Chapter 357 - 355: It’s... Qin Yu
At this moment, the Empress Dowager had completely lost her previous dignified demeanor.
Even Ling’er, who was just in her youth, seemed steadier than her. Although she was listening intently, she sat obediently next to Qin Yu without making a sound, forming a stark contrast to the Empress Dowager, who occasionally showed a look of surprise.
Yan Yu silently compared what he heard at night with what Qin Yu was saying now, although the main plot seemed unchanged, many details...
Time passed quietly, outside the Flying Ship, the sky gradually tinged with twilight, and half a day’s time slipped away silently.
Qin Yu stopped.
"Hmm? Why did you stop?"
The Empress Dowager, eager to hear the rest of the story, urged impatiently.
"Empress Dowager, it’s getting late, why not... wait until tomorrow, and then let Qin Yu continue?"
"But it’s not finished yet!"
The Empress Dowager was anxious; how could she bear it?
However, her gaze soon fell on the drowsy Little Ling’er.
Little Ling’er had not yet embarked on the path of cultivation and was no different from ordinary people. Moreover, she hadn’t slept well last night and couldn’t hold on any longer.
"Ling’er, come and rest."
Only then did the Empress Dowager cease her insistence.
Hearing this, Little Ling’er obediently stood up from her seat, her eyes full of reluctance, yet she sensibly loosened her tightly clenched little hand. She spoke softly, with a touch of reluctance and expectation: "Brother Qin Yu, tomorrow, Ling’er will still be here waiting for you."
"Alright!"
Qin Yu agreed immediately, tidied his robe, then stood up, bowed to the Empress Dowager and Little Ling’er, and left with Yan Yu.
The night descended.
Little Ling’er nestled in the arms of the Empress Dowager.
Moonlight, like fine gauze, gently covered her slightly childish face, outlining her delicate features like jade. In her peaceful sleep, it was unknown what she dreamed of, as a tranquil smile hung at the corner of her mouth.
Listening to Little Ling’er’s even breathing, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
Though she seemed a bit playful usually, and let situations develop, she was always watching over Little Ling’er.
Because seeing Little Ling’er’s condition improve, she did not stop Ling’er from getting close to Qin Yu.
She had never seen Little Ling’er so relaxed.
Even though she felt a vague sense of unease, nothing was more important than freeing Little Ling’er from the torment of her condition.
Thus, she hadn’t even told the Empress the truth, fearing that the Empress would not allow such situations to occur.
With perception.
The Empress Dowager sensed that the two types of Dao Rhyme principles within her, though still showing signs of turbulence, were not as intense as before.
At least, such a level of conflict wouldn’t cause Little Ling’er pain preventing her from sleeping.
That was enough.
"Qin Yu, truly a strange fellow."
The Empress Dowager grew increasingly curious about Qin Yu.
At this moment, the Sound Transmission Stone sent a wave.
It was the Empress.
She would send transmissions every day.
The Empress Dowager accepted it but spoke before the Empress could say anything, "Speak softly, Little Ling’er is asleep."
"Hmm?!"
The Empress wasn’t angry but started in surprise.
She almost never saw her sister sleep well; since birth, Ling’er had lived in the torment of intertwining ice and fire.
Though not on the Phoenix Carriage, the Empress could hear Ling’er’s steady breathing.
She actually fell asleep!
This auspiciousness, by taking Ling’er out, actually resolved the hidden illness within her?!
Originally, the Empress held no hope, for she had tried countless methods over the past decade, at best only slightly suppressing it.
Such as:
On the Cold Jade Bed, the Ice Attribute Dao Rhyme within Ling’er would temporarily overpower the Fire Attribute, though it couldn’t solve the fundamental issue, it could at least alleviate it a bit.
Last night, the Empress had also sent a transmission, and Ling’er’s condition wasn’t optimistic then, so she didn’t entirely believe the Empress Dowager’s words.
If it was said to improve, why did it worsen at night?
"What’s going on?"
The Empress’s voice was condensed into a line, echoing in the Empress Dowager’s ear.
"I told you, bringing Ling’er out was to seek the sun for her cure!"
The Empress Dowager emphasized once again, not without pride, that she brought Ling’er out not to play.
This tyrant, actually blaming me!
Humph!
"You... found it?"
Although the Empress still found her words absurd, she couldn’t help but be curious.
Even if the Essence of the Sun was found, it might not solve Ling’er’s internal issue, at most fire would overpower ice.
So the Empress was very curious about what exactly the Empress Dowager referred to.
"I suppose I found it."
The Empress Dowager seemed uncertain now.
At the time, she felt there was a great sun rising in this direction, but they hadn’t reached the place yet, right?
Maybe it was Qin Yu?
Not able to be absolutely sure for now.
"Suppose?"
"Oh, anyway, Ling’er’s condition has improved now!"
The Empress Dowager’s tone was firm.
"How did it improve?" The Empress asked again.
"It was... because of Qin Yu."
The Empress Dowager spoke truthfully.
She merely omitted the part about Little Ling’er taking the initiative to hold Qin Yu’s hand, only saying that the closer she was, the better her internal condition became.
On the other side, the Empress fell into deep thought again.
Such a thing?!
If comprehending the Star Prison Array was due to Qin Yu’s high understanding, and purifying Death Qi was because of his special Spiritual Power, then what about this?!
How could being close to him suppress the two types of Dao Rhyme power within Ling’er?
What could be the reason?
The Empress couldn’t figure it out.
Yesterday, she hadn’t inquired in detail about Yan Yu’s healing process either.
Yan Yu was indeed a Flame Guard.
But from Qin Yu’s Dao Companion’s situation, the Empress had already guessed some matters, having done so, she couldn’t inquire about everything.
Anyone would struggle to accept having someone else’s eyes constantly watching, right?!
The Empress wasn’t clueless like the Empress Dowager; she needed to consider Qin Yu’s feelings.
She wanted to recruit Qin Yu, not treat him as a mere tool.
If just a tool, this tool could be used by others at any time.
So-called rewards, wouldn’t other Immortal Countries, even hidden noble families, be able to afford them too?!
If they knew of Qin Yu’s ability to purify Death Qi, they might go to great lengths to satisfy Qin Yu’s various demands.
Therefore, to keep Qin Yu in Great Yan, mere rewards of resources would never suffice.
And now, the situation described by the Empress Dowager further solidified the Empress’s determination to keep Qin Yu in Great Yan.
Yan Yu...
Just let her remain Qin Yu’s Guardian.
Still, unsure if it could enhance Qin Yu’s sense of belonging to Great Yan.