Lin Qingdai bent down and picked up the old book.
The paper was rough, the edges worn black, and it felt heavy in her palm, yet its weight made her wrist feel sluggish.
Lin Zhenshan had his back to her, his throat still burning with anger.
Don't be too happy yet.
Lin Qingdai hugged the old book to her chest.
Lin Zhenshan, " The Wind-Breaking Hand is not a unique skill of the Lin Clan. Others outside have also practiced it. If we really investigate, it can only be considered a folk skill and cannot be attributed to the Grand Commandant's Residence's Mansion."
"My daughter understands."
You don't understand anything.
After Lin Zhenshan finished cursing, he put the teacup on the table, splashing tea all over the place.
"This technique focuses on deflecting force, redirecting energy, protecting the wrist, and cutting off meridians. It's not fast enough to kill, but it's sufficient for survival, making it perfect for a half-baked Sixth Rank cultivator like him who only has qi and blood but no real skills."
Lin Qingdai's eyes flickered, but she didn't reply.
Lin Zhenshan continued, "But the Wind-Breaking Hand has a problem: it's easy to get the hang of, but it's also easy to go astray. If you get greedy for quick results within three days, the meridians in your wrist will swell. In severe cases, you won't even be able to hold chopsticks properly for half a month."
Lin Qingdai nodded.
I'll keep an eye on him.
Lin Zhenshan looked at his drafty little cotton-padded jacket and felt even more suffocated.
"If he can't learn it, don't blame me when he dies."
Lin Qingdai clutched the old book tightly.
Thank you, Father.
"Roll."
Lin Qingdai turned and left.
As he reached the door, Lin Zhenshan's suppressed anger rang out behind him again.
"Besides."
She stopped in her tracks.
Lin Zhenshan said coldly, "Tell him not to think that just because he has Sixth Rank Qi and blood, he can really walk around the capital with impunity. People in the capital who want to kill him don't even need a knife."
Lin Qingdai turned around.
Lin Zhenshan had already sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup, and the lid of the teacup tapped against the rim, making a sound that made one's ears tingle.
"His Majesty already knows about his shabby martial arts school, and he even deliberately leaked the news to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince."
He took a sip of tea, put it in his mouth, and then placed it back on the table.
"Tell Gu Moran to stop showing off his cleverness. Of these three brothers, I truly cannot see which one His Majesty wants to use to sharpen the knife for whom."
Lin Qingdai frowned.
These words carry even more weight than old books.
If the Dragon Abyss Martial Arts School is accused of being a prince secretly keeping martial artists, the Censorate will be able to submit a memorial to the Hall of Supreme Ultimate tomorrow.
Lin Zhenshan did not look at her.
He spent half his life on the battlefield and in the imperial court, so he knew all too well where the sword came from.
Sometimes, the weapon that can harm you isn't in its sheath.
It's a folded document.
It's just a rumor.
It was a cup of tea handed to me with a smile.
Lin Qingdai lowered her voice.
"Father."
Lin Zhenshan said irritably, "What do you want now?"
"My daughter just wanted to say that he's not the useless person he used to be."
Lin Zhenshan snorted coldly.
"If you can't beat me, you're still trash."
Lin Qingdai forced a smile, her voice softening slightly at the end.
"Alright, Daddy's the best, okay?"
Lin Zhenshan's brow twitched.
Lin Qingdai pressed the old book to her chest.
"Your daughter just wants you to rest assured, Gu Moran isn't some useless coward who hides behind a woman."
Lin Zhenshan looked up at her.
Lin Qingdai said, "Therefore, this ' Wind-Breaking Hand doesn't count as something given to Prince Yi by the Grand Commandant's Residence."
She paused for a moment, pressing her palm tightly against the cover of the old book.
"This is from a father to his daughter."
The training hall fell silent.
Lin Zhenshan's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.
The next moment, he shouted, "Get out, get out! You're chasing after a little cabbage that's been rooted up by a pig, get the hell out of here!"
"I thought you suddenly came back because you missed your father, you traitorous bastard!"
Lin Qingdai smiled.
This time, the laugh was genuine.
She walked out of the training hall carrying the old books.
Zitang stood guard by the carriage, and her face turned pale when she saw the bloodstain on the side of her neck.
"Miss!"
Lin Qingdai stuffed the old book into her bosom.
"Keep your voice down."
Zitang's eyes reddened with anxiety.
"Did the master hit you?"
Lin Qingdai climbed into the car.
"He dares."
Zitang was stunned.
Lin Qingdai settled herself in, lifted the carriage curtain, and glanced at the tightly closed gates of the Grand Commandant's Residence.
Behind the door was where she had practiced swordsmanship since she was a child.
It was also the first time she had ever taken something from her father's house for another man.
She lowered the curtain, her fingers pressing against the old book.
"Return to the residence."
When Lin Qingdai returned to Prince Yi's Residence, the rain had just stopped.
As soon as she entered the second gate, she bumped into Uncle Fu standing under the corridor.
Uncle Fu's expression changed when he saw the bloodstain on the side of her neck.
" Madam Lin, are you injured?"
Lin Qingdai tucked the old booklet into her sleeve.
"Minor injury."
Uncle Fu lowered his head.
"His Highness is in the study."
Lin Qingdai stopped in her tracks.
How did you know I was looking for him?
Uncle Fu said, "His Highness knows you have returned to the Grand Commandant's Residence."
Lin Qingdai sneered.
"What's wrong with me going home? What did he guess this time?"
Uncle Fu lowered his eyes.
"This old servant does not know."
Zitang couldn't help but interject, " Uncle Fu, Miss's neck is still bleeding. Let Madam Shen take a look first."
Lin Qingdai frowned.
"Need not."
Zitang was so anxious she was about to cry.
"Miss!"
Lin Qingdai glanced at her.
"If you shout again, the whole manor will know that I once held a sword to my neck."
Zitang immediately shut her mouth.
Uncle Fu frowned slightly, but asked nothing.
"This old servant will go and invite Madam Shen."
Lin Qingdai didn't stop her, and walked towards the study with a cold face.
In the study, Gu Moran was reading a secret letter from the south of the city.
There were only four sentences on the paper.
Ye Qingyun couldn't lift his left arm.
The Second Prince's Residence sent medicine.
The Second Prince's Residence also sent Chu Tianxing precious medicinal herbs and a visiting card.
Chu Tianxing accepted the medicinal herbs but not the visiting card.
Gu Moran stared at the last sentence and chuckled.
"This miracle doctor has some principles, but not many."
Lin Qingdai's voice came from outside the door.
Who has principles?
Gu Moran up.
Lin Qingdai entered carrying old books, her hair damp with rain, and a red mark pressed into her collar on the side of her neck, the blood glaringly obvious.
Gu Moran's face darkened, and he got up and walked out of the desk.
What happened to your neck?
Lin Qingdai slammed the old booklet on the table.
"Look at this first."
Gu Moran didn't touch the old books.
"I'm asking about your neck."
Lin Qingdai frowned.
"You should look at the manual first."
Gu Moran walked up to her, his gaze falling on the wound.
How did you do that?
Lin Qingdai remained silent for two breaths.
"I was racing with my dad, and I accidentally got scratched."
Gu Moran looked at her.
"How could your father bear to hurt you? Did you go back to the Grand Commandant's Residence and force your father to give you the secret manual?"
Lin Qingdai did not answer.
Gu Moran pushed the old book on the table back in front of her.
He instantly ignited the fire in Lin Qingdai's chest.
" Gu Moran, what do you mean?"
Gu Moran, "My life now requires my wife to bleed for it."
Lin Qingdai smiled, but it was a short, sharp laugh.
"You're talking to me about integrity now?"
She took half a step forward and placed her hand on the old book.
"You only have Sixth Rank Qi and blood right now, and you don't have a single self-defense technique. If you encounter a master who can cut off meridians, you'll be kneeling within three moves."
Gu Moran said, "I can't exchange it for your blood."
"I'm willing to switch."
Lin Qingdai stared at him and said, word by word, "You are my husband; your death is my death."
Gu Moran's throat tightened.
He looked at the bloodstain on Lin Qingdai's neck, and the words that were originally on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back by the sight of that blood.
The system panel in front of me lit up.
[The beauty's favorability has greatly increased.]
[ Lin Qingdai's favorability: ↑50, currently +6.]
[Source of fluctuation: Actively protecting her husband, exchanging injury for skill, initial confirmation of marital belonging.]
[Added tag: stubborn and protective.]
[Note: Lin Qingdai's perception of the host has changed from that of a spoiled brat forced into marriage to a husband she needs to protect with her own hands.]
[Congratulations, host! Your total favorability with your consorts has exceeded one hundred.]
[Milestone rewards are being distributed.]