Chapter 22
The middle-aged man in black, who had been wearing a solemn expression, suddenly beamed with joy upon seeing Lin Wanqiu and shouted, “Brothers, come out! We’ve found the young lady!”
Hearing this address, Xiao Minghuang breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s people from Beiyang City…”
After exchanging a few words with the middle-aged man in black and briefly explaining the situation, Lin Wanqiu came to Xiao Minghuang’s side.
The middle-aged man in black bowed deeply to her and clasped his hands, saying, “I am Lin Zhengyang. Thank you, Miss Xiao, for saving my niece. If you have the time, please visit Beiyang City as our guest. The Beiyang City Lord’s residence will surely prepare a generous gift for you!”
Seeing the arrival of people from Beiyang City, Xiao Minghuang’s face lit up with joy. She could finally confirm her identity.
“You’re too kind. I am the Ninth Princess of the Great Xia Imperial Family, Xiao Minghuang. I was ordered to come and eliminate the evil cultivators causing chaos near Beiyang City. My actions earlier were merely part of my duty, so there’s no need for such courtesy!”
Hearing this, Lin Zhengyang’s expression turned to one of shock.
He composed himself and took a closer look at the young woman before him.
She was dressed in a bright yellow gown, standing gracefully. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her face was exquisitely beautiful, noble and otherworldly, with an unparalleled elegance.
Such a presence, in all of Great Xia, could only belong to the Imperial Family. No other force could produce a woman of such extraordinary grace.
Moreover, he had seen the young Ninth Princess many years ago, and the girl before him bore a striking resemblance, about seventy to eighty percent similar. There was no doubt she was the real Ninth Princess.
He glanced at his niece standing beside him.
Lin Wanqiu was slightly bowing her head, her delicate white hands clasped together, her face flushed with shyness.
Although many years had passed and the marriage arrangement had never been mentioned, it was, after all, a promise made by Emperor Xia and the deceased old Beiyang City Lord, with a token as proof. As long as it had not been formally annulled, it remained valid.
Lin Zhengyang, seeing this, smiled knowingly.
“So it is Her Highness the Ninth Princess, my apologies for not recognizing you earlier!”
“Your Highness has traveled far to rid the people of a great evil. It is only fitting that you visit Beiyang City, so that the entire city may express its gratitude. Please do not refuse.”
Xiao Minghuang’s original purpose for this journey was to eradicate the evil cultivators, but she had not expected it to be accomplished so quickly, leaving her unprepared.
Her initial plan was to first go to Beiyang City, assess the situation, and then track down the evil cultivators to eliminate them.
Now that the situation had changed, her original plan was rendered meaningless.
After a moment of thought, Xiao Minghuang spoke, “I will indeed visit Beiyang City, but there is no need for you to invite me.”
“This trip of mine is a good opportunity to experience the local customs and culture around Beiyang City. It shouldn’t take much time to walk there from here. Please, go ahead.”
Experiencing the local customs was just a side benefit.
Xiao Minghuang’s real intention was to explore the area and see if there were any hidden opportunities she could seize.
Hearing that she did not outright refuse, Lin Zhengyang smiled and glanced at the eager Lin Wanqiu, suggesting,
“Since Your Highness wishes to experience the local customs, why not take my niece along? She grew up in Beiyang City and is familiar with the nearby towns and villages. She can serve as your guide.”
“This… might not be convenient, would it?”
Xiao Minghuang hesitated. She planned to search for opportunities everywhere, and bringing Ye Ruoshui along was fine, as she was a well-behaved and obedient little girl.
But this Lin Wanqiu before her was clearly lively and independent, and there was no guarantee she wouldn’t cause trouble.
Hearing her intention to refuse, Lin Wanqiu’s face immediately fell, her beautiful eyes seemingly losing their sparkle. She wiped her eyes, as if holding back tears.
“Earlier, I didn’t recognize Your Highness. Are you still angry with me?”
As she spoke, Lin Wanqiu stepped forward and clung to Xiao Minghuang’s arm, holding it tightly, bringing a soft sensation.
She said in a tearful voice,
“I really know I was wrong. Your Highness, please don’t abandon me, okay?”
Seeing this scene, not only Xiao Minghuang but even Lin Zhengyang felt embarrassed, wiping non-existent sweat from his forehead, and advised,
“Your Highness, my niece has been deeply devoted to you since childhood. Please do not refuse. Moreover, my niece was betrothed to you by the old city lord and His Majesty, making you a match made in heaven. Although my niece may not have many talents and her aptitude is average, her appearance is passable. Even if you do not favor her, keeping her by your side as a maid to serve tea and water would still be an honor for our Lin Family.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. One moment, it was “a match made in heaven,” and the next, she was only fit to be a “servant who serves tea and water.” What exactly did this mean?
Moreover, before this, Lin Wanqiu didn’t even know her name, so how could she have been deeply in love with her since childhood?
But.
Given the current situation, if she didn’t agree, Lin Wanqiu would surely continue to pester her, and she wouldn’t be able to go searching for any opportunities.
Xiao Minghuang had no choice but to reluctantly say:
“Alright, you can follow me, but on one condition.”
Lin Wanqiu quickly nodded, “Your Highness, please speak!”
“If you follow me, you must listen to my arrangements in everything. You cannot act on your own, and you must do whatever I tell you without objection. If you can accept this, then you can follow me.”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s jade-like face suddenly flushed with a rosy hue. She bit her delicate lips and shyly said, “Your Highness, rest assured, no matter what you do to me, I will not resist!”
Xiao Minghuang’s brows furrowed slightly. It seemed the other party hadn’t quite understood her meaning.
But upon further thought, she decided it wasn’t worth wasting more time.
I just need to have Ruoshui keep an eye on her, and she won’t have the chance to pester me.
As the two spoke, Lin Zhengyang had quietly slipped away at some point, taking with him the group of captured civilians.
Lin Zhengyang’s departure went unnoticed by Xiao Minghuang. She glanced at Lin Wanqiu, who was tightly clinging to her arm, and said,
“I’ve already agreed to Miss Lin’s request. Could you let go of me now?”
Lin Wanqiu’s smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, and she softly said,
“Your Highness, don’t be so formal. Just call me Wanqiu.”
Xiao Minghuang never dwelled on trivial matters like titles, so she simply said,
“Miss Wanqiu, let’s get going then. My sister has been waiting for me for a long time and must be very anxious.”
The “Miss” after the name was somewhat redundant.
Lin Wanqiu felt a bit displeased but casually asked,
“Your Highness has a sister?”
It was well-known among the people of Great Xia that the Xia Emperor had eight sons and one daughter, with only the Ninth Princess as his daughter.
Xiao Minghuang explained,
“Her name is Ye Ruoshui. She used to be my maid, but now she’s like a sister to me.”
Lin Wanqiu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself: Just a maid, nothing to worry about.
After that, Lin Wanqiu guided Xiao Minghuang to the hidden location of the spiritual herb.
It was a century-old spirit fruit, vibrant as fire, exuding a faint warmth, its medicinal potency on par with the Water Spirit Mushroom.
Seeing that this spirit herb was not the type recorded in ancient texts, Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but show a look of disappointment.
“Am I destined to remain a useless person for the rest of my life?”
Lin Wanqiu clenched her fists, her brow filled with gloom.
But the moment Xiao Minghuang turned around, the suppressed emotions on Lin Wanqiu’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a soft smile.
Xiao Minghuang glanced at her, thinking Lin Wanqiu was lamenting the loss of the spirit herb, and said, “When we reach Beiyang City, this spirit herb will be gifted to Wanqiu.”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu smiled, assuming it was just a polite gesture and didn’t take it to heart.
The blockage in her meridians was her own problem; she wouldn’t trouble others with it.
After storing the spirit fruit in her storage bag, Xiao Minghuang took another look at the Opportunity Compass and was surprised to find that the needle still pointed in one direction.
Xiao Minghuang looked up and saw Lin Wanqiu standing directly in front of the needle.
“System, what’s going on? Is the compass malfunctioning?”
【Ding! The system is functioning normally. The compass needle prioritizes guiding the highest quality opportunity within the current range. The host can freely switch the target opportunity as needed.】
“So, you’re saying Lin Wanqiu still has an opportunity on her?”
The system didn’t respond further, but the implication was clear.
Xiao Minghuang tried switching the compass’s target but found nothing.
“What kind of opportunity does Lin Wanqiu have on her?”
Unable to figure it out, Xiao Minghuang decided not to dwell on it for now and led Lin Wanqiu back to the camp.
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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