The Heavenly Court Inspection Bureau's questioning ended quickly; the conversation had taken far less time than the wait. Lin Daiyu did not say much about it, merely returning to Lin Manor with Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, and two squads of silver-armored heavenly soldiers.
Along the way, the immortal vessel passed through seas of clouds. The heavenly soldiers' formation remained solemn, and no further disturbances arose.
Truthfully, given Lin Daiyu's abilities, it was hard to say who was escorting whom. Yet she did not pay it much mind, simply conversing with Jia Zheng as they rode the celestial vessel.
Before long, the party arrived at Lin Manor. Tanchun and the others came out to greet them, and seeing that such an opportunity was rare, Jia Zheng accepted Daiyu's invitation and began touring Lin Manor.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The four of them strolled slowly along the covered corridor of the main island. As far as the eye could see, the courtyards lay deep and secluded, strange rocks rose in rugged formations, spiritual plants flourished in lush abundance, and immortal cranes wandered at leisure. In the distance, waterfalls cascaded like ribbons into jade-green pools, their mist intertwining with the faint glow emitted by the spiritual plants, like a living scroll of an immortal realm.
From time to time, they encountered the puppet maids Baochai and the others had mentioned. Each one remained quiet and restrained, observing strict rules; upon seeing them, they would retreat and bow in salute.
Jia Zheng naturally nodded repeatedly at the sight, and the last trace of unease in his heart gradually faded away.
"Not bad!"
At last, after touring several islands, Jia Zheng stopped. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood within a cool pavilion beside a waterfall, gazing at another vast, mist-shrouded lake in