"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is truly a wonder! Shrek really won!"
"I won on my very first bet."
"Good thing I chose to believe her."
Cheers erupted from all around the stands.
They had all chosen to believe Ye Yunxi and bet on Shrek. Who would've thought they'd really win?
At that moment, the referee announced loudly:
"Congratulations to Shrek for defeating Elephant Armored Academy!"
The seven members of Shrek were delighted by the looks cast their way. Their eyes fell in particular on Ye Yunxi, the most dazzling figure in the stands, who was beaming at them with the most beautiful smile.
"Shrek, you all did wonderfully. Keep it up next time! I believe in you."
Ye Yunxi winked at the seven, then quietly slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
"So this is what the approachable Imperial Concubine is like?"
Ma Hongjun blinked, still wanting more.
"Alright, Fatty. Her Highness the Imperial Concubine believes in us, so we ought to work hard and make a good showing. Don't just stand here grinning like an idiot."
Dai Mubai patted Ma Hongjun on the back, reminding him to get off the stage first. They could talk about everything else later.
"Wait for me, Boss Dai!"
Ma Hongjun came to his senses and hurried after him.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunxi had already made it outside the Soul Fighting Arena.
"A clean getaway. As expected of me!"
"Xue Qinghe, that big fool, would never have guessed."
Ye Yunxi laughed smugly. Just thinking about the look on Qian Renxue's face in the stands, all darkened with anger, made her want to laugh.
You bully me every day. Well, I finally got the chance to catch you out.
Her smug laughter had barely faded when she hurried forward without watching where she was going and crashed straight into a solid chest.
It was hard as iron. Her nose stung from the impact, and she instantly lost her balance. With an "Ow!" she toppled backward and landed hard on the ground, her bottom hitting the cold stone. Wincing in pain, she began rubbing it.
"Who was that? Watch where you're going! Can't you see I'm trying to leave?"
Clutching her bottom, Ye Yunxi looked up indignantly and began cursing. She'd barely finished speaking when a cold voice, edged with a hint of meaning, struck her ears.
"My dear Imperial Concubine, where do you think you're going?"
The familiar voice made Ye Yunxi shudder. Her smug bravado vanished in an instant, and her body stiffened like a block of stone.
She slowly raised her head and looked toward the voice. Qian Renxue stood before her with his arms crossed, gazing down at her. His silver-white fitted uniform made his figure seem even taller and more upright.
His eyes were cold as ice, and the anger churning within them seemed ready to burn her to ashes.
The air around them seemed to freeze. Even the wind dared not stir.
Ye Yunxi looked into his eyes, which seemed ready to devour her whole.
She swallowed. All her swagger had vanished, replaced by a guilty conscience.
She forced out a dry laugh, hurriedly climbed to her feet, and dusted off her skirt, her eyes darting away from his.
"I-I just came out for a walk, and happened to watch the match..."
"A walk?"
Qian Renxue sneered and slowly closed in. His tall figure loomed over Ye Yunxi, an oppressive force bearing down on her.
"You went for a walk all the way to the Soul Master Tournament stands? You went for a walk, and half the arena ended up taking your side, saying I mistreat you?"
He bent down and pinched Ye Yunxi's chin, forcing her to look at him. His voice was low, his words gritted through clenched teeth.
"Ye Yunxi, tell me: when have I ever mistreated you? When have I ever failed to give you money?"
His grip made Ye Yunxi's chin ache. Seeing the fury in his eyes, her heart gave a jolt. She hastily waved her hands, her voice turning soft and sweet.
"It was a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! I was just saying whatever came to mind. They made up the rest themselves. It has nothing to do with me!"
"Nothing to do with you?"
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, a deeper chill creeping into his gaze.
"Then should I take you back to the Crown Prince's Mansion now and settle this score properly?"
"Calm down, calm down, Your Highness. Don't be rash. I didn't do anything at all. They made up the rest themselves."
Ye Yunxi pleaded pitifully. Before she knew it, a few tears had suddenly welled in the corners of her eyes.
Qian Renxue had been furious, but looking at Ye Yunxi's pitiful expression on the ground, he felt as though he were on the verge of losing his temper, yet somehow couldn't. It was an unbearable feeling.
She always did this, and every time, he fell for it.
No. He had to teach her a lesson. If she went too far next time, at least he still had to save face.
"Stop putting on that pitiful act. Come back to the Crown Prince's Mansion with me. I'm not going to punish you. There's something I need to ask you."
Qian Renxue badly wanted to raise his hand and slap Ye Yunxi, but he simply couldn't bring himself to do it. The moment he saw her tears, his resolve had already begun to soften.
"Really?"
Ye Yunxi instantly changed her expression. Qian Renxue's mouth twitched at the sight, and there was truly nothing he could do with her.
"Would I lie?"
"Come on, let's go back!" Qian Renxue let go and motioned for Ye Yunxi to follow.
"Slow down. My bottom hurts too much."
"Serves you right!"
Back at the Crown Prince's Mansion, Qian Renxue strode ahead with a cold expression. Ye Yunxi followed behind with her shoulders hunched, looking just like a little cat caught sneaking a taste of fish.
As soon as they entered the main courtyard, Qian Renxue called out:
"You may all leave. No one is to go near the study without my orders."
The maids glanced at one another, respectfully answered, "Yes," and silently withdrew. The courtyard fell quiet in an instant.
Qian Renxue pushed open the door and went in. Ye Yunxi dawdled after him, and before she could even look around, she caught sight of him taking a sandalwood switch from the weapons rack in the corner and placing it casually on the table.
The switch gleamed with a cold sheen. It looked sturdy enough.
Ye Yunxi's face turned deathly white.
Her earlier swagger vanished without a trace. She turned and made a dash for the door.
But as soon as she reached it, she collided with an invisible barrier and bounced back with a thud, staggering and nearly falling.
"When did you put up a barrier?"
"Trying to run?"
Qian Renxue's voice came from behind her, tinged with mocking coldness.
He approached at an unhurried pace, his gaze settling on Ye Yunxi and growing deeper.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, and a few stray locks clung to her sweat-damp cheek, making her skin look even whiter than snow.
A little dust clung to the hem of her Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress, but it did nothing to diminish her breathtaking beauty.
Her peach-blossom eyes were dewy with fear, her fright still fresh. Compared with her usual brazen arrogance, she was even more alluring now.
It was a beauty that blended bewitching charm with girlish sweetness. The allure in her features came entirely naturally. Even simply standing there was enough to make anyone's heart sway.
Qian Renxue stared, momentarily entranced. The anger in his heart faded a little more.
He gave a soft snort and raised an eyebrow.
"So Her Highness the Imperial Concubine can be afraid after all? You weren't like this back at the arena."
Ye Yunxi clutched her aching shoulder and shrank back, her voice turning tearful.
"Xue Qinghe, don't do anything rash! I'm a delicate girl. I can't take that kind of beating!"
"Delicate?"