I visited this woman so many times, but she never said a kind word to me.
Ye Li had just arrived, and she was already crying and laughing like this!
Those unabashedly affectionate terms of address annoyed Qin Mingqi.
Can't they behave themselves a little better in front of me?
Even though we've only just met.
However, she had begun to feel uncomfortable with Ye Li's closeness to other women, and she knew she needed to discipline him more strictly in the future!
I need her permission to see anyone every day!!
Thinking of this, Qin Mingqi took a deep breath, then looked at An Ziqing, who was still standing behind Ye Li, and reminded him with a smile:
"Palace Heir An, a seat has been saved for you next to me."
"There are palace servants here to serve you; please sit down and have your meal with us."
An Ziqing glanced at Ye Li.
Ye Li didn't speak, so she didn't move either.
She looked every bit the part of a personal maid.
Qin Mingqi's smile froze slightly, and she had no choice but to give up for the time being. Instead, she turned to Qin Baiyi and said in a friendly manner:
"Baiyi, really."
"I've told you so many times to focus on recovering, but you just wouldn't listen."
"I've arranged your lodging, medicine, and future salary. Is there anything you don't want to do?"
Then, she sighed and explained to Ye Li:
"I value her, that's why I can't bear to let her go."
"We used to have a great relationship, I don't know how things turned out like this."
"..."
Ye Li picked up the tea that An Ziqing handed him and turned to ask:
Do you agree with what she said?
Qin Baiyi immediately shook his head:
"Disagree.
"I had already settled the matter of redeeming my citizenship before I came back. All the money and goods had been paid, and my parents had received a reply from the government."
They said that as long as I go back to verify it in person, my family can leave.
She looked at Ye Li with a serious expression and then said:
"As soon as I got back, I was notified that I was to take up a post in the Princess's Palace."
"I said I didn't want to, and they said they had already taken my parents to another house, and we were forbidden from seeing them!"
"Can you get out by yourself?" Ye Li asked.
"Cannot."
Qin Baiyi glanced outside the hall, his expression somewhat grim:
"There are Fortune-Mastery outside the door who are in charge of managing fortunes."
"I also asked the officials who handled the redemption in the past, and they all said that they couldn't handle this matter anymore and told me to come and beg Your Highness."
That brings us to this.
She looked at Qin Mingqi again and said:
"Your Highness, I haven't touched anything you gave me. I've also handed over most of what I've gained over the past thousand years to the Divine Dynasty."
"According to the rules, you should let me go."
"...!"
Qin Mingqi's face gradually turned ashen.
How dare she?!
He had been trying to save face for her, and she actually revealed all of this in front of Ye Li?!
"Baiyi, do you have to talk like that?"
"Okay, okay."
Bai Jingshan smiled and spoke at the opportune moment:
"It's simply that His Highness values talent, while Miss Qin is concerned about her parents; the two sides couldn't reach a consensus."
"Now that Palace Heir Ye is here, let's sit down and discuss this at our leisure."
Having said that, he turned to Ye Li, his smile growing even more amiable:
"Palace Heir Ye, you may not know this, but His Highness has heard about your deeds these past few days and has turned down many appointments, waiting specifically for your arrival."
Even His Majesty knows that she greatly admires Palace Heir.
"If the two of you can forge a good relationship through this, then the Qin family's affairs... hehe, will naturally be much easier to discuss."
Qin Mingqi pursed her lips upon hearing this, her expression softening slightly.
Ye Li took another sip of tea and said calmly:
There's nothing to discuss.
"Tonight, you will hand over their family to me, and complete the previously agreed-upon redemption process as well."
"That won't do!"
Qin Mingqi immediately refused.
If Qin Baiyi's entire family is handed over, what will he have left to persuade Ye Li to stay?
Can I really expect him to listen to me in everything just because I gave him a promise?!
Ye Li glanced at her. "Besides what happens tomorrow, I can grant you one more request."
"Palace Heir Ye, that's not what I meant. I meant..."
"But..."
Think carefully before you answer.
The young man put down his teacup, his voice remaining calm.
Qin Mingqi's breathing became slightly labored.
Meeting that cold gaze, the words that were on the tip of her tongue caught in her throat.
Bai Jingshan also stopped smiling, raised his hand to stop her, and then transmitted his voice:
"Your Highness, it's time to stop while you're ahead."
"You detained Qin Baiyi to invite Ye Li, and now that he's here, he's even agreed to add some conditions."
If we really fall out over this, we won't need to see each other tomorrow.
"His Majesty also values Palace Heir Ye. If the recruitment is ruined because of these few people, how will Your Highness explain this to His Majesty?"
Qin Mingqi pursed her lips tightly.
She understood this principle, of course.
However, without the Qin family branch, it might not be so easy to invite Ye Li over again in the future.
Bai Jingshan saw through her thoughts and quickly added:
"As long as a contract is signed, there's no need to worry about him going back on his word later."
"Now that he has met Qin Baiyi, if you still refuse to give in, you can only wait to fall out with him!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Mingqi finally suppressed his dissatisfaction for the time being.
She really couldn't bear to let him go.
But if this ruins tomorrow's plans, that's not the outcome she wants either.
After a moment, she looked at Ye Li again and said:
"Not tonight, we'll have to wait until tomorrow when the trip is over."
"At that time, I will give you the entire Baiyi family, and the old contract will be dissolved as well."
"But the conditions you promised me, I'll keep them for now, and tell you later after I've thought them through."
As she said this, she slightly raised her chin:
"Besides, words alone are not enough; you need to sign a contract with me!"
"No problem."
Ye Li agreed readily, "Just bring me the contract."
Qin Baiyi's heart tightened upon hearing this, and she quickly looked at him:
"Prefectural Lord, you don't need to do this for someone like me..."
"Sit down."
Ye Li interrupted casually.
Upon hearing this, Qin Baiyi opened his mouth, but ultimately lowered his head again.
She originally just wanted to raise enough money to redeem herself and get her affairs settled.
Now, Ye Li is forced to agree to even these conditions for her sake.
No matter how delicious the spiritual food on the table was, she had absolutely no appetite.
Bai Jingshan then took out an antique jade plate.
As Immortal Essence was injected, a golden contract slowly rose from the plate, with densely packed characters flowing across it.
The Daoist aura emanating from it made Qin Baiyi's face grow even paler.
This is a precious artifact used by royalty for making oaths.
A contract is made with this item, and even if the Fortune-Mastery True Cultivator breaks it, he will suffer a severe backlash to his Divine Soul, and even fleeing to another continent will not be able to avoid it!
Bai Jingshan wrote down the demands of both parties one by one.
Qin Mingqi first wrote down her name, then Law Seal.
Bai Jingshan then handed the contract to Ye Li and said with a smile:
"Please take a look, Your Palace Heir."
Ye Li read through the terms and conditions, and then readily signed his name.
Buzz!!
Two Law Seal lit up simultaneously!
The contract was then divided into two copies, and a connection was Spiritual Platform between them at that moment.
Qin Mingqi took her share, looked at it carefully for a moment, and only then did her brows finally relax.
In that case, it's not a complete loss!
"Now you can rest assured, right?"
Ye Li put away his share and asked:
Where to go tomorrow?
Qin Mingqi gave a soft snort, stood up, came closer, and took his arm:
Linze.
"I had previously set my sights on Sky-Treading Silver Lion that had already achieved Fortune-Mastery, and its appearance was also excellent."
"Let's go together tomorrow and catch it ourselves."
She looked up at Ye Li, her smile brightening again, and said with considerable pride:
"From now on, it will be our mount!"