Zhao Ling's lips moved, but she stopped short of speaking.
Chen Shi'an continued, "If I said I felt nothing at all for Qin E'na, I would certainly be lying.
"But she is a legitimate daughter of the Qin Family of Dragon Soaring City, yet she ended up a slave in Windrise Stronghold. She must have suffered some tremendous upheaval.
"Now, it is already fortunate that she can return to Dragon Soaring City. I cannot cause her any more trouble."
Zhao Ling considered this briefly. "Do you know why we came to Windrise Stronghold?"
Chen Shi'an said softly, "If you are willing to tell me, naturally I would like to hear it."
Zhao Ling cleared her throat. "No family can avoid scheming and struggles for power and profit. The Qin Family of Dragon Soaring City is naturally no exception.
"The young lady ended up in the Desolate Ruins because a collateral branch of her family plotted against her while she was traveling along the frontier. She hid in the Desolate Ruins to escape her pursuers.
"Although she escaped that calamity, such situations will not cease until she officially becomes the head of the Qin Family."
At this point, she raised her eyes slightly. "If you went to Dragon Soaring City, your talent and intelligence should enable you to provide the young lady with tremendous help."
Chen Shi'an considered this briefly, then shook his head. "That is possible. But there is an even greater possibility that my going to Dragon Soaring City would give her rivals and enemies precisely the excuse they need to attack her."
Zhao Ling fell silent, tacitly agreeing.
Chen Shi'an opened his right hand, offering the Moon God's Tear to Zhao Ling. "Returning it to her in person would indeed be rather heartless.
"Do me a favor. Return