277. Sister's Duty

The performance in the central hall continued.

The atmosphere became lively again.

Under Qian Renjue's gaze, Ning Rongrong playfully stuck out her tongue and quickly ran to Ning Fengzhi's side.

As soon as she sat down, it seemed like she had already planned her next move—she reached for a glass of wine on the table.

Her mouth watered, her delicate tongue licking her peach-colored lips.

"Ah, Daddy!"

Ning Rongrong's hands grasped at nothing, and she raised her eyes, puffing out her cheeks angrily.

"Heh."

Ning Fengzhi calmly intercepted the wine glass and placed it beside him.

Looking in Qian Renjue's direction, he smiled and said, "Your Excellency Ling Yuan, why not sit down and relax for a while?"

As Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, many eyes once again focused on Qian Renjue.

They looked at the valiant and beautiful Ling Yuan, feeling a sense of awe.

They hadn't expected that this woman would actually be an elder of the Spirit Hall.

"Your Highness?"

Ling Yuan didn't respond to them.

Instead, she bent down humbly and whispered in Qian Renjue's ear.

"......"

Qian Renjue glanced at her charming face beside him, raised his hand, and grasped her soft hand.

In a low voice, he said, "Didn't I already tell you to sit down earlier?"

Saying this, Qian Renjue tugged Ling Yuan into the seat next to him with a firm pull.

He then quickly placed his hand lightly on her waist.

"Ah."

Ling Yuan's smile stiffened, and her body trembled slightly.

Her expression didn't change, but the ears hidden by her hair turned bright red as if they were about to bleed.

Qian Renjue instructed those behind him, "Salas, find a place to sit down as well."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Salas nodded slightly and quietly retreated.

"......"

Everyone paused their actions, eyes filled with curiosity.

It seemed that the power and status of this Holy Son were quite different from past Holy Sons and Holy Daughters.

Such authority!

After this small interlude, the curious stares gradually dispersed.

Ling Yuan finally calmed down.

She gently lifted her hand and brushed the hair from her ear, thinking it would be better to obediently follow orders in the future.

Nearby, a cat-girl servant, slightly tipsy, bowed respectfully as she approached with a wine jug.

However, Ling Yuan raised her hand to stop her.

"Give it to me."

Ling Yuan took the jug from the cat-girl's hand and leaned close to Qian Renjue.

In a soft and delicate voice, she asked, "Your Highness, would you like to try this wine?"

"Then let me have a taste."

Qian Renjue glanced at Ling Yuan, flicked his finger, and pushed the wine cup over to her.

"Mm."

Ling Yuan nodded slightly, her earlier embarrassment fading, now indifferent, seeking even more.

Qian Renjue held the cup and imitated the others.

He focused on the dancing girls in front of him, their hips swaying, chests out, stomachs in, full of flexibility and sensuality.

Full of energy and life.

Qian Renjue's mind briefly flashed an image of Snow Empress's pale, snow-capped peaks.

Then it quickly faded away.

"Heh."

Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but smile.

It seemed Qian Renjue was highly talented in cultivation, managing people, and making decisions.

The current Pope had already developed the Spirit Hall into a powerful force.

With Qian Renjue poised to ascend, the rise of the Spirit Hall was inevitable.

Ning Fengzhi withdrew his gaze, feeling fortunate once again.

With the heavy burden of the Spirit Hall no longer weighing on his mind, he slept much more peacefully these days.

Now that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was thriving, and the Clear Sky Clan hadn't emerged, who could challenge them?

"Rongrong, what do you think of His Highness the Holy Son?"

Ning Fengzhi asked as he intercepted another wine cup that Ning Rongrong was about to grab.

"Daddy, you're so annoying!"

Ning Rongrong glared at him angrily, clenching her little fists.

If it weren't for the fact that she was well-behaved and knew there were many people around, she would've made Ning Fengzhi beg her for forgiveness.

Lying on the table in a sulking voice, she said:

"Hmph! What do you think? I think the Holy Son is fun."

Ning Fengzhi asked in confusion, "That's all?"

"Also, he's strong, good-looking, has a nice smile, and looks handsome even when he's angry."

Ning Rongrong counted on her fingers, listing them like treasures.

"Oh! And the Holy Son is very smart; even Rongrong was fooled by him."

As she spoke, Ning Rongrong glanced in Qian Renjue's direction, her fingers intertwined, revealing a sweet and playful smile.

"......"

Ning Fengzhi's forehead twitched.

Is he really that good-looking?

He then smiled and shook his head, realizing that he might be worrying too much.

Children don't understand love.

At least things were going well so far.

His greatest fear was that Ning Rongrong would become too rebellious, making things difficult to manage.

"Why isn't the Holy Son looking at Rongrong?"

Ning Rongrong suddenly pouted.

"Hmm?"

Ning Fengzhi focused his gaze and was surprised.

"Why is Qinghe going over there?"

———

Qian Renjue was enjoying the rotation of dancers in front of him, unaware that Xue Qinghe was slowly approaching with a wine cup in hand.

With a glance, he signaled Ling Yuan to remain silent.

Wearing silk gloves, Xue Qinghe placed a hand on Qian Renjue's shoulder and sat beside him.

"Jue, is it that interesting?"

Qian Renjue was startled, glancing sideways.

Feeling guilty, he replied, "Ah? No, I was just bored, watching for fun."

"Heh."

Xue Qinghe smiled elegantly.

"If you like it, why not take your personal maid back? The snake-girl should already grow some meat by now."

Qian Renjue gently shook his head.

In a low voice, he said, "Sister, there's no need for that. It would only disrupt our cultivation."

"As you wish."

Xue Qinghe responded indifferently, her flushed face hidden behind a glass of fruit wine.

"I've prepared everything for you. If you ever want, it's always available."

"Uh."

Qian Renjue felt a bit awkward.

He quietly explained, "Sister, I was just appreciating the show, not thinking of anything like that."

"It doesn't matter. I've done my duty."

Xue Qinghe sipped her wine, clearly uninterested in continuing the unpleasant topic.

The reason she'd made the arrangements was so that when Qian Renjue had the need, he wouldn’t seek out those seductresses outside.

It would keep him from falling into bad habits.

Qian Renjue smiled awkwardly, not continuing the conversation.

After all, Dugu Yan was just a young girl!

Ling Yuan, sitting close by, overheard the sibling's conversation clearly.

Her lips tightened, and she gripped her wine cup.

Why go through such trouble? She was already on the path of sacrifice.

If His Highness wanted her, she wouldn’t even know how to refuse.

———

Outside.

In the back garden, on the viewing platform.

Liu Erlong frowned, her delicate hand gripping the railing as if trying to leave marks.

Her rosy fingertips had turned pale.

"Still nothing?"

Liu Erlong gazed down at the crowd below, her eyes filled with bitterness.

Looking out beyond the walls, through the vermillion doors.

She buried the usual resentment and uncertainty deep within herself.

Liu Erlong descended the platform.

There were still places outside that she hadn't searched yet.

———

On the main stage.

Beside Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong bit her chopsticks, frowning.

She stared at Qian Renjue, who was whispering with Xue Qinghe, looking listless.

"Daddy, this is so boring."

Before Ning Fengzhi could respond, Bone Douluo chuckled and said:

"Rongrong, Grandpa Bone feels bored too. How about Grandpa takes you out to play?"

"I don't want to."

Ning Rongrong shook her head resolutely.

Sword Douluo smiled, just about to offer himself, but Ning Fengzhi asked:

"Then where does Rongrong want to go?"

"I want to go play with the Holy Son."

As soon as she said this, Ning Rongrong snapped the chopsticks in her mouth, glaring at Qian Renjue with displeasure.

It's been so long, and he still hasn't looked at her.

What’s so good about those cat-girls? Their bodies were all flabby.

Sword Douluo sat back in his seat awkwardly.

It was a good thing he hadn't said anything, or he would have been as embarrassed as Bone Douluo.

Ning Fengzhi frowned and reminded her:

"Rongrong, behave yourself."

"Don't worry, Daddy. Rongrong's not stupid. I'll just take the Holy Son out to play."

Ning Rongrong suddenly stood up on her chair.

She gently patted Ning Fengzhi's head, her face full of mischief, speaking with an exaggerated sense of responsibility.