269. Teasing

Watching Hu Liena dart into the kitchen, Qian Renjue withdrew his gaze and looked at the beautiful face before him.

“Sister, did Sister Ling Yuan say you were looking for me?”

Qian Renxue's expression softened slightly.

She nodded lightly and said, "It's about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

"What could they possibly want?"

Qian Renjue frowned as he accepted the tea Qian Renxue had poured.

Just hearing the mention of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan gave him a headache.

“Aren’t you engaged to them?”

Qian Renxue, propping her head on her hand lazily, stared at Qian Renjue's fair and chiseled features.

She sighed softly, “So you can’t avoid going.”

Qian Renjue muttered with slight annoyance, “It was Grandpa who arranged the engagement, not me. He didn’t even ask for my opinion.”

“What can you do? It’s not like this is child’s play.”

Qian Renxue pursed her lips, clearly also feeling helpless about the situation.

Then, with a comforting smile, she added, “Besides, this time you're not just going to see your fiancée.”

With that, she placed an invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan on the table and slid it over to him.

Curious, Qian Renjue picked it up and opened it, a look of surprise crossing his face.

“Appointment of an heir? Taking on disciples?”

“Yes, they’ve specially invited you to attend the ceremony.”

Qian Renxue took a small sip from her cup.

“Isn’t it enough for Salas to represent us at an event like this?”

Qian Renjue shrugged.

After all, the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City wasn’t just for show.

Qian Renxue smiled warmly, her phoenix eyes gleaming.

“Are you saying you don’t want to go?”

“Not really. It’s just that Mom is still in seclusion, and I need to temporarily act as the Pope.”

Qian Renjue paused, the teacup halfway to his lips, and shook his head gently.

The thought of interacting with his childlike fiancée made him uncomfortable.

“Haha, look at you, making excuses now.”

Qian Renxue chuckled, her tone teasing.

“I’ve already taken that into account. Just now, wasn’t I teaching Nana how to handle things?”

“Why do I feel like you’re trying to persuade me?”

Qian Renjue’s thoughts were full of suspicion.

“Well, I did promise Grandpa that I’d go with you to the event,” Qian Renxue admitted straightforwardly.

“I knew it!”

Qian Renjue had suspected as much.

Just as he was about to say something, he couldn’t help but mumble in confusion as he looked at Qian Renxue.

“You’re coming with me?”

“But don’t you need to prepare for the upcoming god trials?”

“There’s nothing to prepare. I’ll accompany you for a bit of fresh air.”

Qian Renxue didn’t seem worried about the trials at all.

She was stronger than ever, and the nine trials of the Angel were inevitable!

“Senior Brother, Miss Xue, please be careful.”

Hu Liena walked over gracefully, holding a tray of dishes.

“Nana, let me help you.”

Qian Renjue’s fingers seemed to exude a frosty air as he took the hot dishes from the tray.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Hu Liena smiled, sitting down to prepare food for Qian Renjue. She glanced up at Qian Renxue and asked softly, “Miss Xue, would you like some too?”

“I’ll skip.”

Qian Renxue shook her head, keeping her gaze on Qian Renjue, waiting for his response.

“Mhm.”

Hu Liena sat at the table, her face full of joy.

She didn’t dislike Qian Renxue, but there was a bit of fear after what had happened last time.

After accidentally seeing her senior brother undressed, Miss Xue nearly made her kneel with her ears pinched in reprimand.

Fortunately, it was all a huge misunderstanding.

“Nana, you might have to handle the affairs of the Pope’s Hall for the next few days. I’m going on a trip with my sister.”

Qian Renjue, after some thought, decided it was best to go.

“Huh? Where are you going, Senior Brother?”

Hu Liena’s expression turned to one of confusion and disappointment.

“...”

As Qian Renjue explained to Hu Liena, Qian Renxue smiled with satisfaction.

Her thoughts wandered as a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

She wasn’t unfamiliar with Ning Rongrong.

In both her past and current lives, she had seen her many times and knew her temperament well.

The engagement had already been arranged, but if she dared to not recognize who was in charge after entering their family, Qian Renxue wouldn’t hesitate to deal with her.

After all, she had already tolerated those other women sharing a bed with Qian Renjue.

But if someone dared to fight her for his favor again, she wouldn’t be so kind.

“Sister, when are we leaving?”

Qian Renjue’s voice pulled Qian Renxue out of her complex thoughts.

“We’ll leave once you’ve made the arrangements. Let’s bring Ling Yuan along.”

Qian Renxue’s face flushed slightly, her expression somewhat evasive.

“Should we take Elder Porcupine and the others with us?”

Qian Renjue frowned.

With the power of the Six-Winged Angel martial spirit, a Spirit Sage could handle most Titled Douluos.

Still, bringing more people was always a good idea.

“No need. Isn’t Dugu Bo there?”

Qian Renxue replied calmly with a smile, “And with the two of us together, how many Titled Douluos could stand against us?”

“That’s true.”

Qian Renjue nodded.

Under the table, he was holding Hu Liena’s soft hand, gently rubbing it.

The disappointment on Hu Liena’s face had turned into bashful shyness.

Her head was lowered, her face red, as she silently endured the tickling sensation in her palm.

Was her senior brother teasing her?

Hu Liena bit her lip and placed Qian Renjue’s hand on her thigh.

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue was oblivious to what was happening under the table.

Curious, she asked, “By the way, why were you hiding in the training room earlier?”

“Hmm?”

Qian Renjue was caught off guard by the question.

As he squeezed the fabric beneath his hand, he felt something soft and immediately realized something was wrong.

“Eep!”

The flesh near Hu Liena’s leg was pinched, and she let out a tiny sound before quickly suppressing it.

Miss Xue is still here!

“Huh?”

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, staring at the puzzled expression on Qian Renjue’s face and Hu Liena’s lowered head.

“Nana, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no…”

Hu Liena quickly shook her head, afraid to move any further, allowing Qian Renjue to withdraw his hand.

“Sister.”

In a moment of quick thinking, Qian Renjue changed the subject.

“This morning, I upgraded the Evil God Hook to the hundred-thousand-year level.”

“What? How did you do it so quickly?!”

Qian Renxue’s attention was successfully diverted, her face full of surprise.

Listening to Qian Renjue talk about his newly acquired ‘Space Jump’ ability, Qian Renxue was full of admiration.

“Time and space are now both available for you!”

Qian Renxue’s eyes sparkled with amazement.

With her brother’s spirit bone abilities, they could return in an instant!

Hu Liena also forgot her embarrassment, gazing up at Qian Renjue with admiration shining in her eyes.

Qian Renjue glanced sideways at her, giving her a look.

Hu Liena, feeling shy again, rubbed her leg where he had pinched her, a small, satisfied smile on her lips.


---

After arranging the affairs of the Pope’s Hall and greeting Qian Daoliu, that afternoon, Qian Renjue and Qian Renxue, along with Ling Yuan Douluo, set off toward Heaven Dou City.

This time, Qian Renxue would attend in her identity as the Crown Prince and would stay close to Qian Renjue throughout the journey.

Meanwhile, in the Pope’s exclusive chamber, Bibi Dong floated in the air, a portal ripping through space above her head. Dark energy poured from it, enveloping her in layers like a cocoon.