The Truth

At first, Yu Tianheng had been courteous enough and seemed to behave well. Dugu Yan had politely turned him down, and things between them had been acceptable for the time being.

But afterward, Yu Tianheng seemed to have gone mad. Every few days, he came to pester her, inviting her to meals or asking her to stroll around and enjoy the scenery... Naturally, Dugu Yan understood what he was after. So she firmly refused him every time!

Yet no matter how many times she rejected him, and despite clearly telling him that she already had someone she loved, Yu Tianheng simply refused to give up. Anyone, no matter how good-tempered, would probably grow angry after being harassed so relentlessly.

If Yu Tianheng had not been from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Dugu Yan would have taught him a harsh lesson long ago. Even if she could not beat him until he could no longer take care of himself, she would at least make him spend several days in bed.

Although she was the granddaughter of a Titled Douluo, she did not want to provoke a behemoth like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan without cause. So she endured when she could, and avoided him when she could not.

But because of his harassment during this period, Dugu Yan's impression of Yu Tianheng had now worsened to the absolute extreme.

Yu Tianheng naturally understood Dugu Yan's disgust toward him, as well as the fact that she had long since given her heart to someone else. But he did not care, because he believed that once she heard the secret he was about to reveal, Dugu Yan would be completely disappointed in the man she loved. Then, he could take advantage of her vulnerability.

"You like Li Chang'an, don't you?"

Yu Tianheng asked.

With her feelings exposed so bluntly, Dugu Yan felt somewhat embarrassed. But she refused to lose in spirit, especially before this hateful man. Thus, her expression remained unchanged as she admitted generously, "So what if I do? He's far better than you. I'll never like you."

"Heh, better?"

Yu Tianheng sneered. Then, looking into Dugu Yan's furious beautiful eyes, he said, "That's because you don't understand him. You've been deceived by him all along! He's only after your body and playing with your feelings."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Dugu Yan's aura erupted. A serpentine phantom flashed behind her, and even her eyes turned into vertical snake pupils, radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression!

Yet Yu Tianheng, who possessed a top-tier beast Martial Soul, remained calm. He said leisurely, "I'm not talking nonsense. Since I dared come to you today, it proves I've already investigated everything thoroughly."

"Do you know who Li Chang'an really is?"

"Speak!"

Dugu Yan's icy snake eyes stared at him. Like a venomous snake about to strike at any moment, her aura was cold and terrifying. It was easy to imagine that if Yu Tianheng's next words were nothing but slander, he would be met with a storm of attacks.

"He's Princess Xue Ke's fiancé!"

"The current Imperial Son-in-Law."

"Xue Ye's Son-in-law of the Emperor!"

Yu Tianheng listed each fact one by one. Then, seeing the disbelief appear in Dugu Yan's eyes, he mocked, "He's merely a Son-in-Law. Do you think he would dare marry you? He can't even take concubines, much less marry another wife. Xue Ye would probably be the first to object."

"And he clearly knows that he's the Imperial Son-in-Law and cannot marry you, yet he still stays so close to you... If he isn't just fooling around with you, then what is he trying to do?"

Yu Tianheng's words pierced Dugu Yan's heart like a sharp sword. Her body staggered, and she fell out of her Martial Soul Possession state. She retorted weakly, "No, impossible... Y-you must be lying to me, right? How could he be the Imperial Son-in-Law? He absolutely can't be the Imperial Son-in-Law!"

"How could I lie to you about something that can be found out with a little investigation?"

Looking at the fragile Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng pressed his advantage. "If you don't believe me, go ask the Three Education Commissioners at the Dean's Office. They couldn't possibly lie to you, could they?"

"..."

Without another word, Dugu Yan turned and ran toward the Dean's Office. Yu Tianheng watched her retreating figure, and a smug smile appeared on his stiff face. As long as Dugu Yan was completely disappointed in Li Chang'an, he would have a chance.

Moreover, if he could win over Dugu Yan, he would gain the support of a Titled Douluo. In the future, he would have more influence within the clan, and his chances of becoming the next clan leader would be even greater.

It could be said that winning Dugu Yan over would bring multiple benefits at once, with nothing but advantages and no drawbacks at all.

Dean's Office.

When Dugu Yan stumbled inside, only Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan, two of the Education Commissioners, were working there. The other Education Commissioner had taken Li Chang'an to hunt Soul Beasts.

Meng Shenji looked at the Dugu Yan who had suddenly barged in, but he was not angry. He merely asked gently, "Child, is there something you need?"

Of course, the main reason for his good attitude was that he knew Dugu Yan's grandpa was Dugu Bo. Otherwise, if an ordinary student dared barge in so rashly, they would certainly not escape punishment.

"Education Commissioners..."

Dugu Yan looked at the two Education Commissioners before her, suppressing the unease in her heart as she asked, "I want to know... is Li Chang'an the Imperial Son-in-Law?"

The moment she asked that question.

Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan exchanged a glance. Having lived long enough to become shrewd, they immediately understood what they should say.

"That's right. That child Chang'an is highly valued by Xue Ye. Not only was he made the Imperial Son-in-Law early on, he was also granted the title of Marquis." Meng Shenji stroked his beard and answered truthfully.

And after learning the "truth."

The tears Dugu Yan had been suppressing in her eyes could no longer be held back, pouring forth in a rush. She quickly turned around and fled as though escaping.

Meng Shenji and Bai Baoshan watched the girl's retreating figure and sighed. "That's how young people are... It's better to cut things off early."

They had not been unaware that Li Chang'an and Dugu Yan had grown close. If Dugu Yan's grandpa had not been a Titled Douluo, she would likely have been warned long ago.

Generally speaking, an Imperial Son-in-Law could only have the Princess as his wife and could not take concubines. This concerned the royal family's dignity! Therefore, when Li Chang'an and Dugu Yan's relationship had first become ambiguous, the Three Education Commissioners had been considering when to give him a tactful reminder. They wanted Li Chang'an to restrain himself, remember his status, and keep some distance from her.

In fact, if Li Chang'an's talent had not been so exceptional, making him a future pillar of the nation, someone would likely have sternly warned him long ago to uphold a husband's virtue and avoid all contact with other women.

But precisely because his talent was so extraordinary and his future so promising.

The royal family had taken no further action so far. They intended to handle it tactfully, lest he develop resentment toward the royal family. Otherwise, this budding relationship would have been cut off the moment it showed the slightest sign.

Of course, if it had been another woman, the royal family might not have cared much. After all, it was not unusual for nobles to keep lovers outside the home. As long as the Princess remained the principal wife and the matter was not made public, it would be fine.

The key was that Dugu Yan was no ordinary woman. Her grandpa was a Titled Douluo. How could she possibly be content with becoming a lover without status?

If that happened, complications would inevitably arise, leaving everyone looking bad. It was even possible that the marriage would fall through.

Thus, in the royal family's eyes, Li Chang'an being flirtatious was not a major issue, as long as the Princess's position as principal wife remained unshaken.

But Dugu Yan's status happened to make it possible for her to threaten the Princess's position... That truly could not be ignored.