90: Is it worth it?

Nangong Yu's eyes flashed with brilliance again, attempting to see more through the name Su Xingmeng.

A moment later, he couldn't help but smile faintly, "How interesting!"

"What is it, Young Master?"

Seeing Nangong Yu suddenly smile and utter a baffling sentence, Qing Ling couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Nangong Yu shook his head slightly, "Nothing, I just thought of something amusing."

After speaking, he looked up at the two monsters, Sparrow Sprite and the other, who were lying quietly on the side Cultivating.

Perhaps only these two fellows could sense his unusual state through their contract?

But it was just a feeling!

Nangong Yu smiled, "Qing Ling, go find some fruit and pastries. I want something to eat."

"Alright!"

Qing Ling agreed, "Sparrow Sprite, Silver Frost, keep an eye on Young Master. I'll be back soon!"

Having said that, Qing Ling quickly ran off.

Nangong Yu thought about what he had just seen, and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

He thought it was something serious, but it turned out Su Xingmeng's Spiritual Root had a problem!

Dao Yan Spiritual Root!

Su Xingmeng was three years old when her Dao Yan Spiritual Root prevented the spirit root measuring stone from detecting it, leading her to be considered rootless.

Because of this, she was abandoned by her parents and nearly died in the wilderness.

If she hadn't been taken to Cloud Dream Peak by an Old Daoist, she probably would have died long ago.

She couldn't Cultivate ordinary Cultivation Techniques, and her Spiritual Root would sometimes appear and sometimes vanish. The Old Daoist had never seen such a Spiritual Root.

The Old Daoist took her as an apprentice and searched for countless Cultivation Techniques for her, but none allowed Su Xingmeng to Cultivate successfully.

Three and a half years ago, the Old Daoist calculated that the Qingyou Empire would undergo a change, and thus calculated that her Opportunity lay in Clear Serenity, which is why he let her descend the mountain.

Her destination was Qingyou Imperial City, but as someone in the Body Tempering Realm, she could only travel on a Body Tempering Realm Wind Chasing Steed, which is why she only just arrived at Qingyou Imperial City!

Of course, it also took her so long because she traveled along the way practicing medicine and saving people.

'Good heart, definitely commendable!'

Nangong Yu muttered internally, unconsciously recalling the Dao Yan Heavenly Book he acquired from last year's Zero-Cost Purchase. Wasn't that a Cultivation Technique specifically prepared for the Dao Yan Spiritual Root?

That Old Daoist is quite interesting!

Nangong Yu felt a hint of curiosity and wanted to peek into the other party, but a warning constantly arose in his heart.

Nangong Yu pondered for a moment and understood. After using the Dao Yan Evil Eye twice, his internal spiritual power was nearly exhausted.

Trying to peek into the Old Daoist was likely beyond his current capability, and forcing it might even result in a backlash!

Furthermore, being able to calculate some details about the owner of the Dao Yan Spiritual Root means the Old Daoist must not be simple. There's no need to pry into his information right now.

Nangong Yu put aside his thoughts, pondered briefly, and then continued relaying instructions to Ying Mei, "Have Disha figure out a way to arrange for her to logically enter the Supervision Office without arousing her suspicion!"

"Understood!"

Ying Mei acknowledged the order and relayed Nangong Yu's command to Disha.

Nangong Yu looked toward the west side of the city, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He thought to himself: Your Opportunity might just be with me. Whether you can seize it depends on your fortune.

"Young Master, Qing Ling is back!"

A voice rang out as Qing Ling rushed over to Nangong Yu.

Nangong Yu looked at her sweat-soaked, fully matured beautiful Face, and his heart stirred slightly.

He picked up a Spirit Fruit that Qing Ling had brought before him, took a bite, and said casually, "Qing Ling, over these three years, you have taught me how to read and write, and instructed me in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Is there anything you desire?"

Hearing this, Qing Ling looked confused, momentarily failing to grasp Nangong Yu's meaning.

"Young Master, it is Qing Ling's honor to instruct you in your studies. Qing Ling desires nothing; I only wish to remain by your side and serve you!"

Qing Ling's expression was respectful as she continued, "I only hope that when I grow old and faded, Young Master will permit me to leave the Prince's Estate and enjoy my remaining years!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yu looked deeply at her, "You were fifteen when you came, and now you are eighteen, correct?"

Hearing this, Qing Ling was slightly stunned, "Yes, Young Master, Qing Ling is already eighteen!"

As Qing Ling spoke, a trace of sadness unconsciously flashed in her eyes. How many eighteen-year-olds can an ordinary woman have?

How many years did she have left to accompany the Young Master?

After three years of companionship, she seemed to care deeply for the Young Master and truly wanted to stay with him forever!

Perhaps it was also because the Young Master was easy to get along with!

But at this moment, Nangong Yu's voice drifted over, "Women in the Qingyou Empire can marry at fifteen. Do you have any such thoughts? If so, whom do you favor? I can ask Imperial Uncle to bestow a marriage upon you."

As soon as he said this, Qing Ling's Face turned pale with panic. Holding the fruit platter and pastries, she dropped heavily to her knees, "Young Master, are you casting Qing Ling aside?"

Nangong Yu did not go to help her up, but merely waved his hand lightly, saying, "That's not the case. Stop kneeling. I just feel that since you have served me for three years, I should consider your future."

"Starting a family and raising children, or perhaps entering the imperial court to wield power—as long as you wish it, Imperial Uncle should make an exception and issue a decree for you, based on my Face!"

Hearing this, Qing Ling quickly shook her head, her gaze firm as she said, "Since Qing Ling became the Young Master's maidservant, I will forever be the Young Master's maidservant. I beg the Young Master to take pity on me and allow me to stay by his side until the day I grow old and faded, only then granting me permission to leave!"

Nangong Yu's expression slightly hardened, "Wasting your best years here with me, is it worth it?"

"It is worth it!"

Qing Ling nodded without hesitation, "The Young Master is worthy of anything Qing Ling does. Once Qing Ling became the Young Master's maidservant, I can only be the Young Master's maidservant for life!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yu shook his head slightly, "To be honest, I don't quite understand, but I respect your decision!"

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Qing Ling, holding the fruit platter and pastries, quickly kowtowed.

Nangong Yu nodded slightly and spoke again, "If, one day, you accidentally obtain a heaven-shaking Opportunity and become a Powerful Cultivator even stronger than my mother and the others, would you still be willing to remain by my side as an insignificant maidservant whom I command?"

"Yes, I would!"

Qing Ling nodded, "Forget that this possibility is almost zero; even if that day truly came, Qing Ling would still stay by the Young Master's side, serving tea and water, attending to you!"

Nangong Yu gave her a deep look, finding himself unable to understand the person before him.

"Why? You are not my mother. Not only do I frequently order you around, but I have never given you any benefits. Why are you so good to me?"

Qing Ling shook her head slightly, "Perhaps it is affection, or perhaps it is the conviction in Qing Ling's heart. Qing Ling cannot quite explain it, but this is the truest thought in my heart!"

Nangong Yu nodded slightly, "I hope you will always remember what you said today. Rise."

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Qing Ling's Face showed joy. She stood up and crouched beside Nangong Yu, acting almost like a human tray.

Nangong Yu smiled faintly, flipped his hand, took out a Medicinal Pill, and handed it over.