Dai Weisi

Star Luo City, Zhu Manor.

The Zhu Family had been enfeoffed as princes, sharing the Kingdoms' prosperity, and even possessed the Star Luo Empire's only kingdom-sized fief.

Of course, the Star Luo Empire could not truly allow the Zhu Family to control it. They merely enjoyed the tax revenue from that fief, while the actual administrators were still officials dispatched by the Star Luo Empire.

As the Star Luo Empire's second-greatest clan, the Zhu Family held immense power, and their residence stood closest to the imperial palace.

That day, Prince Zhu had just returned from the palace, looking deeply troubled.

Seeing him enter the room like that, Madam Zhu asked curiously, "What happened?"

Prince Zhu sighed. "Isn't it all because of Zhuqing? The Emperor was warning me! He still doesn't want Zhuqing taking a male master. Letting Zhuqing go out was meant to have her find Dai Mubai."

"But Zhuqing took someone else as her master halfway through and never met up with Dai Mubai."

Prince Zhu gritted his teeth, thoroughly enraged.

It was not directed at Zhu Zhuqing, but at the Star Luo Royal Family. They had gone too far!

The Zhu Family might appear to be flourishing, but in the eyes of the Zhu men, it was unbearably stifling.

Their women all had to become sacrifices in the royal family's struggles. Though one daughter would become Empress, the royal family still guarded against them at every turn, even forbidding them from marrying royal women.

As if the Zhu Family only had women.

Madam Zhu frowned slightly. She was no ordinary woman. Not only was she a Soul Emperor-level soul master, she was also the younger sister of the current Empress. She said with a frown, "Zhuqing has been learning very well from that teacher."

"That teacher is also a married man, and besides, you, Husband, are vouching for him."

"Even so, they still won't agree?"

Madam Zhu's tone turned cold as she said gravely, "Then I must go and ask Elder Sister about this!"

Prince Zhu let out a heavy sigh, his eyes flickering with unwillingness.

The Zhu Family was not as ruthless as the Star Luo Royal Family.

At the thought that one of his daughters might have her cultivation crippled and be exiled to some remote region to live out a lonely life,

his heart twisted with every kind of bitterness.

"I'll do my best to buy Zhuqing more time. That Mr. Dan Heng is a true master of theory..." Prince Zhu said quietly.

He knew very well that his own influence would not be enough to hold things off for long.

The majesty of the Star Luo Royal Family could not be questioned.

If he refused to preserve his own dignity, then the Star Luo Royal Family would preserve it for him.

When the time came, they might even head straight to the small town to capture Zhu Zhuqing.

Meanwhile, in Star Luo City, Dan Heng and his group had finally arrived.

They found an inn and checked in.

Dragon Duke Meng Shu prepared to bid them farewell, and had a meal with Dan Heng's family.

"Little friend Dan Heng, I'll be staying with my brother for ten days to half a month. If you run into any trouble, you can come find me here..." Dragon Duke Meng Shu gave Dan Heng the address.

Dan Heng thanked him, but had no intention of seeking out Dragon Duke Meng Shu.

"Brother Dan Heng, getting to know you has been wonderful. You're the man I admire most. Let me toast you."

Meng Yiran's cheeks were rosy as she drank a full cup of wine.

Gu Yuena chuckled softly, a trace of disdain flashing through her eyes.

Did she really think Gu Yuena could not see through this young girl's thoughts?

Unfortunately, leaving aside the fact that her husband would not care about such female charms at all,

in terms of beauty alone, Gu Yuena would never be inferior to any woman in the world.

She smiled. "Yiran, you're a lovely girl. There will be many men pursuing you. Look carefully, and you'll surely find your ideal husband."

She was telling Meng Yiran not to keep setting her sights on her husband!

Meng Yiran gave an awkward smile and said weakly, "But I don't think there will ever be another man with Brother Dan Heng's qualities."

The way Meng Yiran looked at Dan Heng carried a trace of longing and fervor.

This was already the result of her trying her hardest to hide it.

The Peerless Dragon Serpent couple exchanged glances and sighed inwardly. What a pity. Dan Heng already had a wife, otherwise they truly would have been willing to bring this match about!

How wonderful it would be if Dan Heng married into the Meng Family!

Gu Yuena pursed her lips in a smile. It was only because Douluo Continent did not have the label "green tea"; otherwise, she would definitely have slapped it on Meng Yiran's forehead.

Zi Ji curled her lips. "No matter how good my brother-in-law is, you can't have him. He already has my Elder Sister!"

Zi Ji did not indulge Meng Yiran, nor did she care about etiquette.

Meng Yiran's expression changed slightly. She lowered her eyes and sighed. "Yes..."

Dragon Duke Meng Shu glanced at his granddaughter, then saw that Zi Ji had nearly eaten all the dishes on the table. He said, "Though one may escort a friend a thousand miles, parting must eventually come. If you have time, little friend Dan Heng, come to my place for a good chat as well!"

After a few more words, Dragon Duke Meng Shu's family of three rose and took their leave.

After they left, Gu Yuena hugged Dan Heng's arm and said gently, "Husband, shall we go look around the city?"

Dan Heng nodded. Since he was accompanying Gu Yuena on their honeymoon, naturally he would not refuse such a small request.

"I'll stay at the inn." Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly said.

She had decided that she would not leave the inn until they returned to the small town!

She refused to believe the Star Luo Royal Family could still discover her that way!

She absolutely could not cause trouble for her teacher!

Zi Ji hurriedly raised her hand and said excitedly, "Elder Sister, I want to come too! The food here isn't even as good as Brother-in-law's cooking. It's boring. I want to go have fun too!"

"You stay behind. Here, you can eat whatever you want..."

Gu Yuena patted Zi Ji on the shoulder and smiled at her.

"..." Zi Ji instantly felt a chill pierce her bones. She shuddered and did not dare say anything else.

"Let's go, Husband."

Leaning against Dan Heng's shoulder, Gu Yuena left the room with him.

Outside the inn, Dragon Duke Meng Shu's family, who had already gone some distance away, chatted as they walked.

Meng Yiran kept her head lowered, looking dejected.

She did not say a word. Her mind was filled with Dan Heng's every smile and expression.

Although Dan Heng had spoken fewer than ten sentences to her along the way, she had already fallen deeply in love with him.

A young girl's first love was like this. Once the spark was lit, she would begin imagining endlessly, idealizing the image of the one she loved, until that love became a blazing fire.

Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong were classic examples...

Now Meng Yiran had followed in the footsteps of those two predecessors.

Seeing her granddaughter so despondent, Snake Woman Chao Tianxiang said, "Yiran, Dan Heng is a very fine young man, and we like him too. But he already has a wife. It's impossible for him to marry into our family."

Meng Yiran gave a listless hum, feeling exceedingly troubled.

Dragon Duke Meng Shu suddenly said, "Yiran can continue spending time with little friend Dan Heng. You're both still young and have plenty of time. There's no rush to marry."

Snake Woman Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran both stared at Dragon Duke Meng Shu in surprise, unable to understand what he meant.

Was he asking Meng Yiran to become the other woman?

No matter how much they admired Dan Heng, they could not possibly make their granddaughter suffer such humiliation, could they?

"I think little friend Dan Heng's wife looks very unwell, as if she is suffering from a serious illness..."