Qian Renxue Courts Gongsun Li! For Martial Soul Hall!

"What do you mean 'a match made in heaven'? I think your old eyes are playing tricks on you."

The Ice Empress never minced words, and seeing Xue Qinghe matchmaking so carelessly made her even more displeased.

The Dean was everyone's Dean. Why should he be paired with this rabbit?

Cai Wenji was not to be outdone. She hugged the Hu Jia Qin in her arms tightly, puffed out her cheeks, and glared angrily at Xue Qinghe.

"Hmph, this big brother is so annoying!"

"I'm clearly very cute too, why didn't he praise me?"

"Besides, Dean-gege won't get married so early, he still has to play with Wenji!"

For a moment, the jealousy in the courtyard was thicker than aged Shanxi vinegar.

The way the women looked at Xue Qinghe was as if he were the culprit who destroyed family harmony.

Even Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, hiding in the shadows, exchanged glances, seeing the displeasure in each other's eyes.

"Sister, is this Crown Prince not very smart?" Xiao Qiao muttered softly.

Da Qiao frowned slightly, the lantern in her hand swaying gently.

"Not necessarily unintelligent, I fear he has ulterior motives."

"But this kind of behavior is indeed annoying."

"The Dean's private affairs are not for an outsider like him to comment on."

In an even more hidden corner, a figure as sharp as mirror shards stood silently.

Jing crossed her arms, her cold gaze piercing through the gaps in the leaves, locking onto Xue Qinghe.

Ever since Lu Ming sent her to monitor Qian Renxue, she had come to understand this woman deeply.

She was clearly a woman, yet she pretended to be a man to stir up trouble here.

"A boring trick." Jing inwardly judged.

Such low-level attempts at currying favor seemed rather laughable to her.

But she had to admit, it was indeed effective for simple-minded girls like Gongsun Li.

Xue Qinghe felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the hostile gazes directed at him.

Why do all these women look at me like they want to eat me alive?

Especially that Snow Empress in the white dress, her gaze was more unbearable than if she had killed me.

But, for my own life, to avoid being "pierced by ten thousand arrows" again, what are a few cold stares?

As long as I can appease Gongsun Li, it's a victory!

Xue Qinghe pretended not to hear the others' sarcastic remarks, maintaining his gentle and elegant smile. He turned to Gongsun Li and said:

"Miss A Li, I heard that the 'Linglong Pavilion' in the city has just received a batch of excellent rouge and powder, as well as a few silk garments shipped from the south."

"That kind of fabric would surely look exquisite on you, Miss A Li."

"Would you be willing to do me the honor of accompanying me to pick out a few items?"

Gongsun Li had some reservations due to the attitudes of the sisters around her, but as soon as she heard about pretty clothes and rouge, those concerns were immediately thrown to the back of her mind.

What girl doesn't like shopping?

"Really?"

Gongsun Li's eyes lit up, and she jumped up from the stone bench.

"Then... then I'll go take a look?"

She turned to look at Lu Ming, her eyes filled with a mix of inquiry and anticipation.

Lu Ming shook his head helplessly and waved his hand:

"Go, go, and come back early."

Since Qian Renxue wanted to be the big spender, let her be. It was the Heaven Dou Royal Family's money anyway.

"Yay! Brother Dean is the best!"

Gongsun Li cheered and, without caring what others thought, ran out of the courtyard with Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe's steps became a bit lighter as he walked away.

She clenched her fist inwardly.

It's stable!

This time, it's truly stable!

Not only did she give a gift, but she also got to spend time alone to deepen their relationship.

When the simulator resets tonight, this rabbit's favorability will definitely be positive.

As long as Gongsun Li didn't kill her, that terrifying Lu Ming shouldn't have any reason to attack her, right?

Watching the backs of the two as they left, Cai Wenji bit down hard on the pastry in her hand and mumbled incoherently:

"This Xue Qinghe is so annoying!"

"He's not allowed in here anymore!"

The Snow Empress withdrew her gaze, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, producing a series of crisp sounds.

"He is indeed an eyesore."

"If it weren't for Lu Ming finding him useful, that palm strike just now wouldn't have just shattered a chess piece."

The Ice Empress looked at Lu Ming with schadenfreude.

"I say, Dean Lu, aren't you afraid that Silly Rabbit will be snatched away?"

"I think that Xue Qinghe has ill intentions."

Lu Ming lay back in the rocking chair, closed his eyes, and a playful smile played on his lips.

"Snatched away?"

"In this world, no one has ever been able to snatch anyone away from Jixia Academy."

"As for Xue Qinghe..."

"She just wants peace of mind."

The sun gradually set in the west, casting a long shadow from the magnificent gates of Jixia Academy.

Just then, two figures appeared at the academy entrance, looking somewhat hurried.

Leading the way was a tall, gaunt old man with a sinister expression.

His long, dark green hair was casually draped behind him, and as his eyes opened and closed, faint green light flickered within them, giving him an extremely dangerous aura.

Following behind him was a young woman with a voluptuous figure and a beautiful, alluring face.

However, the woman's complexion looked somewhat pale, and a lingering pain was evident in her brows.

It was Dugu Bo and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

"Grandpa, does this so-called Jixia Academy really have a way to cure my poison?"

Dugu Yan clutched her chest, her voice filled with doubt.

For years, Grandpa brought her to seek famous doctors for this damned Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, even humbling himself to beg those old rivals.

But the result?

Nothing but disappointment.

Even Grandpa, a Titled Douluo, was helpless. How could this suddenly appearing academy succeed?

Dugu Bo stopped, looking up at the plaque engraved with the characters "Jixia," his eyes complex.

"Yan Yan, this is our last chance."

"You saw it that day in the Soul Fighting Arena. That little girl named Cai Wenji, her healing methods were simply unheard of."

"That ability to instantly heal wounds, even Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't do it."

"As long as there's a sliver of hope, Grandpa can't give up."

Actually, Dugu Bo had no confidence.

But the scene of the Imperial Dou Team's crushing defeat that day had deeply shocked him.

Especially that little girl sitting on the Zither Seat. Her masterful healing techniques gave him a glimpse of hope to break the family curse.

Dugu Bo took a deep breath, suppressing his usual arrogance, and stepped forward, cupping his hands towards the Shadow Hunter guarding the gate.

"I am Dugu Bo, here with my granddaughter Dugu Yan, seeking an audience with Dean Lu."

Although the Shadow Hunter at the gate was only a Soul Elder, he was neither servile nor overbearing towards the Titled Douluo.

"The Dean has ordered that if Mr. Dugu arrives, he is to be brought directly to the backyard."

Dugu Bo was startled.

This Lu Ming actually predicted he would come?

This made Dugu Bo even more wary of the mysterious dean.