile uncontrollably blossomed on Chen Shanzhi's handsome face.

I'm rich!

This was practically a precious life-saving divine item!

Although it could only be used once, its rarity and value were not at all inferior to those rare Earth Rank defensive Treasure Artifacts!

In this dangerous world, defensive artifacts were already extremely rare.

And Martial Artists capable of condensing their own Life Fire into defensive objects were even rarer!

Most high-level Martial Artists, even if they doted on their juniors, could only do what Murong Yun's father did.

Leave behind a trace of Divine Soul power for attacking.

Only those who condensed special Life Fire or Martial Artists like Su Jianqing who entered the Dao through literature could possibly use Life Fire to create such defensive talisman treasures.

"As expected of the Academy's Palace Master; I love this thing."

Chen Shanzhi carefully folded the paper like a treasure and quickly tucked it into the space within his Academy Waist Token.

With this thing, if he encountered danger like he did back in Shi Village, he would have the power to protect himself.

After putting it away, Chen Shanzhi stretched comfortably and turned to look at Chen Rou.

"Auntie."

Chen Shanzhi naturally flicked his sleeves, a signature playboy-like smirk appearing on his face.

"Working at the Jiantian Division lately, my bones are practically rusting."

"It's been a while since I went to Yihong Pavilion to listen to music. I won't be dining at the mansion tonight."

Chen Rou smiled gently and naturally reached out to straighten his collar.

"Go on, go on. You young people just can't stay still."

Chen Rou's voice was tender, filled with deep affection. "Be careful out there, and come back early. I'll tell the kitchen to leave the door open and stew some nourishing soup for you."

"Auntie, what are you thinking? I'm just going to listen to some music!"

Chen Shanzhi waved his hand and nimbly climbed into his carriage.

Coachman Zhao Da gave his whip a loud crack, and the carriage smoothly set off toward Yihong Pavilion.

Before the tall threshold of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion, Chen Rou stood quietly.

Her gentle eyes watched the retreating back of the carriage in silence.

The cool midsummer evening breeze gently ruffled her skirt.

Until the carriage completely disappeared around the corner of the street.

The feigned gentle smile in Chen Rou's eyes slowly faded, replaced by a hidden trace of sorrow.

She slowly raised her hand, her slender, white fingers insecurely touching her exquisite face, where even time seemed reluctant to leave a mark.

Her gaze subconsciously swept past her proud bust and her plump, mature, and graceful figure.

She bit her full red lip. "Am I... really getting old? Am I no longer attractive?"

Chen Rou's voice was faint, carrying a hint of loneliness.

"Why would Shan'er... rather run off to that worldly Yihong Pavilion..."

"...than stay in the Marquis Mansion... and spend more time with me?"

"After all, it wasn't easy for it to finally be just the two of us in this mansion."