Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Qin Yu was initially a bit excited, but upon looking up, his interest instantly waned.

"So it’s a game of chess, huh..."

However.

Don’t say.

Really, don’t say.

Even without seeing the Empress Dowager herself, just hearing this voice already made Qin Yu feel a sense of reverence.

How dangerous it is!

Fortunately, he has a great beauty like Yin Qinghe by his side, along with the enchanting Sect Leader.

Otherwise, it would be hard to remain calm in front of the Empress Dowager, who’s like a Fairy of the Cold Palace.

Over there.

After the Empress Dowager placed her piece, Ling’Er almost instantly placed another piece to complete a decisive win, leaving the Empress Dowager dumbfounded.

"Little Ling’Er, give me a break, don’t place it there."

The Empress Dowager hugged Little Ling’Er’s arm, gently shaking it, while the Great Phoenix in front of her inadvertently disturbed the chessboard.

As it happened, because the Empress Dowager was facing the direction of the garden entrance, when Qin Yu walked over, he caught a glimpse of some exposed whiteness.

Gasp!

Just one glance, and he immediately lowered his gaze and bent his waist further.

In the past, the unaware Empress Dowager thought this was Qin Yu showing her extreme respect, so she was quite assured by him!

Ling’Er, however, seemed to notice something at this moment. She turned around and, upon seeing that familiar figure, her delicate little face immediately blossomed with a heartfelt smile.

"Oh, Qin Yu, you’re finally back!"

Following Little Ling’Er’s gaze, the Empress Dowager also looked over, delight filling her clear eyes.

They seemed to have gotten used to Qin Yu being around.

And not just Little Ling’Er who needs him.

Without Qin Yu, the Empress Dowager had no enthusiasm for anything else. These days, she hadn’t even snuck out of the Imperial Palace to play.

"Empress Dowager."

"Princess."

Qin Yu bowed, full of respect, and greeted them.

He hadn’t neglected any of the required courtesies.

Even though he had been away for less than half a month, Little Ling’Er’s still slightly innocent face bore a noticeable sickly pallor, making her look quite frail.

As she was about to stand up, Qin Yu quickly walked over and reached out his palm to her.

Little Ling’Er naturally grasped it, and instantly, the sickly pallor on her exquisite, doll-like face melted away at a visible speed.

The two conflicting and repelling powers of Dao Rhyme quickly calmed down.

"Brother Qin Yu’s palm is so warm."

Like a dreamy murmur, Little Ling’Er uttered, her words full of attachment and infatuation.

Though she was already familiar with this warmth, this reunion felt like snuggling by a hot stove in winter, immersing her whole being in unprecedented warmth.

The young girl wore a refined palace dress, and just sitting quietly, she was more enchanting than the blooming flowers of the Imperial Garden.

Her beauty was not ostentatious, yet it was enough to make everything else pale in comparison.

Only then did Qin Yu notice that this Princess was perhaps not as tiny as he remembered, yet her innocent face made her seem like a young girl.

Though she wore a loose dress, with the gentle breeze, some of her enchanting contours became outlined.

Qin Yu harbored no improper thoughts; he simply admired her.

At some point, this Princess’s every move began to affect his mood.

When she smiled, he would smile with her.

When she was troubled, he would feel troubled as well.

"Qin Yu, come and teach me."

The Empress Dowager’s voice broke the warm atmosphere between the two.

Little Ling’Er also seemed to sense something. Her small hand remained tightly grasped, but her heart seemed to race like a skittish deer as she shyly lowered her head.

Yet occasionally, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Qin Yu.

Faced with the Empress Dowager’s command, Qin Yu respectfully obliged and gracefully moved to her side, patiently analyzing for the Empress Dowager the numerous subtle skills and essentials in the game of Go.

Unexpectedly.

Qin Yu recalled the Go game he played with his beautiful wives last night.

He wondered if the Empress Dowager, owning a Great Phoenix...

She should be able to encircle it!

Can’t bear to think about it, can’t bear to think!

A moment later, the Empress Dowager nodded as if she understood, eagerly gearing up to play another round with Little Ling’Er.

This time, she was full of confidence.

After all, she had come to a great enlightenment!

But after just a few sips of tea, the brilliance in the Empress Dowager’s beautiful eyes dimmed rapidly, and she frowned at the chessboard before her.

As Little Ling’Er placed her piece, the Empress Dowager was taken aback.

"I was following your every move, and yet I still lost?!"

The Empress Dowager looked at Qin Yu with grievance, her eyes filled with doubt, her tender little mouth slightly pouted, causing an impulse in people to lean down and kiss it.

"Qin Yu, are you holding back from me?"

The Empress Dowager was a bit unwilling.

Qin Yu was at a loss for words.

How could this be his fault?

The Empress Dowager was simply too naive...

"Empress Dowager, playing chess requires adapting to the situation, not just rigidly following the chess manual."

Qin Yu patiently continued to explain.

The Empress Dowager listened intently, nodding occasionally, as the light in her clear beautiful eyes gathered once more.

"Princess, why don’t I accompany the Empress Dowager for a game?"

Qin Yu was really worried she would get discouraged again.

Little Ling’Er gently acknowledged, sitting docilely beside Qin Yu. Perhaps seeing her somewhat weak condition, Qin Yu did not intentionally distance himself this time.

In just a short moment.

"I’ve got it!"

"Haha, Qin Yu, you’ve lost!"

The Empress Dowager placed a piece, and five white pieces formed a line, causing her to cheer with sparkling eyes.

At the same time, she subtly glanced at Qin Yu, as if hinting at something.

"Empress Dowager, your wisdom is unparalleled and you see through everything; your setup caught me completely off guard, truly admirable, I pale in comparison to you,"

Qin Yu forced himself to compliment.

"Yes, good, you, actually not bad, just still have some...distance compared to me,"

The Empress Dowager said with a satisfied curve on her lips, yet she didn’t sit back down but continued to look at Qin Yu.

"Empress Dowager, your intelligence exceeds others, your thoughts are exquisite, your adaptability is endless..."

Qin Yu swallowed and continued with insincere praises.

It seemed these days the Empress Dowager had faced many frustrations with Little Ling’Er, and he wasn’t stingy with his words of admiration, speaking directly with what the Dowager wanted to hear.

The Empress Dowager listened with overjoyed satisfaction, her face glowing with acceptance, her lips unwittingly curving upwards.

Qin Yu really was the best!

Unlike that Tyrant, who actually thought she, the grand Empress Dowager, wasn’t clever!

Hmm!

Qin Yu deliberately lost several games in a row, and the Empress Dowager was satisfied to her very core, until Little Ling’Er nestled against Qin Yu’s arm, appearing slightly weary, finally letting go of this ’defeated general’ in contentment.

"Qin Yu, why don’t you take Ling’Er inside for a little rest."