"Bing'er, that's enough."
The Snow Empress snatched Gu Wuchen from the Ice Empress's arms and looked at her like she was guarding her food.
Seeing her like that, the Ice Empress couldn't help laughing. "Xue'er, look at you. It's not like Wuchen belongs to you."
The Snow Empress gave a soft huff. "Wuchen is mine!"
If only she had been more careful. Who could have known they would run into the Ice Empress?
She felt a pang of jealousy. Little Wuchen hadn't even thought to dodge.
No, she had to teach him a proper lesson tonight, so he would know to dodge next time.
Seeing the two of them arguing endlessly, Gu Wuchen immediately said, "Sister Xue, Sister Bing, I still have to go back. Why don't we leave it here for today and talk again next time?"
Once he left, the two of them would stop arguing.
"Let's do as Wuchen says," the Ice Empress agreed.
As for the Snow Empress, there was no need to ask. She would certainly agree with both hands raised.
After they agreed, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress took Gu Wuchen to the outskirts of the Far North.
The Snow Empress pretended to be reluctant as she put Gu Wuchen down and gave him a push on the back. "Go on back, Little Wuchen. Remember to think of your sister!"
The Ice Empress, however, was genuinely reluctant to part. "Wuchen, try to stay longer next time you come."
Gu Wuchen looked at the two of them, one showing her true feelings and the other putting on a masterful performance. Torn between laughter and tears, he nevertheless nodded and hurried toward Ice Arrival City.
The Snow Empress's sovereign presence radiated from his entire body, and the Soul Beasts around him didn't dare approach. Just a trace of it was enough to make some Soul Beasts tremble and prostrate themselves in submission.
Gu Wuchen soon left the Soul Beast territory of the Far North and immediately quickened his pace toward Ice Arrival City.
When Gu Wuchen reached the Gu Clan residence in Ice Arrival City, he found a carriage parked out front. It was an expensive one, particularly with the emblem of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family carved on it.
"Who's here?"
As Gu Wuchen wondered, a handsome man stepped out of the carriage.
Gu Wuchen looked at the man, who wore a luxurious brocade robe and an emerald pendant at his waist, with smooth, short golden hair. He immediately remembered who he was.
Isn't that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?
It should be Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe. What is she doing here?
Having stepped down from the carriage, Qian Renxue was also watching Gu Wuchen.
Rumor had it that the Gu Clan's young master had an extraordinary bearing and was handsome and dashing. The person before her must be him.
Before Gu Wuchen could speak, Qian Renxue spoke first in an elegant tone:
"Young Master Gu, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Crown Prince Xue Qinghe."
Gu Wuchen came to his senses and looked at Qian Renxue, who was acting as though they were already acquainted. "So it's Your Highness the Crown Prince. A pleasure to meet you!"
He was quite experienced at dealing with people like this!
Qian Renxue watched his unruffled manner and thought, As expected of the Gu Clan's young master. He handles himself with ease.
"Young Master Gu, you actually recognized me at a glance?" Qian Renxue asked with a smile.
Gu Wuchen smiled faintly. "Your Highness, I could tell from your appearance. Besides, didn't you recognize me too?"
After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Gu Wuchen, as the Gu Clan's eldest son, promptly invited Qian Renxue inside.
In the Gu Clan's drawing room, Gu Linchuan had been sitting on the sofa talking with Ye Yuan'er. When he saw Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, he hurriedly rose to greet him.
"Your Highness, what brings you here? Please, have a seat!"
"Clan Head Gu, you're too courteous."
Qian Renxue smiled and sat on the sofa, then noticed Ye Yuan'er nearby.
Why is a Spirit Hall bishop here?
Her grandfather had sent her a message telling her to pay close attention to Gu Wuchen.
She had already been on her way to the Gu Clan when she received the message, but she hadn't expected a Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop to be here as well.
Meanwhile, Gu Linchuan pulled Gu Wuchen aside. "Wuchen, did everything go smoothly with your Second Soul Ring?"
"Don't worry, Father. With Sister Xue there, everything went smoothly. My Second Soul Ring is six thousand eight hundred years old!" Gu Wuchen said with a smile.
Six thousand eight hundred years!
Gu Linchuan was dumbstruck. This was even better than he had expected. Recovering from his shock, he immediately smiled and said in a low voice:
"That's my son. Impressive."
After the father and son finished talking, they returned to the sofa. Gu Wuchen looked at the smiling Qian Renxue. "Your Highness, what business did you come to discuss today?"
"I'm naturally here to discuss a partnership. The Gu Clan recently launched the Wuchen Soap series, and sales have been booming. Yet apart from the Gu Clan's main shops in Heaven Dou City, Star Luo City, and Spirit City, there don't seem to be any other shops selling it, except in Ice Arrival City, of course."
Qian Renxue had come this time, firstly, to secure the sales rights to Wuchen Soap ahead of everyone else.
Secondly, she wanted to see Gu Wuchen. Over the past year and a half, Qian Daoliu had mentioned him quite a few times in his letters, but had never given her the full details.
It had truly made her curious about what sort of person this genius was, whom her grandfather believed could surpass her.
"So you want the sales rights. But the Gu Clan's rules clearly state that new products will be made available gradually after one month."
"So I can't agree to your request, Your Highness. If I made an exception, it would cause a lot of trouble afterward!"
Gu Wuchen rejected her outright.
This was also to gather market intelligence. As a product for ordinary people, it was inexpensive, but small amounts added up.
"Can't you make an exception? I came in good faith today. As long as you agree, Young Master Gu, we can split the proceeds thirty-seventy!"
Qian Renxue said.
Gu Wuchen shook his head in refusal. "No means no. Rules are rules. There's no room for negotiation."
"Even if the Pope of Spirit Hall came calling in person, the answer would still be no!"
Seeing Gu Wuchen's firm attitude, Qian Renxue felt her last shred of hope vanish.
Ye Yuan'er, sitting beside Gu Wuchen, was somewhat surprised. The young master's attitude had completely changed when it came to discussing business.
"If that's not possible, Young Master Gu, could you tell me whether there will be a new product next month?"
If she knew, it would be easier for her to tailor a marketing strategy.
The pricing was the same, but marketing would be strictly controlled.
"I can tell you that: Ice Lotus Wuchen Fragrance!"
"It uses plants such as the ice lotus exclusive to the Far North, edelweiss, and ice-soul plum as raw materials. Essential oils are extracted using low-temperature cold extraction with Ultimate Ice, and the Wuchen Lotus purifies the impurities."
"They're blended into perfumes with distinct top, middle, and base notes: men's, women's, and unisex fragrances, as well as a calming variety to aid cultivation, a soothing variety to help with sleep, and a crisp variety to resist Charm."
"These belong to a high-end custom series and are expensive. They're not priced to be affordable like the soap. I'm sure you understand that, Your Highness."
The Gu Clan's products had the advantage of resources: the clan had the Far North at its back, two Titled Douluo, and processes exclusive to its Martial Soul.
So even if some counterfeit products appeared on the market, they wouldn't last long. Without the technology and resources, how could what they made be the same?
"Fragrance!"
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. This kind of product would certainly sell well, especially at balls among the nobility, where it would definitely be popular.
Ye Yuan'er was also looking forward to it, wondering whether she could be among the first to try it once it was ready.