Lingqi's eyes fell on the diplomat's blackened beard and hardened visage, noting the twinkle of mischief in his eyes and the sly smirk of a fox.

"Did you two have fun?" he asked.

Lingqi nodded. "Yes, we talked about lots of things."

The diplomat's hearty laugh echoed through the corridor. "Good, I'm glad. Ruyi here was very eager to speak to you. I hadn't seen her this enthusiastic in a long time."

Ruyi giggled sheepishly, her cheeks turning crimson. "It's nice to speak to a familiar face is all."

As they returned to the inn and climbed the stairs to the guest lodges, Lingqi felt a sense of unease. He and Elder Zhu moved towards their room, but the diplomat approached Elder Zhu gingerly.

"Excuse me, but may I have a word?" he asked, his voice hushed.

"Of course," the scholar replied, excusing himself from Lingqi's presence.

"We'll be a minute," the diplomat smiled, and he and Elder Zhu retreated back down the hall.

Lingqi's heart thumped against his chest as he waited in front of the door to their room. His ears strained to catch their words, but they were too far away. He took a moment to observe the diplomat, who was dressed in the formal robes of the Jade Sovereignty's ambassadors.

The man was tall and slender with a neatly trimmed black beard and short spiky dark hair. His sharp face and piercing gray eyes spoke of experience and authority.

The diplomat turned and caught Lingqi's gaze, surprising the boy with a smile. Lingqi gave a small bow, which the diplomat returned with a nod before continuing his conversation with Elder Zhu. Another minute passed before the two parted ways, and Elder Zhu approached Lingqi once more.

"I'm sorry that took so long," Elder Zhu apologized.

"It's fine. Is everything alright?" the teen asked.

"Oh yes, it's nothing serious. Just a small diplomatic matter. Come on, let's get some sleep," the scholar chuckled.

"Okay," Lingqi nodded. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Lingqi," the scholar said, and the two entered their room and closed the door behind them.

----------------------------------------

The following day, the sun had just begun to rise into the sky, casting a golden hue over the quiet town. The air was brisk, filled with the pungent smell of morning dew as Lingqi and Elder Zhu met at their cart. Elder Zhu prepared their horse for the road when the diplomat sauntered outside the inn with Ruyi in tow. When their eyes met, she flashed Lingqi a bright smile that made his heart flutter and his cheeks redden.

"Good morning," Elder Zhu greeted the diplomat and the girl, and both nodded in return.

"Good morning to you, Elder," the diplomat bowed respectfully, with Ruyi doing the same. Their cart was tied to a post not far from theirs, and their bags were packed.

"Is it time to leave?" Lingqi asked, and the elder nodded.

"Yes, we should get going. If we make haste, we will arrive with a day to spare," Elder Zhu said before turning his attention to the girl to flash her a smile. "Right, Ruyi?"

"Yes, Elder," the girl replied, her eyes darting over to Lingqi's and lingering.

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Lingqi raised a brow, initially oblivious, then realization struck him. "Wait! Is she coming with us?" the teen asked incredulously.

"Yes," the diplomat chuckled. "Is there a problem with that?"

Lingqi hesitated, glancing at Ruyi. He was excited at the prospect of traveling with her, though he didn't want to appear too eager. "No, of course not," the boy answered, shaking his head. "The more, the merrier."

"Indeed, we're delighted to have you with us, Ruyi," Elder Zhu said warmly.

Ruyi smiled. "Thank you, Elder," she nodded in thanks.

"Well then, let us get going," the diplomat announced, clapping his hands together.

Lingqi gave the diplomat a graceful bow. This must have been what he and Elder Zhu had talked about the night before. "Thank you, Mister..." the teen trailed off, realizing he hadn't caught the man's name.

"Oh, forgive me. I haven't introduced myself yet," the diplomat apologized. "My name is Bai Hui, a diplomat of modest heritage," he grinned, his voice smooth and elegant.

"I am Lingqi. It's an honor to meet you, Mister Bai," the teen bowed.

"Likewise," Bai Hui's voice was polite. "Please, the honor is mine."

Once the pleasantries were exchanged, Lingqi and Ruyi took a seat beside each other in the cart, their faces beaming with excitement. Elder Zhu took the reins of the cart while Bai Hui drove his closely behind, following their trail. The four of them made their way out of the town, traveling down the paved road towards the Opal Palace.

The journey took several days, during which Lingqi and Ruyi were eager companions. They chatted about their respective studies, with Lingqi learning more about what was expected of Ruyi once her mentorship with her adoptive father concluded.

She spoke of the annual imperial exam held in the capital of Huadu, where aspiring diplomats would be tested and, if successful, given their own diplomatic assignments with an imperial seal.

Likewise, Lingqi shared what he learned at the academy, including his cultivation training and the friends he made. When Ruyi asked what he planned to do after graduating, he admitted he hadn't thought about it, but the idea of being a teacher or even a diplomat crossed his mind, especially if it meant traveling with Ruyi.

Their conversations lasted until they reached the gates of the Opal City. The city's walls, carved from pure opal, refracted light into a dazzling display of rainbows. 'Rainbows lived in the Opal City,' a poet once wrote, but it was an understatement.

Lingqi gazed upon the grand structures, their surfaces polished to a mirror finish, each building a masterpiece of opal and jade. The roads were smooth cobblestones of tourmaline slate, winding gracefully through the city. The opulence rivaled the Capital of Huadu, yet the Opal City was even more breathtaking.

"I've never seen anything like it," Lingqi gasped.

"Me neither," Ruyi murmured, equally awestruck.

Their cart slowed as they approached the Opal Palace, a marvel of ancient engineering with soaring spires and expansive courtyards of translucent opal and jade. Elder Zhu's cart stopped before the gate, and sentries approached, wielding no weapons but exuding confidence and authority.

"Jade's blessings, travelers. What is your purpose for coming to the Opal Palace?" one of the sentries asked politely.

"We are here to attend the upcoming council meeting," Elder Zhu answered. The sentry's eyes widened at the sight of Elder Zhu, and he bowed deeply.

"Elder Zhu Yifeng, it's an honor," the sentry remarked.

"Please, the honor is mine," the scholar smiled humbly.

The sentry turned to Lingqi and Ruyi, giving them curious looks. "And these are?"

"This one is my honored guest," Elder Zhu gestured towards Lingqi. "And she is the honored guest of Bai Hui," he motioned to the cart behind them.

At the diplomat's name, the sentry stiffened and bowed again. "Please, pardon my rudeness, Elder. Accommodations have been arranged for you and your honored guest. An escort will take you to your quarters."

The escort led them along a stone path, through a meadow of greenery and flowers encased by walls. They entered a building with vaulted ceilings painted in intricate murals depicting the Jade Sovereignty's history.

In a lavishly appointed room, the escort informed them, "These are your accommodations, Elder Zhu."

"Thank you," the scholar nodded gratefully.

"Honorable Bai Hui, your room is this way," the escort motioned, and the diplomat nodded.

Ruyi looked up at her foster father with hopeful eyes. "Can Lingqi and I share a room?"

Elder Zhu and Bai Hui shared an amused look before the scholar turned to Lingqi, thoughtful. "I am not sure if that would be appropriate."

Bai Hui chuckled, placing a hand on Elder Zhu's shoulder. "Nonsense. It's only proper for our students to stay close together. Wouldn't you agree, my friend?"

Elder Zhu pondered, his gaze lingering on the eager teens. "Okay then," he relented with a warm smile. "I suppose there is no harm in it."

The children's faces lit up with joy. "Thank you!" they said in unison.

"Of course," the diplomat said warmly. "Now, come along, Elder. Let's get settled into our quarters."

Elder Zhu waved his hand at the two teenagers. "You two behave now."

"We will," Lingqi said eagerly.

The two adults were escorted away, leaving Lingqi and Ruyi alone together.