Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

After a bout of inner struggle, Little Ling’Er, seeming worried that the Empress Dowager might come over, finally mustered her courage. In a voice only she could hear, she whispered, "Brother Qin Yu, why were you unwilling to hold me when the Empress Dowager asked you to yesterday?"

Having said that, Little Ling’Er appeared as if she had been drained of strength, but she still held onto a hope and looked at Qin Yu.

"Hmm?!"

Qin Yu was completely stunned.

He had not expected Little Ling’Er to suddenly ask such a question.

Throughout his interactions with this princess, he had never harbored any other thoughts.

It wasn’t entirely due to her status; rather, she was like a dainty, exquisite doll that didn’t stir any desire to harm her.

He could only hold her in his palm, afraid that she might get hurt.

Moreover, from their first meeting to now, Little Ling’Er had never shown any airs of a princess in front of him.

Even in how she addressed him, she started with "big brother" and gradually shifted to "Brother Qin Yu".

This kind of closeness.

Could Qin Yu not feel it?!

Sigh.

He was just pretending not to know.

Little Ling’Er could ignore her status, but he could not.

The princess might not mind, but that didn’t mean the rest of the royal family felt the same.

Regardless of his high status as a Tributor, he was still beneath the royal family members!

Qin Yu naturally dared not overstep.

"Is it... because Ling’Er is too young?"

Seeing that Qin Yu hadn’t answered for a long time, Little Ling’Er bit her lip gently, a hint of indescribable disappointment in her voice.

Faced with such an ethereal Little Ling’Er, coupled with her delicate charm, who could resist?

"But, Ling’Er doesn’t know how to grow up faster."

Just as Qin Yu was about to lose his composure, Little Ling’Er suddenly lowered her head, and a sentence nearly made him flustered on the spot.

The "it" in Little Ling’Er’s mouth...

What did she mean?

I, Qin Yu, am not such a shallow person?!

"Princess."

Qin Yu felt it necessary to correct Little Ling’Er’s thoughts, just in case the Empress heard, he’d find it hard to defend himself.

"Can Brother Qin Yu call me Ling’Er?"

Little Ling’Er summoned courage, lowered her head, and spoke softly.

"This..."

"Ling’Er."

Qin Yu lowered his voice.

Looking at the girl who suddenly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes shimmering like stars, this moment seemed to perfectly coincide with the figure on the Immortal Spirit Island in his memory.

Their eyes met, and at this moment, no words were needed.

"Oh, Qin Yu, you’re here!"

In this ambiguous atmosphere, the voice of the Empress Dowager suddenly rang out.

Little Ling’Er hurriedly shifted her gaze, taking the initiative to lead Qin Yu forward.

Qin Yu looked quietly at Little Ling’Er’s perfect profile.

That doll-like face was irresistible, and under the morning light, the girl’s distinct outline was already taking on a proud posture.

Little Ling’Er blushing, though she did not meet Qin Yu’s eyes, could still feel that Brother Qin Yu’s gaze seemed to have grown warmer.

Indeed, Brother Qin Yu liked this kind of Little Ling’Er!

Thinking of this, Little Ling’Er couldn’t help but straighten her posture.

"..."

The girl was inherently simple, her thoughts were almost written all over her face, Qin Yu saw it at a glance, feeling helpless.

He had been working so hard recently to conceal his admiration, the restraint was agonizing!

How did it end with Little Ling’Er misunderstanding him?!

Nevertheless.

What confused Qin Yu more was, what happened to the princess today?

Could it be that after a period of separation, she had figured something out?

"Qin Yu, you haven’t bullied Little Ling’Er, have you?"

The Empress Dowager stepped forward, noticing Little Ling’Er’s flushed face, and was immediately puzzled.

"Brother Qin Yu would never bully Ling’Er."

Little Ling’Er immediately defended him, as if afraid Qin Yu would be wronged.

Qin Yu didn’t know how to explain, so he could only shift the topic to the wreath in the Empress Dowager’s hand, "Did the Empress Dowager weave this wreath herself?"

"Of course."

The Empress Dowager flaunted the delicate wreath in her hand, full of pride.

"Truly worthy of the Empress Dowager, not only are your thoughts meticulous beyond compare, but also so clever and skillful. This wreath is like a treasure artifact a fairy left in the mortal world, perfectly formed..."

Qin Yu cleared his throat. After spending this time together, such insincere praises came easily to him.

"You are absolutely right!"

As expected, the Empress Dowager’s attention immediately diverted. Her stunning face lit up with a smile more radiant and beautiful than blooming flowers.

Oh heavens!

Why wasn’t I introduced to Qin Yu sooner?

See, this is what you’d call someone with good judgment?!

She really wanted to take Qin Yu to see His Majesty, to let that tyrant hear some truthful words.

"Hehe, Little Ling’Er, this wreath is for you."

The Empress Dowager handed the wreath to Little Ling’Er but kept her eyes on Qin Yu, seemingly hinting for him to continue.

"It would definitely look even better on the Empress Dowager."

Little Ling’Er, worried the Empress Dowager might bring up that embarrassing topic again, lifted the wreath and placed it on her head.

The wreath complemented the Empress Dowager’s breathtaking beauty, her eyes like lively stars, portraying a scene where all the world’s beauty seemed concentrated in her alone.

What moved Qin Yu the most was when Little Ling’Er raised her hand, accidentally unveiling some scenery.

As white as jade, the abyss seemed capable of consuming one’s soul.

Qin Yu couldn’t help but wonder if the Empress Dowager’s nickname was "Abundant".

Little Ling’Er discreetly snuck a glance at Qin Yu. As expected, the bad brother liked them bigger!

"Brother Qin Yu, Ling’Er is tired and wants to sit for a while."

Little Ling’Er held onto Qin Yu’s arm, speaking softly.

The girl seemed eager to prove she wasn’t a child, her deliberate action striking Qin Yu as if he’d been struck by lightning.

This...

It was his first time having such contact with Little Ling’Er.

The girl, indeed, was not as tender as she appeared. Her seemingly delicate body had already matured!

Though not like the Empress Dowager’s Great Phoenix, capable of devouring everything, she was enough to hold half of Qin Yu’s arm.

"Princ... Ling’Er, I will help you over."

Qin Yu reached out, embracing Little Ling’Er’s delicate shoulder, taking a deep breath to escape his embarrassment.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to enjoy it, just...

For the girl clearly had some misunderstanding about him, and Qin Yu didn’t want her to be mistaken repeatedly.

The most critical thing was, facing such a beauty, Qin Yu was really worried his willpower would not suffice.

"Okay."

Little Ling’Er didn’t refuse, sweetly responding. She wasn’t disappointed by Qin Yu’s nervousness, for she felt Brother Qin Yu’s gaze had grown even more passionate.

As it turned out, just as the Empress Dowager said last night, to be a little braver, to draw closer.

Unbeknownst to Qin Yu, he had no idea what the Empress Dowager had discussed with Little Ling’Er last night. If those words reached the Empress’s ears, who knows how long the Empress Dowager might be confined again.

[Explosion tomorrow]