Qian Renxue Regretted It

Li Changqing kept staring at Qian Renxue's face. His gaze made her skin crawl, and she began to suspect that he had seen through her disguise.

Otherwise, why would a grown man stare so intently at another man's face? But she immediately shook off the thought. No one below the level of a god could see through the Angel Soul Bone's disguise.

Qian Renxue asked outright, "Might I ask who you are and why you've come to see Qinghe? Surely you didn't break into the Crown Prince's Residence in the Imperial Palace just for a cup of good tea."

Li Changqing picked up a pastry and took a bite, then smiled. "Your Highness has a short memory. It's only been three years, and you've already forgotten me."

Qian Renxue's eyes widened.

Three years?

She immediately recalled trying to win Li Changqing over in Haagen-Dazs City three years ago.

She looked at the man before her again. His face was entirely different, but his words and mannerisms were exactly the same as Li Changqing's had been three years earlier.

Uncertain, Qian Renxue asked, "So you're Li Changqing?"

Li Changqing nodded. "As expected of Your Highness. One hint was all you needed."

Pufferfish grew even more wary, afraid that Li Changqing might harm Qian Renxue.

Outsiders could only guess that Li Changqing had gained the upper hand in his battle with Bibi Dong three years ago.

But Pufferfish was different. As an elder of Spirit Hall, he knew for a fact that Bibi Dong had returned in a wretched state, utterly defeated.

Qian Renxue's reaction was the complete opposite of Pufferfish's. Once she confirmed that the man before her was Li Changqing, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She was curious how Li Changqing had changed his appearance, but she was even more curious about why he had come.

"Then what brings you here to see Qinghe, Lord Li Changqing? Have you made up your mind to serve me?"

Li Changqing nodded, then shook his head. "Yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

Li Changqing did not answer. Instead, he looked at Pufferfish behind her. His meaning was clear: he wanted Pufferfish to leave.

Qian Renxue smiled, her voice full of confidence. "If you have something secret to say, there's no need to worry. Uncle Pufferfish won't tell anyone without my permission."

Li Changqing smiled and shook his head. "You misunderstand, Your Highness. I'm not worried about the secret getting out. It wouldn't affect me. It would affect you."

"I'm worried you'll silence Pufferfish after he hears it. I'm looking out for him. He is a Titled Douluo, after all. It would be terribly unjust for him to die simply because he heard a secret."

Qian Renxue did not believe she would kill a Titled Douluo who was utterly loyal to Spirit Hall over a single secret.

"That's impossible!" she said with confidence.

Even Pufferfish himself did not believe Qian Renxue would silence him over a secret.

Besides, he was a Titled Douluo. If he wanted to flee, could Qian Renxue really catch him?

Li Changqing shook his head dismissively. "No. You will."

"Of course, if Your Highness doesn't mind him staying, neither do I. But if you do decide to silence him afterward, I can do it for you."

After a moment's hesitation, Qian Renxue instructed, "Uncle Pufferfish, go outside for now. If Uncle Snake Lance returns, have him wait outside too."

Pufferfish wanted to object, but the resolve on Qian Renxue's face told him it would be useless. He agreed.

"Young Master, if anything happens, just shout. I'll rush in at once."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly.

After Pufferfish disappeared, a faint golden light radiated from Qian Renxue's body. It was her Angel Domain.

The Angel Domain quickly enveloped the room. No sound could escape.

"Can you tell me now?"

Li Changqing took a sip of tea and nodded. "Of course. I came because the condition I set for Your Highness back then has been fulfilled. I can do one thing for you."

Qian Renxue was pleased to hear that Li Changqing was willing to do something for her, but she did not understand what he meant.

What does he mean, the condition has been fulfilled?

What condition? Why don't I know about it?

Li Changqing continued, "I told you back then that if you tied up the Pope and brought her to serve me, I'd do one thing for you. You do remember, don't you?"

Qian Renxue's pupils contracted sharply. She had a bad feeling.

"The Pope wasn't brought to me tied up. She came to me herself. There were a few setbacks along the way, but it all turned out well. She truly lived up to her title. Even now, I still savor that night of passion with the Pope."

"In the three years since, going to the brothel hasn't felt the same. I keep wanting another flesh-and-blood bout with the Pope."

Li Changqing finished speaking and smiled at Qian Renxue, who sat frozen in her seat.

Then Qian Renxue came to her senses. She regretted it.

Although she hated Bibi Dong, she still yearned for her mother's affection.

Because of her own moment of recklessness, her mother had been defiled by the man before her.

Qian Renxue could not help thinking, No wonder that woman was so furious when she returned. No wonder she said I wasn't fit to be Spirit Hall's Young Master. So that was why. Does she hate me even more now?

The thought filled Qian Renxue with grief.

After the regret came anger. Fire blazed in Qian Renxue's eyes as she glared at Li Changqing.

She wanted to seize him on the spot, tie him up, and take him to Bibi Dong to beg forgiveness.

Li Changqing looked at Qian Renxue's true face beneath the disguise. Her beautiful eyes were filled with fury, but he did not mind in the least. He smiled and said:

"Do you know that you're making exactly the same face Bibi Dong made back then? You really are mother and daughter. Even the way you look when you're angry is equally captivating."

Qian Renxue's breathing grew heavier. Her body trembled with rage, as though she might erupt at any moment.

Li Changqing leaned back and folded his arms, delighted. That'll teach you to send Bibi Dong after me three years ago. Regretting it now, aren't you?

Li Changqing smiled. "So, Your Highness, have you decided what you want me to do?"

"Let's get one thing straight: don't ask me to kill myself. I value my life. I understand how you feel, but you brought this on yourself. If you hadn't sent Bibi Dong after me, none of this would have happened."

"Also, you're no match for me, so I hope you can keep your temper in check. I can already see your real face beneath the disguise. You really are mother and daughter—just as beautiful as Bibi Dong."

Li Changqing licked his lips. "If we fight, I might not be able to stop myself from ravaging you the way I ravaged Bibi Dong three years ago. Her legs kept trembling afterward. If yours do too, it might interfere with the Nation-Stealing Plan."

Qian Renxue trembled uncontrollably. But she truly was no match for Li Changqing, so all she could do was glare at him.