Elder Jin was overjoyed and held even greater respect for Yun Jinnian, the Saintess.
The dinner prepared was still very sumptuous, but it featured the characteristic spiciness of Nanjiang.
However, it was only mildly spicy, which whetted the appetites of Chu Yu and Yuwen Ya. Prince Yanjun, however, never ate spicy food, so special dishes were prepared for him. No one else noticed, but Yun Jinnian observed that those dishes were particularly unusual; upon closer inspection, she understood that they were beneficial for Prince Yanjun’s health.
Han Tianci ate bite by bite, sticking out his little tongue and fanning himself non-stop with his hand due to the spiciness. Yun Jinnian scooped up some mild chicken soup and fed him a few spoonfuls.
Chu Yu was green with envy.
"Sister, it’s so spicy!"
"Just eat slowly with small bites and you’ll be fine," Yun Jinnian said gently.
Han Tianci thought it made sense and followed Yun Jinnian’s advice, eating slowly.
Yun Jinnian didn’t eat much because she was firstly not very hungry, and secondly, eating too much while injured would make her uncomfortable.
Additionally, the dishes were not to her taste.
After dinner, Elder Jin came to call for Yun Jinnian.
Chu Yu and Han Tianci wanted to follow, but Elder Jin refused, allowing only Telan and some others to dress up Yun Jinnian properly.
Adorned in a flowing white dress, she appeared ethereal, with heavy silver ornaments in her hair, a complex and delicate necklace around her neck, and intricately designed wide bracelets on her wrists.
The bracelets, with their filigree and wirework, were absolutely stunning.
Telan and Liuka carefully supported Yun Jinnian into the palanquin, which was upheld by four pillars at the top, with white gauze draping down, concealing the palanquin.
Chu Yu and Han Tianci stood in place, their eyes wide open.
"Was that celestial being just now my sister?" Han Tianci quietly asked Chu Yu.
Chu Yu was also somewhat stunned.
He had always known that Yun Jinnian was beautiful, but under such dressing and makeup, she was breathtakingly gorgeous, to the extent that even after the palanquin left for a while, his heart was still beating fiercely.
"Hmm, she’s your sister!" Chu Yu said softly.
His thoughts still lingered on Yun Jinnian’s fairy-like figure.
Han Tianci glanced at Chu Yu before speaking seriously, "Big Brother Chu, do you like my sister?"
"Yes!" Chu Yu answered, then suddenly came to his senses, "You little rascal, tricking me into saying that!"
Han Tianci giggled, "Big Brother Chu, I won’t tell anyone; you can relax!"
"Just like that?" Chu Yu spoke as he took Han Tianci’s hand and headed back to their room.
The two had already privately agreed to diligently practice martial arts in order to protect Yun Jinnian in the future.
Therefore, they must achieve great martial arts prowess, if not unrivaled in the world, at least among the top.
Yun Jinnian sat upright inside the palanquin, her hands clasped together and placed on her knees.
The things she wore were very heavy, almost making it difficult for her to breathe, but since she had promised Elder Jin, she would persevere.
After a while, the grand hall appeared in sight.
The palanquin was carried into the great hall.
A sea of people filled the space.
"We welcome the Saintess!"
"We welcome the Saintess!"
As the palanquin passed by, groups of people kneeled down.
Their voices rose and fell, all tinged with excitement.
Yun Jinnian, sitting in the palanquin, couldn’t clearly see their expressions, but she could tell that there were many people—men and women, young and old, at least a few thousand—packed so densely together, shoulder to shoulder.
Almost reaching the front, there was an intricately carved grand chair covered with white fur. Telan lifted her out of the palanquin and placed her onto the chair.
As Yun Jinnian sat down, lamps around the great hall were suddenly lit, brightening the entire space as if it were daylight.