Qian Renxue's Scheme

"I don't recognize him."

Dugu Yan admitted it readily, then added, "But it isn't hard to guess."

"Hehe."

Qian Renxue smiled at her words. "Very clever. I like clever people."

"May I ask why Your Highness specifically summoned me here?"

Dugu Yan's cheeks flushed slightly at those words, but she kept herself composed and went straight to the point.

Yesterday, Dugu Bo had specifically come to see Dugu Yan once. His original intention had been to take her straight back with him.

But as the vice-captain of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Seed Battle Team, Dugu Yan could not simply leave whenever she wished.

With Dugu Bo's connections, leaving casually would not have been a major issue.

But Dugu Yan had principles of her own, and she understood that she could not rely on Dugu Bo for everything.

So she still went through the proper leave-request procedures.

That was how she had ended up here.

Of course, there normally would not have been such cumbersome procedures.

Her classmates might not know her identity, but the three instructors of Heaven Dou Royal Academy certainly did.

Therefore, as long as it was not something serious, they generally gave her the green light.

Yet this time, she had specifically been asked to come here, and the person she met was "Xue Qinghe."

So Dugu Yan immediately realized that this Crown Prince might have something for which he needed her grandfather's help!

The Imperial Family, after all. What was most needed in a struggle for the Imperial Throne was influence!

Dugu Yan believed she had already understood everything, so she had no intention of exchanging further pleasantries.

Her grandfather might dote on her, but when it came to such major matters, she knew where she stood. Naturally, she would not presumptuously "make an introduction."

Naturally, Qian Renxue had no idea what Dugu Yan was thinking.

At that moment, all her thoughts were on her "little wife."

Li Yu had been taken away by Dugu Bo for nearly ten days, yet there had not been a single word from him!

And that Dugu Bo, relying on his cultivation as a Titled Douluo, acted without the slightest restraint.

When he had found her yesterday,

he had said something like, "The Crown Prince Consort really has some skill. She actually helped ease the poison in my body. Unfortunately, the poisoning runs too deep, so I still need to borrow her for a while longer."

Just listen to that!

What kind of thing was that to say!

What did he mean by borrowing her for a while longer?

At his age, did he not know how to speak properly?

Qian Renxue had nearly been angered to death.

She felt uncomfortable all over.

But—

Dugu Bo's cultivation was right there. From the moment he appeared until the moment he left, he had not given her any chance to speak.

Aside from confirming Li Yu's abilities, he had only mentioned that Li Yu had also improved greatly over the past few days.

After that, he had revealed nothing else.

That made her even more anxious.

So she turned her attention to Dugu Yan.

She had stayed in Sunset Forest for seven days without finding the place where Dugu Bo had secluded himself to recover.

There was no need to think about it. Aside from that secluded place being well hidden, Dugu Bo must have employed some methods as well.

Otherwise, she would not have come up empty-handed.

She did not know, and others did not know.

But Dugu Yan, as Dugu Bo's granddaughter, certainly knew.

That was how the current scene came about.

At this moment,

upon hearing Dugu Yan's words, Qian Renxue said without hesitation, "I have long heard of Poison Douluo Your Majesty's great name, and I have even met him in person several times!"

"But Poison Douluo Your Majesty is of noble status and his whereabouts are unpredictable. Unless he takes the initiative, meeting him is no easy matter."

"This time, I have an urgent matter and need to meet Poison Douluo Your Majesty. I would like to ask Miss Yan for your help!"

At that, Qian Renxue paused before continuing, "As for the reward afterward, so long as it is within my capabilities, Miss Yan may name whatever she wishes!"

Dugu Yan's lips curved upward.

Just as expected!

It was all for the sake of borrowing Grandfather's influence!

Still, Xue Qinghe was more pleasing to the eye than that irritating Xue Beng.

At the very least, he was much better-looking and had a pleasant manner.

But Grandfather was a Titled Douluo. Even if you are the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, was he someone you could meet just because you wanted to?

How laughable!

As for this so-called reward, this young lady already had a Titled Douluo grandfather. She might not even think much of whatever reward the Imperial Family was willing to offer!

At that thought,

Dugu Yan barely hesitated. "My apologies, Your Highness. You know that Titled Douluo are held in high regard, so you should understand even more that I cannot casually make decisions for my grandfather. If you have something to discuss, you should seek out my grandfather yourself!"

After saying that, Dugu Yan turned and left at once.

She showed no regard whatsoever for Qian Renxue's status as the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou.

Qian Renxue watched Dugu Yan's departing figure, her face showing no dissatisfaction.

She had anticipated such an outcome long ago.

With such a background, Dugu Yan indeed had the right to be arrogant.

But her objective had already been achieved.

First,

she truly was worried about Li Yu, so she genuinely wanted to find him through Dugu Yan.

She was also indeed interested in the place where Dugu Bo had secluded himself to recover.

A secret place capable of making a Titled Douluo willing to live hidden away in the mountains could not possibly be ordinary.

Second,

after the Autumn Hunt,

she had effectively declared her withdrawal from the struggle for the Imperial Throne.

She had believed that, after that, Xue Ye's suspicions of her would come to an end.

But ever since she had left with Li Yu and returned alone, she had noticed more than once that someone was secretly watching her.

Although she could easily deal with those annoying flies,

that would undoubtedly fuel suspicion and bring trouble upon herself.

Therefore, after meeting Dugu Bo yesterday and learning that Dugu Yan had left on leave, she immediately thought of this arrangement.

She would play a defeated, disheartened Crown Prince—unwilling to resist, yet powerless to turn things around!

She wanted every gaze fixed upon her to look away.

Then, she would let the true grand play begin!

As for Li Yu,

although she was worried, she still believed Dugu Bo would not easily harm him.

Of course, there was a reason for that.

When she had met Dugu Bo yesterday, using her own unique methods, she had indeed sensed a change in his aura.

In the past, because Dugu Bo's poison arts were so profound, even when he restrained himself, there had still been a gloomy air about him.

But now, although his aura was somewhat unsteady, that gloomy air had dissipated considerably, and he seemed far more energetic!

It was as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Therefore, Qian Renxue concluded

that Dugu Bo had not been lying. Li Yu truly could detoxify him.

Li Yu's current value was therefore obvious.

Dugu Bo could not do without Li Yu!

With that being the case, Li Yu was now as safe as could be.

Tell her, what difference was there between that and having a Titled Douluo-level bodyguard at his side?

If there was truly anything Qian Renxue was worried about now,

there was only one thing.

Li Yu's beauty was something that the vast majority of men—and even women—could not resist!

But Dugu Bo...

Qian Renxue shook her head. His granddaughter, Dugu Yan, was also breathtakingly beautiful.

With such a granddaughter, Qian Renxue believed Dugu Bo would not do such a thing.