Who Says Swordsmen Don't Fall in Love?

Qian Renxue watched Ye Yunxi's swaying form, her possessiveness nearly overflowing; this was, after all, her own Imperial Concubine.

She stepped forward, once again pulling Ye Yunxi into her embrace.

"Seniors, although Yunxi's martial soul is unique, she is a woman after all and cannot withstand such scrutiny."

Her tone carried a hint of chill, and her gaze toward Chen Xin and the others was filled with warning; even Title Douluo could not covet what was hers.

Chen Xin finally snapped out of it, coughing dryly to regain his indifferent expression, though his hand gripping the sword hilt did not loosen.

Gu Rong chuckled, rubbing the back of his head to mask his loss of composure.

Yu Yuanzhen let out a heavy snort, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart, yet his gaze toward Ye Yunxi remained somewhat complex.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi hurriedly smoothed things over: "His Highness the Crown Prince jokes; it is simply that Miss Ye's martial soul is too stunning, causing us to lose our composure."

He looked at Ye Yunxi with eyes full of inquiry: "A beast martial soul, Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, is a legendary top-tier spirit-type martial soul. For Miss Ye to have cultivated it to the Soul Ancestor level at such a young age and to fully control its charm, her talent is truly astonishing."

Emperor Xue Ye also recovered from his daze, forgetting to wipe the tea that had splashed onto his dragon robe, and hurriedly spoke.

"Indeed, indeed! Such talent, such beauty—truly worthy of the woman Qinghe chose. Yunxi, whatever other abilities you have, show them off and let these seniors broaden their horizons!"

He was completely conquered by Ye Yunxi's charm, wanting only for her to perform more so he could watch her a little longer.

Ye Yunxi cursed Emperor Xue Ye's greed in her heart, but she couldn't reveal her second martial soul; she had to play it safe.

What an old, immortal bastard; he still wanted to keep watching his own son's Imperial Concubine.

"Your Majesty, Yunxi has no other skills. I am just an ordinary, weak woman; I cannot be as strong as the Title Douluo present."

Ye Yunxi said with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful and helpless.

Qian Renxue sighed inwardly: She can really act. Why isn't she like this in front of me?

Complaints aside, she was her woman after all, and she couldn't let her be bullied.

"Father, Yunxi is indeed telling the truth. I hope you will forgive her."

Emperor Xue Ye felt unsatisfied, but he had no choice.

"Since Qinghe has already spoken, I have nothing more to say."

Qian Renxue took Ye Yunxi's small hand and returned to her seat, but as soon as she sat down, she felt a resentful gaze.

"Your Highness, you had better let me go. Besides, don't you know that with so many eyes on me, I have social anxiety?" Ye Yunxi's expression was indignant, her peach-blossom eyes filled with grievance.

Qian Renxue clutched her racing heart; what a troublesome little vixen.

"Imperial Concubine, you are already mine. You had better be obedient. Once this is over, I will reward you well!" Qian Renxue curled her lips.

Back at the Crown Prince's Mansion, I'll make sure to discipline you properly and let you know who is the master.

At this moment, Chen Xin still stood with his hands behind his back. His eyes, usually as calm as an ancient well, occasionally swept an imperceptible glance toward the hem of Ye Yunxi's Glazed Ru Skirt, and he no longer had the heart to listen to the discussion regarding the tournament for the younger generation.

Gu Rong was even worse; relying on his ability to turn intangible, he actually peeked out several times, wanting to get another look at the owner of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox martial soul. Only after being blocked by Ning Fengzhi did he sullenly restrain himself, though he still looked unsatisfied.

Ning Fengzhi himself was also distracted, waving his folding fan listlessly. While he echoed Emperor Xue Ye's words, he was calculating Ye Yunxi's background in his heart.

Such a heaven-defying Nine-Tailed Sky Fox martial soul could not possibly belong to a nobody; this woman must be hiding a massive secret.

Everyone in the hall had their minds drifting toward Ye Yunxi. The imperial affairs and the deployment for the Soul Master Tournament were merely going in one ear and out the other; even Emperor Xue Ye himself lost focus time and again.

His gaze remained glued to Ye Yunxi's reddening earlobes, and eventually, he lost the interest to preside over the meeting. After giving a few hasty instructions for the sects to prepare well for the Soul Master Tournament and to protect the empire's younger generation, he waved his hand, looking exhausted. "Let's end it here for today. Everyone, you may withdraw."

As his voice fell, everyone in the hall acted as if they had been granted amnesty. As they stood up to bow, their eyes couldn't help but glance toward Ye Yunxi. Only after stepping out of the hall did they regain their composure, though the agitation in their hearts lingered for a long time.

Qian Renxue was the first to stand, taking Ye Yunxi's wrist to lead her out. When they reached the palace gate, she paused and tilted her head to look at the unwilling person beside her, her voice dropping to a low, non-negotiable tone: "Hold my arm."

Ye Yunxi's brows instantly knitted together, her peach-blossom eyes full of resistance. She subconsciously shrank back, her fingertips struggling to break free from her grip: "I won't."

She was already uncomfortable being stared at by the entire hall; to have to cling to her so intimately now, being treated like an exhibit, made her feel disgusted just thinking about it.

Moreover, since everyone in the hall had left, why did she need to keep pretending to be a docile Imperial Concubine?

Qian Renxue watched her bristling appearance, and the agitation stirred in her heart surged even more violently. A flash of cunning, black-bellied intent crossed her eyes as she leaned into her ear. Her warm breath brushed against her earlobe, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear.

"Be good. Hold me, and when we return to the Crown Prince's Mansion, I will unseal your soul power."

Ye Yunxi's pupils shrank suddenly. The resistance in her peach-blossom eyes was instantly replaced by surprise. She looked up, staring fixedly into Qian Renxue's eyes, her tone filled with an incredulous urgency: "Really?"

The feeling of having her soul power sealed was unbearable, like having all her strength drained away. Despite having the cultivation of a Soul Ancestor and a heaven-defying martial soul, she couldn't use even a shred of power, which was the main reason she had been enduring this all along.

As long as her soul power was unsealed, with her Lingbo Microsteps and the speed of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, even if she couldn't beat Qian Renxue, she would at least have a chance to run.

"Of course it's true." Qian Renxue curled her lips, unable to hide the smile in her eyes. Watching her look of urgency, she felt that this little wild fox had finally been brought under her control.

"This Highness never lies. As long as you are obedient, I will lift the restriction when we return."

Ye Yunxi bit her lip. Even though she was unwilling, the temptation of unsealing her soul power was simply too great.

After weighing the pros and cons, she finally suppressed her indignation. Slowly and with extreme reluctance, she extended her hand, her fingertips held straight and stiff, and hooked them around Qian Renxue's arm.

The moment their skin touched, Qian Renxue felt a wave of warmth and softness from her arm. Her heart began to race, and even her breathing slowed by half a beat.

Ye Yunxi's hand was slender, her fingertips slightly cool. Resting against her arm, it actually made her feel a reluctance to let go.

Ye Yunxi, however, felt completely awkward. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she stared fixedly at the ground, refusing to even lift her head. In her heart, she cursed Qian Renxue a thousand times, hoping only to leave the palace quickly and have her soul power unsealed.

The two walked side by side from the council hall to the Vermilion Bird Gate of the palace. Throughout the journey, the gazes of the palace servants and imperial guards were all glued to Ye Yunxi.