Chapter 078: What One Cannot Get
“Brother Lin, why did you issue such an order… what is this?”
Seeing Lin Boyuan again, Qin Gou couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.
The Human Emperor Daojun had now completely shaved off his hair, eyebrows, and beard. The elegant scholar from not long ago had suddenly turned into a bald, shiny head.
“Cough, it’s nothing. I’ll be back to my original appearance tomorrow morning,” Lin Boyuan said, still composed, after a cough.
“Is this the price of using that Fatal Relic?” Qin Gou asked.
“Indeed.”
“I understand,” Qin Gou nodded in empathy. Although, it was actually his Stone Spirit little brother who had paid the price of running naked last time.
“Brother, you came here now to know why I suddenly ordered you to move into Pengxin Hall?” Lin Boyuan said with a chuckle, understanding tacitly. “I can’t explain the specific reason yet, but I truly wish for you to stay with Youqing at all times. This is for her own good.”
“After all, you personally guaranteed me that you would take good care of Youqing,” Lin Boyuan’s mind again flashed with the scene of their intertwined fates from before, which he saw as a prophecy.
“So, Youqing truly needs my assistance in certain aspects now?” Qin Gou nodded thoughtfully, “So that’s how it is.”
Thus, Lin Boyuan had made this decision due to a misunderstanding of Qin Gou’s fate at a certain moment. However, since he couldn’t explain it clearly, he acted mysterious and convinced the initially reluctant Qin Gou to agree. Afterward, as long as Lin Youqing had no accidents, he would become even more convinced of the correctness of his decision, inadvertently trapping himself in a cyclical predicament.
At the same time, Lin Boyuan couldn’t help but feel emotional. He recalled that it seemed like only a few days ago he was strongly opposed to Lin Youqing getting too close to Qin Gou.
…
“Youqing!”
“Why did Brother Qin suddenly come?”
In Pengxin Hall.
As soon as Qin Gou opened his mouth, wanting to explain his reason for coming, he saw Lin Youqing’s eyes filled with shyness and couldn’t help but recall the awkward scene where they were both helpless due to Lin Boyuan’s use of the Fatal Relic.
Noticing Qin Gou’s hesitation, Lin Youqing’s heart also trembled. Flustered, she strongly suspected that he had come to settle scores or to find fault with her.
Thus, Qin and Lin, with surprising tacit understanding, both suddenly turned into wooden blocks, silently saying nothing, leaving the surrounding palace maids utterly confused and exchanging bewildered glances.
“Ultimately, it’s I who should formally apologize to Youqing,” Qin Gou finally broke the silence, saying with a wry smile, “Although, I was completely unable to control myself at the time.”
“Brother Qin took the words right out of my mouth!” Lin Youqing was stunned at first. Then, she wholeheartedly agreed, her expression filled with emotion, “Indeed, whether it’s right or wrong, it’s all Father Emperor’s fault! I was terrified at the time!”
Seeing her reaction, Qin Gou’s expression was astonished, “So, Youqing, you’re not angry?”
“After all, there was a reason for what happened… and I was actually worried that you would be angry, Brother Qin! Who would have thought we’d come to the same conclusion.” Lin Youqing gently nodded her small head, speaking the truth. Although she couldn’t help but blush every time she recalled the incident afterward, she didn’t feel any resentment because of it.
“Pious younger brother?”
“Older Brother…”
As the truth dawned on them, Qin Gou and Lin Youqing, without hesitation, shook hands and reconciled. They were both deeply moved by each other, and the same fitting adjective for each other simultaneously surfaced in their hearts. They spoke in unison:
“Good brothers!”
Only then did the palace maids slap their foreheads, suddenly realizing. Master Qin and Her Highness truly had a novel kind of affection.
“By the way, I almost forgot the main matter,” Qin Gou said with a self-deprecating laugh. “Brother Lin ordered earlier that, for some reason, I am to live in Pengxin Hall starting today as well. But don’t worry, Youqing…”
“I’ll just stay in the front hall.” Qin Gou said this last sentence somewhat cautiously through sound transmission.
“No problem,” Lin Youqing agreed without hesitation.
Seeing her so forthright, Qin Gou subconsciously scratched his head. He suddenly realized that Youqing truly no longer saw him as a young lady. Conversely, although he said he understood, his mindset hadn’t fundamentally changed.
Next, Qin Gou utilized his strengths, patiently lecturing Lin Youqing and assisting her. They entered a state of cultivation together, completely losing track of time.
When they opened their eyes again, it was already deep into the night.
“You may all withdraw,” Lin Youqing instructed the palace maids to leave Pengxin Hall.
“Youqing is planning to rest? Me too.” As he spoke, Qin Gou waved his hand and summoned a simple, unadorned bed from his Nas ring, placing it in the front hall.
“Mm. Goodnight, Brother Qin.”
Lin Youqing walked towards her chambers but paused midway. Leaning against the doorframe, she looked back, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “By the way, unless there’s something particularly important, Brother Qin, please don’t wander into my room. I don’t like restraints when I sleep and am often unclothed. I’m afraid I’ll scare you!”
Qin Gou immediately glared at the wench, deliberately saying fiercely, “Who’s afraid of whom?”
Only then did Lin Youqing close the door with a smile.
However, upon entering her chambers, she did not habitually strip off all her clothes as she had claimed. Instead, she sat gently on the bedside, her eyes thoughtful. Her previous words seemed intended only to prevent Qin Gou from actually entering the room… and discovering something.
“Youqing,” Qin Gou’s voice sounded from the front hall, “I think it’s best for you to keep all these Cherishing Heart Rings in your custody.”
“Why?”
“This item is of great significance. Leaving it carelessly in my hands feels like I’m failing Brother Lin and Empress Lv’s expectations,” Qin Gou said calmly. “This Cherishing Heart Ring should have been formally given to your true love in the future, Youqing. It fell into my hands now by sheer accident.”
“That’s right, Youqing’s heart is devoted to Brother.”
“You…” Qin Gou shook his head helplessly. “I will never interfere with your choice, but I can’t help but wonder, on the immensely long path of cultivation, have you truly decided not to find someone trustworthy to share the journey with?”
“Youqing’s heart is devoted to Brother!” Lin Youqing suddenly repeated.
“Fine, continue ‘devoted’ like this,” Qin Gou covered his forehead and said with a bitter smile. “Be careful with this Cherishing Heart Ring. I won’t give it back to you in the future.”
Inside the room, the usually bold Fearless Princess suddenly started crying silently. Wiping her tears, she gently adjusted her pillow with her small hands, inadvertently revealing a previously opened Brocade Pouch. Inside lay a delicate short dagger that she would never forget.
She had once encountered a elusive, god-like being and longed for him day and night but could never find him.
Now she knew, he had never gone far.
“That would be wonderful, that would be the best… Youqing couldn’t wish for anything more!”
