Fanning the Flames for Qian Renxue

"Heavens, is that the Imperial Concubine?"

"The Imperial Concubine is actually sitting next to me? Is this for real?"

A massive commotion erupted in the spectator stands, and Qian Renxue caught the words "Imperial Concubine."

Don't tell me she snuck off to the spectator stands, Qian Renxue muttered to herself.

Suppressing the urge to lose her temper, she cast her gaze toward the stands, where a stunningly beautiful woman was happily chatting with the spectators.

"Just watch the match. This lady is simply here to enjoy it with everyone."

Ye Yunxi chatted enthusiastically with the surrounding crowd, while Qian Renxue felt her teeth itch with irritation.

"Qinghe, is this what you meant by resting? Why has the Imperial Concubine run off to the spectator stands all by herself? Could it be that you two had a falling out?"

Emperor Xue Ye asked with a meaningful tone.

To the right of Emperor Xue Ye sat Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armor Sect.

The men all looked at Qian Renxue with varying expressions, each assuming she had kept Ye Yunxi from coming along because she didn't want them to admire her. Now that Ye Yunxi had appeared in the stands, it clearly reflected that she must have snuck out on her own.

This creature really knows how to cause me trouble.

Qian Renxue cursed inwardly, but maintained a calm facade as she explained:

"My lords and Father Emperor, the Imperial Concubine and I have not had a falling out. I am just as surprised as you are that she has suddenly appeared in the spectator stands."

"Perhaps I should go bring her here now."

Emperor Xue Ye raised a hand and said:

"No need. As the Imperial Concubine, it is good for her to get closer to the people."

Faced with this, Qian Renxue had no choice but to drop the matter.

"Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, as the most beautiful girl in the Heaven Dou Empire, why not place a bet? Care to guess who will win between Elephant Armored Academy and Shrek Academy?"

A well-dressed man approached. As the person in charge of the betting, he was very interested in inviting Ye Yunxi to participate.

"Oh? You want me to bet? But I have no money. All my money was confiscated by the Crown Prince."

Ye Yunxi blinked her peach-blossom eyes, feigning a pitiful expression.

"You don't know that the Crown Prince never gives me any money. All the Gold Soul Coin I obtained from elsewhere was confiscated by the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, the crowd felt a wave of sympathy.

The man was stunned; he hadn't expected the Crown Prince, who was known for being kind to his people, to be so harsh with his own kin.

"Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, please rest assured. You may place your bet freely; regardless of whether you win or lose, there will be a generous reward. It is my honor to have the Imperial Concubine participate in the betting."

The man bowed in salute.

"There's no need for such trouble. If the Crown Prince finds out, she will surely punish me again. But if I must bet, I choose to bet on Shrek Academy."

Ye Yunxi looked at the surrounding spectators and said lightly:

"I'll tell you all a little secret. If you want to earn some money, you can bet on Shrek Academy from time to time, though whether they win or not is hard to say."

As she finished speaking, she winked her watery peach-blossom eyes at the people in the stands, instantly making many hearts flutter.

Subsequently, many chose to bet on Shrek, though some still chose to believe in Elephant Armored Academy.

Ye Yunxi smiled inwardly: Qian Renxue, oh Qian Renxue, if you won't let me out, don't blame me for this.

As Ye Yunxi's words spread from person to person, the entire spectator stand erupted into a heated debate.

The rising and falling voices drifted toward the VIP box, each word piercing Qian Renxue's heart like a needle.

"The Crown Prince is too much! To think he even confiscated the Imperial Concubine's pocket money!"

"The Imperial Concubine is so beautiful and so pitiful; how could the Crown Prince have the heart to do this!"

"Exactly! The Imperial Concubine can't even afford to place a bet while watching the match; this life is just too stifling!"

The chorus of indignation made Qian Renxue's face turn as dark as ink. Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

When have I ever not given her money?!

The Gold Soul Coin in the manor were piled up like a small mountain. Was there any treasure this little demon wanted that she hadn't provided? And yet, this girl had the audacity to turn around and smear her reputation in public!

Emperor Xue Ye stroked his beard, his gaze toward Qian Renxue carrying a hint of reproach:

"Qinghe, this is not right of you. The Imperial Concubine is young, and it is in her nature to be playful. How can you control even her pocket money? If this gets out, others will think the Heaven Dou Imperial Family mistreats their daughter-in-law."

Ning Fengzhi chuckled from the side, waving his folding fan in agreement:

"The Crown Prince is mistaken. With the Imperial Concubine's lively nature, she should be given more freedom. Besides, it's just Gold Soul Coin; what is that compared to the smile of a beauty?"

Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly and said in a deep voice:

"The Crown Prince's actions are indeed a bit too harsh."

Huyan Zhen was even more direct, grunting:

"Crown Prince, you should give the Imperial Concubine more money so she doesn't feel wronged."

The four big shots chimed in one after another, each word accusing Qian Renxue, leaving her speechless. The pent-up grievance and anger nearly burst from her chest.

She was clearly the victim here!

This little vixen was always thinking about running away. She had confiscated her money only because she was afraid she would use it to sneak out of Tiandou City! And now, look at how it turned out: she had become the villain who abused the Imperial Concubine!

He got to play the good guy while she had to be the villain; it was absolutely infuriating.

Qian Renxue took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in her heart, and squeezed out a smile that looked worse than a cry:

"Father, the sect masters have misunderstood. I gave her plenty of money; it's just that she herself..."

Before she could finish, her words were interrupted by the voice of Ye Yunxi.

Ye Yunxi stood on her tiptoes, waving toward the VIP seating area. Her peach-blossom eyes curved into crescents, and her voice was crisp yet tinged with a hint of grievance:

"Crown Prince, I know you have my best interests at heart, but I really, really want some pocket money!"

With that, the eyes of the entire audience fell squarely on Qian Renxue. Sympathetic, accusatory, and gossiping gazes threatened to burn a hole through her face.

Qian Renxue felt as if her lungs were about to explode with rage, yet she had to maintain the demeanor of the Crown Prince. She could only grit her teeth, cursing Ye Yunxi's name a thousand times over in her heart.

That damned Ye Yunxi!!

Once she got back, she would definitely lock her in her room and teach her a proper lesson!

In another private box, Yue Guan and Hu Liena took in the entire scene unfolding within the Soul Fighting Arena.

"Elder Yue, are we not heading back now?"

"No rush. The mission entrusted by the Pope has already been completed; let us observe this Shrek Academy first."

Yue Guan was quite curious about Shrek Academy. To possess such strength, they might just be a dark horse.

"That Imperial Concubine, however, has such a flighty personality. Is she truly not afraid that the current Crown Prince will punish her upon returning?"

Yue Guan held a certain appreciation for Ye Yunxi.

"If the Imperial Concubine attends the finals, will Teacher be interested in her?"

"That is not for the likes of us to guess. The Pope acts with cold detachment; we shall see when the day of the finals arrives."

Thanks to book friend 20230702505CD for the tip.

Thanks to book friend 202601115880 for the tip.