Yan Nujiao blushed. "Master... you've misunderstood!"
Hu Xiaotian declared with righteous confidence, "Surely the affairs of young people aren't yours to meddle in!"
Granny Shadow snapped, "Ha! You shameless creature! Eating from your bowl while eyeing the pot! I'll go ask Princess Yingyue to judge this and see whether she intends to keep her philandering husband in line." Granny Shadow's wrath was no trifling matter, and even Hu Xiaotian dared not charge into that headwind.
Long Xiyue arrived after hearing the commotion. One look at the scene told her what had happened.
Granny Shadow said, "You've come at just the right time. Look at what your Imperial Son-in-Law has been doing-seducing my young disciple behind your back!"
Long Xiyue glanced at Hu Xiaotian. Although he had already told her frankly about his relationship with Yan Nujiao, having Granny Shadow berate him in public still made his thick-skinned face burn.
Long Xiyue smiled. "Granny Shadow, you certainly know how to joke. Xiaotian and Miss Yan have been friends for a long time. In Western Sichuan and on Python Jiao Island, Nujiao risked her life to save him several times. Even I cannot compare with the bond they forged through life and death. I feel nothing but gratitude toward Miss Yan."
Granny Shadow was stunned by Long Xiyue's words. She had always thought Long Xiyue a gentle, kindhearted girl. Girls with such temperaments tended to be indecisive and lacking in opinions of their own. She had never expected her to display such generosity at a moment like this, and could not help seeing her in a new light.
Long Xiyue walked over and took Yan Nujiao's hand. "Get up, Miss Yan. I wanted to have a proper chat with you earlier, but everyone was busy, and we never found the opportunity."
Yan