The day after the "room check".
On the outskirts of Star Luo City, a beautifully decorated carriage travels along a tree-lined road.
Inside the carriage, Xu Jiujiu nestled in Lin Ciyan's arms, lifting the curtain to watch the fleeting scenery outside.
She wasn't wearing her palace attire today; instead, she had changed into a light blue casual outfit.
Xu Jiujiu simply tied her long hair up with a ribbon, losing some of her princess-like elegance and gaining more of the freshness of a girl next door.
"It's still so comfortable like this," Xu Jiujiu said softly, turning her face to nuzzle against Lin Ciyan's chest. "No need to put on airs, no need to worry about etiquette, just laugh when you want to, make a fuss when you want to."
Lin Ciyan put his arm around her waist, his fingers gently stroking her waist. "Is everything really alright with your brother?"
"What problem could he possibly have?" Xu Jiujiu's lips curled into a slight smile.
"After you demonstrated your capabilities yesterday, he went back and convened a cabinet meeting. This morning, he even sent over a bunch of gifts, saying they were 'gifts for my brother-in-law.'"
She looked up, a sly glint in her eyes. "You know what? Grandpa Feng told me privately that my brother paced back and forth in his study until midnight last night, muttering 'Sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor,' ' Twin Martial Souls,' ' Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring '... He's probably been traumatized."
Lin Ciyan laughed.
"However," Xu Jiujiu said seriously, "He has a point. There will indeed be dissenting voices in the court; those old fogies are stubborn and always feel that princesses should be used for political marriages."
"So?" Lin Ciyan raised an eyebrow.
"So I've made up my mind." Xu Jiujiu straight, looking at him earnestly. "I want to become stronger. Strong enough that I won't need a marriage alliance, and that Star Luo Empire will need to rely on me."
Her eyes gleamed. " Ci Yan, can you help me?"
"Of course," Lin Ciyan without hesitation.
The carriage traveled for an hour before stopping at a lakeside.
The lake water was crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.
The lakeside is covered in lush green grass, and a few weeping willows sway in the breeze.
"Fishing?" Lin Ciyan looked at Xu Jiujiu as he took out two fishing rods from the carriage, somewhat surprised.
"What, it's not okay?" Xu Jiujiu tilted her head to look at him. "I specially studied. I passed the royal fishing course with a perfect score."
As she spoke, she skillfully baited the hook and cast the line, her movements elegant and fluid.
Lin Ciyan took the other fishing rod and sat down next to her.
The two sat side by side on the lakeshore, casting their fishing lines into the water, the floats bobbing gently with the ripples.
The sun was warm, and the breeze was gentle.
Xu Jiujiu suddenly rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Sometimes I feel that these days are really good. There's no scheming or intrigue, no national affairs, just the two of us quietly being together."
Lin Ciyan reached out and put his arm around her shoulder.
"You know what," Xu Jiujiu continued, "Everything about me, from childhood to adulthood, has been planned out. What I learn, who I meet, what I say, even... who I will marry in the future."
Her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of weariness. "I am the most talented princess in the Star Luo Empire's history, this is both an honor and a shackle."
"And now?" Lin Ciyan asked.
"Now?" Xu Jiujiu smiled, turned her head and kissed him on the cheek. "Now I have you. The shackles are still there, but I'm not afraid anymore."
The float suddenly sank.
"It's on the hook!" Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up, and he quickly lifted the rod.
A silvery-white fish was pulled out of the water, its scales shimmering in the sunlight.
"Look!" she proudly displayed her spoils. "Wasn't I amazing?"
"Impressive," Lin Ciyan agreed with a smile.
Xu Jiujiu, he put the fish back into the bucket, re-baited the hook, and cast the line again.
She seemed to really enjoy this simple happiness, a smile always playing on her lips.
At noon, the two had a picnic by the lake.
Xu Jiujiu prepared an exquisite food box containing pastries made by the imperial chefs.
But she also brought several strings of candied hawthorns, saying they were "folk delicacies".
"Try this." She held a candied hawthorn to Lin Ciyan's lips.
Lin Ciyan took a bite, and the sweet and sour taste melted in her mouth.
"How was it?" She looked at him expectantly for Xu Jiujiu.
"Good."
"That's good." Xu Jiujiu ate one herself, her cheeks bulging like a little hamster.
The afternoon sun was quite hot.
Xu Jiujiu, she took off her shoes and socks, dipped her fair, jade-like feet into the lake water, and gently kicked them.
Water splashed up, refracting into rainbow-like halos under the sunlight.
Her calves were slender and shapely, her ankles were delicate, and her toes were as round as pearls.
Lin Ciyan was somewhat lost in thought.
Xu Jiujiu noticed his gaze, her face flushed slightly, but she didn't hide it. Instead, she lifted her foot out of the water and gently wiggled it. "Is it pretty?"
"It looks good," Lin Ciyan answered honestly.
She smiled for Xu Jiujiu and stretched her feet out in front of him, "Then help me dry them."
Lin Ciyan took the handkerchief she offered, held her ankle, and carefully wiped it.
Her feet were so small that they could be held in one hand.
Her skin was delicate and smooth, and her toes were slightly curled up, as if she were a little shy.
After drying her feet, she didn't withdraw them for Xu Jiujiu. Instead, she gently stepped on his thigh, her soles pressed against his skin.
"Is it cold?" she asked.
"It's alright." Lin Ciyan held her foot down, preventing her from moving around.
She stared at him for Xu Jiujiu, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
" Ci Yan," she suddenly spoke, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Ask."
"Do you... have other girls?" Xu Jiujiu's voice was soft, but her eyes were serious.
Lin Ciyan paused.
He was silent for a few seconds, but finally nodded. "Yes."
Xu Jiujiu's legs curled slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. "How many?"
"... Three." Lin Ciyan told the truth.
Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochеn.
Adding Xu Jiujiu in front of us, that makes four.
Xu Jiujiu silence followed.
She pulled her feet back, hugged her knees with both hands, rested her chin on her knees, and looked at the lake.
Lin Ciyan remained silent, waiting for her to process the information.
After a Xu Jiujiu, she finally spoke softly, "What kind of people are they?"
"The senior students and classmates from Shrek Academy," Lin Ciyan introduced briefly, "Are all outstanding."
"Is she better than me?" Xu Jiujiu turned to look at him.
"They each have their own strengths," Lin Ciyan said frankly. "You are the Star Luo Princess, and they are Shrek geniuses. There's no comparison."
Silence fell for Xu Jiujiu.
This time the silence lasted even longer.
Lin Ciyan thought she would be angry, would question him, or even... leave.
But in the end, Xu Jiujiu could only sigh.
"Actually, I guessed it," she said softly. "Someone as outstanding as you, how could I be the only one?"
She looked up, her eyes showing no anger, only a hint of helplessness. "I'm just... a little resentful. We've known each other for a long time."
Lin Ciyan recalled their encounter in Star Luo City three years ago.
Indeed, in terms of both time and emotion, Xu Jiujiu was the earliest.
"But feelings don't have a first-come, first-served order," Xu Jiujiu continued. "I understand. After all... even I can't resist you, let alone others."
She paused, then said even softer, "I don't mind if you have someone else. Really."
Lin Ciyan was taken aback.
"In the royal family, having multiple wives and concubines is very common." Xu Jiujiu smiled bitterly. "My father had four concubines. I'm used to it."
She looked at Lin Ciyan, her eyes resolute. "I have only one request... You must remember me. No matter how many people are around you, you must leave a place for me."
These words, though spoken humbly, revealed the princess's pride.
She didn't compete for favor or cause trouble; she only asked for a position.
Lin Ciyan was deeply moved.
He reached out and pulled Xu Jiujiu into his arms.
"I will remember," he promised. "I will always remember."
She leaned against his chest for Xu Jiujiu, listening to his heartbeat, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"That's good," she said softly.
The two embraced like that until the sun set.
On the carriage back to the city, Xu Jiujiu had completely returned to her usual self, even becoming more lively.
"By the way, when are you going back to Shrek?" she asked.
"Judging by the time, there's still a week until school starts," Lin Ciyan said. "I plan to leave the day after tomorrow."
"So soon?" A hint of reluctance flashed in Xu Jiujiu's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "Alright, let's go back and prepare as soon as possible."
She thought for a moment, then took out a jade pendant from her Storage Soul Tool: "This is for you."
The jade pendant is star-shaped, entirely emerald green, with a small gemstone set in the center, emitting a faint starlight.
" The Star Moon Pendant," Xu Jiujiu explained, "Is a royal symbol. If you wear it, all royal properties within the Star Luo Empire will treat you with the highest level of service."
Lin Ciyan took the jade pendant, its surface smooth and warm to the touch.
"And," Xu Jiujiu's cheeks flushed slightly, "When you miss me... you can look at it."
Lin Ciyan carefully put the jade pendant away from his body, then lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"I will."
Two days later, at the Star Luo City.
They came to see him off Xu Jiujiu.
Today she wore her palace attire again, regaining her princess-like elegance and grace.
But in front of Lin Ciyan, that nobility transformed into tenderness.
"Be careful on the road," she whispered.
"Mm." Lin Ciyan nodded.
"When you arrive at Shrek, remember to use the communication jade pendant to let them know you're safe."
"Good."
"And..." Xu Jiujiu stepped forward and hugged him, "Remember to think of me."
"Definitely." Lin Ciyan hugged her back and whispered in her ear, "You too."
The two embraced for Xu Jiujiu before finally letting go.
She took two steps back, a smile on her face, but tears welled up in her eyes.
"Go," she said.
Lin Ciyan glanced at her one last time before turning and leaving.
After walking a long way, I looked back and saw that I was still standing in the same place for Xu Jiujiu, my pale gold palace dress fluttering gently in the wind.
She raised her hand and waved at him.
Lin Ciyan waved, then turned and sped off towards Shrek Academy.
In my mind, a system notification sounded at just the right moment:
[Ding! The host has successfully established a stable relationship with Star Luo Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xingluo and gained the royal family's approval, which aligns with the core concept of "gaining from doing nothing"! Gained 2000 " Slacking Value!]
[Current Slacking Value: 271,500 points!]
Lin Ciyan's lips curled into a slight smile.
This trip to the Star Luo Empire was very rewarding.
Next, it's time to go back to Shrek.
A new semester, a new beginning.
He was starting to look forward to it.