Qian Renxue raised her eyebrows slightly, a mischievous gleam flashing through her eyes.
Then she and Meng Chen both looked toward the bend in the white jade steps.
A slender, graceful figure came charging up, holding up the hem of her luxurious goose-yellow pleated dress.
Five years had passed, and the willful, headstrong Little Demoness who had spent her days chasing after Meng Chen's ears had now blossomed into a poised young woman.
The girl was tall and well-proportioned, her slender waist seemingly small enough to encircle with a single hand.
Her once round, slightly puffy, bun-like face had long since become a delicate, softly contoured oval, her skin fair and her lively eyes like clear springs.
Only her slightly raised chin and that air of arrogance remained exactly as they had been back then.
Ning Rongrong rushed all the way to the training grounds in one breath, her gaze falling on Meng Chen before she even had time to catch it.
But when she saw the white-robed young man standing beside Meng Chen, her bristling demeanor stiffened slightly. She squeezed an obedient smile onto her little face and properly dipped into a curtsy.
"Rongrong greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Watching the girl's expression change so quickly, Qian Renxue laughed inwardly.
Over the past few years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Crown Prince's Residence had grown increasingly close, and Ning Fengzhi had even been quietly building support for her. Ning Rongrong had seen her no small number of times.
However unruly Lady Ning might be outside, in front of her, the legitimate heir to the Heaven Dou Empire, she still had to show some consideration for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's dignity.
"No need for formalities."
Qian Renxue smiled gently, her gaze sweeping between Meng