329. Kissing

Ning Fengzhi and his two uncles were discussing Qian Renjue.

Meanwhile, Qian Renjue was arriving at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy gates, accompanied by Dugu Yan and other girls.

Ye Lingling held his arm, while Dugu Yan trailed behind, clutching his sleeve. While silently observing them, she seemed to come to a decision, her face blushing slightly.

With the academy gates in sight, Ye Lingling pulled her lover close and softly said, "Jue, you can leave me here."

"Alright then," Qian Renjue agreed, pausing. He gently pinched Ye Lingling's cheek through her veil and said with a smile, "I’ll come see you again when I get a chance."

Ye Lingling nodded, her cheeks reddening. "Handle your important matters first; Yan Yan will keep me company."

Dugu Yan made a small pout. She hoped Lingling wouldn't mind what she was about to do.

"Haha, I’m not as busy as you think," Qian Renjue teased, playfully holding Ye Lingling's chin and giving her a light kiss through her veil.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Ye Lingling replied, stepping back and looking over at Dugu Yan.

Qian Renjue turned to Dugu Yan with a smile. "See you next time, Yan Yan."

"Goodbye, Your Highness," Dugu Yan said, nodding, her ears tinged with red.

After spending so much time with Ye Lingling, she was no longer satisfied with just casual goodbyes.

She pursed her lips and took a step forward, brushing past Qian Renjue.

Just as they crossed paths, Dugu Yan turned back and tapped him on the shoulder. Ye Lingling simply watched, saying nothing.

"Hmm? What’s up, Yan Yan?" Qian Renjue turned, only for Dugu Yan to quickly tiptoe closer and, as if rehearsed many times, pressed her lips against his.

Smooch!

Qian Renjue blinked, looking at Dugu Yan and then at Ye Lingling.

Just as he was about to step back, Dugu Yan pulled away, leaving a trace of moisture on his cheek, and returned to Ye Lingling’s side, waving goodbye.

"Goodbye, Your Highness! I’ll make sure to take good care of Lingling!" she called out, blushing as she quickly took Ye Lingling’s hand, heading up the stairs behind them.

"Lingling, let’s go."

Ye Lingling didn’t resist but turned to look at her fiancé. Qian Renjue touched his cheek, watching the two girls run up the stairs until Ling Yuan Douluo appeared behind him.

"Your Highness," Ling Yuan greeted him, kneeling on one knee.

Qian Renjue sighed and rolled his eyes. "Ling Yuan, are you itching for a punishment? Looking for trouble?"

"N-No, Your Highness," Ling Yuan stammered, slightly breathless. She only wanted to amuse herself by seeing her prince surprised, hoping for some playful punishment. But, she thought, she didn’t want it to be too severe.

"Alright, stand up," Qian Renjue said, patting her head. "Have all the maids been arranged?"

Blushing, Ling Yuan rose and replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Salas will send them to Spirit City."

"Good," Qian Renjue nodded with a slight smirk. "These empires are ridiculous. They ban slavery in name, yet under the royal family's nose, there are open slave auctions."

Ling Yuan stood silently, believing he would change these injustices, just as he no longer required her formalities.

Qian Renjue offered her his hand, and she instinctively leaned into his embrace, relishing this private moment.

Behind them, his Evil God's Hook swung, creating a black void that gradually engulfed them.

As they disappeared, Qian Renjue asked, "By the way, Ling Yuan, were today's spies from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"

"Mostly, yes," she replied, resting against him.

She added with concern, "Your Highness, aren't you worried about neglecting your little fiancée?"

"She’s still young, Ling Yuan," he replied. "She's about the same age as Zhu Zhuqing; I can’t imagine what we’d even talk about."

"Maybe I’ll see her sometime soon," he sighed as they vanished, leaving only faint echoes.


---

On the academy stairs, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling walked in silence. Finally, Duguyan couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Lingling, I… I like His Highness," Dugu Yan said, closing her eyes tightly.

"I know," Ye Lingling replied calmly, catching Duguyan off guard.

"Lingling, I kissed your fiancé—doesn’t that bother you?"

"Do you want it to bother me?" Ye Lingling asked back.

"Of course not," Dugu Yan said, shaking her head, embarrassed. "You’re just so calm about it; I feel guilty."

Ye Lingling pursed her lips, her tone soft. "He knows how you feel, Yanyan. I’ve been standing between you two."

"That’s not true," Dugu Yan protested, waving her hands.

"Lingling, you always let me come along when you meet him."

But as she spoke, a realization hit her, and she looked at Ye Lingling in surprise.

"Lingling, did you bring me along on purpose, knowing how I felt?"

Ye Lingling nodded. "From the start, I knew you had feelings for him."

"Then I should’ve done this sooner!" Dugu Yan exclaimed.


---

Later that evening, in a dimly lit room, Qian Renjue sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed while Bibi Dong lay beside him.

Sensing he had finished his training, she slipped her graceful leg from under the blanket, resting her foot in his lap.

"Jue, aren’t you coming to bed?"

"Soon," Qian Renjue replied, gently holding her delicate ankle.

With a smile, Bibi Dong quickly withdrew her foot, a little embarrassed by the ticklish sensation. "Hurry up. I’ve warmed the bed for you."

Qian Renjue closed his eyes, thinking about the sealed [Memories Revealing Pearl] in Liu Erlong's possession. Since it came from the system, he would try to solve it with the system’s help.

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