Dai Youheng spent another full day with Xu Jiujiu, never showing the slightest sign of dejection in front of her.
That morning, he immersed himself in meditation in the quiet chamber specially prepared for him at the Princess's Mansion. His soul power circulated smoothly and freely, without the slightest sluggishness. After lunch, he naturally began helping Xu Jiujiu handle her complicated government affairs, sorting everything out methodically and offering incisive insights. In the afternoon, he practiced his blade techniques in the courtyard, the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade whistling through the air in his hands.
Only after sharing dinner with Xu Jiujiu did Dai Youheng take his leave.
Xu Jiujiu saw all of it. Her admiration and satisfaction grew ever stronger, mingled with a faint, almost imperceptible ache for him.
How could she not fall for a man like this-brilliantly gifted, accomplished in both scholarly and martial pursuits, resilient in spirit, and utterly devoted to her?
After they finished dinner together, Dai Youheng rose to leave. Watching his retreating figure, Nebula Douluo Manyi sighed softly. "In all my years, I have rarely seen anyone with such resilience. After suffering such a drastic upheaval, he neither collapsed nor sank into despair. Instead, he turned all his negative emotions into motivation for cultivation, growing braver with every setback. Princess, you truly have a discerning eye."
The corners of Xu Jiujiu's lips lifted slightly as she instructed, "Grandma Manyi, send two Soul Saints to protect him in secret. I don't want anything happening to him."
Two Soul Saints were already the highest level of protection she could deploy as a princess without going directly through her imperial brother.
After all, even the title Soul Douluo contained the word "Douluo." By the rules, they were already entitled to wear Douluo robes and were exempt