The Princess's Little Guard

Chapter 7: The Princess's Little Guard

With her token, Ji Hongxue passed through without any obstacles and soon entered the inner areas of Prince De's Estate.

The butler hurried off to inform Ji Changwu.

An Bulang and Ji Hongxue arrived at the main hall of Prince De's Estate. They hadn't expected other guests to be present in the hall.

"Sister Hongxue!" a charming young girl in green exclaimed happily upon seeing Ji Hongxue. She skipped over and gave Ji Hongxue an enthusiastic hug, saying, "Why are you here? You didn't even tell Hui'er." The girl smiled brightly.

An Bulang glanced at the girl. Her appearance was passable, earning her a score of one in his "Bu Lang" rating system.

He lost interest after a single glance and continued eating the spicy twisted dough sticks he had bought.

"I'm here to discuss an urgent matter with my Second Prince Brother," Ji Hongxue replied with a gentle smile. "Why are you all here?"

Several people in luxurious attire were also in the hall, their status and positions appearing to be quite high.

They all stepped forward to greet Ji Hongxue.

"The Great General Pingnan's army achieved victory in the south, so we are here to celebrate with him," a tall man in a black robe replied with a smile, neither subservient nor overbearing.

"Xun Zilan, I didn't expect you to be here to celebrate with my Second Prince Brother too?" Ji Hongxue's beautiful eyes brightened slightly.

Xun Zilan was the top disciple of the Jade Sword Sect, a major cultivation sect in the Azure Kingdom. If he could stand on Ji Changwu's side, their chances of overthrowing Ji Wuye would increase significantly.

"What are you saying, fellow Daoist Ji Hongxue? I am friends with Brother Changwu, and since he achieved victory in the south, I naturally had to come and congratulate him." Xun Zilan maintained his gentle smile, his eyes gazing meaningfully at Ji Hongxue. "I can see you have cultivation potential. How about I introduce you to our Sect Master? If you join the Jade Sword Sect, you'll be able to see a whole new world."

Ji Hongxue's hidden aura technique was quite good; even Xun Zilan couldn't discern her cultivation level.

"Oh, are you already trying to poach my Sister Hongxue?" the green-clad girl teased, linking her arm with Ji Hongxue's.

"Ji Hongxue and Xun Zilan are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. They look like a perfect couple standing together. It would be great if they got together," a young master chimed in, showing a hint of fawning towards Xun Zilan.

Xun Zilan smiled and looked at Ji Hongxue, not stopping their teasing. His intentions were intriguing.

However, Ji Hongxue's expression turned slightly cold. "Let's drop this. If anyone else jokes about this, don't blame me for being impolite."

Everyone was surprised by Ji Hongxue's directness.

Even Xun Zilan seemed taken aback, but he maintained his smile and smoothed things over. "Alright, I brought some excellent tea from the Jade Sword Sect. Everyone, come and try it with me."

At his words, everyone became excited.

"Immortal's tea! I must have a good taste of it!"

"Alas, if only I had cultivation talent, I would do anything to become a disciple of the Jade Sword Sect."

"With Brother Xun Zilan leading us, we can also enjoy the blessings of an immortal."

"Heh heh, although this tea won't grant us cultivation, it can strengthen our bodies and prolong our lives. It's truly an invaluable treasure."

Everyone's attention was quickly diverted.

The green-clad girl, however, focused her gaze on the young man behind Ji Hongxue.

"Sister Hongxue, who is the young master behind you?"

The green-clad girl found the young man's appearance refined, especially his eyes, which were particularly spirited and unforgettable. She couldn't help but ask.

At this moment, everyone else finally realized that there was another man behind Ji Hongxue.

However, this young man had been continuously eating spicy twisted dough sticks, completely ignoring the group. They had instinctively assumed he was Ji Hongxue's servant. But upon closer inspection, something felt off. What kind of servant would so nonchalantly eat twisted dough sticks in front of them?

"Oh, let me introduce him," Ji Hongxue's face showed a more genuine smile as she mentioned An Bulang. "His name is An Bulang, and he is my guard..."

"Oh, just a guard?" the green-clad girl's face fell slightly in disappointment.

She had thought he might be a young master from a prominent family. Given his good looks, she might have tried to befriend him. Now, she had lost all interest. Being handsome couldn't put food on the table.

The others also lost their enthusiasm. While they wouldn't say much, they were too lazy to bother with him. But at this moment, one person couldn't help but speak up.

"Even as a guard accompanying a princess, one shouldn't openly eat such vulgar snacks in the main hall, should they? Moreover, with Brother Xun Zilan here, why would Ji Hongxue need his protection? He should just stand outside the door." The speaker was Qi Yunping, the son of the City Lord of Autumn Moon City.

The others remained silent, but the contempt and even disregard in their eyes clearly showed their attitude. A guard should do a guard's job, and standing outside the door wouldn't be bad.

Hearing this, Ji Hongxue's delicate eyebrows immediately shot up. "An Bulang is my friend, and more importantly, my savior. You want to tell him to leave?"

Ji Hongxue looked at Qi Yunping, becoming angrier the more she thought about it. She suddenly pointed her jade finger towards the door and said, "You get out!"

Qi Yunping's eyes widened, clearly not having recovered. "No... I..."

"Do you want me to add the word 'scram'?" Ji Hongxue shouted sharply.

This scene shocked everyone.

None of them had expected Ji Hongxue to become so enraged over a mere guard. To turn hostile on the spot just because the City Lord's son said something disrespectful to the guard, it seemed this guard held a significant place in the princess's heart.

With this realization, no one present dared to step forward to speak for Qi Yunping.

Qi Yunping was even more afraid to court further trouble and left with a crestfallen expression. As a minor figure, how could he dare to vent his dissatisfaction towards a princess of a kingdom?

"Heh heh, so young friend An Bulang is Hongxue's savior? To reach the Profound Body Third Layer at such a young age is truly remarkable. My apologies for my earlier oversight." Xun Zilan said with a smile, extending an invitation. "I have some top-grade Spirit Tea here. Why don't you come and join us for a tasting?"

At these words, the atmosphere immediately became lively.

"Good heavens, so young master An Bulang is also a cultivator?"

"Not only that, but he's already at the Profound Body Third Layer at such a young age. No wonder he can serve as the Third Princess's guard."

"Young Master An Bulang is truly a heroic youth!"

Everyone immediately became friendly, with some even shamelessly fawning over him.

An Bulang nodded perfunctorily while eating spicy twisted dough sticks. Heh, one second they were ignoring him, and now he's a heroic youth in their eyes? How realistic...

The green-clothed girl from before, who had only scored one point, also came over to get acquainted.

An Bulang also learned that she was a County Princess from a certain prefecture, named Xu Linghui.

Xun Zilan remained elegant and personally brewed tea for everyone. The tea was soon ready.

Everyone began to taste Xun Zilan's Spirit Tea. Tea produced by a large cultivation sect within a country was not something they could easily obtain, even with their respectable status in the Azure Kingdom.

The tea's aroma was rich, clear, and sweet.

Everyone praised it after drinking.

Even Ji Hongxue, after taking a sip, narrowed her eyes slightly in enjoyment.

An Bulang couldn't resist everyone's enthusiasm and took a sip as well, but he quickly frowned and said directly, "There's something wrong with this tea!"