515. I’m the First! Meeting the Mother-in-Law

Watching Lingyuan’s hurried figure fade into the distance, Qian Renjue’s expression returned to normal.

Holding Ye Lingling by her slender waist, he leaned in and asked with concern,
“Lingling~ shall I carry you over?”

“N-no need,” Ye Lingling replied shyly, leaning against his chest and gently shaking her head.
“I’m fine now.”

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, pondering for a moment.
“Then, how about coming with me to Spirit City now?”

“I’d rather wait a bit,” Ye Lingling said, biting her lip. She had just experienced something so intimate—there was no way she’d go there immediately.

“All right,” Qian Renjue agreed without pressing her. Instead, he gazed at her lovingly and said,
“How about taking me to visit your family instead?”

“Visit my family?!” Ye Lingling froze.

Looking up into Qian Renjue’s eyes, she was surprised.
“Is that okay?”

Qian Renjue gently brushed her hair behind her ear, his eyes filled with affection.
“Of course it’s okay.”

Ye Lingling nodded nervously, her face burning red.

Bringing her lover to meet her parents—it was a significant moment for any girl.
The fact that Qian Renjue suggested it on his own was his way of giving her reassurance and making her feel secure.

Creak!

Just as Qian Renjue was about to say more, the sound of a door opening interrupted him.

“Your Highness, Lingling?”

Dugu Yan’s voice echoed as she appeared at the door.

Seeing the two of them, she immediately straightened her posture and gave a nervous smile.
“You... you haven’t left yet?”

“Yan? Why are you here?” Ye Lingling asked curiously, noticing Dugu Yan’s damp green hair, as though she had just bathed.

Qian Renjue also raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Oh, I-I’m here to bring breakfast to Her Excellency Ling Yuan!”
“Yes, that’s it—I’m delivering breakfast!”

Dugu Yan quickly came up with an excuse, avoiding eye contact with both of them. Guilt and unease filled her heart.

She regretted staying around last night to watch the show—it was a reckless decision!

Now she could only comfort herself: next time, when serving Qian Renjue alongside Lingling, she’d make sure to go first.

That way, things would be even, and Lingling could see how it felt in return.


After all, serving him alone probably wouldn’t be enough anyway.

“...”

Qian Renjue and Ye Lingling exchanged glances, feeling as though Dugu Yan and Ling Yuan were the real protagonists of last night’s drama.

Before they could delve further into the odd situation, Ling Yuan returned to the hallway.

Seeing Dugu Yan from afar, she hurried over to prevent her from saying anything incriminating.

“Your Highness, the carriage is ready,” Ling Yuan announced, cutting into the conversation.

“Great,” Qian Renjue replied, taking Ye Lingling’s hand and turning to Dugu Yan.
“Yan, would you like us to drop you off on the way?”

“No, no, there’s no need. I’ll head back to the academy later. I won’t disturb you two,” Dugu Yan quickly declined, waving her hands.

“All right, see you next time,” Qian Renjue said with a smile, leading Ye Lingling forward.

Ye Lingling looked back to remind her, “Be careful on your way, Yan.”

“Got it. Goodbye, Your Highness, Lingling,” Dugu Yan waved at their retreating figures, then exchanged a relieved glance with Lingyuan.

“Goodbye~” Lingyuan greeted briefly before following after the couple.


---

Not long after, Lingyuan was driving the carriage through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City.

Inside the luxurious carriage, Qian Renjue had Ye Lingling seated on his lap, holding a delicate gift box in his hands.

“Lingling, this is for you,” he said, opening the box before she could respond.

Inside was a brilliant soul bone.

“This is the Right Arm Bone of Extreme Speed, derived from a 15,000-year-old Lightning Rabbit,” Qian Renjue explained softly.

“It might not have the highest age, but its skill is quite impressive...”

“...”



Hearing Qian Renjue’s hesitant tone and looking at the soul bone in front of her, Ye Lingling’s red lips curved into a soft smile.

She lifted her gaze and gently kissed the corner of Qian Renjue’s eye.

“As long as it’s from you, I’ll love it. Besides, a 10,000-year soul bone is already incredibly precious.”

“Thank you for the gift, dear husband~”

Her voice was sweet and tender, her lashes fluttering with a mixture of shyness and joy.

“As long as you like it,” Qian Renjue replied, smiling warmly as he handed her the box.

Although the Spirit Hall had more powerful soul bones, none were particularly suitable. For a healing-type soul master, offensive or amplifying soul bones were less practical. To Qian Renjue, the priority was survivability.

“I do love it. But the gift I love most is the one from last night,” Ye Lingling murmured, her face flushing as she lowered her head.

“T-that doesn’t count! It was mutual,” Qian Renjue replied awkwardly, feeling that he was the one who benefited more. Ye Lingling had been utterly exhausted, and calling it a "gift" didn’t seem appropriate.

“It does count!” Ye Lingling insisted, her breath quickening as a light veil of blush covered her cheeks. Her blue eyes shimmered with a misty glow.

She raised her head and bit her lip gently, her voice trembling. “I-I’m the first to have you!”

“…”

Qian Renjue froze momentarily.

Watching her determined yet bashful expression, he leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss.

“Mmm~” Ye Lingling held the box tightly against her chest, her heart racing.

She realized that, in his arms, she was losing control of herself more and more, unable to resist giving her all to him.

When the kiss ended, Qian Renjue looked at the blushing beauty in his arms, hugging her close and stroking her hair gently.

“I know what you want... I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine~” Ye Lingling replied softly, snuggling against him.

She stayed silent, letting her emotions settle. After all, facing her mother back home was no easy task.


---

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived,” Ling Yuan called as the carriage came to a stop, lifting the curtain with her delicate hands.

“Sister Ling Yuan, please wait outside for now,” Qian Renjue instructed gently, helping Ye Lingling step down from the carriage.

“Understood!” Ling Yuan replied respectfully, watching the couple head toward the Ye family’s gate before moving the carriage aside.

As Ye Lingling walked closer to her home, a mix of joy, sweetness, and nervousness flooded her heart.

She glanced at the man by her side, striding confidently with a calm smile.

The gatekeepers of the Ye family widened their eyes upon seeing their young mistress return with a man.

One quick-witted servant immediately ran inside to inform the mistress of the house but was stopped by Ye Lingling.

“I’ll talk to my mother myself. Just focus on your duties.”

“Yes, Miss,” the servants replied, bowing respectfully, their eyes lingering curiously on Qian Renjue.

“Let’s go, Jue” Ye Lingling said softly.

“Mm,” he nodded, taking her hand as they stepped into the Ye family residence.

Qian Renjue glanced around, noting the simple yet elegant decor. The clean and understated aesthetic exuded a refreshing charm.

Ye Lingling, however, grew increasingly uneasy as they approached the main hall. Her breathing quickened slightly as she tried to calm herself.

To an outsider, it might have seemed like she was the one meeting her future mother-in-law.

Qian Renjue, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease.

Before they reached the main hall, the door opened, and a graceful woman stepped out.

Dressed in a pale yellow gown, her face bore no makeup yet remained flawless, without a single wrinkle. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Ye Lingling’s.

Her wine-red hair was elegantly pinned up, exuding an air of dignity.

Upon seeing her daughter, Ye Qinshui’s steps quickened, her expression clouded with faint anger.

“Lingling, you troublesome girl! Why didn’t you come home on such an important night? Do you know how long I waited for you?”

Her gentle voice carried a scolding tone as she approached, raising her hand to point at her own eyes.

“Look at these dark circles! Do you know how many beauty naps it’ll take to recover from this?”

With that, she placed her hands on her hips, bringing her face closer to Ye Lingling’s in mock exasperation.

“…”

Whatever nervousness Ye Lingling had evaporated instantly, leaving her slightly embarrassed.