"You call that a perfect match? I think your eyes have gone bad with age."
The Ice Empress had never been one to mince words, especially when she saw Xue Qinghe playing matchmaker so recklessly. It made her even more annoyed.
The Dean was everyone's Dean. Why should he be paired with that rabbit?
Cai Wenji refused to be outdone. She hugged the Hu Jia Qin tightly to her chest, puffed out her cheeks, and glared furiously at Xue Qinghe.
"Hmph, this big brother is so annoying!"
"I'm obviously cute too, so why doesn't he praise me?"
"Besides, Dean Brother won't get married so early! He still has to play with Wen Ji!"
For a moment, the scent of jealousy in the courtyard was stronger than Shanxi's aged vinegar.
The women all looked at Xue Qinghe as though he were the chief culprit behind disrupting domestic harmony.
Even Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, hiding in the shadows, exchanged a glance and saw the displeasure in each other's eyes.
"Sister, is there something wrong with this Crown Prince's brain?"
Xiao Qiao muttered softly.
Da Qiao frowned slightly, and the lantern in her hand swayed gently.
"Perhaps it is not that his brain is lacking. He may have ulterior motives."
"But this approach is indeed irritating."
"How could an outsider like him comment on the Dean's private affairs?"
In an even more concealed corner, a figure as sharp as Mirror Shards stood silently.
Mirror crossed her arms, her cold gaze piercing through the gaps in the leaves as it locked onto Xue Qinghe.
Ever since Lu Ming had sent her to monitor Qian Renxue, she had come to understand that woman exceedingly well.
She was clearly a woman, yet she disguised herself as a man and stirred up trouble here.
What a boring trick.
Mirror gave her assessment inwardly.
In her eyes, such a low-level method of recruitment was rather laughable.
But it had to be said that for a pure-minded girl like Gongsun Li, it was indeed quite effective.
Xue Qinghe sensed the hostile gazes around her and felt a chill run down her back.
Why did every one of these women look as though they wanted to eat her alive?
Especially Snow Empress in that white dress—her gaze felt worse than being killed.
But for the sake of her own life, for the sake of never being pierced through by ten thousand arrows again, what were a few dirty looks?
As long as she appeased Gongsun Li, she had won!
Pretending not to hear the others' sarcastic remarks, Xue Qinghe maintained her gentle, refined smile and turned to Gongsun Li.
"Miss A Li, I heard that Linglong Pavilion in the city has recently received a batch of excellent rouge and cosmetics, as well as several silk garments shipped from the south."
"That sort of fabric would surely look exquisite on Miss A Li."
"Would Miss A Li honor me by accompanying me to select a few?"
Gongsun Li had still been somewhat wary of her sisters' reactions, but the moment she heard there were pretty clothes and cosmetics, those concerns were immediately thrown to the winds.
What girl did not enjoy shopping?
"Really?"
Gongsun Li's eyes lit up, and she leaped straight up from the stone bench.
"Then... then I'll go take a look?"
She turned to Lu Ming, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and expectation.
Lu Ming shook his head helplessly and waved his hand.
"Go on, then. Just come back early."
Since Qian Renxue wanted to be a sucker, he would let her be one. In any case, she was spending the Heaven Dou Royal Family's money.
"Yay! Dean Brother is the best!"
Gongsun Li cheered and, without caring what anyone else thought, ran out of the courtyard after Xue Qinghe.
Even Xue Qinghe's steps became lighter as she left.
She secretly clenched her fist in her heart.
This is settled!
This is really settled this time!
Not only had she given gifts, but she could also spend time alone with her and grow closer.
When the Simulator refreshed tonight, that rabbit's favorability would definitely be positive.
As long as Gongsun Li did not kill her, that terrifying Lu Ming probably would not have any reason to act against her, right?
Watching the two leave, Cai Wenji viciously bit into the pastry in her hand and spoke through a mouthful of food.
"This Xue Qinghe is so annoying!"
"He is not allowed through the door again!"
Snow Empress withdrew her gaze and lightly tapped the tabletop with her fingers, producing a crisp sound.
"He truly is an eyesore."
"If Lu Ming did not still have a use for him, that strike earlier would have done far more than merely shatter chess pieces."
The Ice Empress looked at Lu Ming with a gloating expression.
"I say, Dean Lu, aren't you afraid that silly rabbit will get lured away?"
"I think that Xue Qinghe has ill intentions."
Lu Ming lay back down in the rocking chair, closed his eyes, and wore a faintly amused smile.
"Lured away?"
"No one in this world can lure anyone away from Jixia Academy."
"As for Xue Qinghe..."
"She merely wants peace of mind."
As the sun gradually sank westward, it cast a long shadow from Jixia Academy's magnificent gates.
Just then, two figures appeared at the academy entrance in something of a hurry.
At the forefront was a tall, thin old man with a sinister-looking face.
His long dark green hair hung casually behind him. As his eyes opened and closed, green light faintly flickered within them, giving off an extremely dangerous feeling.
Following behind him was a young woman with a voluptuous figure and a beautiful face.
However, her complexion was somewhat pale, and an unshakable pain showed between her brows.
They were Dugu Bo and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
"Grandfather, can this so-called Jixia Academy really cure my poison?"
Dugu Yan clutched her chest, her voice full of doubt.
Over the years, for the sake of this damned Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, her grandfather had taken her to countless famous physicians and had even set aside his pride to beg old rivals for help.
But what had come of it?
Nothing but disappointment.
Even her grandfather, a Titled Douluo, was helpless. Why should this academy that had suddenly appeared be able to do anything?
Dugu Bo stopped walking and raised his head to look at the plaque engraved with the two words "Jixia," his expression complicated.
"Yan Yan, this is our last chance."
"You saw it at the Soul Fighting Arena that day. That little girl called Cai Wenji possessed healing methods unlike anything we had ever heard of."
"Even Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not achieve that ability to instantly heal wounds."
"As long as there is even a sliver of hope, Grandfather cannot give up."
In truth, Dugu Bo was not certain either.
But the Imperial Dou Team's disastrous defeat that day had truly shaken him deeply.
Especially that little girl seated upon the Zither Seat. Her miraculous healing arts had shown him a glimmer of dawn capable of breaking his family's curse.
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, put away his usual arrogance, stepped forward, and cupped his hands toward the Shadow Hunter guarding the gate.
"I am Dugu Bo. I have brought my granddaughter, Dugu Yan, to request an audience with Dean Lu."
Though the gatekeeping Shadow Hunter was only a Soul Elder, he remained neither servile nor overbearing before a Titled Douluo.
"The Dean has ordered that if Dugu arrives, he is to be taken directly to the backyard."
Dugu Bo was startled.
Had this Lu Ming actually predicted that he would come?
This made Dugu Bo even more wary of that mysterious Dean.
Before you continue