508. Dugu Family Rules

The night passed without incident.

As dawn faded and the morning sun rose higher, its warmth grew ever stronger.

The Ice Empress lightly tapped the head beneath her.

Only then did Qian Renjue wake up from the embrace of Ling Yuan and Ah Yin.

He tried to shake his head to clear his mind but instead bumped into soft bodies, his movements uncontrollably shifting back and forth between the two women.

This life... truly difficult to endure!

Qian Renjue rolled his eyes in annoyance, only to spot the small blue-and-white scorpion perched on his forehead.

"Qian Renjue!"

The Ice Empress clicked her claws in irritation, her voice tinged with anger—she had seen everything!

"Your Highness~ (Master~)"

Before Qian Renjue could respond, the two women, Ling Yuan and Ah Yin, who had already woken up, called out softly in unison, their delicate hands teasing his chest.

"Hmph! Just you wait!"

The Ice Empress stomped on his forehead in frustration, vanishing in a huff of jealousy.

"..."

Qian Renjue felt a headache coming on.

Was the Ice Empress going to complain about him to Bibi Dong again?

This stubborn tsundere was really troublesome!

"Ah Yin, you should head back."

Qian Renjue shook the hand that Ah Yin had been sitting on, feeling it go numb.

"Yes~"

Ah Yin responded reluctantly.

If only Ling Yuan had closed the door properly last time, she wouldn’t have to sulk in silence like this now...

But it didn’t matter; Master never stayed angry for long.

Swish—

Ah Yin transformed into a streak of blood-red light and disappeared.

Without needing Qian Renjue to say more, Ling Yuan sat up of her own accord.

"Your Highness, shall I assist you in dressing?"

"Alright."

Qian Renjue nodded, grabbed his golden hair, and sat up slowly, not caring about any formalities.

After all, Ling Yuan was more familiar with him than he was himself.

Standing up and spreading his arms, he asked, "Sister Ling Yuan, while I was asleep, did Uncle Ning send anyone over?"

"He invited Your Highness for breakfast," Ling Yuan replied apologetically, admitting that she had declined on his behalf.

"Alright."

Qian Renzhu didn’t mind. After all, he often lazed around during the mornings.

"Later, we’ll visit the Dugu residence first. Since we informed them yesterday, Yan Yan will probably bring Ling Ling out as well."

"Understood, I’ll follow Your Highness’s lead."

Ling Yuan nodded obediently.


---

After washing up, Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan sought out Ning Fengzhi, exchanged brief pleasantries, and bid farewell.


---

In the rear courtyard of the Dugu residence in Heaven Dou City, a swirling black vortex slowly spun.

Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan stepped out, making no effort to conceal their presence.

"Who goes there?!"

A low shout came from the rooftop, where a green-haired youth holding a wine jar leapt down, his face flushed.

"Rebellious child!"

A spear-like figure in dark green followed closely behind, striking the youth on the back of his head.

"Your job was to wait here for His Highness. Not only did you steal my wine, but you dare show disrespect to His Highness! Do you want me to serve you bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat?!"

"Your Highness, the Holy Son!"

After a couple of slaps, Dugu Xin sobered up and quickly saluted with respect.

"Dugu Xin greets Your Highness and begs for forgiveness!"

"..."

Amusement flickered across Qian Renjue's face.



Ling Yuan couldn’t help but laugh softly as she watched Dugu Xin bowing to her.

Dugu Bo’s face darkened.

Grabbing Dugu Xin by his green hair, he yanked him around to face the right direction.

At the same time, Dugu Bo greeted Qian Renjue respectfully:
“Dugu Bo greets Your Highness. Please forgive Xin’er for his actions.”

“You’re being too polite, Senior Dugu. No need for such formalities,” Qian Renjue replied with a smile.

A graceful figure leapt down from the rooftop, landing neatly on an open patch of ground nearby.

Her light green eyes immediately locked onto Qian Renjue.

“Holy Son, Your Highness!”

Dugu Yan exclaimed with joy as she ran toward Qian Renjue, throwing herself into his arms.

“Mm, Yanyan,” Qian Renjue responded, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, nodding slightly.

“You—ah!”

Dugu Xin, watching the pair embrace, raised his hand as if to speak, but was swiftly interrupted by a hard slap on the head from Dugu Bo, who glared at him fiercely.

“This is Yanyan—no, this is the Du Gu family’s blessing accumulated over generations!”

“Dad, why are you hitting me?”

Dugu Xin shook his head, now fully sobered thanks to his soul power.

He muttered under his breath, “I was just suggesting that Yanyan take good care of His Highness.”

“Dad, do I need you to tell me that? I know how to do my part,” Dugu Yan replied smugly, clinging to Qian Renjue's arm.

Then, with a teasing tone, she scolded, “Why don’t you figure out how to replace Grandpa’s wine? That was made by Grandma herself!”

“Your grandma is my mom! What’s wrong with her son drinking some of her wine?” Dugu Xin retorted indifferently, pointing at Dugu Bo as he added mockingly, “Unless Yanyan enjoys seeing him clutch a wine jar and shedding tears every now and then?”

“...”

An awkward silence fell over the group.

Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan exchanged curious glances as Dugu Bo’s face turned increasingly red.

“Your Highness, please allow Yanyan to attend to you,” Dugu Bo said with a bow, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy. He cast a meaningful glance at Dugu Xin and added, “I have some family matters to take care of.”

“Uh, Dad…”

Dugu Xin’s expression stiffened as he tried to appeal to his father’s sense of familial love.

Before Qian Renjue could respond, Dugu Yan, enjoying the spectacle, began dragging her brother away.

“Your Highness, let’s head inside. Grandpa is about to enforce the family rules!”

“Very well,” Qian Renjue replied with a chuckle, nodding lightly.

He couldn’t help but feel nostalgic—it reminded him of the bickering between the father and son in his own family.

As they walked forward, the sounds of Dugu Xin’s protests echoed from the courtyard.

“Dad! There’s no need to enforce the family rules, right?”

“No need? Didn’t you miss your mom? She left behind that bamboo whip—today, I’ll remind you what motherly love feels like!”

“...”

“Dad, I was wrong!”

“Pick up the whip! Didn’t you hear me?”

“...”


---

Dugu Yan paid no attention to the cries coming from behind. Holding Qian Renjue's hand tightly, she led him toward her room.

“Yanyan, did Ling Ling say when she’d be arriving?” Qian Renjue asked softly.

Leaning on his arm, Dugu Yan answered in a sweet voice, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ve arranged to meet her for lunch.”

“Lunch? That works,” Qian Renzhu said indifferently, knowing the main event wouldn’t take place until tomorrow night.

Dugu Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief. She just wanted some time alone with His Highness—half a morning would be enough. She had already spoken with Ling Ling about it.

Creak.

Dugu Yan pushed open the door to her room.

As Qian Renjue glanced inside, he paused, his expression turning a bit strange.

“Yanyan, this is your room, isn’t it?”

“Mm.”

Dugu Yan nodded, her gaze flicking toward Ling Yuan as if seeking her understanding.

Ling Yuan’s lips curved into a small smile. She wasn’t about to overstep—after all, they’d be like sisters in the future. She couldn’t hog all the attention for herself.

“Your Highness, I’ll stand guard outside for you,” Ling Yuan said.

“?!”

Qian Renjue's brow twitched.

Guard against what? Was Dugu Yan planning to overstep her bounds?

Hosting him in her bedroom... this could lead to all sorts of complications!