Yun Jinnian noticed the way the five great elders behaved and understood that what they were seeking must be on her person.
"Elder Jin, if you agree to my going to the Capital City, you may state your demands, and as long as they are not too excessive, I will agree!"
She had obtained the Blood Lotus from them; should she not offer something in return?
Upon hearing this, the five great elders fell silent once more.
Yun Jinnian also remained quiet, gently sipping her tea. It was the Snow Lotus Dew specially prepared by Telan.
Yun Jinnian looked at Chu Yu and saw several chilblains and wounds on his hands and face, deciding to use the Snow Lotus to make a medicinal ointment to apply on Chu Yu’s hands and face.
Elder Jin stood up and knelt before Yun Jinnian, respectfully kowtowing before he spoke, "Thank you, Saintess!"
"Elder Jin, please stand up and take your time speaking!"
Elder Jin stood up, "Since the Saintess has spoken thus, then I will speak candidly. The Saintess may return to the Capital City, but she must bring along Elder Tu and Elder Mu, and must return to Nanjiang once every three years!"
Yun Jinnian glanced at Chu Yu, who nodded in agreement.
Yun Jinnian said, "I can bring the two elders with me, but on one condition: the two elders must not harm anyone, nor do anything that would damage my interests or my family. Should there be any such actions, I will show no mercy. Our agreement will be void, and no one will be to blame!"
The five great elders were slightly shocked.
True to her heritage as a descendant of the Saintess, despite her young age, she demonstrated determination.
"Of course, if there is anything you need help with, explain the situation. If it is within my power, I will certainly help without demur!"
With these words from Yun Jinnian, the five great elders felt much reassured.
"One more thing, I have no need for Telan and the others by my side. If one must stay, then let it be Telan; I like her!"
Telan was gentle and meticulous.
Elder Jin agreed without hesitation.
Having decided to celebrate the New Year at the Moonwatching Sect, Chu Yu instructed preparations to be made, and then they left for the sect.
Luoyi and Luo’er hurried back just before departure.
Seeing them travel-worn, Chu Yu had them freshen up, eat something, and then rest properly.
He even arranged for them to sleep in the carriage on the way to the Moonwatching Sect.
The party set off for the Moonwatching Sect in a grand procession.
Inside the Moonwatching Sect, the Saintess’s Zizhu Academy had already been cleaned thoroughly, and Yun Jinnian was brought there.
Chu Yu and the others were also settled into their own accommodations.
Han Tianci wanted to stay with Yun Jinnian, and Elder Jin agreed with a smile.
Zizhu Academy was vast with purple bamboo growing all around; each stalk was tall and sturdy, creating a serene environment.
"Sister, this place is lovely!"
"When we return to the Capital City, I’ll buy a residence too. I’ll dedicate a courtyard to growing bamboo so you can live there, would you like that?"
"Stalk by stalk, leaf by leaf, a forest of bamboo tall and sheaf. No blossoms shall I permit, lest bees and butterflies I admit," murmured Yun Jinnian softly.
She tenderly led Han Tianci into the hall.
The hall was large, likely where the former Saintess met with her followers.
Elder Jin personally guided them around and finally took Yun Jinnian to the bedroom.
"Elder Jin, you’ve worked hard!"
Elder Jin smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes and brows deepening, yet he appeared much kinder and gentle, a stark contrast to his earlier harsh demeanor on the snow-capped mountains. "Not at all, not at all. Rest for now, Saintess, maids will soon come to attend to you. In the evening, we ask the Saintess to meet with the followers and say a few words of encouragement before returning here to wash and rest. Tomorrow morning, I will lead the Saintess to harvest the Blood Lotus!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian readily agreed, "Very well!"