After acquiring the Unsurpassable Martial Arts manual, Ning Shu began to practice diligently, often to the point of neglecting sleep and food. However, with her insatiable appetite, it was impossible to forget about eating; she needed an enormous amount of food each day.
Every time Ning Shu sat down to eat, Yuan Dong would watch with a perplexed expression. The princess would devour her meals until her stomach bulged, yet just four hours later, her stomach would be flat again. It was astonishing every time.
Yuan Dong wanted to urge her not to eat so much, but every time she met Ning Shu's gaze, she felt intimidated, as if all her hidden thoughts were laid bare under a harsh light.
Eventually, Yuan Dong decided to stop worrying. After all, it was Ning Shu's own body she was ruining.
Strange rumors began to circulate in the Princess Residence, claiming that the princess had gone mad from heartbreak and refused to leave the residence, instead gorging herself on food. Whispers suggested that Princess Jiahui had become a huge fatty.
When Li Wen in the Imperial Palace heard about this, he immediately summoned Ning Shu to the palace. Upon seeing that she hadn't actually become a fatty, he sighed in relief.
Ning Shu was unfazed by the rumors, but when Li Wen stared at her in silence, her heart began to race with anxiety. Unable to withstand the quiet any longer, she asked, "Imperial Older Brother, do you have any instructions for this subject-sister?"
Li Wen replied mildly, "How do you find the Princess Residence?"
"It's quite nice. The decoration is graceful and elegant, and the environment is very suitable for recuperating," Ning Shu answered respectfully.
"I hear you've been eating a lot lately?" Li Wen's tone remained indifferent as he scrutinized her again. "Overindulgence isn't good for the body. Is it true that you still cannot forget Duan Xinghui?"
Ning Shu quickly waved her hands, anxious to clarify the misunderstanding before it was too late. "Imperial Older Brother, I recently obtained the Unsurpassable Martial Arts manual and am currently practicing it. That's why I've been eating more. People who practice martial arts naturally need to eat more."
Li Wen's expression shifted slightly in surprise—it was the first time she had seen any emotion on his face.
"As long as you're happy," he said mildly, clearly skeptical of her claims about practicing martial arts.
"Really, Imperial Older Brother, I truly obtained the Unsurpassable Martial Arts manual!" Ning Shu eagerly pulled out the manual and placed it in front of him.
Li Wen glanced at the title, momentarily speechless. Then he looked back at her and said, "For things like this, it's best to just set it aside after receiving it."
"Imperial Older Brother, why don't you try practicing it too? It really works! It strengthens the body and prolongs life," Ning Shu urged enthusiastically.
"Ding. Player has already converted the secret manual and does not have the right to pass it on to someone else," the system's cold, mechanical voice suddenly interrupted.
Ning Shu was taken aback. The manual didn't belong to her anymore? What was this? She forced a smile and said, "Imperial Older Brother, this manual might still have some dangers. It's better if I practice it first. That way, if there's any risk, I can handle it."
Li Wen regarded her with a smile that was not quite a smile, then gestured for her to withdraw. Ning Shu eagerly complied and left the palace.