Returning from among the countless mountains, Xing Yan felt his surging emotions gradually settle under the cool mountain breeze. After carefully considering what Lingyi had just said, a question suddenly occurred to him, and he spoke:
"Lingyi, I have a question for you."
"Mm, go ahead."
The girl leaning against his shoulder answered softly.
"Well, I've never met your parents, so I don't know what they're like. But I know your grandfather, the Lord of the Clouds, very well. He's free-spirited and broad-minded, and he dotes on you. I can't help thinking that if he knew you didn't want to marry the South Sea Water Marquis, he wouldn't join your parents in forcing you."
"Mm."
At Xing Yan's words, Ling Yier murmured her agreement, then said:
"You're right. My grandfather would never be like Father and Mother, eager to push their daughter out the door just because that little dragon of the South Sea has something of a reputation, and because they're grateful he helped send troops to the Demon Continent to rescue me last time. But-"
Here, Lingyi grew a little dejected.
"For some reason, a few days ago Grandfather suddenly became terribly flustered. He only said he was going traveling to visit friends, then hurried out the door. I haven't seen him since."
Speaking of her grandfather, Ling Yier's eyes reddened again.
"Wah... Grandfather loves Yier most, but now he's gone without a word, leaving his granddaughter at home to suffer all alone..."
Seeing her distress and the tears about to fall, Xing Yan hurriedly said:
"Oh, Lingyi, there's actually something else I've been hiding from you. I'm afraid it does the Four Rivers Dragon Clan something of a disservice..."
"Ah?"
Lingyi was startled. Seeing how he stumbled over his words, the Dragon Lady immediately grew uneasy and