Ji Shaocheng helped his mother and Ye Liushuang out, leaving only Ji Cong and Hailing in the living room.
Ji Cong looked at his daughter and smiled with satisfaction, then called in Steward Ning.
He gave instructions every now and then.
"Ning Feng, immediately order the best tailor in the capital to come and take the young lady's measurements. Make her a set of the most beautiful and fashionable clothes in the capital."
"Yes, General."
"Also, have someone from Jinbaozhai, the jewelry shop, make a set of all kinds of jewelry for the young lady."
"Yes, General."
“Every morning, we have the pastry shop send over the freshest pastries, and I select the ones that Miss likes.”
"Yes, General."
Hearing Ji Cong's instructions to Steward Ning, Hai Ling felt a warm glow inside. However, she wondered if her father was going to bring back everything from the entire capital for her. She quickly stopped him, saying, "Father, there's no need for such a big fuss. If I need anything, I'll just tell the steward."
"Okay, let's do it this way for now, go and do it right away."
Ji Cong wanted to bring everything he could think of to his daughter. More than ten years of separation had prevented him from giving his daughter anything, so now he only wanted to give her everything.
Steward Ning responded and went out, but Ji Cong remembered something else and called Steward Ning back.
"Wait a moment, go and post the invitations. Our Ji family is hosting a banquet in three days. Make sure to send off all the guests who have dealings with the Ji family."
"Yes, sir."
Butler Ning wiped the sweat from his brow and hurried out as fast as he could. If he didn't leave soon, the master might give him some more instructions that he wouldn't be able to remember.
In the hall, Ji Cong finally let Steward Ning go and turned to gesture for his daughter to sit next to him.
"Little Ling'er, what's your name?"
Xiao Ling'er was the nickname he used to give her, meaning that the lily of the valley blooms and his daughter has arrived.
Hai Ling looked at him and said with a smile, "Ji Hai Ling, Father, my name is Ji Hai Ling."
Ji Cong was taken aback. Ji, didn't that mean his daughter would take his surname? Thinking this, he became even happier, his face beaming with joy: "Good, good, Ji Hailing, tell your father about your past?"
Although he knew his daughter wouldn't be doing well, he listened to his son's brief account, but he still wanted to hear about her past.
The father and daughter then began to talk in the hall, and no one outside dared to disturb them.
He didn't come out all afternoon. Later, Ji Shaocheng came in and urged General Ji to rest before he finally left.
At night, Xiangwu Courtyard is enveloped in the fragrance of plum blossoms, peaceful and serene.
Hailing felt a peace she had never known before. Before, when she was with her mother, she would always worry, but now she knew she had nothing to worry about, because there were two men who would protect her.
Under the moonlight.
She took out a jade flute and played it under the plum blossoms.
The sound of the xiao flute is faint and ethereal, drifting through the distant clouds and clear moon, lingering in the air.
Everyone in the general's mansion heard the beautiful sound of the flute, and their hearts found a peace they had never known before.
When the music ended, someone clapped softly.
Hai Ling quickly looked over and saw a man with a proud and elegant demeanor, as graceful as a plum blossom, standing under the plum tree. His jet-black hair draped over his white cloak like a magnificent brocade. His jewel-like black eyes were fixed on her, a faint smile playing on his lips. He showed no surprise or amazement at her current appearance, as if she were simply herself. Whether she was the chubby Jiang Hai Ling or the stunningly beautiful Ji Hai Ling, she was the same to him.
"Ling'er, your xiao always brings a sense of peace to people's hearts."
Ye Lingfeng, the new emperor of Beilu, walked slowly over. His magnetic voice echoed through the forest. He casually reached out his hand and looked at her. Hai Ling remained motionless, slowly handing over the jade flute in her hand and softly saying...
"This is your jade flute. I've always wanted to return it to you, but I never had the chance."
"Ling'er, what are you doing?"
Ye Lingfeng sensed Hai Ling's estrangement and indifference, as if an unconscious distance had grown between them.
A chilling aura enveloped him, his eyes dark and cold like a deep pool, devoid of any warmth. A fierce and rage surged forth as he stared fixedly at Hai Ling.
He absolutely would not allow her to leave him.
"I have been helped by Emperor Xie on many occasions. If I am ever in need in the future, I will do my best to help him."
She owed him many favors, which she remembered, so she would definitely lend a helping hand if he ever needed her in the future.
But that's all. The royal family is always a terrifying vortex; if you get caught in it, you might never escape. Therefore, she will never have any further involvement with anyone from the royal family.
Moreover, she is now the daughter of Ji Cong, a general of the Northern Lu Kingdom. She is deeply loved by Ji Cong and Ji Shaocheng. She will not allow them to have any further involvement with the royal family. If she harms them in the future, she will not forgive herself.
In her mind, the royal family was always so selfish and self-serving, completely disregarding the thoughts and lives of others for their own purposes.
"Ji Hailing, how could you say such a thing to me?"
Ye Lingfeng exuded a chilling aura, his eyes cold and alluring as he spoke in a sinister tone. He became Emperor Xie for two reasons: one was for his mother, and the other was for her. He wanted to show that blind man what an outstanding woman she was. He wanted her to become the beloved empress that everyone envied. But now she was keeping her distance from him, which infuriated him.
Ye Lingfeng angrily stretched out his large hand and tightly grasped Hai Ling's soft, boneless hand. With a flick of his body, he flew up, and his white cloak covered her, protecting her from the night wind. His arms were tightly around her as they moved through the darkness.
Behind her, her two maids, Shi Mei and Shi Lan, quickly followed their master to the palace of the Northern Lu Kingdom.
Hai Ling didn't expect Ye Lingfeng to get angry. In a fit of rage, he grabbed her and started to leave, anxiously calling out, "Ye Lingfeng, what do you want to do? And where are you taking me?"
Under the moonlight, Ye Lingfeng remained silent. His sculpted features were shrouded in an icy chill, and his eyes were dark and cold. He simply held her waist tightly, protecting her from the wind, and swiftly moved through the darkness.