"Why?"
Bibi Dong asked in confusion.
"Just what kind of background does that Lu Ming have to scare you this badly?"
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath and tried hard to calm her emotions.
She recalled the scenes she had witnessed in the Life Simulator, the terrifying foundations of Jixia Academy, and the identities of the women around Lu Ming.
"It isn't just because of Jixia Academy."
"Lu Ming's connection to Jixia Academy runs far deeper than you imagine."
"And..."
Snow Empress, Ice Empress, and Gongsun Li's gazes as they looked at Lu Ming flashed through Xue Qinghe's mind.
There had been absolute trust in those eyes, even affection.
"Every woman by his side is an unparalleled powerhouse capable of standing on her own."
"Their love and protection for Lu Ming have already reached a fanatical level."
"If you touch Lu Ming, it'll be the same as declaring war on several Limit Douluos at once!"
"When that happens, forget Spirit Hall's grand plan."
"Even if that old man from the Worship Hall steps in, he may not be able to protect Spirit Hall!"
With that, Xue Qinghe stepped forward and seized Bibi Dong by the shoulders.
Her eyes were filled with pleading and warning.
"Listen to me. You have to listen to me this time."
"Don't interfere in anything involving Lu Ming."
"Not only can we not offend him, we must even find a way to win him over."
"Only then will we have a future."
Bibi Dong looked at the person before her—or rather, her own daughter.
She had never seen Qian Renxue reveal such fear and solemnity.
Not even when facing Qian Daoliu had Qian Renxue ever acted like this.
That Lu Ming...
Was he truly that terrifying?
The fury in Bibi Dong's heart unexpectedly dissipated by more than half under Qian Renxue's stern warning.
In its place came deep shock and confusion.
She remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly.
"I understand."
"I will... consider it."
Though she said that, Bibi Dong's curiosity about Lu Ming had reached its peak.
What kind of existence was this man, who could make even someone as proud as Qian Renxue lower her head?
Ever since the incident on Vermilion Bird Street, the atmosphere within Heaven Dou City had become somewhat strange.
Yet Jixia Academy remained peaceful. The turmoil outside could not penetrate its high walls and secluded courtyards.
Beneath the ancient tree in the courtyard, Lu Ming lounged comfortably in a rocking chair, holding a steaming cup of fragrant tea.
Beside him, Gongsun Li peeled a crystal-clear grape. Snow Empress and Ice Empress played chess nearby, while Cai Wenji sat on that strange Hu Jia Qin seat, swinging her little legs.
It should have been a tranquil, idyllic scene, if not for that uninvited guest.
Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, sat on the other side of the stone table with a smile plastered across his face.
Over the past few days, His Highness the Crown Prince had been visiting Jixia Academy with remarkable diligence, practically treating the place as an annex of his Crown Prince's residence.
"Miss A Li, this is deep-sea pearl powder I specially had brought back from Vast Sea City. I heard it's especially good for a girl's skin."
As Xue Qinghe spoke, she pushed an exquisitely crafted brocade box toward Gongsun Li.
The workmanship of the box alone made it clearly priceless, not to mention what it contained.
Gongsun Li blinked her large eyes and glanced at Lu Ming. Seeing that he had no objection, she accepted it with a cheerful smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Her rabbit ears twitched slightly, clearly showing her delight.
Seeing this, Xue Qinghe's smile deepened, her eyes filled with sincere eagerness to please.
If her political rivals at court saw this scene, their jaws would likely drop to the ground.
The heir to an empire was actually being so attentive toward a maid from an academy.
But only Qian Renxue herself, disguised as Xue Qinghe, knew that she was not giving gifts. She was trying to save her life.
The maple leaves that had filled the sky in the Simulator last time, along with that deadly flying dart, had become her psychological trauma.
To prevent this rabbit with terrifying strength from suddenly deciding to kill her someday, this small investment was practically nothing.
Xue Qinghe lifted her teacup and took a sip, her gaze shifting between Lu Ming and Gongsun Li. Then she suddenly slapped her thigh.
"Oh my, Miss A Li's smile just now was truly capable of toppling cities and kingdoms."
"I have seen countless people, but throughout Heaven Dou City, I truly can't find another woman as lively and graceful as Miss A Li."
Gongsun Li became a little embarrassed by the praise. Her little face flushed, and her hands moved even faster as she peeled the grapes.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince flatters me. A Li isn't that wonderful."
Though she spoke modestly, this little rabbit was already delighted beyond measure inside.
After all, no girl disliked hearing someone praise her beauty, especially when the one praising her was the current Crown Prince.
Xue Qinghe struck while the iron was hot, turning toward Lu Ming with a tone full of teasing and envy.
"Lu, your good fortune truly makes people jealous."
"Miss A Li is not only incredibly powerful, but also as beautiful as a flower. The two of you are simply a match made in heaven."
"Even the talented scholars and beautiful ladies in storybooks are probably no more than this."
Lu Ming raised his brows slightly at those words and looked at Xue Qinghe strangely.
What had gotten into Xue Qinghe lately?
Before, she had merely come to build connections and discuss cooperation.
Why had she suddenly changed so much these past few days, acting like a matchmaker?
And her intention to pair them up was far too obvious. It was as if she wanted to shove him and Gongsun Li straight into the bridal chamber.
Lu Ming rubbed his chin and fell into thought.
Unsolicited favors are never given without an ulterior motive.
What exactly was this scheming Qian Renxue plotting?
Did she want to control him through Gongsun Li?
Or had she discovered some clue and intended to probe the depths of Jixia Academy this way?
Xue Qinghe did not care what Lu Ming thought. She had only one task now: cling tightly to Gongsun Li's thigh and, while she was at it, make sure Gongsun Li and Lu Ming stayed together.
As long as those two were busy falling in love, they probably would not have time to cause trouble for Spirit Hall, right?
"In my opinion, Lu is heroic and dashing, while Miss A Li is gentle and lovely. This is a perfect match of talent and beauty."
"If Lu is willing, I would even personally ask Father to issue an imperial decree granting the two of you a marriage, and serve as your wedding officiant."
Xue Qinghe grew more animated as she spoke, as though she could already see the two bowing to Heaven and Earth in marriage.
Upon hearing the words "granting a marriage," Gongsun Li dropped the grape in her hand to the ground. Her entire face turned as red as a ripe apple.
She secretly glanced at Lu Ming, her heart pounding wildly, yet she did not speak to refute it.
This rabbit had clearly taken it seriously.
However, there were more than just the three of them in this courtyard.
Smack!
A crisp chess piece striking the board rang out.
Snow Empress expressionlessly pressed a black piece onto the board. With such force, the piece—carved from premium white jade—shattered directly into powder.
The surrounding air instantly dropped several degrees, and even a thin layer of frost formed over the stone table.
"Certain people who have nothing better to do can go handle the affairs of their country."
Without even raising her head, Snow Empress spoke in a voice as cold as ice that had remained frozen for ten thousand years.
"Jixia Academy is a place of quiet cultivation, not a matchmaker's hall."
Ice Empress, seated across from her, rolled her eyes dramatically. She held a handful of melon seeds, but did not put any into her mouth.
"Exactly. Are Crown Princes these idle nowadays?"
"Running here all day long—aren't you afraid the Heaven Dou Emperor will think you're neglecting your duties?"
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