So along the way, Lin Zhongyuan and Lin Zheyun began to cooperate with each other.

They tried every means to lure Lin Wanyue out of the carriage, taught him to ride a horse, and showed him the scenery along the way, the beautiful rivers and mountains. They were determined not to let a sickly brat trick him.

At first, Qi Yuan watched from the sidelines, gritting his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

Qi Sichen found it amusing and gradually figured out the personalities of the four Lin brothers. He began to look at Lin Zhongyuan with new respect.

Two days later, seeing that the two brothers still refused to return Lin Wanyue to him, Qi Yuan mustered his courage and asked Qi Sichen to teach him how to ride a horse.

Qi Sichen was worried that his body couldn't handle it and was unwilling to agree, but he couldn't resist his nephew's persistent pleading and the emperor's paper-thin authority, so he reluctantly agreed.

Unexpectedly, it was probably because the talisman water given by Lin Wanyue was effective. After practicing for a few days, Qi Yuan was actually able to ride a horse and slowly keep up with Lin Wanyue.

...

After entering the northern lands, the weather was cold, and the north wind almost froze people's faces.

Even Lin Zheyun dared not ride a horse casually this time, and could only sit in the carriage again. He could not stop Qi Yuan and Lin Wanyue from getting together.

“Speaking of which,” Qi Sichen said with a smile, “you are young, yet you are well-educated and gentle, and you are also quite tactful. When you return to the capital in the future, you could be a good companion to the emperor.”

Being a tutor to the emperor was not considered an official position, but rather an honor that only extremely prestigious families could obtain for their children.

Those who frequently appear before the emperor are no ordinary people.

Moreover, those qualified to be the emperor's teachers were all highly respected and powerful Confucian scholars.

He's the kind of teacher that no amount of money could buy!

Whether one is eager to curry favor with the emperor or simply wants to study hard, having the title of imperial tutor or study companion means a promising future.

Lin Zhongyuan quickly understood Qi Sichen's meaning, but after a long silence, he shook his head and refused, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but after studying for so many years, my mind is really a bit old-fashioned, and I am also timid. How could I dare to accompany His Majesty? Even if I want to serve the country, I only dare to do so after I pass the imperial examination. Otherwise, even if I pass the examination, others will probably laugh at me for not being truly talented."

Qi Sichen immediately sneered: "There are so many other people's opinions. You are truly talented, so why bother caring?"

However, Lin Zhongyuan remained earnest but refused to agree.

"Since you insist on this, I'm not one to force you." Qi Sichen smiled, not revealing Lin Zhongyuan's ulterior motives.

Lin Zhongyuan knew from the pastry he had eaten that "he who takes a man's gift is bound to him," so naturally he dared not accept such a huge windfall.

I'm afraid that if I need someone's help, I'll become vulnerable. What if Qi Yuan insists on becoming my brother-in-law?

If he passed the exam on his own merit, even the emperor couldn't force him to send his sister into the palace.

Qi Sichen saw that he was somewhat scared but not flustered, and his expression actually improved.

I think this kid is quite calm and has a lot of courage.

He was right; his approach to reading was not rigid.

Qi Sichen became increasingly satisfied with him.

When the Lin family arrived in the north, they realized just how quickly the weather could change.

The sky was clear in the morning, but by the afternoon it was covered with dark clouds, clearly a prelude to an impending downpour.

Inside the carriage, a gentle breeze blew by, causing the curtains to flutter softly.

Little Pink Butterfly, wearing a blue dress with an oversized hem, jumped into the car, her brows slightly furrowed, and said to Lin Wanyue, "This area isn't very peaceful. I encountered several ghosts on my way here, trying to get closer. I dealt with them, but judging from their aura, I'm afraid there will be more trouble tonight."

Without the aid of incense and talismans, the other passengers in the carriage did not see the little pink butterfly.

"Okay." Lin Wanyue nodded slightly to her and also looked over at Qi Yuan beside her.

Qi Yuan felt a little hot-faced when he saw her secretly watching him. He lowered his head and continued playing chess with the Lin brothers, Zi Qiu and Zi Han, feeling embarrassed.

However, he was flustered and lost several coins in no time.

Lin Wanyue also noticed that Qi Yuan's black aura was somewhat disordered. She didn't know if it was affected by the weather or if the surrounding area was not peaceful, as Little Pink Butterfly had said.

She then took out another talisman and secretly stuck it on Qi Yuan's body, just in case.

Because it might rain, Qi Sichen told them to travel faster and reach the nearby post station as soon as possible.

However, as soon as they arrived at a somewhat dilapidated post station, large raindrops began to pelt down from the dark sky.

"Wanwan." Qi Sichen opened his umbrella and reached out his hand to Lin Wanyue: "Do you want me to carry you down?"

It would be so rude to refuse such a handsome man!

Lin Wanyue showed her small teeth and nodded.

Qi Sichen pulled the soft little body into his arms. The little girl still smelled of candy, and her body was so soft, it was like holding a cotton ball.

Qi Sichen had never held such a small girl before, so he smiled and said, "Little girl, how about becoming my daughter? When we get to the capital, I'll ask the emperor to bestow upon you the title of princess. What do you think?"

"Is that okay?" Lin Wanyue asked, getting excited when she heard his words.

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