Outside the room, the maid Qingcao noticed that Su Jinyu hadn't responded. After hesitating for a moment, she knocked on the door again.

"Miss, please, open the door...

If you continue to starve yourself like this, then Qingcao won't eat either. I'll accompany you in hunger."

With that, she plopped down on the ground, pouting.

A moment later, Su Jinyu really opened the door.

"Don't be silly. Take good care of your own meals. I'm merely honing myself."

There was a hint of determination on Su Jinyu's face, her mind made up to overcome her problem of insufficient perseverance.

"Although Qingcao has never practiced the Martial Path, I understand the importance of temperament.

Miss, your temperament has been quite restless these days.

In such a state, how could you possibly hone yourself..."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu's brow furrowed slightly, her face full of disappointment.

She also realized the truth in Qingcao's words. These days, her mind had been occupied with scenes from the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

How could she calm herself...

"Miss, the path of Martial Arts can't always be smooth sailing. Doesn't Young Master Ye also encounter difficulties?"

Qingcao was quite articulate, gently holding Su Jinyu's hand and softly advising her.

"Young Master Ye is amazed by your talent in the Sword Dao. In the capital, among your peers, who dares to compare swords with you?

You're just a little behind Shen Han in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, but it's not because your true strength is lesser.

If it came down to a real duel, I believe you could defeat Shen Han within two moves."

The maid Qingcao truly had a way with words.

After listening to her words, Su Jinyu felt significantly better.

However, she soon recalled the scenes from the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

"But no matter what, in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, I eventually lost to him..."

Hearing this, Qingcao gently squeezed Su Jinyu's hands.

"Shen Han only reached the 80th level by luck.

Plus, didn't you see that after reaching the 80th level, he couldn't push forward? He couldn't overcome the emotional barrier."

After saying this, Qingcao seemed to have thought of something else and continued:

"Moreover, I've heard rumors that Shen Han is trapped in the emotional barrier because he misses you."

Su Jinyu shook her head gently, denying this rumor.

Before, she also thought this way, but the true situation was known only to Shen Han himself.

If the rumor was false, it would make her seem overly sentimental.

"Nonsense, I've only met Shen Han once. How could he be stuck in the emotional barrier because of me..."

But Qingcao seemed to become more enthusiastic as she spoke:

"Miss, don't be quick to deny. I asked around, and it turns out that when Shen Han was at the Shen Mansion, the only young woman close to him was a little maid, and she is much younger than Shen Han.

Because of the Imperial Family's bestowed marriage, I guess Shen Han has thought about you countless times.

After seeing you at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, he must have thought about you even more.

Just imagine, in that emotional barrier, Shen Han must be thinking about spending a candlelit night with you in the bridal chamber...

Hearing her maid's words, Su Jinyu's brow furrowed, and her cheeks flushed a bit with embarrassment.

"You silly girl, why do you say such shameless things...?"

"It's private talk between us, Miss. I wouldn't say it in front of others. Anyway, Miss, you shouldn't be so depressed in your heart."

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by Qingcao's spicy words, Su Jinyu really didn't feel as anxious.

Even though she fell behind Shen Han in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, the thought that he admired her made her feel a bit better.

Seeing that Su Jinyu's demeanor had somewhat recovered, Qingcao quickly pulled her to sit at the table.

Inside the food box, dish after exquisite dish was taken out and placed on the table.

Handing the chopsticks to Su Jinyu, she invited her to eat some.

This time, Su Jinyu didn't refuse, gently picking up a piece and placing it in her mouth.

Her demeanor was both dignified and elegant.

Qingcao sat beside her, hands supporting her cheeks, eagerly watching Su Jinyu.

"My Miss is truly beautiful, no wonder Young Master Ye and Shen Han are both thinking about you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Jinyu reached over and knocked on her little head.

"You little rascal, stop talking nonsense. My heart is set only on Brother Ye.

As for Shen Han, he's just a passerby to me. I have no feelings for him, and the engagement will definitely be annulled."

What Su Jinyu said was known to the maid Qingcao sitting beside her.

What of reaching the 80th level of Stepping into the Thousand Autumns?

Shen Ye reached the 96th level!

In her view, whether it be strength or potential, Shen Ye was miles ahead of Shen Han.

Her Miss naturally had feelings for Shen Ye, not Shen Han.

"But what good is it for you not to have feelings for Shen Han, Miss?

You can't control what he thinks, can you? Without surprise, he'll definitely keep thinking about you."

The maid Qingcao said as she gave Su Jinyu a sly look.

Su Jinyu watched her little maid continue to speak nonsense and immediately joined in the playful banter.

The gloom that had filled her heart was considerably dispelled.

After finishing the meal, Qingcao sensibly collected the dishes and left.

Since her Miss was feeling much better, it was truly time she didn't disturb her anymore.

The now-calm Su Jinyu no longer forced herself to improve her resolve.

She took slow steps into her courtyard, holding a long sword.

Sword Intent, unyielding!

She slashed with the sword, its Sword Qi unending.

The thin ice at the eaves seemed intimidated by the Sword Intent, sliding down.

Before even reaching the ground, the Sword Qi extended and shattered it.

By the time it hit the ground, it was already reduced to powder.

To advance from the Sixth Grade to the Fifth Grade, she must comprehend her own intent.

Unyielding Sword Intent, endlessly woven.

Su Jinyu looked at her technique in hand.

Perhaps this time, the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns had awakened something, surprisingly leading to her improvement.

The winter day turned dark very early.

It was merely 5:00 PM, yet it was already fully dark outside.

With the candle burning, Su Jinyu did not stop her practices, feeling she could calm her mind even more.

The entire night, Su Jinyu continued practicing without missing a beat.

Whenever she felt slightly tired, she swallowed a Pill to relieve her body's exhaustion.

As the night passed, by around 7:00 AM, the outside finally brightened completely.

Maid Qingcao was once again carrying a food box, heading to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

But this morning, she wasn't alone; there was a rather sturdy man following her.

The man's face seemed weatherworn, looking somewhat rough and dark.

His posture was upright, with a subtle air of fierceness unconsciously upon his face.

Following Qingcao all the way, into the guest room of the Rain Listening Pavilion.

The man did not proceed any further, sitting down, pouring himself a cup of tea.

Although he came to see his sister, as an older brother, it wasn't quite appropriate to enter his sister's boudoir.

It didn't take long for Su Jinyu to walk into the guest room from the eastern side.

"Aren't you supposed to be by father's side these days, brother?

What brings you here today to see your little sister?"

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