MTLNOVEL Chapter 229: Qian Daoliu likes to joke
"Sigh~"
Paimon glanced curiously at the two and asked, "Zhongli, Qinghe, what kind of riddles are you playing at again?"
"What abdication? What unification?"
Even with her mouth full of food, Paimon's chatter was unstoppable.
It was precisely these words that brought Zhongli back to his senses.
"Paimon," Qian Renxue said with a gentle smile, "the Guest Elder and I were discussing how wonderful it would be if everyone could eat like you."
Her tone carried no impatience.
During her time spent with Paimon, Qian Renxue had grown quite fond of the little creature.
"Let everyone be like me…"
Paimon looked at the food in her hands, then at the dishes on the table. Her mind drifted to the bowl of porridge she had seen at Wang Chen's home.
"That sounds… really difficult, doesn't it?"
"I mean, Zhongli and I have seen people whose entire meal is just water... for days on end," she said softly, her brows furrowed.
"Precisely because it's difficult, we need to plan carefully," Qian Renxue replied.
"Oh~"
Paimon nodded thoughtfully.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was just here feasting, unable to help in any meaningful way. Those people…
What? Guilt?
This isn't Paimon's fault! It's not like she stole anyone's food—this was all earned by Zhongli's thick-skinned charm!
She felt no guilt whatsoever!
Once Paimon quieted down, Zhongli and Qian Renxue resumed their discussion for a while before eventually stopping.
It was still too early to dwell on such matters.
Even Qian Renxue had learned patience this time around.
Her ascension as the Angel God was practically assured.
This time, she wouldn't let Qian Daoliu sacrifice himself.
Once she became the Angel God, she would outlast Emperor Xue Ye no matter what.
After all, Xue Ye only had another ten or twenty years left to live.
Compared to the timeline in her dreams, the delay was at most ten years.
She had endured for so long already; a few more years wouldn't make a difference.
This time, she wouldn't listen to Bibi Dong's mad schemes.
That woman wasn't worth it.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Qian Renxue's mind, and her face turned slightly red. After composing herself, she spoke up, "Guest Elder, if we make it to Spirit City…"
"My… my grandfather might chat with you casually about some things. Whatever he says, please don't take it seriously."
"He… he's just someone who likes to joke around…"
Hearing this, Zhongli was momentarily taken aback, a hint of confusion crossing his face.
If he recalled correctly, Qian Daoliu was a man of absolute authority, his word as solid as stone.
Moreover, his character was impeccable.
By no means did he seem like someone who enjoyed joking.
Zhongli gave Qian Renxue a thoughtful glance and nodded slightly but said nothing more.
Seeing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Qian Renxue's eyes.
A joke?
Perhaps calling it a joke was the best explanation…
Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan:
"Let me out!"
"Dad, Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa!"
"Let Rongrong out! The competition isn't over yet, and I need to assist everyone in winning the championship…"
Inside a luxurious bedroom, Ning Rongrong's voice was hoarse from shouting.
"Sigh~ Miss's condition has worsened again."
"Yeah, who knows what kind of nonsense Shrek fed her…"
Two core members of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan whispered among themselves.
They were tasked with guarding Ning Rongrong and delivering her meals on time. Whether she ate or not wasn't their concern.
As the clan master, Ning Fengzhi, had said, "If she gets hungry, she'll eat."
Given those words, it was clear enough what kind of state Ning Rongrong was in.
The eldest young lady would remain nothing more than just that—an eldest young lady.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong approached from a distance. Both of their expressions were grim.
To be honest, Ning Fengzhi was beginning to regret his decisions.
The first time he brought Ning Rongrong back, he had allowed her to "secretly" attend Shrek Academy.
"Did she eat today?"
His voice was devoid of emotion as he asked.
Hearing this, the two disciples standing guard shivered. They had been gossiping just moments ago…
Hopefully, the sect master and the elder hadn't overheard them.
"Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Bone Elder!"
"Miss had lunch today," they replied hastily.
Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with Gu Rong but said nothing further.
Standing outside Ning Rongrong's door, they listened to her maddening, piercing screams. For a long time, the two remained silent, ultimately choosing not to enter.
"There's extra food today."
Leaving behind this cryptic statement, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong turned and left decisively, as if having resolved something.
"???"
The two guards froze, momentarily puzzled.
Extra food today? What did that mean?
"Hiss—"
Realizing the implications, the two gasped audibly.
"Does that mean we're delivering food to Miss twice a day now?"
"Maybe just once?"
"Peasants only eat one meal a day, right?"
"True, it shouldn't be too much or too good."
They exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
As core members of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, they weren't foolish.
Even locked up, the eldest young lady had this much "fight" in her. Clearly, she hadn't truly suffered at all.
If the sect master was serious about teaching her hardship, well, this was truly… great—cough, they meant concerning, of course… hahaha…
Ning Rongrong had often played pranks on them before, thinking it was amusing. For them, however, it had been a waking nightmare.
When delivering food, they had never dared to slack off, much less retaliate in any way.
Even the slightest mistake could reach Ning Fengzhi's or the elders' ears.
The next day, Ning Rongrong stared blankly at the food in front of her, utterly stunned.
Was the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan poorer than Shrek Academy during their days in Soto City?
"Apologies, Miss. We sympathize with your situation, but this was the sect master's order."
"Yes, Miss, just think of this as an experience of peasant life…"
"This meal cost me ten copper soul coins from a real peasant's home. Please make do."
Their synchronized banter left Ning Rongrong's face dark with frustration.
She was the young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan! Even if she didn't know why she was confined, how dare these servants feed her such things?
And they even intentionally spent ten copper soul coins to buy it?
"If Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa find out you dogs dared to treat me this way, they'll kill you all!" Ning Rongrong screamed hysterically.
Hearing this, the two women's expressions changed.
"Well, well, well!"
"So this is what you think of us!"
"Ning Rongrong, I am also a Ning!"
"My martial spirit is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
"The only difference is that my innate soul power isn't as high as yours, so I don't get your special treatment."
"We were never your servants. I can't believe you've taken our patience as a license to trample all over us!"
Pranks in the past were one thing, but calling them such degrading names?
They were core clan members, for goodness' sake!
"Who do you think you are? You're nothing but trash!" Ning Rongrong retorted, her face full of disdain.
"In this entire sect, only I, Ning Rongrong, meet the Shrek Academy's standard for monsters!"
"You're all just worthless!"