Dugu Yan "Fell"!

Dugu Yan then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly curtsied deeply, her voice trembling with nervousness.

"Du... Dugu Yan pays respects to His Holiness the Pope! Pays respects to His Highness the Holy Son!"

"No need for formalities, please rise."

A clear, melodious voice, tinged with a gentle tone, rang out; it was Bibi Dong's.

Although the voice still carried the natural aloofness of someone in a superior position, it was completely devoid of the coldness and aggressiveness that Dugu Yan had anticipated; instead, it sounded quite peaceful.

Dugu Yan got up as instructed, still not daring to look up directly, only glancing quickly out of the corner of her eye.

Dugu Yan saw that the Holy Son Lin Xia was also looking at her curiously, his clear eyes filled with a friendly smile, and he even winked at her.

This allowed Dugu Yan's tense nerves to relax slightly.

"You are Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan?"

Bibi Dong's voice rang out again, her tone flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed so."

Dugu Yan's heart leaped into her throat again, awaiting the interrogation about her grandfather.

Dugu Yan was already rapidly organizing her thoughts, trying to figure out how to get away with it without revealing her grandfather's whereabouts.

However, what Bibi Dong said next completely surprised her.

"Yes, she's a bright child."

Bibi Dong's tone even carried a hint of... gentleness?

"I brought my young disciple Lin Xia to the Heaven Dou Empire for a visit, and we will be staying at the academy for a while. Xiao Xia is still young and unfamiliar with the academy environment."

Bibi Dong lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on Lin Xia in her arms, her doting affection almost overflowing, and her voice became even softer.

"He's lively and might be a bit curious and mischievous. You're one of the 'veterans' in the college, and you're about the same age as Xiao Xia."

"I hope that during his time at the academy, you can take good care of him, show him around, and let him play and spar with you in his spare time, so he can keep you company. What do you say?"

That's it...?!

Dugu Yan was completely dumbfounded!

None of the coercion, bribery, or harsh questioning about her grandfather's whereabouts that she had anticipated occurred!

His Holiness the Pope summoned her personally, just to... ask her to help take care of the Holy Son?

Play with him?

This requirement is so simple... it's simply unbelievable!

This created an absurd and stark contrast to the bloody and chaotic scene that Dugu Yan had previously imagined.

The stark contrast left Dugu Yan momentarily stunned and speechless.

He subconsciously glanced again at the little boy in the Pope's arms.

Lin Xia was also looking at her. Seemingly Frisk her nervousness, a bright and infectious smile appeared on her incredibly beautiful face, as if the early spring sunshine had instantly melted away the ice and snow.

Lin Xia even tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with innocent and friendly curiosity.

Looking at Lin Xia's pure and irresistibly cute smile, and feeling the gentle aura emanating from Bibi Dong that carried a sense of entrustment rather than oppressive power, Dugu Yan's tense nerves seemed to be gently soothed by an invisible hand.

The immense pressure vanished suddenly, replaced by a sense of relief and a Limber within my heart by that smile.

Almost without thinking, purely captivated by that adorable smile and the overly "commonplace" request before her, the bewilderment and tension on Dugu Yan's face vanished instantly, replaced by a blush of flattery and a touch of joy. She nodded vigorously, answering in a clear and firm voice:

"Yes! Your Majesty, please rest assured! Yan Yan will definitely take good care of His Highness the Holy Son, show him around the academy, and keep him company... play with him!"

Dugu Yan even subconsciously used the more intimate and girlish self-reference "Yan Yan," as if making a promise to the gentle elder in front of her.

Watching this scene unfold—completely different from his expectations, even remarkably harmonious— Meng Shenji's eyes twitched slightly, but he felt a great sense of relief.

No conflict occurred, and the Pope was not angered—this was truly a wonderful thing! He quickly bowed in agreement.

"Your Holiness, the His Holiness the Pope, Yan Zi is a sensible child and will certainly live up to your expectations."

Bibi Dong watched as Dugu Yan's expression changed from one of fearlessness to one of readily agreeing, and especially as she saw her beloved disciple's "invincible" smile as she once again achieved success. A knowing and satisfied smile flashed deep in her purple eyes.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her attitude towards Dugu Yan seeming to soften somewhat.

"Very well. Then I'll have to trouble you."

Bibi Dong even gently patted Lin Xia's head.

"Xiao Xia, aren't you going to thank Sister Yanyan?"

Lin Xia immediately flashed a sweet smile, her voice clear and crisp.

"Thank you Sister Yanyan!"

The word "sister" made Dugu Yan's heart flutter with joy. The anxiety and heaviness she had felt just moments before seemed to have vanished into the past, and a bright smile unconsciously bloomed on her face.

Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the three people in front of him, Meng Shenji tactfully took his leave.

After chatting with Lin Xia and Bibi Dong for a while, Dugu Yan respectfully bowed and took her leave, her steps light as she departed from the courtyard that had once filled her with fear.

She had walked quite a distance when the evening breeze brushed against her face before she suddenly stopped and turned back to look at the courtyard hidden behind the bamboo grove, a hint of daze still on her face.

"Pope Bibi Dong... doesn't seem... as scary as Grandpa said?"

Dugu Yan murmured to herself, recalling Lin Xia's beautiful and lovely smiling face, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up again.

"And that His Highness the Holy Son... he's so cute!"

At this moment, she temporarily forgot about her grandfather's instructions and the Spirit Hall's threats. All she could think about was that irresistible smiling face and a lighthearted and enjoyable task—playing with the adorable Holy Son!

The courtyard gate closed completely after Dugu Yan's light footsteps faded into the distance, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled light and shadow in the Qing Ya courtyard, but it could not dispel the ominous premonition that suddenly rose in Lin Xia's heart.

Bibi Dong looked in the direction where Dugu Yan had disappeared, then looked down at Lin Xia, who was still smiling obediently in her arms. Her beautiful lips slowly curved into a smile that was completely different from the Pope's majesty, and was full of mischief and extreme doting.

In those deep purple eyes, admiration and mockery intertwined, as if they had discovered something extremely interesting.

"Our Xiao Xia ..."

Bibi Dong's voice carried undisguised pride and a hint of mockery as her fingertips lightly brushed against Lin Xia's pert nose.

"You're really amazing. With just a few smiles and a little trickery, you managed to make a girl who was so nervous she was about to cry instantly lower her guard and willingly agree to 'play' with you. Even I, your teacher, have to admit I can't match that charm."

Bibi Dong leaned slightly closer to Lin Xia's face, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe, carrying a cunning air of knowing everything.

"How old are you? I wonder how many girls will be obsessed with you and lose their appetite when you grow up into a handsome young man?"