Xue Qinghe's Welcoming Ceremony! Little Xuexue?

At this moment, outside the city gates, most of the Heaven Dou Empire's high-ranking officials who had come to welcome them had already arrived. Those who had not were mostly claiming illness.

Of course, claiming illness at such an important moment might mean sacrificing one's own future!

"How is it? Has my future wife arrived?"

At the city gate, a golden-haired man dressed in luxurious garments stood beneath the sunlight, leading the gathered officials. A gentle, refined smile curved his lips.

He gazed into the distance, a hint of interest in his amber eyes.

Marshal Ge Long, clad in military armor, stepped forward. "Crown Prince, according to the schedule, Saintess Bing Jiu has already entered Heaven Dou City."

"Very good."

Xue Qinghe nodded, lowered his head to inspect the gift he had prepared long ago, then carefully smoothed the wrinkles in his clothes.

"Ge Long."

"Hmm?"

Xue Qinghe looked uncertain. "Does this Crown Prince look handsome today? I won't leave a bad impression on the Saintess when we meet for the first time, will I?"

"Pfft—"

Ge Long barely managed to keep himself from laughing aloud.

If he had not heard those words today, who would have thought that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who could charm nearly every noble lady in Heaven Dou City with a mere smile, would say something like that?

Could that Spirit Hall Saintess truly possess such immense charm?

"The Saintess has arrived! Everyone, make way!"

Twelve Golden Armor Knights holding Spirit Hall banners rode tall horses with an imposing presence.

When they arrived before Heaven Dou City's gates, the twelve knights spread out to either side. As they raised their banners high, twelve spears gleaming with cold light hung above everyone's heads, striking fear into all who saw them.

The sight made Ge Long grit his teeth in anger. "Crown Prince, the people of Spirit Hall are far too arrogant! This is our territory, yet they dare—"

"It does not matter."

Xue Qinghe waved a hand, looking unconcerned. "Whether by strength or status, the Saintess deserves such treatment."

"But this..."

"Ge Long."

Xue Qinghe turned around, his gaze chillingly cold. "I have never said anything twice. Mind your status. She is my future consort. How dare you disrespect her!"

"I..."

Ge Long was startled, and cold sweat instantly ran down his forehead.

Right, he had been too naive. Although Bing Jiu came from Spirit Hall, her relationship with the Crown Prince had already gained the approval of nearly every high-ranking official in the Heaven Dou Empire, even Xue Ye himself!

Damn it! What had he been doing just now? How could he have felt jealousy toward someone like her?

Terrified, Ge Long immediately dropped to his knees. "Crown Prince, please forgive this subordinate!"

"Hmph! Get up, but there will not be a second time!"

"Yes..."

Ge Long rose to his feet, his body trembling.

The officials behind him also shuddered.

Ge Long was the Empire's marshal, yet Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was willing to offend him for the Saintess. It seemed the Saintess held an extremely important place in the Crown Prince's heart.

From then on, they no longer dared to offend Bing Jiu lightly. Instead, they began considering how to curry favor with her.

Soon, the sound of hoofbeats rang out.

The main force of Spirit Hall's carriage convoy gradually came into view.

A look of delight instantly appeared on Xue Qinghe's face, and he stepped forward several paces.

But the Spirit Hall knights showed him no courtesy whatsoever, crossing their spears before him.

"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, the Saintess is of supreme status. Without her permission, even you will not be allowed near her."

"Fine."

Xue Qinghe showed no anger upon hearing this and cooperatively stepped back several paces.

Ge Long opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

The other officials were the same. After all, no one was in a hurry to seek death at a time like this.

"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, the Saintess has arrived."

Tuoba Xi had also stopped the carriage at the very front. He cupped his hands toward Xue Qinghe, then walked to the carriage and softly reminded its occupant a few times.

Soon, a woman's voice came from within the carriage.

"Have we arrived in Heaven Dou City?"

Her voice sounded somewhat lazy, yet it felt like a thin blade soaked in snowmelt—crisp and cold, tempered with unquestionable authority!

All the Heaven Dou officials present inexplicably felt waves of chill run down their backs.

Xue Qinghe clenched his fist, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, Saintess. We have arrived at the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is here to welcome you."

"Oh?"

The woman in the carriage chuckled, her tone gradually turning teasing. "Is that Little Xuexue?"

Ge Long could not hold it in and nearly burst out laughing on the spot.

That was right. He had also read the letters exchanged between the Crown Prince and the Saintess, and the way the Saintess addressed the Crown Prince in them was—

Little Xuexue.

"Hahaha, Saintess, being so intimate with Qinghe before so many people is a little too conspicuous, isn't it, Little Bingbing?"

This time, it was Spirit Hall's side that struggled to suppress their laughter.

Little Bingbing?

Over these past days, Bing Jiu's decisiveness and ruthlessness had left an intimidating impression throughout all of Spirit Hall.

Yet who would have thought that the Saintess, usually so noble and ruthless, would be called Little Bingbing?

Sure enough, in the face of love, people always revealed a different side of themselves.

Both sides nodded approvingly.

A soft laugh came from within the carriage. "Sure enough, Little Xuexue, you are just as shameless as you are in your letters."

Xue Qinghe raised his brows, looking rather smug. "Thank you for the compliment, Saintess. So, may the Saintess permit me to attend you at close range?"

"Of course."

Xue Qinghe's expression shifted slightly. He shook his head and walked toward the carriage.

Tuoba Xi tactfully stepped aside. Xue Qinghe stopped before the carriage door, took half a step back, placed a hand over his chest, and bent slightly at the waist.

"Saintess, please step down from the carriage."

"Perhaps you should be calling me Princess now." Bing Jiu remained relentless.

Xue Qinghe's body trembled slightly, as though he were holding something back. "Oh, Saintess, you jest. A princess does not possess status as noble as yours. Please, step down from the carriage."

"Haha..."

Bing Jiu laughed several times.

She was almost certain that the mood had been set perfectly. If she continued bullying him like this, this fellow would explode on the spot.

"Fine."

With a soft hum, a fair hand extended from within the carriage.

"Then I ask that Your Highness personally carry me down from the carriage."

"Qinghe would be honored."

Xue Qinghe held that fair, lotus-root-like arm and gracefully bent down to help the person inside the carriage descend.

Yet just as he caught her, a tremendous force suddenly came from within the carriage.

Before Xue Qinghe could react, he was yanked straight into the carriage with a swish!

At that moment, Tuoba Xi seized the opportunity, leaping onto the carriage and shouting aloud.

"The Spirit Hall Saintess and the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince are sharing a carriage! Those who block the way will die! Why are you not moving aside? Open the city gates!"

The convoy charged straight in, all of it pouring into Heaven Dou City at once.

The Heaven Dou officials stared at one another, utterly dumbfounded.

No, they had only just met, and this...

"Are you idiots?!"

Ge Long glared at the group of spectators and cursed furiously.

"The Crown Prince has clearly been kidnapped by Spirit Hall! Hurry up and come save him with me!"