Chapter 266: Where is my Seventh Sister?

Yu Lin felt that his return might not be the right time.

Inside the house, Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy Maiden leaned against each other, whispering something, their brows and eyes filled with the joy of surviving a catastrophe and an affection they could hardly conceal.

After last night's life-and-death ordeal, the honest Dong Yong seemed to suddenly grasp things; he tossed aside all concerns of suitability, leaving only in his heart the woman willing to endure hardship with him and for whom he would sacrifice his life.

He straightforwardly expressed his feelings, and the Seventh Fairy Maiden accepted without hesitation.

In her view, Dong Yong could still treat her with sincerity and protect her with his life, even without knowing her true identity or despite her deliberately mundane appearance; this pure affection was worth her reciprocation.

The two were being affectionate until Yu Lin's footsteps startled them, whereupon they hastily pulled apart, their faces flushing crimson.

Upon seeing Yu Lin, both immediately bowed in greeting, their voices full of gratitude:

"Young Master Yu, thank you for saving my life!"

Yu Lin raised his hand in a gentle support; a soft force lifted them up, and he said calmly, "No need for formalities."

"When I fainted by the roadside, if it weren't for Brother Dong's righteous rescue and carrying me back, I probably wouldn't be alive today."

"This is merely a good cause yielding a good effect."

His gaze shifted between them, carrying a hint of good-natured teasing,

"So, you two... when do you plan to invite me to drink this wedding wine?"

This remark made them even more shy.

Dong Yong glanced at the Seventh Fairy Maiden beside him, thought seriously, and replied:

"Young Master Yu, now... is not the time."

"I plan to have a new house built in a few days; once it's finished, I'll ask a geomancer to pick an auspicious day and then solemnly bring Qimei through the door."

He held the Seventh Fairy Maiden's hand, his tone sincere,

"Qimei is so capable and kind-hearted; I, Dong Yong, cannot shortchange her in this lifelong matter, letting her suffer even the slightest grievance."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lin nodded approvingly:

"As long as you have it in mind, that's fine. Then I won't disturb you further..."

He was about to take his leave when the Seventh Fairy Maiden suddenly spoke:

"Young Master Yu, please stay." She looked at Yu Lin:

"I... have some private matters I wish to discuss with you alone; may I trouble you to step aside for a moment?"

Yu Lin showed a hint of doubt, but still nodded in agreement:

"Alright."

The two then walked to the leafless big tree beside the house. Yu Lin asked:

"What is it?"

The Seventh Fairy Maiden raised her hand to point at the sky, her brow furrowed with unrelievable worry:

"Young Master Yu, yesterday when I encountered danger, I had appealed to the Father Emperor for help and also messaged the immortal beings I once knew well... yet no one replied to me, and even my connection with the Heavenly Court was completely severed."

"You mean... could it be that the Father Emperor, in his anger, has struck my name from the Immortal Register, leaving only my immortal form?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Lin, although he knew the situation, pretended ignorance and shook his head:

"The Great Heavenly Venerable's intentions are as deep as the sea, unfathomable; I cannot fathom what he intends to do."

He shifted his tone, offering a reasonable speculation that also served as comfort,

"Perhaps... that might be the case."

But he immediately followed with a crucial counter-question,

"However... if the Great Heavenly Venerable truly wished to punish you severely, how could he allow me to assist you repeatedly, and even now let me stand safely by your side?"

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Fairy Maiden's eyes instantly lit up with realization.

"Indeed, if the Father Emperor were truly furious and had utterly abandoned her, how could he permit someone like Yu Lin to aid her at her side?"

"Perhaps he is restrained by heavenly law, which is why he pays her no heed."

Her mind suddenly cleared, and she quickly said:

"Thank you, Young Master Yu, for clearing my doubts! It was just Little Seven's momentary panic and lack of thorough thought."

Her tone grew resolute,

"After I accompany my husband through this mortal life, fulfilling our marital duties, I shall naturally return to the Heavenly Court to kowtow and beg forgiveness from the Father Emperor!"

Yu Lin raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"The Seventh Princess doesn't consider letting him take up cultivation to prolong his life?"

The Seventh Fairy Maiden, however, gave a wry smile: "How could I not want that?"

"But now I am also a mortal, and making things difficult for the Father Emperor... I fear I too will have to undergo reincarnation someday."

"So I won't hope for those things."

Yu Lin nodded: "Your thinking is fine."

At that moment, he recalled something and asked again:

"Does the Seventh Princess need to restore her original appearance right now?"

The Seventh Fairy Maiden pondered for a moment, shook her head, and made a request:

"I won't hide it from you, Young Master Yu; my magical power is now limited, and I can no longer restore my appearance by myself."

"I wonder... could I ask you to help me remain this ordinary look during the day, so as not to attract attention and cause trouble; then at night, when no one is watching, I can return to my true form?"

Her eyes were clear, carrying frankness toward Dong Yong,

"I do not wish to conceal this from my husband; I am willing to face him with my true appearance."

"It's a small matter." Yu Lin did not refuse.

He casually took a piece of jade material; with a slight stir of his mind, his fingertips seemed to flow with an invisible carving knife, and without hesitation he began to carve. Jade chips flew as an exquisitely patterned jade plaque, imbued with a subtle transformative power, quickly took shape.

"Uh... so that's how the Dong family's ancestral jade plaque came to be."

Yu Lin gazed at the jade plaque forming in his hand, and suddenly understood.

He handed the jade plaque to the Seventh Fairy Maiden:

"This jade plaque will automatically absorb the qi of heaven and earth, converting it into your mana; then you will be able to use Restore Original Form."

The Seventh Fairy Maiden received the warm jade plaque, and again expressed her gratitude:

"Thank you, Young Master Yu!"

"No need." Yu Lin waved his hand, then turned and said:

"When your wedding day arrives, I will come visit."

"Farewell."

Having said that, he strode forward.

Only after the Seventh Fairy Maiden saw him leave did she return to Dong Yong's home.

Only when night fell did the candlelight burn dimly.

A shout rang out from inside the house:

"Who are you? Where is my seventh sister?! What have you done to her?!"

"My lord, I am your seventh sister; please let me explain.........."