"What?"
Yu Luomian could hardly believe his ears.
He, Yu Luomian, was a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were known together as the Upper Three Sects.
The Upper Three Sects were bound together like branches of the same tree, always helping one another in times of trouble. (Clear Sky Sect: ?)
How could Ning Fengzhi say such a thing?
"Sect Master Ning, you're not joking, are you?"
He asked again, making sure he hadn't misheard.
Ning Fengzhi's answer left Yu Luomian utterly despairing.
Ning Fengzhi's expression was composed and candid, without the slightest hint of pretense.
"Yu Luomian, if this were about something else, perhaps I would do everything I could to help you. But what happened today crossed a moral line, and my Rongrong doesn't like it."
At that, even Chen Xin couldn't hold back and cut in.
"Yu Luomian, go back and tell your master that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is getting involved."
Chen Xin's tone was firm and final, leaving virtually no room for discussion.
Of everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one doted on Ning Rongrong more than Chen Xin and Gu Rong.
The two of them indulged Ning Rongrong in almost everything.
In their eyes, if this could happen to Shui Bing'er, there was a chance it could happen to Ning Rongrong too.
They absolutely couldn't let Yu Luomian set this precedent.
Yu Luomian looked ashen, his body unconsciously leaning back.
He had never imagined something like this would happen today.
All it took was Ning Rongrong saying she didn't like it, and Ning Fengzhi and the others had thrown their support behind Ye Shuyuan and Dugu Bo without hesitation.
Well, this was just great. Not only had he failed to win the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's help, he had indirectly offended them instead.
Yu Luomian couldn't bear to stay there any longer.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Yu Luomian turned and walked away. His disheveled state was plain to see from his retreating figure.
Ye Qingzhou, Ning Rongrong, Ye Shuyuan, Dugu Bo, and Ning Fengzhi's party said nothing, standing quietly where they were as they watched Yu Luomian leave.
Only when Yu Luomian's voice had completely faded beyond the doors of the Seven Treasure Main Hall did Ye Shuyuan break the silence. "Sect Master Ning, is there anything else you'd like to say?"
Ye Shuyuan smiled slightly, still wearing that pleasant expression and applying no pressure at all.
"There are a few things I'd like to discuss privately with Your Excellency, the Medical Saint, and Your Excellency, Luo Feng."
Ye Shuyuan and Luo Feng exchanged a glance. A moment later, Ye Shuyuan nodded. "All right. Please lead the way, Sect Master Ning."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, then looked at Gu Rong with a gentle tone. "Uncle Bone, please show Rongrong, Ye Qingzhou, and Your Excellency Poison around."
Gu Rong nodded, took Ning Rongrong's little hand, and gestured to Ye Qingzhou and Dugu Bo. "Come with me."
Ye Qingzhou and Dugu Bo followed Gu Rong and Ning Rongrong out of the Seven Treasure Main Hall.
Watching Gu Rong lead Ning Rongrong and Ye Qingzhou away, Ning Fengzhi turned to Ye Shuyuan and Luo Feng and made an inviting gesture.
"This way, gentlemen."
Evening.
At the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi personally saw Ye Qingzhou and the others off, accompanied by Ning Rongrong, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
They waited until the group had disappeared from sight. Only then did Gu Rong lean slightly closer to Ning Fengzhi and lower his voice.
"Fengzhi, should we..."
He gave Ning Fengzhi a meaningful look. Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
"Stop right there. Some things shouldn't be said, Uncle Bone. You need to break that habit of yours."
"When it comes to geniuses, we should do everything we can to win them over."
"And as for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, we've offended them today, in a way. But as long as we can get the support of Ye Shuyuan and Dugu Bo, two Titled Douluo, we have nothing to worry about."
Ye Family Clinic.
Night had fallen, but the lights in Ye Shuyuan's study were still bright.
Ye Qingzhou sat in a chair, holding a cup of warm milk. He didn't drink it, though; he simply watched the steam rise before his eyes.
Ye Shuyuan sat across from him. He blew gently over the teacup in his hands, then slowly savored the fresh, piping-hot premium tea Luo Feng had brought from Spirit Hall.
He took a sip, still savoring the taste. "Qingzhou, what do you think of Ning Rongrong?"
Ye Qingzhou was just about to take a sip of the milk when Ye Shuyuan's question made him stop.
"I don't think much of her. Ning Rongrong and I don't get along."
"Grandpa, that old fox Ning Fengzhi didn't call you in to discuss marriage between Ning Rongrong and me, did he?"
Ye Shuyuan looked at Ye Qingzhou, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "That's right. You really are my grandson—quick on the uptake."
Luo Feng, who had been standing beside the grandfather and grandson, chimed in. "Your father and I said we'd ask what you thought."
"I'll pass your answer along to Ning Fengzhi in a while," Ye Shuyuan said. Like Ye Qingzhou, he wasn't particularly fond of Ning Rongrong.
As expected, his grandson was more mature than other children.
Ye Shuyuan suddenly spoke up. "By the way, Qingzhou, Heaven Dou Royal Academy starts its new term tomorrow. It's about time you went to school."
Ye Qingzhou quickly refused. "Grandpa, I think I'll pass. Enrolling now is too early for me."
"Everyone else enters Heaven Dou Royal Academy at eleven or twelve. I'm only nine. Won't I stick out like a sore thumb?"
Hearing Ye Qingzhou's worries, Ye Shuyuan burst into laughter.
"You don't need to worry about that. Besides, you can't stay at home forever."
"Why not go to the academy and study with your older sister?"
"I'll arrange for you to join their reserve Imperial Fighting Team."
"With your talent and our connections, you're more than qualified."
Seeing that there was no talking his way out of it, Ye Qingzhou could only reluctantly agree.
The next day.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Academic Affairs Office.
Zhilin excitedly clasped Ye Shuyuan's hands. "I understand. Since this is Your Excellency, the Medical Saint's recommendation, I have no grounds to refuse."
Seeing how excited Zhilin was, Meng Shenji said, "Zhilin, I should be the one saying that..."
But Zhilin hadn't paid any attention to Meng Shenji's words.
Ye Shuyuan smiled calmly. "With your three promises, I can rest easy."
"Then I'll be counting on you."
It had happened twice now—this was already the second time. Zhilin looked at Ye Shuyuan with deep admiration.
"Not at all, not at all. It's only what we should do."
"The last time Your Excellency, the Medical Saint, came here was when Miss Ye was here."
"I wonder, when might Your Excellency, the Medical Saint, be free?"
Ye Shuyuan looked at Zhilin, who was practically bursting with excitement. "Come to the Ye Family Clinic next Sunday. I'll be there."
He lowered his gaze to Ye Qingzhou. "Qingzhou, go with Zhilin and the others from here on."
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