Crown Prince's Residence.
Qian Renxue sat before her dressing mirror, gently combing her golden hair with measured, unhurried movements.
Her crimson lips breathed out softly as she hummed an unknown tune, clearly in a very good mood.
"By my calculations, Little Li should be arriving soon, right?"
"So many years have passed, and he's grown more handsome by the day..."
Qian Renxue pursed her lips. Recalling the first time they had met, the tips of her ears could not help turning faintly red.
Every time she touched his head, that bone-deep feeling of comfort... it really was nostalgic.
"Phew~ When exactly should I let Little Li know that I'm a beautiful big sister?"
"I really want to lock him up and keep him all to myself..."
Qian Renxue propped her chin on both hands, unable to stop herself from rubbing her legs together. A muffled hum escaped her throat as she gradually drifted into a daze.
Not long after.
There came a knock at the door.
A voice sounded from the shadows.
"Young Mistress."
"Grandpa Snake Lance, what is it?"
"Su Li has arrived. He brought a young lady with him—she appears to be Poison Douluo's granddaughter."
"Hm? He brought a female companion?"
Qian Renxue frowned deeply, her tone turning icy.
After a moment.
She rose to her feet, a trace of complicated emotion surfacing in her eyes.
"All right... I understand."
"Have them wait in the sitting room."
With that said.
Qian Renxue entered her private wardrobe to change.
A few minutes later.
In the spacious sitting room, Su Li watched as Xue Qinghe emerged with a folding fan in hand.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"No need to stand on ceremony, Brother Li. Please, rise."
Xue Qinghe smiled, her peripheral vision glancing toward Dugu Yan beside him.
Seeing how closely