Chapter 7: Getting to Know Your Future Wife, There's a Problem...
Despite being rejected, Ji Yujing was not angry, nor did she leave immediately as Yu Yong had wished.
He told the elderly Yu Yong that he wanted to stay in the Tulou for two days and wander around the area.
Ji Yujing was renowned and widely recognized as a prodigy. Once he spoke, no one within his power would refuse. Old Man Yuyong was no exception, "Then two days it will be."
At noon, Ji Yujing and Ye Xiao stayed in the Tulou for lunch.
The dishes were simple and bland, not at all like a meal for guests. But Ji Yujing and Ye Xiao were already used to this kind of life, and now that they had insisted on staying, they ate in silence, showing no sign of their displeasure.
After the meal, the elderly Yu Yong set up a chessboard and invited Ji Yujing to play a game with him.
But before they could even get started, a sound came from outside the room.
"Master, Lin Qingyu, the eldest son of the Lin family in the capital, requests an audience. Accompanying him are two young ladies from the Lin family, as well as his friend, Ah Song."
That's too clever to be true.
Not only was Elder Yu Yong stunned, but Ji Yujing was also taken a few breaths to come back to his senses. He stood up, his robes swaying with a sharp and smooth arc. He faced Elder Yu Yong and respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Sir, I have a guest, so I will take my leave first. Please come back when you are free."
"Heh." After a brief laugh, the old man Yu Yong said, "Heroes have always loved beauties. Don't you want to see what Lin Qingdai looks like?"
At this moment, the old man returned to the way he had looked when he first met Ji Yujing, all the sadness and sharpness gone.
After speaking, without waiting for Ji Yujing's response, he called out towards the outside, "Please invite them in."
"promise."
Nian San strode away from the doorway, but Ji Yujing's desire to leave had not subsided.
"Ji Ci doesn't want to, and it's inconvenient for him to."
He strode forward, covering more than ten feet in an instant.
"The Emperor has already bestowed a marriage upon the fourth son of the Su family and the eldest daughter of the Lin family in front of the court's most trusted advisors. On the same day, His Majesty also arranged another marriage."
Do you know who it is with whom?
Ji Yujing's steps faltered, but he neither turned around nor uttered a word. He had been traveling extensively these past few days, and the speed at which he received news was much slower than usual.
The old man's lips curled up as he continued, "It's you and Lin Qingdai. As long as you nod, the bright moon over the high platform will be yours."
"Don't you want to see your wife, the future matriarch of Lingdong? This 'scar' on your face is deep and long, and you rarely appear in the capital. No one can recognize you."
"Old man." Ji Yujing finally turned back and cursed in a low voice when he got close to the old man Yuyong.
Old man Yu Yong was not annoyed by what he heard. On the contrary, he was pleased to have gained the upper hand in the confrontation with Ji and Jing, and his smile was bright.
“You didn’t have this attitude when you begged me to come out of retirement.”
Ji Yujing didn't respond further, and the old man Yuyong knew when to stop. He wasn't foolish enough to provoke the Lord of Lingdong without any scruples; this was a fierce and ruthless wolf.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, there was another knock on the door: "Master, the Lin family has arrived."
"Come in."
Nian San pushed open the door and said, "Please."
Thank you.
Lin Qingyu and her group of four stepped over the threshold and entered the room, their elegant attire and refined demeanor instantly brightening the room's ambiance.
Ji Yujing recognized Lin Qingdai at a glance.
The girl had delicate features, especially her eyes, which were bright and clear, as if they had been washed by a cold mountain spring after the rain.
Today she wore a light pink strapless long dress with a light blue overcoat. As she walked, the light gauze swayed, creating delicate ripples. When Ji Yujing's gaze was drawn to these ripples, he began to understand the meaning of words like delicate and graceful, which were usually unrelated to him.
The first time is always the most profound.
After a brief glance, Ji Yujing lowered his eyes. He remained inside the room, appearing as an outsider.
After exchanging pleasantries, Elder Yu Yong invited Lin Qingyu and her group of four to sit down.
Old Man Yu Yong looked at Lin Qingyu and asked in a kind tone, "I wonder what brings the young master of the Lin family to this old man in the deep mountains and forests?"
Lin Qingyu responded with composure and grace, clearly displaying the air of a distinguished family: "My friend Ah Song and I have long admired your name, sir. We have come here today to ask you for a weapon."
“Price is not an issue, or if you have any other requests, sir, please feel free to mention them.”
Old Man Yu Yong didn't respond to that, but chuckled to himself, "Among you all, who plays chess the best? Play a game with this old man?"
"Look, the chessboard is all set up."
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone burst into laughter.
Amid the laughter, Ah Song's gaze fell on Lin Qingdai, and he said affectionately, "Dai Dai, come here."
"Whether the brothers can obtain the divine weapon depends on you."
Before they came, Lin Qingyu and Song Yunyan knew that the divine weapon would not be easy to obtain, and they were already mentally prepared to return empty-handed.
In other words, being able to meet Mr. Yu Yong today is already a complete success.
Lin Qingdai didn't refuse. She smiled at the old man Yu Yong and said, "If you don't mind, sir, I'll play a game with you."
Yu Yong's gaze swept over the delicate young woman, but his tone turned to Lin Qingyu and Ah Song: "Have you thought it through? If you lose this round, your trip will have been in vain."
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yunyan shouted, "I have confidence in Dai Dai's chess skills."
"But you, don't be angry if you lose."
Lin Qingdai: "..." This fourth brother always knows how to cause trouble. Now that things have come to this point, she doesn't know how she'll save face if she loses. Doesn't she have any dignity?
Lin Qingwu chuckled as she looked at her younger sister's helpless expression, then tugged at Song Yunyan's sleeve, "This is the world-renowned Mr. Yu Yong, who is most skilled in planning. Don't make any rash threats."
Song Yunyan glanced at Lin Qingdai and said indulgently, "Wuwu is right, we can't let Daidai lose face."
"I'll shut up now."
An elderly person and a child sat facing each other.
Lin Qingdai smiled at the elderly Yu Yong and gently raised her hand: "You are the elder, please go first."
Actually, today was the first time that Yu Yong had met Lin Qingdai, but that did not prevent him from developing a liking for this little girl.
She is elegant and refined, acts with care, and when she smiles, her eyes seem to be filled with water, reflecting a soft light... Even by the most demanding standards, she deserves the title of "Bright Moon of the Empire".
"Alright, the old man goes first."
As the elderly and the young became engrossed in the game, everyone's attention was drawn to the "situation," and Huai Defang fell into silence.
Ji Yujing's gaze fell on Lin Qingdai again.
She pondered for a moment, then carefully placed her piece.
The slender white glimpse that occasionally peeks out is so moist it seems to drip with water.
Her eyelashes were half-closed, so he couldn't see the watery mist in her starry eyes; her two long eyelashes, like dragonfly wings, trembled gently, at an irregular frequency.
After looking at her for a while, his heartbeat seemed to synchronize with hers.
To the surprise of the elderly Yu Yong, Lin Qingdai, a delicate and gentle girl, had a rather fierce playing style and was extremely good at aggressive attacks.
Meanwhile, the defensive setup is solid.
After a somewhat dull and slow start, the pace began to pick up.
After a short while, she sniped him three times, sharply breaking through his bottom line.
Old Man Yu Yong lowered his eyes to look at the game board, then looked up after a moment, staring at Lin Qingdai with a genuine smile: "Little girl, you've won."
There are few people in the world who can beat Yu-Naga on the chessboard, and Lin Qing-Dai is one of them.
What's even more astonishing is that she had only just come of age. As a young girl, she fought against a renowned elder, and from beginning to end, she showed not a trace of fear.
"The Lin family has raised their daughter very well."
This praise came from Yu-Ning sincerely.
Lin Qingdai smiled gently, "You flatter me, sir."
"Dai Dai doesn't think her chess skills are better than the old gentleman's. If there is a next game, the outcome is hard to say."
Ah Song and Song Qingyu looked at each other, their eyes smiling, their smiles revealing pride and excitement at the imminent fulfillment of their wishes.
"Sir, now that we have won, may we discuss the follow-up?" It was Song Yunyan who spoke.
Yu Yong nodded slightly: "I have heard that the second young lady of the Lin family is extremely skilled in medicine. There must be many rare medicinal herbs stored in this vast mountain forest."
A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Qingyu's eyes: "What does the old gentleman intend to do?"
Old Man Yu Yong: "If possible, I would like to trouble Miss Lin to prepare a medicinal meal for this old man. If he is satisfied, I will give the two young heroes a weapon."
To be honest, it wasn't a demanding task.
However, Lin Qingyu and Ah Song did not show any joy; their gazes were both fixed on Lin Qingdai.
Lin Qingyu asked with concern, "Won't you be too tired? If you are, Dai Dai will write down the medicinal cuisine recipe for you, and you and A Song will cook it."
Ah Song nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.
"Fourth Brother's cooking skills are quite good."
Yu Yong, an elderly man: "...What the old man wants is medicinal food, not a deadly one."
Upon hearing this, Ah Song looked at Old Man Yu Yong, his eyes full of disapproval. "You underestimate us two brothers?"
Yu Yong, an elderly man, said: "That's not it. It's just that when people have better options, who is willing to settle for second best?"
It was a compliment to Lin Qingdai, which successfully persuaded Lin Qingyu and Ah Song.
"Dai Dai, is it okay?"
"Your brothers will find medicine and do odd jobs, and you'll be in charge of cooking."
Lin Qingdai: "No problem, but you need to find three more herbs for me."
Lin Qingyu: "What's the problem?"
Lin Qingdai looked at Yu Yong and said, "May I borrow some paper and pen from you, sir?"
"The third year."
"Miss, this way please."
"Thank you for your help, sir."
As Lin Qingdai was about to get up, at the same instant, Song Yunyan's hand was already outstretched in front of her.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother."
Amidst laughter and conversation, a slender, white hand reached out and landed on Ah Song's wrist, using him for support as she rose to her feet. With each movement, the light gauze swayed, like clouds and mist, exuding an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
After regaining her footing, as she nodded to Yu Yong, she suddenly noticed the young man behind the old man.
Ji and Jing?
She was somewhat unsure, but the young man's features clearly bore a striking resemblance to Instructor Ji in her memory.
That scar?
If she could get closer to him, she would definitely be able to determine whether the scar was real or not.
Lin Qingdai's thoughts seemed to be burning on a hot stove, fluctuating violently and lingering for a long time.
However, she only paused for a few breaths before turning around and following Nian San to the desk.
Lin Qingyu and the other two followed closely behind.
Suddenly, only Yu Yong and Ji Yujing remained in this area.
"The little girl looked at you just now, and her gaze lingered for a few moments. Why do you think that was?" Old Man Yu Yong slowly put away the chess pieces, still savoring the previous game.
The Lin family girl is truly remarkable.
She may look humble and gentle, but when she plays chess, she is quite different. Her moves are sharp and she dares to fight.
Ji Yujing didn't respond, but he didn't mention leaving again either.
After waiting for Ji Yujing for several breaths and seeing that he still hadn't responded, the old man Yuyong asked again, "Do you know who that boy named A Song is?"
This time, Ji Yujing didn't make him wait long, not even for a moment: "Fourth Prince, Song Yunyan."
Yu-Naga chuckled lightly and briefly, "As expected of Ki-Yo-Kyo."
"Of the emperor's four sons, only this one is somewhat interesting."
Mentioning Song Yunyan, Ji Yujing couldn't help but recall his natural and intimate interactions with Lin Qingdai. "Does he like Lin Qingdai?"
Yu Yong was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. After a moment, he turned his head and glanced at Ji Yujing. "What's wrong? Are you jealous?"
Ji Yujing: "Get to know your future wife, any problems?"
Yu-Naga was convinced by this reason: "You're quick to accept it."
"The Fourth Prince's mother, Consort Cen, and Lin Qingdai's mother are very close friends. Consort Cen played a lot of the role in helping Lin's eldest daughter get engaged to her sweetheart, but this move will inevitably anger the Empress and the Second Prince."
"With the Luhua Festival approaching, a palace banquet is inevitable. Who knows what your fairy-like fiancée might encounter?"
Ji and Jing knew that Yu Yong was right.
Throughout history, countless ambitious individuals have resorted to despicable and treacherous means to rise to power. In their eyes, people are merely symbols, to be erased and sacrificed at will.
"Such a large Lin family, can't even protect Lin Qingdai?"
Ji Yujing asked this question, which was the beginning of his concern, though he was unaware of it.
But these subtle changes did not escape Yu Yong's notice. He smiled slightly and said, "If it's an open attack, the Lin family can certainly protect us. But do you think the Empress and the Second Prince would put their malice in the open?"
"Have you forgotten how the First Prince's mother died? If you push those two too far, it wouldn't be surprising if Lin Qingdai died in the inner palace."
Several years ago, Ji Yujing set his sights on the towering throne, and there were many of his spies in the imperial city.
He was aware of and agreed with what Yu Yong said.
After a moment of silence, Ji Yujing said in a low, cold voice, "I will handle it."
Yu Yong chuckled after hearing this, and Ji Yujing asked him what he was laughing at.
He replied, "It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered an old saying from my hometown."
"What?"
“Treat your wife well, and you will gain wealth and power.”
Ji Yujing: "..." How could a powerful figure of this era have such a loose tongue?
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