After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

Did you know that in the last Saintess election, I was only slightly inferior to Chu Qingyi?

Instead of answering directly, Nangong Li asked a question.

Lin Fengmian nodded: "I know that."

Nangong Li was telling the truth. Her talent, looks, and family background were all comparable to Chu Qingyi's.

Therefore, she was privately referred to as the "Second Holy Maiden" by the disciples of the Hehuan Sect.

"Then do you know where I went wrong?"

"I heard it's... support from the family?"

Lin Fengmian answered truthfully, taking into account what he had heard.

"That's right, to be precise, it's about elixirs."

Nangong Li's gaze darkened slightly.

"Originally, the Nangong family and the Chu family were roughly equal in power, but during the last selection of the Holy Maiden, the Chu family somehow found an alchemist..."

That alchemist is already at the peak of the third rank, half a step towards the fourth rank!

With him in charge, the Chu family provided pills of superior quality and quantity compared to my Nangong family, which is why I missed out on the position of Holy Maiden.

Lin Fengmian pondered, "So we came here to persuade that alchemist to switch allegiance to the Nangong family?"

"My lord, you are so clever!" Nangong Li smiled, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

"Then what am I doing here? Could it be... that alchemist is a woman?"

Lin Fengmian chuckled and teased.

"Oh dear, my husband, you're half right!"

Nangong Li leaned close to his ear, lowered her voice, and breathed softly.

"That alchemist was aloof and extremely difficult to persuade."

But he has an extremely beloved granddaughter whom he cherishes like a treasure.

He agreed to go to the Chu family back then, supposedly because his granddaughter gave the go-ahead... I wonder how that little bitch Chu Qingyi even got to know him!

She paused, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a hint of coquettishness:

"If you can help me 'persuade' that granddaughter in a little while, I'll serve you well tonight... okay?"

Lin Fengmian's lips twitched:

"What the heck... are they telling me to use my good looks?"

However, thinking about the anticipated "fierce battle" that evening,

Lin Fengmian decided to... sacrifice his looks.

The two arrived at the entrance of Caiyunxuan.

A long queue had already formed, mostly people seeking medicine or hoping to make connections, each holding a visiting card and looking forward to the task.

At that moment, several women who looked like maids walked out from inside the door.

The girl at the head, dressed in a pale yellow dress and looking lively and energetic, said in a crisp voice:

"Gentlemen, please return home. My young lady is unwell today and will not be receiving guests at this time."

The crowd in line immediately erupted in uproar.

"We've been queuing all morning! At least we should be able to get the visiting cards in, right?"

"Yes! This is my visiting card!"

"And mine too!"

"One at a time, don't push!"

The girl in yellow raised her voice to maintain order, but her face also showed a hint of helplessness.

Seeing this, Lin Fengmian turned to look at Nangong Li and spread his hands, saying:

"Senior sister, it seems we won't be seeing each other today. How about the reward? I even came all this way with you."

Nangong Li sighed softly, took out a jade tube that he had prepared beforehand from his sleeve, and handed it to Lin Fengmian:

"Go and give it to that maid. If it doesn't work out today, then tonight... it will still be your choice. But you can't wear this outfit anymore, I'm afraid you'll tear it up again."

Lin Fengmian felt a little regretful, but then he thought that breaking through to the eleventh level of Qi Refining was a real benefit.

He then took the jade tube and walked towards the maid in yellow.

"Miss, please pass this jade tube on to your young lady." Lin Fengmian handed over the jade tube, his tone gentle.

The maid in yellow took the jade tube and looked up at Lin Fengmian.

When she saw his face clearly, her beautiful eyes widened suddenly.

An expression of disbelief flashed in his eyes, and he stood there dumbfounded.

This person... looks so much like...

Lin Fengmian felt at ease seeing the other person staring intently at him.

After all, his face was indeed eye-catching. He smiled slightly:

"Miss, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

"Ah... Senior, please wait a moment!" The maid in yellow came to her senses and quickly stopped her.

"Hmm?" Lin Fengmian stopped in his tracks.

The people queuing around them cast strange glances and whispered among themselves:

"What's going on? Who's that kid?"

Seeing the look in everyone's eyes that seems to suggest you two are having some kind of wicked deal...

Lin Fengmian also looked completely innocent—he really only handed over a jade tube!

Nangong Li also walked over, secretly pinched Lin Fengmian's waist, and whispered reproachfully:

"You lecherous scoundrel! Were you flirting with someone's maid again?"

"No, I only gave you a jade tube," Lin Fengmian said, feeling wronged.

Before Nangong Li could say anything more, the yellow-clad maidservant hurriedly returned from inside the door and bowed respectfully to the two of them.

"This way, please, esteemed guests! My young lady requests your presence!"

"Huh?" Nangong Li was taken aback.

The surrounding crowd immediately erupted in uproar:

"What?! Wasn't Fairy Yun feeling unwell?!"

"Why were they allowed in?!"

"This isn't fair!"

Several guards quickly stepped forward, escorting Lin Fengmian and Nangong Li through the crowd and into the Caiyunxuan courtyard, shutting out the noise outside.

The courtyard is a hidden paradise; although not extremely large, its layout is exquisite.

Artificial hills and flowing water, lush green plants, and wind chimes hanging from the eaves and under the corridors, tinkling gently in the breeze, exuding an elegant and otherworldly atmosphere.

The two followed the maid inside. Nangong Li couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"My lord, could it be... that you know this 'Fairy in Colorful Robes', Yun Caiyue?"

Lin Fengmian shook his head, equally puzzled: "Never seen it before."

"Then why did she only meet with us?" Nangong Li frowned, then smiled again.

"Perhaps... it was the jade slip written by my senior sister that moved the other party?"

Lin Fengmian casually agreed, but a vague feeling of unease lingered in his heart.

Nangong Li was also delighted to hear this.

He further instructed:

"Husband, once we go inside, please behave yourself and don't speak so...frivolously. I've heard that Yun Caiyue is rather naive; don't frighten her."

"Where have I been frivolous?" Lin Fengmian asked helplessly.

As the two were talking, they arrived at a quiet and secluded house.

A gentle-looking maid, dressed in a light purple dress, stood outside the door. Upon seeing the two arrive, she nodded slightly and said softly:

"Please come in, both of you. The young lady is already waiting inside."

The door was opened.

Lin Fengmian's eyes lit up immediately.

A fairy dressed in colorful clothes was sitting gracefully in the room.

She was stunningly beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth, but her beautiful eyes seemed somewhat evasive.

Two small dimples appeared as their owner smiled.

At this moment, her hands were tightly gripping the hem of her dress.

—She gives off the feeling of a pure and innocent girl next door.

Yun Caiyue's eyes never left Lin Fengmian after he entered the room.

Lin Fengmian was surprised: Did she fall in love with me at first sight?

Nangong Li's heart alarm bells rang, and he quickly said, "Greetings, Fairy Caiyue."