Clearly, I Was Here First

Zhu Zhuqing stopped in her tracks at his words, scenes from their flight flashing through her mind. Those seemingly perilous pursuits had been riddled with holes.

She had previously dismissed it as luck, but after hearing Dai Mubai's explanation, she suddenly felt that something was amiss everywhere.

"You mean Big Sister was only putting on an act because she had no choice, deliberately letting me escape?"

Dai Mubai nodded. "That's my guess. Of course, I can't be certain."

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent, her heart caught in a fierce struggle.

When she thought back to her childhood, Zhu Zhuyun had often taken her by the hand to various banquets. Whenever Zhu Zhuqing was bullied, Zhu Zhuyun had fearlessly stood in front of her.

But after Zhu Zhuqing awakened the Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul and was betrothed to Dai Mubai, everything changed.

Zhu Zhuyun's eyes had filled with coldness whenever she looked at her, and her words had been relentlessly humiliating and suppressive.

Big Sister doesn't really want to kill me. She's only acting against her will!

"I understand now."

There was a hint of relief in Zhu Zhuqing's voice. Her mood had clearly improved, and her gaze toward Dai Mubai softened further.

The two continued forward, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed than before.

Then, as if remembering something, Zhu Zhuqing asked softly, "That Ning Rongrong... seems to have feelings for you. What... do you plan to do?"

Dai Mubai's heart tightened at her words. The inevitable question has finally come.

He did not answer Zhu Zhuqing directly. Instead, he stopped and looked seriously into her eyes before asking in return, "Does it bother you?"

Zhu Zhuqing felt a little uncomfortable and turned her face away. "I... I don't know."

She paused, and her voice grew very soft. "It's just that if you become the crown prince in the future, or even inherit the throne... there will inevitably be a harem. I think that as long as you like them, I'll be fine with it."

Zhu Zhuqing had grown up in that sort of environment, so she truly took such ideas lightly.

Although she was unwilling to share her man with others, she had never demanded that Dai Mubai belong to her alone.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's forced display of magnanimity, Dai Mubai's heart softened.

He lowered his head and whispered beside Zhu Zhuqing's ear in a voice only she could hear, "Ning Rongrong is the daughter of Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the sect's designated heir. Zhuqing, you know that our forces are far weaker than Dai Weisi's. He has received the support of most of the court, while we have nothing."

"So we must find allies from outside. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects and is wealthier than an entire empire. If we can obtain their support, our chances of victory will improve greatly."

His words were somewhat utilitarian, but this was the only reason Dai Mubai could think of for the moment that Zhu Zhuqing might accept.

Dai Mubai looked into her eyes and said seriously, "But don't worry. No matter what happens in the future, I will never wrong you. You, Zhu Zhuqing, will always be the most important person in my heart."

Zhu Zhuqing quietly listened to him, then nodded lightly. Her gaze grew firm again. "I understand. I'll always support you. No matter what you want to do, I'll stand on your side."

Dai Mubai's heart warmed. He tightened his grip on her hand and said, "Thank you, Zhuqing."

The two looked at each other for a moment. Then he raised his head and glanced at the sky. "Let's go. We should get back and rest early. We still have to cultivate tomorrow."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing answered softly and let him lead her by the hand toward the girls' dormitory.

Under the moonlight, the two figures walked side by side.

With the knot in Zhu Zhuqing's heart completely undone, a rare, faint smile appeared on her cold and beautiful face. It was breathtaking.

Dai Mubai turned his head to look at her smile. The heavy stone in his heart finally fell away, and his spirits soared.

"We're here."

At the foot of the girls' dormitory, Dai Mubai stopped and released her hand.

"See you tomorrow."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shimmered. She nodded shyly, waved, and headed toward the dormitory.

"See you tomorrow." Dai Mubai waved as well, then turned and walked toward his own dormitory.

At that moment, Xiao Wu had already begun snoring in the girls' dormitory, but Ning Rongrong was not asleep.

She leaned over the windowsill, staring at what was happening below.

Although the night was hazy and she could see only two blurry figures, she could still make out that they were holding hands as they walked toward the girls' dormitory.

A sharp pain twisted Ning Rongrong's heart, leaving her almost unable to breathe.

"Why? I was clearly here first!"

She silently asked herself the question, her eyes growing hot.

Faint footsteps came from the hallway.

Ning Rongrong abruptly straightened, hastily wiping at the corners of her eyes before rushing out of the room.

She happened to run into Zhu Zhuqing, whose cold and beautiful face carried a smile Ning Rongrong had never seen before.

"Zhu Zhuqing! Can I talk to you?" Ning Rongrong did her best to suppress the resentment in her heart.

Zhu Zhuqing did not seem surprised. She merely nodded lightly. "Sure. Come to my room."

In Zhu Zhuqing's room, Ning Rongrong clenched both hands tightly.

She watched Zhu Zhuqing close the door, then finally could not hold herself back any longer. She demanded, "Zhuqing, you knew I had feelings for Dai Mubai. Why did you still steal him from me?"

Zhu Zhuqing was not angry. She pulled over a chair and said softly, "Rongrong, I know you're anxious, but calm down first. Sit. I'll explain everything."

She sat down across from Ning Rongrong and slowly began, "Rongrong, do you know about the Star Luo Royal Family?"

Ning Rongrong replied sullenly, "Not really. I've never paid much attention to matters concerning the Star Luo Empire."

"The Star Luo Royal Family's Dai Family inherited the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. The Zhu Family of the Nether Duke's Estate inherited the Hell Spirit Cat. These two Martial Souls are highly compatible and can unleash the continent's top-tier Martial Soul Fusion Skill, 'Hell White Tiger.'"

Zhu Zhuqing began explaining patiently.

A trace of confusion flashed through Ning Rongrong's eyes. "Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "That's right. To ensure that 'Hell White Tiger' could be passed down through the generations, the two great families intermarried from generation to generation. Every Star Luo prince who awakened the White Tiger Martial Soul would be betrothed to a direct daughter of the Zhu Family. The Dai Family and Zhu Family have upheld this rule for a very long time. No one can defy it."

"Dai Mubai is the current third prince of the Star Luo Royal Family, while I'm the Zhu Family woman who was betrothed to Dai Mubai as a child."

"So, Rongrong, I didn't steal him from you. I'm his rightful fiancée. Because of the cruel competition within the royal family, Dai Mubai came to Suotuo City with only one thought in mind: to focus on cultivation. I came here to find him."

Zhu Zhuqing's voice was exceptionally calm.

After hearing her out, Ning Rongrong was completely stunned, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.

"But... but it took me so long to finally find someone I liked..."

Ning Rongrong's tears finally spilled from her eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing spoke again. "Rongrong, you know that Dai Mubai is a prince. If he is made crown prince in the future, or even inherits the throne, he'll definitely have more than one woman. In any case, I've prepared myself for that long ago. No matter how many women he has by his side in the future, I'll be satisfied as long as I'm beside him."

She looked intently at Ning Rongrong. "But, Rongrong, can you accept that?"