"Wow, Lord Ye is not only astonishing in martial arts, but also a scholar," Shen Ying exclaimed repeatedly, wishing she could converse with Ye Xiu for a full day and night. "Does Lord Ye also know anything else about lilies? Tell me everything, please. You know that although I was born a Commandery Princess, I never step outside the main gate, I have absolutely no freedom, and I know very little about the outside world. I hope Lord Ye can tell me more today. I wonder..."

Ye Xiu, having nothing better to do but wait for dinner, was naturally pleased to have a beautiful woman as company. However, what he was about to discuss was information that not only a Commandery Princess wouldn't know, but even the three City Lords would likely listen with rapt attention. He led the Princess to a pavilion, had her sit down, and began to speak slowly, "In truth, every flower in this world has its own floral language, which is the meaning that flower represents."

"Floral language, the language of flowers?" Shen Ying laughed, finding the concept utterly nonsensical.

Ye Xiu pointed to the lily beside them. "Take the lily, which you favor, for example. Do you know what it symbolizes?"

Shen Ying shook her head, her hands resting demurely upon her knees.

"The lily has always been a symbol of purity. The Bible records that the temple of King Solomon of Israel was adorned with lilies, and in the West, the lily also represents freedom and independence." Ye Xiu merely recited from memory, completely unaware of Shen Ying's shifting emotions.

"What is the Bible? And the West! Are you referring to the region west of Ten Thousand Swords City?" Shen Ying looked a bit confused, yet the more bewildered she became, the more she admired Ye Xiu's knowledge. This admiration was akin to a bird perpetually caged gazing upon an eagle forever soaring in the blue sky.

Ye Xiu touched his chest, feeling a touch of impatience, momentarily unsure how to explain: "This Bible is a collection of poems, poetry, much like what you read normally. As for the West, Commandery Princess, your guess is correct; it is a distant place west of Ten Thousand Swords City."

"Haha, it seems I do know quite a bit! Continue!" Shen Ying smiled mischievously, fixing her gaze firmly on Ye Xiu.

"However, nowadays, lilies usually symbolize everlasting harmony, representing a great love, and they can also symbolize royalty, or be used to describe a person." By this point, Ye Xiu was struggling to improvise any further, so he pulled Shen Ying into the interaction. "For instance, if I were to describe the Commandery Princess, I would say: 'The Commandery Princess is like a lily in the valley, pure and flawless.'"

"Ha..." Shen Ying had not expected her name to be woven into Ye Xiu's discourse. What had he just said? That she was pure and flawless like a lily in the valley? Did this mean Ye Xiu harbored feelings for her? Was this his way of expressing affection? Hadn't he just mentioned that lilies often symbolized everlasting harmony?

"Wait a moment, Commandery Princess, please don't move!" At this moment, Ye Xiu suddenly called out suspiciously, signaling Shen Ying to remain silent. He then employed the Ghost Steps technique, vanishing instantly into the sea of flowers. Only the sound of a gentle breeze passing was heard before Ye Xiu returned to Shen Ying's side, his face wreathed in smiles.

"What's wrong, Lord Ye?" Shen Ying felt a sense of surprise, but she knew Ye Xiu was unlike others; he always managed to bring her new marvels. "You just now..."

"Shh..." Ye Xiu gently placed his finger against Shen Ying's lips, whispering conspiratorially like a child, "Guess what is inside your sleeve?"

Wan Jian Shen Ying, holding the distinguished title of Commandery Princess, was accustomed to never having a man dare to be so intimate with her. Yet, Ye Xiu was now practically leaning against her face as he spoke, his hand lightly brushing against her lips. Shen Ying was momentarily paralyzed, unsure how to react.

"Lift up your sleeve," Ye Xiu encouraged, waving his hands. "Quickly, lift it and see what’s inside."

Shen Ying was at a loss. She felt utterly incapable of refusing this man named Ye Xiu. If he asked her to lift her sleeve, she followed his lead, lightly loosening the cuff.

"Swoosh... swoosh..." Then, as if by magic, butterflies of various colors fluttered out from within her sleeve. These butterflies had been stealthily captured by Ye Xiu and released into Shen Ying's sleeve moments before. Upon seeing the light, they joyfully took flight, occasionally circling Shen Ying's waist, at other times gently kissing her cheek. As they slowly ascended, hovering before Shen Ying and Ye Xiu, Ye Xiu gently pushed his palm, subtly altering their flight path, weaving them into a heart-shaped formation that spread across the entire view.

"Look, doesn't it resemble a heart? A heart representing love!" Ye Xiu asked gently, inwardly pleased that he had finally shown the Commandery Princess a moment of true romance.

"This... this..." Wan Jian Shen Ying had never witnessed such a spectacle. Her mind went completely blank in that instant. What was happening? She felt a pleasant weakness wash over her body, and the long-suppressed feelings of delight within her heart seemed ready to surge forth. She had held a favorable impression of Ye Xiu for quite some time, and after today's display, she found herself almost entirely unable to resist his charm.

"Do you like it, Commandery Princess?" Regardless, Ye Xiu held no true affection for Shen Ying; at best, it was merely the impulse of a man wanting to tease a beautiful woman. Now that he had a mutually beneficial arrangement with the Three City Lords and a bond of 'friendship through the sword' with the Great City Lord, adding this delicate sentiment of flower appreciation with the Commandery Princess made the successful acquisition of the Three Swords of Gods and Ghosts seem highly probable.

Wan Jian Shen Ying remained silent for a moment. Her heart held not just amazement, but also deep emotion. She perceived Ye Xiu as declaring his feelings, and in her heart, she decided to accept him. "Lord Ye, please stop calling me Commandery Princess from now on. Call me Shen Ying."

"Heavens! How can that be?" Ye Xiu was greatly startled. The title 'Commandery Princess' was not a simple matter; how could he dare to call her by her personal name? "Commandery Princess, that doesn't seem right! You are the Commandery Princess of Ten Thousand Swords City; how could an ordinary fellow like me dare to..."

"At least when there are no outsiders present, you can call me Shen Ying." Shen Ying's mind was made up. Titles and formalities meant little; at this moment, she simply desired the man she admired to use her given name.

Ye Xiu’s mind raced, and a sheen of cold sweat broke out on his palm. Even his toes could tell: it was over! Wan Jian Shen Ying had almost certainly developed feelings for him. "Commandery Princess..."

"You..." Shen Ying pouted slightly, a flash of anger, yet she was too shy to express it openly.

'To hell with it!' Ye Xiu braced himself, curling his lips, and finally uttered the requested name: "Shen Ying."

The name in her ears was honey in her heart. This single address surpassed a thousand spoken vows. However, she had not forgotten to give Ye Xiu a gentle reminder: "Shen Ying hopes that Lord Ye can win the championship of the Three Swords Grand Martial Arts Tournament, so that you can call me Shen Ying in front of everyone."