Ye Wanqing looked at Lingyuan's demeanor, clicking her tongue in amazement.
She had never seen her sister like this—was love really that magical?
Should she tell Zixin and ask to borrow some of those romance books? She was getting a bit curious.
Then again, Zixin had so many of them they could build a mountain; it'd be easier to just "stock up" straight from her.
Lingyuan, listening to Ye Mother's patient advice, had bright eyes and nodded from time to time.
After finishing a cup of tea, Ye Mother cleared her throat and said:
"Alright, that's the general idea. Later on..."
She glanced behind her and whispered into Lingyuan's ear:
"I'll have Wanqing give you my old notes."
Lingyuan's delicate mouth slightly opened—there were actually notes for things like this?
It seemed like every woman in the Ye family was a bit odd.
Wanqing was one thing, but Ye Mother had taken notes while chasing Ye Father? And Zixin was basically addicted to romantic novels.
Lingyuan nodded slightly. "Thank you."
Seeing the smiling faces of the three women, she ultimately decided not to bring up her Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit issue just yet.
After some thought, she figured it was better to talk to Xiaofeng first. If she brought it up with Wanqing and the others and it didn't go well, it wouldn't respect Xiaofeng, and she'd also disappoint Wanqing. That wouldn't be good.
After thanking Ye Mother, Lingyuan and Ye Wanqing left the guest hall.
"Wanqing, I'll go for now. I'll come back to see you another time. I can't stay long in Heaven Dou City—I still have business to take care of."
Ye Wanqing's eyes dimmed a little and she kicked a small rock at her feet.
"Leaving so soon? I wanted to properly catch up with you. The Spirit Hall is so annoying—always missions, training... I told you not to join back then."
Lingyuan chuckled, pinching Ye Wanqing's little nose.
"Alright, next time I'll hang out with you more. You should train seriously too. It's been so long, and you're still only level 47?"
Ye Wanqing frowned. "Not everyone's a genius like you. I only had rank 6 innate spirit power, and my spirit is just a regular begonia flower.
Reaching level 47 is already impressive. I'll be a Soul Sage eventually."
Lingyuan gave an awkward smile.
"By the way, do you think the begonia flower is a degenerated version of the Nine-Heart Begonia? Or is the Nine-Heart Begonia a mutated evolution of it?"
Ye Wanqing tilted her head, clearly not having thought about it much.
"Maybe the former? Since Nine-Heart Begonia still appears sometimes...
But... that doesn't feel quite right. Ugh, I don't wanna think about it."
"Then don't think about it. I'm heading off. We'll meet again soon."
Waving goodbye, Lingyuan's figure vanished.
Ye Wanqing looked at the now-empty space beside her and pouted.
"Everyone's out making life difficult for themselves. Why not just eat, play, and take the occasional easy mission like me?
Wouldn't that be so much better...?"
Back at the stronghold, Lingyuan saw Lin Feng seated at his desk, eyes closed, meditating.
She thought of Ye Mother's advice and glanced off toward Qian Renxue in the distance.
In a flash, she appeared silently behind Lin Feng and knelt down.
Her soft hands gently pressed against his shoulders, easing his fatigue.
"Who is it?"
"Xiaofeng, don't turn around—it's Lingyuan."
Lin Feng raised a brow. Where did Lingyuan-jie learn that line? It sounded... strange.
"Uh... thanks."
Blushing, Lingyuan looked at his now slightly relaxed face and spoke gently:
"How does it feel? Should I press a little harder?"
"Mm, go ahead."
A sly glint flashed in Lingyuan's eyes. Her thumbs slid toward Lin Feng's neck, massaging deeper.
"Mm~ Lingyuan-jie, your massage technique has really improved lately. It feels great."
"Does Xiaofeng like it?"
Lin Feng nodded. "Of course. After all, it's a massage from Lingyuan-jie herself—how could I not?"
"Giggle~"
Lingyuan was delighted.
"You've been thinking a lot. Your mind must be tired. Lie down—I'll massage your temples."
"I feel alright. My state's pretty good."
"Hm?"
Lingyuan suddenly pushed Lin Feng down, placing his head on her lap, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.
"Now that you mention it, I do feel a little tired. Please take good care of me, Lingyuan-jie."
"Mm~" Lingyuan smiled with satisfaction.
Looking at the "jade bowl" in front of him, Lin Feng inwardly panicked.
Wait... do I actually like this feeling? No, this isn't right!
"Xiaofeng, I really wish I could always give you massages like this."
Eyes still shut, Lin Feng replied:
"You can—if Lingyuan-jie wants to, I'll always be here."
Lingyuan's eyes lit up. Was this his response? Her heart relaxed as she cheerfully massaged his temples.
She glanced at Qian Renxue in the distance, thinking hard.
How could she get Qian Renxue to accept her?
Lately, it seemed like Qian Renxue had noticed something, but she hadn't mocked or rejected her.
She hadn't even stopped her from spending time with Lin Feng. Was that a sign she was giving her a chance?
Lingyuan told herself it didn't matter—Renxue could be the main wife. She was fine with just having a place at Lin Feng's side.
Qian Renxue glanced unconsciously toward Lin Feng's room and sighed.
"Lingyuan-jie, if you hadn't treated me so well when I was young, and if I hadn't seen how caring you are toward Xiaofeng—and how he has feelings for you too—do you think I'd tolerate you?
If I wasn't worried that rejecting you would hurt Xiaofeng's heart, I would never share him."
"Your Highness?"
Seeing her lost in thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo called out in confusion.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking about something."
"What is it?"
"None of your business!"
She glared at him—he was the one who interrupted her earlier, after all.
Chrysanthemum Douluo twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"I didn't say anything..."
Qian Renxue looked at her reflection in the mirror and frowned.
"So annoying. This prince has such a feminine vibe. Though he's male, there's no masculinity.
Neither fully male nor female—just thinking about having to pretend to be like this annoys me."
Chrysanthemum Douluo mused, "Your Highness, Xue Qinghe is only 15. His appearance isn't fully developed yet. We can adjust it slightly over time."
Qian Renxue nodded slightly.
"That's true. Still, my Xiaofeng is so much better-looking. These nobles and royals are all the same—luxury, vanity, indulgence."
"Indeed, Your Highness. This plan is an important step in our grand strategy. Once we bring Heaven Dou under our control, the entire continent will unite.
Only then will soul masters and common people get the benefits they deserve."
Qian Renxue's expression turned cold.
"Ridiculous how the two empires still try to smear the Spirit Hall. Do they really think without us keeping balance, they'd give soul masters subsidies? Or awaken commoners' spirits for free?
Ninety-eight percent of those going to all corners of the Douluo Continent to awaken spirits every year are our Spirit Hall people.
The people's hearts are with us—they have no chance of winning."
"Your Highness is wise."
T/N: For up to twelve chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at P@treon.com/LordHipposApostle