Xue Ying stomped her foot in shame and annoyance, saying coyly, "Miss~"
Qing Yu also looked at Zi Lin Ling in confusion.
He truly couldn't understand how, with the Princess Consort's intelligence, she couldn't grasp such an obvious statement.
Zi Lin Ling urged, "Calling me Miss is useless, speak quickly, what do you like?"
Xue Ying felt her face burn so hot it could boil water.
She stole a glance at Qing Yu, then lowered her head, continuing to fiddle with her fingers, and said, "I... I like... Qing Yu!"
Her voice was barely audible, yet it clearly struck Qing Yu's ears.
Qing Yu was overjoyed, and the trace of unease in his eyes completely vanished.
Zi Lin Ling's eyes sparkled with barely concealed amusement, but she still pressed on, "What did you say? I didn't hear clearly!"
Though Xue Ying was embarrassed and annoyed, having said it the first time made the second time less daunting.
"I like Qing Yu!"
This time, she said it with passionate resolve, her voice ringing clear.
After saying it, Xue Ying felt the pressure in her heart lessen considerably.
When Qing Yu heard those five crystal-clear words, he finally felt completely at ease.
Zi Lin Ling chuckled and said, "That's more like it! If you like someone, you should say it, or you'll have regrets!"
"Do you both feel that after saying it, not only have you become more comfortable, but your feelings have also deepened?"
The two, having had the veil of secrecy lifted, suddenly felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.
"Thank you, Princess Consort!"
"Thank you, Miss!"
If they still couldn't figure out that Zi Lin Ling was intentionally playing matchmaker, they'd be utter fools.
Although the great fire had burned down the small kitchen of Zi Jin Pavilion, it had also kindled the true feelings between the two.
In this world, what could be more precious and beautiful than "I like you, and by chance, you also like me"?
Therefore, the great fire had been utterly worth it!
While Zi Lin Ling was happy for them, she didn't forget to give Qing Yu a stern warning.
"Don't thank me just yet!"
The joy on their faces froze, and they both looked at Zi Lin Ling in confusion.
Zi Lin Ling looked at Qing Yu and said solemnly, "Qing Yu, Xue Ying is not just my maid, but my family. She is very simple, very kind, and unaware of the wickedness of human hearts or the harshness of the world."
"Therefore, you must love her, protect her, and care for her well. Ensure she has light when it's dark, an umbrella when it rains, keep her from feeling cold in spring, and warm through the winters, do you understand?"
Xue Ying's eyes welled up. She knew her Miss wouldn't make things difficult, but she never expected her Miss to protect her so fiercely.
What she didn't know was that Zi Lin Ling's subsequent words were the most beautiful blessings from Zi Lin Ling's previous world before her transmigration.
"May your spring not be cold, may your winters be warm, may you have light when it is dark, an umbrella when it rains, and a good companion on your journey..."
Qing Yu was taken aback and earnestly promised, "Princess Consort, rest assured, Qing Yu will do everything in his power to make Xue Ying the happiest person in this world!"
Zi Lin Ling nodded and said, "Good! Don't forget every word you've said. If one day, you dare to betray Xue Ying, I will..."
"Then there's no need for the Princess Consort to act; let the heavens strike me with lightning, scattering my soul and leaving no trace!"
Qing Yu finished Zi Lin Ling's sentence, raising his hand in an oath.
Zi Lin Ling nodded and turned to Xue Ying, "Xue Ying, you must know that I will always be your strong support. If he dares to make you feel wronged, tell me, and I will deal with him for you!"
Xue Ying was once again moved to tears.
Her teary eyes nodded as she said, "Miss, thank you!"
Zi Lin Ling wiped away her tears and said, "Xue Ying, it's not easy in this life to meet someone you love, so we must cherish each moment, understand?"
Xue Ying nodded again, "Miss, Xue Ying understands. Thank you, Miss!"
Zi Lin Ling smiled, her smile as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.
"Alright, stop crying. If you cry any more, your eyes will swell. Do you want someone to worry himself to death?"
As she spoke, she gestured a glance at Qing Feng.
Qing Feng was indeed worried to death, but he knew the weight of Xue Ying's tears.
Xue Ying's tears turned into a smile as she shyly wiped them away. Sudan Novel Network.
"You, you can't even wipe away a tear. What will become of you?"
Zi Lin Ling said, deliberately pushing her into Qing Yu's arms and handing Qing Yu a silk handkerchief.
The implication was clear: "Fool, if not now, then when should you make a move?"
Qing Yu understood and eagerly took the handkerchief, gently wiping Xue Ying's tears away.
Zi Lin Ling, her mission accomplished, turned and left.
Qing Yu naturally embraced Xue Ying in his arms and said, "Xue Ying, from now on, I will never let you cry again."
"Qing Yu..."
Xue Ying's face turned even redder, her voice grew softer, and her head lowered further.
"Alright, enough with the mushy stuff. Go find someone to tidy this place up and get me some hot water!"
Zi Lin Ling's voice cut in at an inopportune moment, with a clear hint of teasing.
Xue Ying was so embarrassed she could have sunk into the ground. She abruptly pushed Qing Yu away and ran outside.
Qing Yu sniffed the lingering fragrance in his hand, a smile of lingering contentment on his face.
In Zi Jin Pavilion, only Zi Lin Ling, Xue Ying, and Qing Yu lived.
Although the four elders intended to send servants after Zi Lin Ling became the head of the family, she refused.
After so many years, she had grown accustomed to peace and quiet. With too many people around, she felt restless.
After all, there were some matters she didn't need to hide from Xue Ying and Qing Yu, but would need to conceal from others.
Therefore, the sweeping servants would leave Zi Jin Pavilion after cleaning and reside in the dedicated servants' quarters.
Thus, to rebuild the small kitchen, Xue Ying had to go to the servants' quarters to find people.
Time passed day by day. In the blink of an eye, more than a month had gone by.
Zi Lin Ling had finally fully digested her insights from Soul Severing Cliff, and her cultivation had stabilized at the middle stage of the Hua Yuan realm.
Early one morning, Qing Yu rushed to find Zi Lin Ling, informing her that people from the Imperial Zi family had arrived in Zi Xia Kingdom.
This news, naturally, was sent by Ye Ling Yuan's people. After all, nothing in the three kingdoms could escape the eyes and ears of Ye Chi.
Zi Lin Ling pondered for a moment before heading to the Underworld King's manor.
"Princess Consort!"
The guards at the entrance saluted her before heading towards Ye Ling Yuan's study.
Ever since Ye Ling Yuan publicly proposed, everyone in the Underworld King's manor had etched Zi Lin Ling's appearance into their memories.
After all, she was their future matriarch, and no one wished to offend her by accident.
Along the way, everyone who saw Zi Lin Ling respectfully saluted her, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.
However, Zi Lin Ling seemed to be a magnet for trouble, and there were always some inconsiderate people who bumped into her.
As it happened, before she even reached Ye Ling Yuan's study, she saw a delicate young woman approaching gracefully.
She was holding a tray, on which rested a soup tureen.