Chapter 259: An Item Worth Ten Thousand Taels of Gold

Chapter 259: An Item Worth Ten Thousand Taels of Gold

Two days later, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised to see Lin Qingyi, dressed in a green robe, standing outside the door.

Lin Qingyi smiled, "You didn't expect me to come visit you so early in the morning, did you?"

"Indeed, I didn't expect it," Jiang Ning chuckled.

With his powerful five senses, he could perceive someone outside, but without Lin Qingyi speaking, he couldn't identify the visitor.

As for his psychic field, he dared not use it casually.

Psychic power wasn't unique to him.

Those who had reached the Sixth Rank Martial Path could all achieve the condensation of the ethereal to the real, allowing them to barely manipulate external objects telekinetically.

The next step after materializing the ethereal was to expand the psychic field, using it as the sixth sense to observe all things in the universe.

However, upon reaching the condensation of the ethereal, even if it wasn't a crushing level of psychic field, it would still be noticed by those within its range.

Using the psychic field to observe others was a blatant provocation.

Doing so to a top-tier martial artist would get one killed without a word of objection.

Therefore, upon hearing the knock on the door, Jiang Ning didn't casually expand his psychic field.

"Why, aren't you inviting me in?" Lin Qingyi smiled and continued, "The wind outside is so strong. Are you trying to freeze your sister to death?"

"Please, come in," Jiang Ning gestured.

Lin Qingyi lifted her leg over the threshold, and the wind blew her long skirt, revealing half of her slender calves.

Jiang Ning glanced at her legs and then averted his gaze.

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

In this weather cold enough to freeze water, Lin Qingyi was wearing a skirt that barely covered her calves. She truly was immune to cold and heat!

As for Lin Qingyi's previous words, Jiang Ning smiled inwardly, unbothered.

It was a joke; a near-Grandmaster-level expert like Lin Qingyi couldn't possibly be frozen to death by temperatures around zero degrees.

Although he didn't know how strong a Grandmaster was, he was well aware of his own strength.

And at the moment, he was only at the Sixth Rank Martial Path.

Near-Grandmaster experts were at the peak of the Fourth Rank!

The further one advanced on the martial path, the greater the gap became.

It was common knowledge that Grandmasters, under normal circumstances, had lifespans of at least two cycles of sixty years.

In this era, where one cycle was considered a grand occasion, two cycles meant six generations living together, and that was just the starting point.

According to some miscellaneous discussions he had read in books, there were Grandmasters who lived for over one hundred and fifty years.

Such longevity seemed to break the limits of the human body, reaching a level beyond Jiang Ning's understanding from his previous life.

In his past life, with such advanced productivity, medical science was equally advanced.

Forget about living for two cycles!

Even a hundred-year-old person was extremely rare.

Theoretically, the human lifespan limit was only two cycles.

The world record in his previous life was barely over two cycles, with the oldest person living for one hundred and twenty-two years and one hundred and sixty-four days.

Comparing this, it was clear that Grandmasters possessed qualities that transcended the ordinary.

Increased longevity was the most apparent manifestation of an elevated level of life.

And Lin Qingyi was infinitely close to such an existence.

The two walked on the shallow snow.

As they stepped on the snow, it made a soft crunching sound.

Lin Qingyi looked around and then asked, "Where are your brother and sister-in-law?"

Jiang Ning replied, "Today, the snow finally stopped. They went to the market to buy some necessities. Right now, only I and my grandnephew are at home."

"Nephew?" Lin Qingyi murmured and then looked at Jiang Ning with a slight smile. "What do you think about becoming an uncle at your age?"

"I don't have any thoughts about it!" Jiang Ning shrugged and spread his hands. "I'm already used to it!"

Then he asked, "Lin Sister, what about you?"

"What about me?" Lin Qingyi inquired.

"Lin Sister, you're still so young, but you're already a mother. What do you think about that?" Jiang Ning asked.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, Lin Qingyi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

"Who said I'm a mother? I'm still a pure maiden!"

"A pure maiden?" Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned.

"What? Do you find that surprising?" Lin Qingyi tilted her head slightly, her ears turning slightly red.

Even with her current mindset, discussing this topic made her cheeks slightly warm.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment before saying, "Both the Eighth Prince and Princess Xiao Shi call you 'Aunt,' which means that you are..."

"The Eighth Prince?" Lin Qingyi murmured.

Then she calmly said, "The Princess Consort, right?"

"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded. "Logically speaking, you should be the wife of a certain prince, right?"

Lin Qingyi smiled bitterly. "What Princess Consort? It's just an arrangement!"

Arrangement?

Jiang Ning was momentarily taken aback.

Then, Lin Qingyi smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore!"

Both fell silent.

Until they stepped into the eastern courtyard.

"Do you know why I'm here today?" Lin Qingyi suddenly asked.

"No idea!" Jiang Ning shook his head.

Lin Qingyi turned to Jiang Ning, a faint smile playing on her lips as she maintained her composure.

"You're quite something, aren't you!"

"Princess Xiao Qiushi wants to meet you, and she's insisting on marrying you. She's waiting for you in the Imperial Capital."

At this, Jiang Ning smiled helplessly.

"Princess Xiao Qiushi is still just a child, and this is just a passing fancy. How can I take her words seriously?"

Lin Qingyi's smile turned mischievous.

"You make it sound like you're so mature."

Jiang Ning opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"What are you trying to say?" Lin Qingyi's gaze flickered.

"Nothing!" Jiang Ning replied calmly.

He then pushed open the door of the eastern yard, where guests were usually received. Despite rarely using this room, there was no unusual smell in the air.

Usually, his older brother and sister-in-law would come by to clean it when they had time.

As he stepped into the room and closed the door behind Lin Qingyi, he did so to prevent the cold wind from entering.

"Lin, do you want to warm up by the fire or have a cup of hot tea?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Both! Your home by the lake is a bit chilly in this weather!" Lin Qingyi said, crossing her arms over her chest, accentuating her robust figure.

She then rubbed her shoulders with her hands, emphasizing her slender arms, which seemed out of place for someone of her martial prowess.

At the same time, her thin clothing was noticeable, no different from what ordinary women would wear during spring and autumn.

It was completely inappropriate for the dead of winter.

A moment later, Jiang Ning lit the charcoal brazier and brought a cup of hot tea to Lin Qingyi.

Lin Qingyi sat by the brazier.

The dancing flames illuminated her face, giving it a healthy flush.

She took the hot tea from Jiang Ning and held the cup with both hands.

"So warm!" Lin Qingyi's eyes narrowed, and her expression became inexplicably relaxed, like a cat basking in the winter warmth.

"Are you still feeling cold, Lin?" Jiang Ning asked, sitting beside her and observing Lin Qingyi's genuine-looking demeanor.

"Yes!" Lin Qingyi nodded slightly at Jiang Ning's words, "I have a naturally cold body. Even in the height of summer, my body feels icy, let alone in winter!"

"Don't believe me? Feel for yourself!"

As she spoke, Lin Qingyi suddenly reached out with her left hand, which had been holding the cup, and placed it on Jiang Ning's right hand.

"It's a bit cold!" Lin Qingyi said calmly.

"It is a bit chilly," Jiang Ning nodded, then pinched her hand twice, feeling as if he were holding something icy.

At that moment, the dancing flames illuminated Lin Qingyi's delicate face, tinting her cheeks with a rosy hue.

The next moment, Jiang Ning released her hand and said calmly, "Lin, I think you're anemic."

"Anemic?" Lin Qingyi's eyes widened as she looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning smiled awkwardly, touching his nose, and didn't continue the conversation.

Lin Qingyi took a sip of the scalding hot tea, her eyes narrowing as she savored the sensation of her body's coldness being driven away by the hot tea.

Then, she opened her eyes and looked at Jiang Ning.

"Back to what we were talking about earlier!"

"I came here today mainly at Princess Xiao Qiushi's request."

"Princess Xiao Qiushi's request?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised. "What is her request?"

Lin Qingyi took out a piece of white warm jade from her body, with a red cord tied around it.

This red cord was about forty to fifty centimeters long, clearly meant to be worn around the neck.

"This is the love token Princess Xiao Qiushi wants me to give to you!"

"She wants to travel the world with Ji Minghao, and after their last meeting, she felt awkward about coming to see you."

"So she entrusted this love token to me, asking me to deliver it to you!"

"She also wants me to tell you to take this love token and find her in the Imperial Capital in a year to marry her!"

At this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel amused and exasperated.

"How can Princess Xiao Qiushi be so playful? Deciding on a lifetime commitment after just one meeting? What if I'm not up to her standards in character or ability?"

Lin Qingyi, sitting beside him, smiled at these words.

"I think Princess Xiao Qiushi is being a bit playful, too."

"But this is a token of her affection, and you should accept it!"

"Moreover, this warm jade is not ordinary. It's heartstone warm jade, meant to be worn on the chest, with the benefits of nurturing vital energy, calming the mind, and warding off disasters!"

"Most importantly, it can slowly increase mental power, which is its true value!"

At the mention of its true value, Jiang Ning's eyes widened slightly, and his eyes twitched.

(End)

"Is it truly worth a fortune?" he asked.

"Indeed, it's worth a fortune!" Lin Qingyi nodded: "This item should be the most valuable thing on Princess Xiao Qiushi's person."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning took the Heartstone from Lin Qingyi's hand.

As soon as the Heartstone touched his skin, it began to emanate a warm, soothing sensation, spreading from the surface of his skin to the depths of his arm.

"This Red Cord is no ordinary thing!" Jiang Ning's face revealed a hint of astonishment.

Lin Qingyi nodded in agreement: "Of course, it's not ordinary! This is the Red Cord tied to a Heartstone worth a fortune. If an ordinary Red Cord were used, what if it broke?"

She continued, "Even I couldn't snap this Red Cord! The Heartstone is equally resilient, incredibly hard."

Jiang Ning's gaze refocused on the Heartstone in his hand.

Although it appeared lightweight, he inexplicably felt its weight.

Worth a fortune.

Selling himself wouldn't even cover a fraction of its value.

This item was too precious!

He suddenly felt perplexed.

Could a princess from the Imperial Family truly be so naive?

Lin Qingyi glanced at Jiang Ning: "How do you plan to handle this item?"

Jiang Ning slowly grasped the Heartstone, then smiled: "Naturally, I'll keep it safe. If I lose it, selling myself wouldn't even compensate for its value."

" Wear it around your neck!" Lin Qingyi suggested: "This item will greatly benefit you, whether for calming your mind, nourishing your Vital Energy, or enhancing your Mental Power. Its effects are extremely practical."

"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded promptly.

"Let me help you!" Lin Qingyi suddenly stood up, setting aside the teacup in her hand.

"Thank you, Lin sis!" Jiang Ning said.

Lin Qingyi approached Jiang Ning, taking the Heartstone from him.

She couldn't help but comment, "Princess Xiao Qiushi is indeed courageous!"

As she spoke, she grasped both ends of the Red Cord and gently passed them behind Jiang Ning's neck.

Jiang Ning felt Lin Qingyi's icy fingers occasionally brushing against his neck.

"Your body temperature is quite high!" Lin Qingyi remarked: "It feels scorching."

Jiang Ning chuckled without turning around: "Men naturally have ample Yang Energy, so it's only normal. Plus, Lin sis is inherently cold, making the contrast more noticeable."

Lin Qingyi smiled, choosing not to respond.

The next moment...

"Done!" she exclaimed, patting her hands.

Jiang Ning adjusted the Heartstone, immediately sensing the Red Cord's secure knot around his neck.

"Don't pull too hard!" Lin Qingyi warned: "Excessive force might loosen the knot, and in a intense battle, the Red Cord around your neck could become a deadly weapon!"

"Lin sis always thinks ahead!" Jiang Ning praised.

As Lin Qingyi mentioned, the Red Cord's durability was impressive, even for her.

If this resilient Red Cord were to form a tight knot, it could potentially strangle him in close combat.

Subsequently...

Jiang Ning carefully placed the Heartstone inside his collar.

As the Heartstone rested on his chest, he felt a gentle warmth emanating from it, invigorating his Vital Energy.

Under this soothing influence, his mind cleared, and distractions diminished.

It was as if the dust on a mirror had been blown away.

Jiang Ning closed his eyes, savoring the sensation, before opening them with an expression of admiration: "Indeed, a truly effective item, worthy of its value!!"

Lin Qingyi smiled: "In the Imperial Family, this Heartstone is considered a treasured heirloom, passed down through generations. Its benefits can be enjoyed by countless descendants, making its value priceless, or rather, beyond valuation!"

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

From his perspective, at a certain height...

Gold and silver held little significance.

The most precious things in life were always rare and scarce.

Gold and silver were merely currency, ordinary commodities, not truly scarce.

Lin Qingyi returned to her original seat, propping her hands on the bench, and stretching her legs, appearing relaxed and at ease.

She turned to Jiang Ning: "Have you thought about how to face Princess Xiao Qiushi in the Imperial Capital?"

Jiang Ning replied nonchalantly: "That's at least a year away. Given our brief encounter, Princess Xiao Qiushi might have forgotten me by then. I'll simply return the Heartstone to its rightful owner. Her words were just a jest, anyway."

As he spoke, his gaze was drawn to Lin Qingyi's leg, exposed when her skirt slipped, revealing a section of skin as smooth as jade.

Noticing this, Lin Qingyi's mouth curved into a subtle smile, seemingly aware of Jiang Ning's line of sight.

"Do you have a fondness for legs?" Lin Qingyi asked abruptly, without hesitation.

Jiang Ning chuckled awkwardly, having been caught stealing a glance: "I suppose they're alright."

"Would you like to touch?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end