They all carried on with the dinner soon after. A while later, when all their plates were carried out of the room by the servants, Master Ru informed the two of them.
"I've informed Captain Hao about that elderly woman. We might get to hear about her whereabouts by tomorrow evening," Master Ru said.
'Well…I highly doubt that father-in-law,' Yi Chen thought, clearly knowing that the elderly woman didn't belong to this realm.
Meanwhile, Feng Yu nodded at her father's words with an apologetic expression on her face.
"I'm sorry, Father…because of me, you were burdened with this issue. You must have already been busy with the marriage arrangements," Feng Yu said in a low tone.
Hearing this, Master Ru gave a dismissive sigh.
"Silly girl, you don't need to worry about such small things. I'm already obligated to do these tasks as the town's head and also as your father.
Besides, seeing the two of you much closer than before had wiped away all my pent-up exhaustion."
A teasing grin formed on Master Ru's face as he finished his words.
When Feng Yu heard this, she couldn't help but turn to her side in embarrassment, while Yi Chen could only smile wryly.
Satisfied with the response, Master Ru soon briefed them about tomorrow.
"Tomorrow morning, tailors will be coming to take the measurements for your robes, and after lunch, the jeweller will arrive as well. Suggest whatever changes you desire so that they can be implemented at the earliest.
Also, take your time with the ring selection. It's best that you both like the design as it's something that you'll be wearing your whole life."
"Yes, father," Feng Yu nodded in anticipation, and Yi Chen also nodded from her side.
"That's all then. I'll go to my study room for a while before going to sleep. You both need to go to sleep quickly after some catching up, since tomorrow is going to be a busy day."
With that said, Master Ru soon left the dining room, leaving only the two of them alone.
"Uhm…shall we go for a walk then?" Yi Chen suggested. Sitting here together was a lot more nerve-racking than walking.
Feng Yu readily agreed to the idea, and the two of them were soon strolling the residence's garden.
The calming scent of the jasmine and the constant chirping of the crickets made the two grow comfortable in each other's presence, and they finally started talking.
"Sorry for scaring you earlier…" Feng Yu apologised, thinking about the earlier incident.
"Oh that…" Yi Chen scratched the back of his head and continued, "Don't mind it. I was just too lost in my thoughts that I didn't pay any attention to my surroundings, haha."
A gentle smile formed on her lips under the veil when she heard him and asked, "What were you thinking about back then?"
"Actually, I was just too excited about opening my first Qi point that my mind started wandering from one point to another," Yi Chen snickered in a self-mocking manner.
"Haha, I was also very excited when I opened my first Qi point. I was six years old at that time," Feng Yu answered with a nostalgic look in her eyes.
"Is that so?" Thinking of something, Yi Chen suddenly asked, "You started pretty early, then why are you still in the Ninth Level?"
However, he soon realised how sensitive his question would feel in this world and quickly added, "Ah, if it's something personal, you don't need to answer that. I was just asking,"
A subtle frown that had formed on Feng Yu's face eased when she heard Yi Chen's next word, and she said with a sigh, "It's alright. It's something you should know anyway,"
She lifted her head to glance at the bright moon and said, "I reached the Ninth Level of [Elementary Transformation Stage] when I was eight years old.
When one reaches that stage, the nature of the Qi can be tested. It could be earth, fire, water, air or space. Depending upon the nature, a specific Qi Absorption Art is given.
The nature of my Qi was fire, which was considered one of the strongest. I still remember how excited my father was at that time…"
'Of course, it's fire,' Yi Chen nodded to himself as he remembered the contents of her status panel.
Not noticing this, Feng Yu continued after a brief pause, "…However, when I tried to circulate my Qi according to the absorption art, the entire right part of my body burst into flames,"
When Feng Yu finished her words, she reached her left hand towards the sleeves of her other hand and pulled them up.
A burnt mark was visible there as well.
'This…' It was only now that Yi Chen realised why her robes always used to cover her whole body. At that same time, a part of him was finding this relationship even more difficult to accept.
'To think it was not one half of her face but her body…' just imagining it in his mind was enough to crush the little positive feelings that had taken root in his heart so far, and subconsciously, a conflicted expression became apparent on his face.
"Young Miss!"
Feng Yu was about to glance towards Yi Chen to see his expression, but was stopped by a sudden call from behind.
It was a maid who was rushing towards her in a hurry.
"What happened? Why are you in such a state?" Feng Yu couldn't help but see her haggard state.
"The old lady! She's making a scene!" The maid answered hurriedly, "She's shouting and brawling with guards while demanding some pendant…when we told her we have no idea, she didn't believe us and became more aggressive."
"Pendant…" Feng Yu muttered to herself and was reminded of something, and rushed towards the guest quarters the very next moment.
"Young Miss!" the maid followed after her in a hurry.
Yi Chen was still upset about Feng Yu's revelation and had not yet recovered, but checking over the old lady took precedence over everything.
'Whatever, I'll think about it later!' With this thought, Yi Chen rushed after the two of them.