Chapter Ninety-Five: The Whispering Ring

Although Yun Ting had played a small prank on him regarding the room arrangements, Luo Changning didn’t mind at all. Especially since Yun Ting had given him a treasure far superior to the sound-transmitting insect—a transmission ring made of obsidian. Worn on the index finger, the ring remained invisible when not in use and would only appear when needed.

Once he had it in hand, he quickly tested its effect and indeed succeeded in communicating with Ma Xue’e. At that moment, Ma Xue’e was sitting idly in the courtyard, eating pastries made by Chen Lin alongside the big clumsy bear. Suddenly, she heard Luo Changning’s voice and initially thought she was hallucinating.

Only when Luo Changning called her “Sister Xue’e” for the third time did she leap up in excitement, eagerly scanning the courtyard entrance, but no matter where she looked, Luo Changning’s figure was nowhere to be seen. Her little head drooped immediately, looking even more listless than before.

Whispering softly, she said, “I knew it was just a hallucination. Brother Changning has already gone to Miao South Road—how could he appear here in the Su family courtyard? Maybe I just miss him too much.”

Luo Changning was pleased by her words, chuckling softly, “Heh, Sister Xue’e, this is not a hallucination. I haven’t returned to An South Road either. I’m just using a magical artifact that allows us to hear each other’s voices from such a distance.”

Hearing Luo Changning’s words, Ma Xue’e instantly revived, her face brimming with joy. She stretched out her small hand and vigorously tousled the big clumsy bear’s fur.

She exclaimed excitedly, “This is wonderful! Now I can often hear Brother Changning’s voice! Brother Changning, do you know? Xue’e really misses you so much…”

The big clumsy bear thought to itself: Why is it always me who gets hurt? It had lost count of how many times Ma Xue’e had ravaged its fur! After all, Chen Lin treated it the best—not only making delicious food but also giving it affectionate head pats!

Luo Changning laughed even more indulgently. “Yes, I know the little girl misses me and secretly wipes away tears. That’s why I’m the first one to talk to you.”

“I... I knew Brother Changning was the best to me!” Ma Xue’e replied, comforted.

After soothing Ma Xue’e, Luo Changning went to look for Xiang Yinglong to chat, only to be told by his good brother, “I’m busy training now. Come find me after half an hour.”

Luo Changning was speechless. Finally, he checked in with Chen Lin and learned that nearly a hundred promising street urchins were diligently studying with the literacy teacher and martial arts instructor in the residence.

Knowing that Chen Lin was managing the tasks well, Luo Changning felt reassured and settled comfortably into the “exquisite” palace that Yun Ting had meticulously prepared for him. However, his old bedding barely covered a third of the large bed, so he reluctantly had to use unfamiliar new bedding without the comforting scent he was used to.

Of course, the pillow remained the same—the one Su Qinqin had once made for him by hand.

Su Qinqin had always been impetuous and had never done needlework before. After much thought, she decided to make a small pillow for her unborn child—simple and convenient. The finished product was still tragically unrefined, with crooked stitches and no pattern at all.

Yet Luo Changning had used that pillow for twelve years straight. When the stitching once came undone, Su Meng had sewn it back together.

Waking up in high spirits, Luo Changning meditated on the bed for nearly half an hour before washing up and dressing. If only he knew that at the welcoming banquet Yun Ting had prepared for him, he would encounter the woman he despised and hated most in his life—would he still be able to remain so cheerful?