Go and capture those thirty-six fierce villains.

The woman moved with a light step, had a slender figure, and fair, translucent skin. Her captivating appearance featured a high, straight nose and eyes that, while undeniably alluring, possessed an extremely cold and aloof quality. Combined with her thin lips, she gave off an aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Greetings, Princess."

As the woman dressed as a Taoist priest approached, the two physicians bowed slightly.

"This door enthusiast is the young princess..." Qin Ning was surprised and followed suit, bowing respectfully.

However, after gesturing to the two physicians, he snorted coldly at Qin Ning, walked past him, and went straight into the study.

Oh?!

Qin Ning didn't understand why the other party was behaving this way. He had only met him twice and hadn't spoken to him.

The little princess's actions just now were tantamount to publicly declaring, "I don't like you."

As he entered the study, the two physicians looked at him curiously. One of them asked, "Qin Xingzhen, have you offended the young princess?"

"I've only been in the manor for one night. This morning, I did make eye contact with this young princess from a distance across the railing in the library, but I didn't know her identity at the time and didn't bow. I don't think that counts as offending her."

Qin Ning responded in a low voice.

The deputy physician, with a long beard on his chest, said, "That's strange. Although the young princess is usually aloof, she is not harsh on people. Why was she so obviously targeting me just now?"

Inside the study.

Li Qingyan, who had just woken up, looked up and asked in surprise, "Luo Luo? What brings you here to see me today?"

The princess's nickname was Luo Luo, and her formal name was Li Luoyang.

"Brother Wang, is that unfamiliar face outside the door the doctor that Auntie found for you among the common people?" The young princess did not answer Li Qingyan's question, but instead walked to the chair next to the desk and sat down, asking in a low voice.

"That's right, what's wrong?" The prince picked up his pen, his attention returning to the official documents.

"Replace him. I'll explain to the concubine."

Li Luoyang waved her hand, signaling the tea-pouring maid to leave.

The prince stopped writing again, his gaze questioning: "Are you afraid that the Prince Su's residence is too peaceful? What did Qin Xingzhen do to offend you?"

"I didn't offend him, but I saw him briefly in the library this morning." The young princess said, her expression slightly disdainful. "He's quite good-looking, and he went to the library on his second day in the manor. He's quite diligent and studious, but as a doctor, he didn't read medical books. Instead, he was holding a book on Tantric Buddhism... Such a person is too unreliable. I don't trust him to treat you."

Li Qingyan couldn't help but laugh.

"He's a doctor, not a saint... Even a Confucian saint like myself isn't perfect. Luo Luo, you..." The prince wanted to lecture his sister on the principles of employing and managing people, but based on past experience, he quickly stopped and shifted the blame, saying, "His status as a retainer was appointed by Father. If you want to kick him out of the manor, go find Father."

"Brother, you know perfectly well that Father gets a headache whenever he sees me!"

Li Luoyang revealed an expression rarely seen in front of outsiders, pouting and speaking with dissatisfaction.

Because of her fascination with the now-extinct Taoist cultivation path, she has argued with Prince Su countless times over the years. Even now, this young princess is under house arrest and cannot leave the palace.

"That's none of my business. Okay, let's get down to business. What are you here for? I'm not awake much each day, and I have a lot of official documents to process."

"Ahem..." The young princess rose and walked to the desk, her tone slightly pleading: "Brother, could you please not ask Father to lift my confinement? There's an auction at [Wanwu] recently, and I'd like to..."

Li Qingyan interrupted, "I don't have that kind of ability. Besides, Luo Luo, you'd better stay away from these illegal underground organizations..."

He wanted to say something harsh, but seeing his younger sister's expression, he sighed helplessly: "Just focus on your path of Yin and Yang, and cultivate to the fifth rank as soon as possible. Then even if your father wanted to confine you, he wouldn't be able to."

"Promotion to the fifth rank isn't so easy. The auction starts in three days, and it's said that this time... there are talismans left behind by Taoists from decades ago appearing!"

When the young princess talked about Taoism, she seemed like a different person. The coldness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by excitement and longing.

"..."

Looking at his younger sister's expression, Li Qingyan felt a headache coming on. He should never have let Qin Ning administer acupuncture.

If I were asleep now, none of these troubles would exist.

......

He didn't pay too much attention to the young princess's attitude.

After finishing her work for the day, Qin Ning returned to Qunying Academy.

Just like last night, the huge courtyard was empty except for the servants' huts.

Only in his room was there a candlelight shining through the attic window.

Before we even reached the door, the wooden door was opened, and a fragrant aroma of food wafted out.

Along with it came a little black cat wagging its tail and meowing.

"It smells so good. Did you bring back food from the dining hall?" Qin Ning sniffed, and the cat climbed up her lap and landed lightly on its special seat on her shoulder.

Meow~

Pushing open the door, he saw eight plates neatly arranged on the round pear wood table.

Steamed chicken, five-flavor duck, sweet and sour fish, braised pork.

In addition, there was one cold dish, one hot dish, a plate of sweet and oily snacks, and a plate of fresh fruits.

"So lavish?"

Qin Ning looked up and scratched the raccoon's chin, and the raccoon purred, looking quite proud.

As he approached, he subconsciously swallowed, but a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

These dishes are so exquisite... He had never seen them in the dining hall before.

"Your food is from a legitimate source, isn't it...?" Qin Ning asked with some unease, given the little black cat Tu Ma's "past record".

"Meow!"

Leaping into the air onto the table, a sharp claw popped out from the cat's paw pads and lightly traced the character "一" (one).

Only then did Qin Ning dare to sit down and eat with peace of mind.

Although the little black cat sometimes does some surprising things and gets stressed when it comes to studying, it is impeccable when it comes to honesty.

After the human and cat had a hearty meal and used pig bristle toothbrushes to clean the food residue from their mouths, they, as usual, staged a "battle" about learning.

Only then did they get into bed and sleep with their feet touching.

......

The next morning, as dawn broke.

The rain from yesterday has stopped, but the chill in the air has only intensified.

Qin Ning, dressed in thick robes meant for retainers, tucked the cat into his bosom and hurried toward the residence of the concubine.

Perhaps because he arrived early enough, he was not summoned by the beautiful woman this time, but was led directly to her private treasury by her personal maid.

"The books in the library are at the innermost part. When you are doing needlework, remember to follow my footsteps closely and do not wander off on your own. Otherwise, you may trigger the Mo family's mechanisms and lose your life." In front of a wide wall, the personal maid gently instructed, taking out a small seal from her sleeve and pressing it lightly on the gap in the middle of the wall.

Kaka-

The sound of gears turning filled the air, a sound that made one's teeth ache.

After seven or eight breaths, a path wide enough for two people to pass side by side appeared in the thick wall. It wasn't dark inside; an unknown light source on the wall illuminated the path beneath their feet.

Qin Ning followed her personal maid, proceeding cautiously until they reached the innermost part of the place.

Looking around, the place is not large, at most a quarter the size of the third floor of the Prince's Palace Library.

However, there were nine books on the shelf, but they were much smaller.

"These two bookshelves contain medical books and martial arts manuals. You can take your time to choose them. Just call me when you've made your selection." The personal maid pointed to the two middle rows and then slowly left the room.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Ning first went to the bookshelf where medical books were displayed, picked up one at random, and quickly flipped through it.

As expected, without a corresponding cultivation system for the flow of Qi, this thing is no different from a piece of waste paper to me.

Although it was expected, Qin Ning could not help but feel disappointed.

He put down the medical book, walked to the bookshelf where the martial arts manual was located, and after flipping through a few books, he found that the situation was the same, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

So, does that mean [Greed] can only improve my physical attributes? Is this the path of playing a martial artist that I can't take?

Qin Ning was not giving up and picked up the martial arts manuals on the bookshelf to look through them one by one.

As he flipped to the last row and the last book, the resentment on his face lessened, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

"External martial arts?"