In that gentleness, there was clearly nine parts concern and one part helplessness.
Zi Linling's heart warmed like spring, her bristled fur instantly calming down.
She wasn't ungrateful, just a little flustered.
"Ye Lingyuan, I..."
She called his name, but didn't know how to explain.
"Good girl, eat your meal peacefully!"
Ye Lingyuan smiled warmly.
Zi Linling nodded, lowering her head to concentrate on her meal.
Soon, seven or eight tenths of the dishes on the table were gone, most of which had gone into Zi Linling's stomach.
Seeing her put down her chopsticks, Ye Lingyuan took out a silk handkerchief from his embrace and carefully wiped the remaining trace of food from the corner of her mouth.
"Lin'er, I never hide my feelings for you. You can accept them frankly, or you can frankly take me as your own."
He spoke with sincerity and smiled gently.
The meal eased the previous awkwardness, and Zi Linling's heart also calmed down.
Thus, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor's intellect returned to her brain.
She smiled faintly, "Is this you recommending yourself?"
Ye Lingyuan raised an eyebrow and teased, "If I'm recommending myself, can Lin'er stop avoiding me?"
Zi Linling paused for a moment, then chuckled, "That's something we can consider. However, once you become mine, you'll be marked with my label. If you want to go back on your word later..."
"No regrets in this life!"
Ye Lingyuan interrupted her.
Zi Linling nodded, "Alright then, starting today, we're officially dating!"
The trial was over.
Since she had made up her mind, she would no longer dwell on it.
"Dating?"
Ye Lingyuan smiled charmingly and said, "That's a novel way of putting it."
"Mm! That's a saying from my hometown. It means to be in love."
Zi Linling stood up, feeling completely relaxed.
"Hometown?"
Ye Lingyuan repeated thoughtfully.
Zi Linling then realized she had let it slip.
"Um... let's go down the mountain! There's still a lot to do today!"
Unable to explain, she changed the subject.
Ye Lingyuan didn't press further, but followed her words, "Indeed! Then let's go down the mountain!"
Although he was curious, since Zi Linling chose not to speak, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
The two said goodbye to Old Qin and Aunt Chang, then leisurely walked towards the foot of the mountain.
Though it was leisurely, they were still much faster than ordinary people.
Old Qin watched their retreating figures and smiled kindly, "Youth is wonderful!"
Aunt Chang agreed, "Yes! Youth is wonderful! Let's go, Old Qin, we should also go pay our respects to the Empress!"
As she spoke, she turned to get the items needed for worship.
...
The Zi Residence was very lively today.
When Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan returned, it was just past noon.
They didn't use the main entrance but quietly climbed over the wall of Luoyu Pavilion and returned directly to Zixin Pavilion.
In Zixin Pavilion, Xueying was already anxious, like ants on a hot pan.
She kept looking out and paced anxiously.
In the morning, Madam Wang had brought her three daughters—Zi Xiangling, Zi Yuling, and Zi Jinling—for a visit.
They were there to show off.
Because after today, they would become direct descendants of the Zi family.
And Zi Linling, the original direct descendant, would be relegated to a collateral branch.
Why wouldn't they flaunt their superiority standing in front of Zi Linling?
Unfortunately, when Madam Wang and her four daughters arrived, Zi Linling had not yet returned home.
And Zi Linling had instructed Xueying before leaving that no matter who came before she returned, the protective formation of Zixin Pavilion must not be opened.
Therefore, Madam Wang and her daughters naturally hit a closed door and finally had to leave in disappointment.
But Xueying's anxiety wasn't because of this, but because the position of the Zi family head should rightfully belong to her young lady.
Once the second master ascended to the position of family head, would her young lady have a good life? Su Dan Novel Network
But with the succession ceremony about to begin, her young lady had not returned. How could she not be anxious?
"Xueying, what are you rushing around for?"
Zi Linling passed through the formation and saw the extremely anxious Xueying.
Hearing the familiar voice, Xueying breathed a sigh of relief, and a hint of joy appeared on her face.
She stepped forward and said, "Miss, you're back!"
Ye Lingyuan brought Zi Linling over and then turned to leave.
Therefore, Xueying did not encounter Ye Lingyuan.
Zi Linling smiled, "If I didn't come back, you'd be ants on a hot pan."
Xueying stamped her foot, "Miss, what time is it now, and you still have the mind to joke with your servant!"
Zi Linling pretended to look up at the sun, "What time? Isn't it noon?"
Xueying stamped her foot again, "Miss! You know very well that's not what I meant!"
"Oh? Not that meaning, then what meaning is it?"
Zi Linling feigned ignorance, wanting to tease Xueying and prevent her from worrying too much.
"Miss! Second Master is already preparing to take over as the family head, and you still have the mind to play around with your servant here."
Xueying looked as if she wished Zi Linling would wake up and smell the coffee.
Zi Linling chuckled, "What does it have to do with me whether my uncle takes over as family head or not? Why can't I tease you?"
Xueying anxiously said, "Miss, why can't you see it clearly? Second Master was only the acting family head before. Madam Wang and those daughters always bullied you. If they become direct descendants, won't they bully you even more fiercely?"
As she spoke, her eyes turned red.
Her young lady had suffered a lot over the years; she really didn't want to see her young lady bullied by the second branch again.
Zi Linling patted Xueying's shoulder and said solemnly, "Don't worry! They won't become direct descendants!"
"Ah?"
Xueying couldn't quite believe her ears.
Zi Linling said impatiently, "What 'ah'? Hurry up and pour me a glass of water, I'm dying of thirst."
"Oh!"
Xueying's mind couldn't react for a moment to what Zi Linling's words meant.
However, she obediently poured Zi Linling a glass of water.
Zi Linling drank it in one gulp and then said, "Alright, hurry up and get ready, we're going to watch a show."
"Ah? Watch a show?"
Xueying was even more confused.
Zi Linling nodded and said, "Yes, watch a show!"
Xueying became anxious, "Miss, what time is it now, and you're still thinking about watching a show?"
Zi Linling really wanted to give Xueying a good smack.
She rubbed her forehead, rolled her eyes, and said, "The family head succession ceremony is so lively, why wouldn't we watch the show?"
Xueying finally understood that her young lady was going to the succession ceremony.
She asked in confusion, "Miss, did they also invite a troupe to the succession ceremony?"
Zi Linling rubbed her forehead again and said, "This show is even more exciting than any troupe's. Hurry up and get ready."
Xueying then responded and retreated.
Zi Linling looked at the busy servants in Zixin Pavilion, a strange curve appearing at the corner of her lips.