The Tale of the Lotus Heart novel Chapter 10

"Are you sure about this?" Yong asked for the millionth time as my bag was set in the carriage. I nodded as Yong held my hand in his. He finally agreed to let me go after Tase and I reasoned with him for weeks. I also tried to continue cultivating in the meantime.

"I will come back eventually," I promised. Yong finally agreed to let me go to the Heavenly Cloud Cultivating School. It was for nobles and talents across the three realms. With a recommendation letter from Yong and Tase's green jade pendant, I wouldn't be treated as a fairy maid, but a cultivating immortal of royal status instead.

"Don't worry. I'm personally escorting our little flower to the entrance exam," Tase tried to assure Yong as he placed a hand on his shoulder, making Yong drop my hand.

"She's not yours," Yong said in irritation. Tase chuckled lightheartedly before turning to me.

"I'll prepare some snacks for the ride," he offered before walking away. Yong picked up my hand again as we stood at the entrance of his palace.

"Do you have to leave?" Yong asked again. I smiled gently at him.

"You said yourself though, this was the only way to rid myself of a slave status and help cultivate my powers at the same time. In a thousand years' time, I'll be able to protect myself and be on track to become an immortal. Then I won't worry about dragging you down," I explained for the millionth time.

"You could never drag me down. I can protect you," he argued. I took my hand out of his gently and placed his hand at his side.

"I won't let you sacrifice yourself. Even just having me around is dangerous to you," I said softly. Yong reached into a belt pouch before pulling out a hairpin.

"I got this for you just in case. At least wear it," he offered it to me. Looking at it, it was a solid gold hairpin with an intricate design and sapphires embedded. If this would make Yong feel more at ease, I would accept it.

"Will you put it on for me?" I asked. He smiled gently before sticking it into the bun of my hair. After the hairpin was in place, I faced Yong before I curtsied.