_
The night fell
Ye Lingling had already taken off her veil.
Her delicate face, smooth like porcelain, shimmered faintly under the light.
Sitting at the table, she repeatedly looked over Qian Renjue's letter, carefully piecing together the visible words beneath the layers of heavy ink:
[At the time the jade pendant was given to me, Miss Ye was still young.]
[The engagement is not binding... Jue respects Miss Ye's choice and will not force it.]
Ye Lingling's lashes fluttered slightly, her eyes calm.
From his words, it seemed Qian Renjue was a good person.
But she had no intention of doing anything to this engagement, at least not for the time being.
Ye Lingling was well aware that she was the reason her grandfather, Ye Renxin, died
If she were to have children, her mother Ye Qinshui's life would enter its final phase as well.
After folding up Qian Renjue's letter, Ye Lingling turned her gaze to the red silk box beside her elbow, curiosity sparking in her blue almond-shaped eyes.
Pop!
The box opened.
A golden glow burst forth, along with the rich scent of tulips filling the room.
Inside lay a single golden pill, embedded within the box.
On the inside of the lid was inscribed:
Kirin Golden Pill, consuming it will allow one to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, and the brilliance of the sun and moon.
"Kirin Golden Pill?"
Ye Lingling's eyes lit up, the golden pill glistening like a gemstone.
However, the seemingly ethereal effects described made her frown slightly.
After some thought, Ye Lingling closed the box and put both the letter and the pill away.
No matter what, her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul needed to continue its lineage.
Ye Lingling was clear-minded.
If the day really came, her choice would be the same as Ye Renxin's
She would try to accept it, assuming Qian Renjue didn't mind that by then because she'd be much older.
Then she fell into deep thought
Ye Lingling spread out a piece of paper and slowly began to write down what she had on her mind.
"Grandfather said, Your Highness is the one to accompany and protect me for the rest of my life."
"Lingling is honored that Your Highness has not broken the engagement."
"Lingling was quiet when we first met, Im sorry"
"I hold no ill feelings..."
"Regarding marriage, Lingling..."
After writing only a few lines, Ye Lingling suddenly paused.
Thinking of her own age, her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment.
Talking about marriage at the age of nine seemed a bit excessive.
Qian Renjue hadn't even mentioned accepting the engagement, so writing this felt rather reckless.
After a moment's thought, she drew a long line across the words, crossing them out.
Just as she was about to change the paper, she remembered Qian Renjue's messy letter, and her brows furrowed.
She looked at the letter on the table
Ye Lingling seemed to temporarily take off her mask of loneliness
The light from the room cast a silhouette of her figure against the window.
Ye Qinshui, pressed up against the window, peered through a crack, watching her daughter's every move.
"Father, it seems you found a pretty good grandson-in-law..." she whispered softly, her eyes a little red, but she smiled as she watched her daughter's subtle changes with joy.
---
Morning.
Ye Lingling gazed at the large red lantern hanging under the tree.
When writing the letter, she finally understood what kind of mindset Qian Renjue, as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, had while writing his letter.
After hesitating for a long time, Ye Lingling asked the servants to bring a ladder and personally placed the letter inside the lantern.
Ye Qinshui, watching from behind a pillar, resisted the urge to peek at the contents of the letter, and quietly retreating to prepare breakfast.
It was rare for her daughter to show interest in a boy.
She didn't want to disturb them.
---
"Lingling!"
At the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Dugu Yan waved enthusiastically, and running quickly toward Ye Lingling.
She was moving faster than usual, thanks to having consumed the Dragon Spirit Pill.
Dugu Yan was now close to reaching level 30.
Her grandfather Dugu Bo had already left with Porcupine Douluo for the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Yanyan."
Ye Lingling, who had been walking quietly with her head down, heard the familiar voice and withdrew her thoughts ,
She looked up to see Dugu Yan approaching.
As they drew near and met each other's gaze, both noticed subtle changes in the other but couldn't quite pinpoint why.
Dugu Yan stared at the almond eyes beneath the blue bangs of Ye Lingling's veil and asked curiously, "Lingling, you seem like you've got something on your mind?"
"Just a little thing," Ye Lingling shook her head.
Seeing Dugu Yan reminded her that she should ask about her relationship with Qian Renjue, but it seemed a bit inappropriate.
"Well, if you need anything, feel free to tell me," Dugu Yan said confidently.
From now on, she wasn't just the servant of His Highness; she was also the granddaughter of a titled Douluo.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, a Titled Douluo could handle almost everything.
"I will."
Ye Lingling felt strange as Dugu Yan hugged her arm.
---
Not long after Ye Lingling left, a graceful figure appeared at the doorway.
Ye Qinshui climbed up the ladder and, with delicate hands, fished around inside the lantern like a thief in her own house.
She kept a sharp eye and ear on her surroundings.
"I saw her put it in with my own eyes. Where is it?" she murmured, frowning as she shoved her head into the large red lantern, which swayed as she moved.
"That darn girl, even guarding against her own mother!"
"Ouch! My hair! It's stuck! Thank goodness there's no fire in here."
...
In the shadows, Snake Lance silently watched, blending back into the darkness after seeing the madam of the Ye family climbing down from the lantern.
---
Before long, Ye Lingling's letter arrived at the Crown Prince's mansion.
"Miss, the letter has been retrieved."
In the spacious secret room, Snake Lance respectfully presented the letter.
"Good."
With those words, the sacred light within the room dissipated.
Qian Renxue put away her holy sword, releasing her martial spirit.
Dressed in a pale yellow court gown, she looked radiant as she eagerly accepted the thin piece of paper.
However, after just a quick glance, the eagerness and excitement on her face faded significantly.
She couldn't help but purse her lips.
"This woman is indeed boring," she muttered.
The letter was covered with thick lines, completely concealing the beginning of the text, leaving nothing interesting to be seen.
Ye Lingling had deliberately hidden any wording that might be interpreted as a confession.
She didn't mean it that way.
The visible parts of the letter read:
[I recieved your letter, and I apologize for the delayed reply.]
[Please continue to keep the jade pendant, even if it is to be returned to me, Your Highness should deliver it personally.]
[Thank you for your concern. I wish Your Highness the best.]
[Sincerely, Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia Family.]
_____
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