Hidden Dragon Royal Palace, Imperial Garden.
After strolling through the Imperial Garden, Lin Jichen and Ji Tongyin sat in the flower pavilion, sipping tea.
"Young Master Lin, I have a question for you."
Ji Tongyin's eyes darted around as she spoke softly.
Lin Jichen put down his teacup and said, "Princess, feel free to ask."
Ji Tongyin hesitated for a moment, then mustered up the courage to ask, "I want to know... has your master... come out of seclusion? Did she agree... to the marriage proposal my father mentioned..."
Lin Jichen's heart sank. How could he dare to agree? If his beloved master found out, she'd surely kick him out of the Sword Sect.
"I don't think I'm suitable to take on a disciple yet. You should find another good teacher," Lin Jichen imagined Leng Feiyan saying to him. He had only wanted to learn alchemy from Elder Tianqing, and even that was a stretch.
If he said he wanted to become the prince consort of the Hidden Dragon Royal Family, the consequences... ugh, they'd be dire.
But he didn't want to offend Ji Hongyue or the Hidden Dragon Royal Family. If they took away the ten shops he had painstakingly bought or kicked him out of Fengqu City, he'd be at a huge loss.
So, this matter had to be handled by Leng Feiyan.
"I've returned to the Sword Sect many times, but my master hasn't come out of seclusion yet," Lin Jichen said regretfully.
Ji Tongyin didn't seem to mind and said, "It's okay. Time means nothing in cultivation; I understand. I can wait, no matter how long it takes."
Lin Jichen felt guilty, wondering if he was stringing her along. But thinking of Ji Hongyue's protective nature, he decided to delay as much as possible.
"By the way, Young Master Lin, I have something for you."
Ji Tongyin took out a talisman and handed it to Lin Jichen.
Lin Jichen took a look and thought, Goodness, it's a life-saving talisman.
[Soul Talisman]: Seals a wisp of Ji Hongyue's soul, can only be used once, not usable in player battles.
He was very familiar with this talisman; Leng Feiyan had given him one before.
"You often go out for experience. There are still many demons and evil spirits that escaped from the Land of Sealing Demons in the four provinces, making it very unsafe. Moreover, the demonic sect has been increasingly bold and active lately. It's safer to carry this talisman with you when you go out."
Ji Tongyin spoke like a virtuous wife, tenderly advising her husband who was about to go on a business trip.
Holding the Soul Talisman, Lin Jichen felt even more guilty.
"This talisman is too precious; I can't accept it. Besides, it was given to you by your father. I can't take it, either emotionally or logically."
Lin Jichen couldn't bring himself to accept a life-saving talisman given by her father to his daughter, no matter how thick-skinned he was.
"It's okay, I can ask my father for another one," Ji Tongyin insisted.
Lin Jichen shook his head repeatedly and said, "I appreciate your kindness, Princess, but I really can't accept it. Don't worry, my master also gave me a Soul Talisman, and I've kept it with me."
To refuse Ji Tongyin's kind gesture, Lin Jichen lied about having a talisman.
If he had a talisman, he wouldn't have almost been captured by the Shadow Soul Hall in Storm Valley.
Sigh, Leng Feiyan had always taken good care of him.
Unfortunately, the game system must have thought he had it too easy and made him lose the protection of the Soul Talisman, forcing him to face various dangers outside every day.
Just thinking about it made him feel a bit bitter.
The game system could still control him now, but in a few years, when the worlds merged, let's see how it could stop him!
Seeing Lin Jichen's firm refusal, Ji Tongyin had no choice but to put the Soul Talisman away, leaving Lin Jichen feeling a pang of regret.
"Young Master Lin, could you come to the palace more often to chat with me? As a princess, I can't leave the palace without my father's permission, and it's so boring and tedious," Ji Tongyin pleaded, looking at Lin Jichen with hopeful eyes.
Lin Jichen couldn't bear to refuse and reluctantly agreed to visit more often, which finally satisfied her.
After spending a long time with Ji Tongyin in the palace, Lin Jichen decided to leave before he ended up staying overnight. Ji Tongyin, though reluctant, personally escorted him out of the palace. Only after Lin Jichen left did she return to her residence.
As soon as she got back, Ji Tongyin saw Ji Linglong sitting idly in the courtyard, waiting for her.
Upon seeing Ji Tongyin, Ji Linglong began to complain bitterly.
"Sister, Father is so unfair. He introduces such a good man to you but gives me a bunch of duds. I'm never talking to Father again, humph!"
Ji Tongyin found it amusing and asked, "Who did Father introduce to you?"
"I don't know him. He said he's the top disciple of the Inner Temple of the Saber Sect."
"Isn't that good? His status is quite high. The Saber Sect's strength is comparable to the Tianyan Sword Sect," Ji Tongyin said.
Ji Linglong pouted and said, "What's good about it? That guy isn't handsome at all, not even close to Lin Jichen. And his voice is awful, like a street vendor shouting to sell pancakes. Plus, he kept leering at me. It made me so mad!"
Ji Tongyin couldn't help but laugh and had to comfort her, "It's okay. If you don't like him, just find another one. Father will arrange it for you."
"Easy for you to say. I don't care. I want someone as excellent as your future husband, or I won't accept it!" Ji Linglong said stubbornly, crossing her arms.
Ji Tongyin smiled helplessly, thinking that Young Master Lin was indeed impeccable.
Father had a keen eye in introducing Lin Jichen to her.
Thinking of this, Ji Tongyin couldn't help but reminisce about the day spent with Lin Jichen, a sweet smile forming on her lips.
Unexpectedly, Ji Linglong noticed it.
"Sister, you're smiling. You must really like the person Father introduced to you, right? Humph! Do you believe I'll compete with you for him!"
Ji Linglong's words were bold, and she blushed as she spoke.
"Alright, alright, I won't smile anymore. Sister apologizes, okay?" Ji Tongyin didn't take it seriously and continued to comfort her.
Suddenly curious, Ji Linglong asked, "Sister, did you go on a date with Lin Jichen today? What does it feel like to go on a date? How far did you go? Did you hold hands? Or kiss? Or..."
Before Ji Linglong could finish, Ji Tongyin covered her mouth and dragged her away.
By the time Lin Jichen left the palace, it was almost evening. He planned to log off and pick up the kid from school.
"Little Chen, I'll go with you. We can buy some groceries on the way," Gu Qiuxue said as she logged off, meeting Lin Jichen outside the bedroom.
Since Ren Lan returned to school, Gu Qiuxue felt it was inappropriate to share a room with Lin Jichen, so she moved to Ren Lan's room, sharing it with Niu Naitang.
Lin Jichen and Gu Qiuxue left together, heading towards the school.
On the way, Gu Qiuxue held Lin Jichen's arm, chatting and laughing.
They looked like a married couple, going to pick up their child from school.
This was the life Gu Qiuxue had always dreamed of!
When school ended, Yan Ruyu saw Gu Qiuxue next to Lin Jichen and felt a pang of jealousy, as if she had just experienced a heartbreak. QAQ