"Was that someone sent by General Qin just now?" Xu Linghe had somehow appeared behind Feng Qingyi.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Linghe, when did you get here?"
"Just when you kicked him. Hearing his miserable cry was quite satisfying. Your kick won't leave him unable to have children, will it?" Xu Linghe said.
Feng Qingyi replied, "He tried to touch me, so I just fought back."
"Speaking of which, General Qin is at the frontlines but still sends someone to protect you. He must treat you very well!" Xu Linghe remarked.
Feng Qingyi thought for a moment, "He's alright, I suppose."
"I'm going to the Wenyuan Pavilion today. Want to come with me?" Xu Linghe asked.
Feng Qingyi hesitated, "You're going to see Zhao Yiqing. It wouldn't be right for me to join you."
"I'm not going to see him. I'm taking you to see some handsome men," Xu Linghe explained.
Feng Qingyi asked, "Handsome men?"
"I only discovered this last time I went. Apart from a few old men, everyone else in the Wenyuan Pavilion is a young gentleman, each more handsome than the last. Don't you want to go?" Xu Linghe said excitedly.
Feng Qingyi nodded eagerly, "Let's go then!"
Xu Linghe led Feng Qingyi to the entrance of the Wenyuan Pavilion. "We'll climb over the wall here."
Feng Qingyi asked, "Why don't we just walk in?"
Xu Linghe explained, "We're going to look secretly. If we walk in, we'll be discovered. If we climb over this wall and go around that garden, we'll be outside the library. They should all be reading in the library at this time."
"We can look through the large windows on the side of the library. I've explored this Wenyuan Pavilion thoroughly over the past few days."
Feng Qingyi exclaimed admiringly, "Impressive! You've really planned this out."
"Alright, let's hurry. I'll help you up."
Xu Linghe grabbed Feng Qingyi and leaped up, then jumped down from the top of the wall.
Feng Qingyi followed her to the side windows of the library, and they both peeked inside.
"Linghe, didn't you say there were young gentlemen in here?"
At first glance, all she could see were white-bearded old scholars and children who hadn't even grown facial hair yet. Where were the young gentlemen?
Xu Linghe pointed to a man in blue clothes in the corner, "Isn't that one?"
Feng Qingyi looked in the direction she was pointing, and saw it was none other than Zhao Yiqing.
"...So you came specifically to see him, didn't you?" She had really believed there would be handsome young men to look at.
Xu Linghe defended herself, "Don't you think those children over there are cute too? They'll definitely grow up to be handsome gentlemen!"
"...You don't need to use those children as a shield. There's nothing shameful about wanting to see Zhao Yiqing. If you want to look, just do it openly," Feng Qingyi said.
Xu Linghe mused, "Don't you think Yiqing looks exactly like the frail scholars described in stories?"
"If he's the frail scholar, what are you?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Xu Linghe thought for a moment, "I'm either a fox spirit or a mountain bandit. That seems like a better match."
Feng Qingyi joked, "...Are you planning to kidnap him and make him your husband?"
"You know, that's not a bad idea. Just kidnap him and make him my live-in son-in-law. My father would probably be thrilled. He's always worried I won't be able to get married," Xu Linghe said, running with the idea.
Feng Qingyi was shocked, "That's a dangerous line of thinking!"
"I think Yiqing is the best man in the world. If I wasn't about to participate in the imperial selection, I would have already asked my father to propose marriage," Xu Linghe said.
Feng Qingyi asked, "Does he know about your participation in the selection?"
"I've already told him, and I also mentioned how you took me to meet the Emperor. He said he would wait for me," Xu Linghe said with a grin.
Feng Qingyi remarked, "I have a feeling I'll be attending a wedding before long."
"...Qingyi, don't say such things," Xu Linghe said shyly.
"In that case, I look forward to your attendance, Miss Feng," Zhao Yiqing's voice came from inside the window.
Xu Linghe looked at him, her face flushed, "How did you suddenly end up sitting here?"
"I just came over. You two were chatting so happily, you didn't notice," Zhao Yiqing explained.
Xu Linghe asked nervously, "Then... did you hear everything we just said?"
"Yes, I heard Linghe say she wanted to kidnap me and make me her husband," Zhao Yiqing replied.
Xu Linghe stammered, "...I was just joking around with Qingyi. You should go back to your reading. We'll look around some more."
Feng Qingyi said, "Why don't you stay here and read with him? I'll go find Qian Jue."
"Qingyi, don't do this!"
Xu Linghe was about to follow Feng Qingyi, but Zhao Yiqing caught her arm.
"Linghe, come in and sit down."
Xu Linghe asked softly, "Won't I disturb you?"
"Not at all," Zhao Yiqing said gently.
Without further ado, Xu Linghe climbed through the window and sat down next to Zhao Yiqing.
The two of them read together in the library, but it wasn't long before Xu Linghe dozed off, her head resting on the table.
Zhao Yiqing finished reading a scroll and looked over to see her sleeping soundly on the table. He smiled helplessly.
In all their time reading together, there hadn't been a single day when she didn't fall asleep.
Meanwhile, Feng Qingyi asked around and successfully found Qian Jue.
He was on the roof charging a solar power bank. When he saw Feng Qingyi, he jumped down from the roof.
"This solar power bank of yours doesn't work well. It's been in the sun for days and only charges twice. Get me a better one."
Feng Qingyi suggested, "Why don't you make your own generator?"
"Too much trouble. What brings you here today?" Qian Jue asked.
"Nothing much, just passing by to see you. I forgot to bring you something to eat, but I have some chocolate in my bag. Here, take it!" Feng Qingyi took out some chocolate from her bag and handed it to Qian Jue.
Qian Jue took it, "Am I so easily appeased? I'm your master, and you treat me so casually?"
"What do you want then?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qian Jue thought for a moment, "How about you take me to your world, and I'll buy things myself."
"...You're not trying to trick me, are you?"
Qian Jue reassured her, "It's just buying some food. It won't cost much. The jade stones and talismans I gave you are priceless in comparison."
"That's fine, but you have to let me see what you really look like," Feng Qingyi said.
Qian Jue teased, "Little girl, your curiosity is too strong."
"If you won't let me see, then forget it," Feng Qingyi turned to leave.
Qian Jue quickly called her back, "I'll show you. Once you take me there, I'll reveal my true appearance."
"By the way, if Guang'an can go to my world, why do you need me to take you?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qian Jue looked at Feng Qingyi as if she were foolish, "He has a space stone, of course he can go. I don't have one, so how could I go?"
"Didn't you say you two have a good relationship? Can't you borrow it from him?"
Qian Jue sighed, "Guang'an is an old fossil. He naturally wouldn't agree, afraid I might disrupt the space-time continuum..."
From Qian Jue's words, Feng Qingyi guessed some things. This Guang'an must be something like a guardian of space and time.
"Little girl, are you trying to get information out of me?" Qian Jue noticed something was off.
Feng Qingyi kept a straight face, "What information would I be trying to get? I'm just curious and asking. If you're ready, let's go."
"Alright, let's go then," Qian Jue said.
The space-time transfer array activated, and in the blink of an eye, Feng Qingyi was back in her villa. However, Qian Jue was nowhere to be seen.
Feng Qingyi searched the room for a while but couldn't find him. She went back to where they had left from, but he wasn't there either.
Feng Qingyi started to panic. Had she lost him?
She took out her phone and opened the space-time transfer array app, checking the user guide again. Although it was her first time bringing someone back, she had followed the operating procedures correctly, and the location settings were right. How could she have lost him?
Feng Qingyi was very worried and didn't know what to do for a moment. After calming down, she decided to find Guang'an.
Feng Qingyi ran to the library and called out Xu Linghe and Zhao Yiqing.
"Linghe, Yiqing, I need to go to Guanyuan Temple to find Master Guang'an. Could you help me figure out the fastest way to get there? I have an extremely urgent matter that can't wait a moment longer. It's a matter of life and death!" said Feng Qingyi.
Xu Linghe replied, "I visited Guanyuan Temple with my parents when I was young. If we leave now, we should be able to arrive by nightfall. If you're going, I'll accompany you."
"It's not safe for just the two of you to go. I'll come along," Zhao Yiqing added.
Feng Qingyi exclaimed, "Thank you so much! I wouldn't know what to do without you!"
"Qingyi, there's no need to be so formal with us. We've already said we're friends, and friends should help each other," Xu Linghe said.
Zhao Yiqing agreed, "Linghe is right."
"I'll go back to my residence now to prepare a carriage. You two wait for me at the entrance of Wenyuan Pavilion. I'll be there shortly," Xu Linghe said before quickly departing.
Seeing Feng Qingyi looking distracted, Zhao Yiqing comforted her, "Miss Qingyi, although I don't know what trouble you're facing, I'm sure it can be resolved. Don't worry."
Feng Qingyi replied, "Thank you, I know."
She had considered using a space-time transfer array to reach Guanyuan Temple, but since she had never been there and didn't have an exact address, she might end up somewhere else entirely. Therefore, she had to rely on traveling by carriage.
Xu Linghe returned quickly, and the three of them boarded the carriage.
As soon as Feng Qingyi sat in the carriage, she felt dizzy and had to lean on Xu Linghe's shoulder.
Seeing her condition, Xu Linghe was very concerned. "Qingyi, lie down here and get some sleep. I'll wake you when we arrive."
"Alright," Feng Qingyi closed her eyes and lay down on Xu Linghe's lap.
The carriage drove through the bustling streets and soon entered the bumpy mountain roads.
"Qingyi, how are you feeling now? Do you want some water?" Xu Linghe asked caringly.
Feng Qingyi shook her head, "No need, I'll just lie here a bit longer."
