Xue Ying looked at Zi Linling with a dazed expression and asked, "Does that mean I was mistaken, Miss? You don't have feelings for him?"
As she spoke, Xue Ying pointed to Ye Lingyuan on the couch.
"Feelings for him? Your lady still wants to live!"
Zi Linling cast a cold glance at Ye Lingyuan on the couch, her words filled with disdain.
Ye Lingyuan, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly lost his pleasant mood.
A faint chill emanated from him, and the temperature in the room began to drop.
Xue Ying shivered, unconsciously pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "Miss, what does that mean?" she asked blankly.
Although Zi Linling also felt the chill, her mood was currently quite gloomy, so she naturally ignored the source of the cold air.
She pointed to Ye Lingyuan on the couch and said to Xue Ying, "What does it mean? Do you know who he is?"
Xue Ying was startled. "Who is he?"
Zi Linling smiled exasperatedly and chided, "So you didn't hear what I said earlier!"
Xue Ying searched her memory for a long time but found nothing.
She shook her head sheepishly. She had been so focused on guessing Zi Linling's relationship with Ye Lingyuan that she had completely overlooked his identity.
Zi Linling felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. "He is the Underworld King, the renowned War God of Tianqi!"
She deliberately emphasized the words "Underworld King."
The words struck Xue Ying like a thunderclap, leaving her head buzzing.
The Underworld King! Everyone in Tianqi knew him. Although he was called the God of War, he was more known for his ruthlessness and indifference to women. Any woman who got close to him met a tragic end, becoming a withered flower!
Xue Ying finally understood why Zi Linling had called her out for overthinking.
As a normal woman in Tianqi, who would risk their life by falling for someone who could kill them at any moment?
Xue Ying patted her chest, still shaken. "Fortunately, fortunately, I don't have to worry anymore!"
"Worry about what?"
Zi Linling was once again confused by Xue Ying's words.
Xue Ying glanced at Ye Lingyuan, who was lying on the couch with his eyes closed, making sure he was asleep. Then, she whispered to Zi Linling, "I was worried you'd be infatuated with him and forget you're already engaged."
As she spoke, Xue Ying cast a sidelong glance at Ye Lingyuan on the couch.
Zi Linling's face darkened. Xue Ying was practically accusing her of infidelity.
She glared at Xue Ying indignantly. "Just put your mind at ease! Whether it's the Underworld King or the Crown Prince, your lady will not marry either of them!"
Despite Zi Linling's powerful soul, her current body was only twelve years old. Thus, though she was inwardly embarrassed and annoyed, her expression remained soft and cute.
Seeing her adorable appearance, Xue Ying let out a giggle. "Miss is joking again. What woman doesn't get married?"
Zi Linling was speechless. She was speaking very seriously, but Xue Ying thought it was just an angry retort born of embarrassment.
She said sternly, "Who said I was joking? Your lady is destined to become the strongest person on the continent. Why would I concern myself with romance?"
Seeing Zi Linling's proud demeanor, Xue Ying quickly soothed her. "Alright, alright! My lady is a remarkable woman who prefers armor to makeup and wouldn't bother with romance!"
Even as she said this, her knowing smile indicated that she took it as a jest.
Ye Lingyuan, lying on the couch, heard Zi Linling's ambition and felt a pang of melancholy.
Zi Linling knew that no matter how much she explained, Xue Ying wouldn't take her seriously. So, she changed the subject.
"I was worried your injuries hadn't healed and planned to let you rest longer. But seeing as you have the energy to tease me, your injuries must be fine now. In that case, let's go home!"
Xue Ying's face immediately contorted into a grimace. Despite her cheerful banter with Zi Linling, her wound was still throbbing with pain.
After all, it had been cut open and sewn up multiple layers. It wasn't something that could heal completely in just a few hours.
"Miss, my wound still hurts, and I can't walk. What if it splits open by accident?"
"Still hurting?"
Zi Linling looked at Xue Ying, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Xue Ying nodded aggrievedly. "It hurts!"
"It's supposed to hurt!"
As Zi Linling spoke, she lifted Xue Ying's blanket and quickly pressed a few points on Xue Ying's wound. "Does it still hurt?" she asked.
Just as Xue Ying was about to nod, she realized that the agonizing pain had vanished without a trace.
It turned out that while speaking, Zi Linling had inserted several silver needles into specific acupuncture points on Xue Ying, completely numbing her pain.
Xue Ying stared at Zi Linling in astonishment. "Miss, what did you do? Why can't I feel any pain?"
Zi Linling's lips curved into a slight smile. "What? Do you want to feel pain again? Should I take out these needles then?"
As she spoke, she reached out to remove them.
Seeing this, Xue Ying panicked and quickly stopped her. "Miss, no, no, don't!"
In her haste, she immediately got out of bed.
Zi Linling watched Xue Ying with a smile. She had no intention of removing the needles.
Xue Ying then realized she was standing on the ground, and everything felt normal, with no discomfort.
Her face lit up with joy. "Miss, your medical skills are simply astonishing!"
Zi Linling, seeing her exaggerated reaction, knew that this girl still hadn't taken her earlier words to heart.
She said with some exasperation, "Can you walk now?"
Xue Ying hopped on the ground a couple of times, looking at her wound with surprise. "Yes, yes, I can!"
Zi Linling said indignantly, "Stop hopping! These needles will numb your pain for an hour."
"Oh, okay!"
Xue Ying looked at Zi Linling with admiration. "Miss, what happens after an hour?"
"The pain will double!"
Zi Linling uttered the four words and turned to leave.
"Ah?"
Xue Ying's face fell again, turning into a bitter gourd. But soon, she smiled again, thinking to herself that she was being too greedy. How could such a miraculous skill last forever without any repercussions?
She smiled at Zi Linling and said, "It's fine. An hour is enough time for us to get home!"
Zi Linling nodded and looked at Ye Lingyuan on the other couch, her voice laced with a cold laugh. "How long are you going to pretend?"
Ye Lingyuan suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.
He slowly sat up and stared at Zi Linling. "How did you know I was awake?"
Zi Linling gave him a proud glance, her confidence unwavering. "I trust my medical skills!"