Looking at Xu Jiujiu's expression, she knew Xu Jiujiu wasn't joking.
She was serious.
Xu Jiujiu was genuinely ready to do this.
"Your Highness, why must it come to this?"
Man Yi sighed.
Xu Jiujiu forced a faint smile and softly said, "As a royal princess, I've enjoyed privileges and luxuries since childhood that ordinary people could only dream of."
"Now that the empire is facing danger, as a member of the royal family, how could I stand idly by?"
"This is my duty."
"And besides, Su Yu is a good match, isn't he?"
"He's of noble status, has a strong background, extraordinary talent, and even his appearance is exceptionally handsome. Grandma Man Yi, I'm not losing out here."
Xu Jiujiu genuinely felt she wasn't losing out. Even if Su Yu ended up being unkind to her, she was willing to accept it.
If nothing else, his face alone was worth it.
Don't be fooled by her righteous tone—if Su Yu were ugly, she definitely wouldn't have come this far.
Xu Jiujiu had a bit of a weakness for good looks.
Man Yi opened her mouth, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
She knew Xu Jiujiu was telling the truth and understood that, given Su Yu's qualities, he was indeed worthy of such a decision.
However, Xu Jiujiu was someone she had watched grow up. In her eyes, Xu Jiujiu was like her own granddaughter.
She naturally hoped Xu Jiujiu could find happiness and marry someone who truly loved her.
Su Yu's overall qualities were excellent, but his romantic entanglements were far too numerous. If Xu Jiujiu could become his main wife, that would be one thing.
But if she could only be a concubine, Man Yi truly felt heartache for Xu Jiujiu.
After all, Xu Jiujiu was a proud daughter of heaven.
Yet, given the current situation, Man Yi had no power to change anything. She could only hope that, after being with Su Yu, he would treat Xu Jiujiu well.
That would be some small comfort, at least.
As for anything else, she was utterly powerless.
Her once-proud Title Douluo strength had been utterly crushed.
Even the people Su Yu casually summoned were beings far beyond her reach.
All she could do was sigh.
Looking at the melancholy on Man Yi's face, Xu Jiujiu's delicate features lit up with a smile. She gently hugged Man Yi's arm.
"Grandma Man Yi, don't worry. I'll be happy."
"I hope so. As long as you're happy, this old woman will have no regrets."
Man Yi gave a kind smile, her eyes full of affection and tenderness.
...
At dawn, Su Yu stretched lazily and pushed open the bedroom window.
The icy chill of the morning air hit him in the face, instantly refreshing him and leaving him invigorated.
"Ah, so comfortable!"
Su Yu let out a sigh, though it was unclear what he was referring to.
On the jade ice bed, Zhang Lexuan was wrapped snugly in the blanket, with only her head peeking out. Her fair face was tinged with a soft blush, carrying a hint of alluring charm.
"After guarding it for so many years, you still managed to take it. You scoundrel."
Zhang Lexuan pouted softly, her voice tinged with mock anger.
Su Yu chuckled mischievously. Letting the cold air strike his muscular body, he turned his gaze to Zhang Lexuan and teased, "Sister Xuan, I have to say, you were amazing."
"So smooth~"
"Get lost! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you up!"
Zhang Lexuan feigned a fierce look, raising her delicate fist in a mock threat.
Seeing this, Su Yu laughed and said, "Even if you beat me to death, I'd die willingly just to tell the truth."
"Pfft, you shameless sweet-talker! All you ever do is spout nonsense."
Zhang Lexuan glared at Su Yu, but her captivating charm at that moment nearly made Su Yu's heart melt again.
Taking three quick steps, Su Yu returned to the ice bed, slipped back under the blanket, and pulled Zhang Lexuan into his arms.
Zhang Lexuan leaned against Su Yu's chest, her wide, bright eyes studying his face. She raised her slender hand and gently caressed his cheek.
"You used to be so well-behaved as a child. Now you've grown up and turned into a little troublemaker, even daring to bully me."
Su Yu grinned cheekily. "Then let me make it up to you. How would you like to bully me back, sister?"
Zhang Lexuan rolled her eyes and lightly hit him on the chest.
"You're so improper."
"Hehe, it's your fault for being so enchanting, sister. You're irresistible."
Su Yu exaggeratedly took a deep breath, savoring the fragrance of her hair.
Zhang Lexuan, exasperated, lightly hit him again before leaning closer into his embrace.
This turn of events had caught her completely off guard.
But now that it had happened, she didn't think it was a bad thing.
Since Su Yu liked her so much, giving herself to him a little earlier didn't seem like a problem.
After all, she had always intended for him to be her husband.
Gently stroking Su Yu's cheek, Zhang Lexuan's mind wandered.
It seemed like her little Su Yu had truly grown up.
Su Yu grabbed her hand and kissed it, then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her lips.
"Sister, I won't stop you from pursuing your previous plans, but since you're here, stay at the Ice God Palace a little longer."
"Shrek Academy can't help you much anymore. Here with me, you'll grow faster."
"And besides, I miss you. Stay and keep me company, okay?"
Zhang Lexuan shot him a glance. "And this 'keeping you company'—is it proper?"
"It can be proper, or it can be improper. It depends on what you like, sister."
Su Yu grinned.
"You scoundrel."
Zhang Lexuan glared at him, but there was no anger in her eyes, only love and fondness.
Su Yu didn't want to let her go, and she didn't want to leave either.
Especially after last night—leaving was the last thing on her mind.
She was a normal woman, after all.
"Then it's decided."
Su Yu quickly took advantage of the moment and settled the matter.
Looking at Zhang Lexuan's slightly flushed face, Su Yu's heart stirred, and he leaned in for another kiss.
...
"What the heck! You—what did you do?!"
The Snow Empress stared at Su Yu in disbelief, sensing the changes in him. She was completely dumbfounded.
"What is this?!"
She grabbed Su Yu's collar and pulled it open, her face instantly puffing up in frustration.
She'd only let Su Yu accompany Zhang Lexuan for a short while, and yet he'd stirred up such a huge commotion?
The Snow Empress was utterly speechless.
"Were you that impatient?"
She huffed angrily.
"Little Snow, it couldn't be helped."
Su Yu spread his hands, looking completely shameless.
The Snow Empress gritted her teeth in anger, seriously considering stomping on his face with her jade-like foot.
"This Empress refuses to accept this!"
She shouted furiously.
She and Su Yu had always been proper and well-behaved, but as soon as Zhang Lexuan arrived, Su Yu became corrupt.
Zhang Lexuan, that woman, has no sense of honor at all.
"If you're not convinced, you can do it too, if you dare."
Su Yu blinked his eyes, sat down on a chair nearby, and said nonchalantly.
Snow Empress glared at Su Yu fiercely, her delicate face filled with anger. She said, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Are you addicted to it now?"
"Hehe."
Su Yu chuckled, not denying it.
Snow Empress glared at Su Yu for a long time before finally sighing in defeat.
"Being outdone by that little girl Meng Hongchen was bad enough, but now there's Zhang Lexuan too. Does this Empress get no respect?"
"It's not just them, oh, there's also Nana"
Su Yu helpfully reminded her, as if out of kindness.
Snow Empress shot Su Yu a sharp look and said, "This Empress knows, you don't need to remind me, you bad man."
"Ah, yes, yes, you're all good women, and I'm the only bad man."
Su Yu replied without missing a beat.
"As long as you know."
Snow Empress snorted lightly and sat down, still fuming.
Watching Su Yu leisurely sipping tea nearby, Snow Empress suddenly felt a burst of anger rise in her chest.
The more she looked at him, the more annoyed she became. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Suddenly, she slammed her palm on the table with a loud bang, startling Su Yu.
"Little Snow, what's this about..."
"Hmph, come with me. This Empress is going to grow up~"
Snow Empress snorted coquettishly, dragging Su Yu along. Originally, she had planned to wait a bit.
But now, she couldn't wait even a moment longer.
Snow Empress dragged Su Yu straight toward the Ice Treasure Hall.
She hadn't taken it last time, but this time, she was determined to consume the Rebirth Life Ice Lotus seed.
"Hey, Little Snow, calm down. Hey~"
Being pulled along by Snow Empress, Su Yu didn't want to use his strength to break free, so he could only let her drag him.
On the street, Xu Jiujiu, who had been out for a walk and looking around, caught a glimpse of the fleeting figure ahead and her eyes lit up.
"Is that... Su Yu?"
Xu Jiujiu murmured softly and quickly chased after them.
"That little girl, why is she running so fast?"
From a distance, Yan Shaozhe noticed something was off and hurriedly followed as well.
"Dean Yan?"
"What are they up to?"
Ling Luocheng's beautiful eyes blinked as she also joined the pursuit.
On a street, the Ice God Guard, responsible for protecting the Ice Snow City, stopped Xu Jiujiu and the others who were following them.
Surrounded by the fully armed Ice God Guard, Xu Jiujiu and Yan Shaozhe were completely at a loss.
"Following the Young Master, sneaking around—what exactly are your intentions?"
The Soul Douluo team captain leading the group questioned them harshly.
As soon as he arrived, he saw someone tailing the Young Master. It was simply outrageous.
Today they dared to follow the Young Master; tomorrow, they might dare to cause trouble right in front of him.
As the captain of the Ice God Guard, could he allow such disgraceful behavior to happen?
Certainly not.
This was his chance to earn merit. Not even the Ice God could save them now.
The Ice God Palace rarely had visitors, so opportunities to distinguish oneself were extremely rare.
Today was a blessing from heaven—a chance sent by the gods themselves. He had to seize it.
"Captain, you've misunderstood. You've misunderstood. We mean no harm!"
Yan Shaozhe wore a bitter expression.
He, the proud Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy, was surrounded by a patrol captain.
Was there no justice? Was there no law?
But no matter how aggrieved he felt, Yan Shaozhe didn't dare act recklessly. After all, he knew exactly where he was.
He did not doubt that the moment he was surrounded, several Super Douluos were already watching him.
If he dared to make a move, he'd probably be carried out horizontally in no time.
Yan Shaozhe didn't doubt the Ice God Palace's audacity; they dared to act.
"Captain, you've misunderstood. Jiujiu just wanted to speak with Young Master Su Yu, nothing more."
Xu Jiujiu explained patiently as well.
Yan Shaozhe didn't dare act rashly, so how could she?
"Hmph, who knows if what you're saying is true? Women's words—only ghosts would believe them."
The captain snorted.
Ever since he was deceived by Ruyan, the girl next door to his second uncle, he no longer trusted women.
"Slap!"
A crisp sound rang out as a figure suddenly appeared behind the captain and slapped him to the ground.
"Who dares to attack this team… leader~"
The captain hadn't even finished his sentence when he looked up and saw Lu Yuan's burly figure, scaring him out of his wits.
"S-Second Guardian, sir?"
The captain stuttered.
"Get lost, and think before you speak next time."
Lu Yuan glanced around.
Following Lu Yuan's gaze, the captain looked over and saw Shui Lingguang's figure.
Instantly, he froze.
"F-Fourth Guardian?"
He had actually said "women's words—only ghosts would believe them" in front of the Fourth Guardian?
This was bad—he was doomed.
Unexpectedly, Shui Lingguang didn't seem angry.
"Take them away. We'll handle this."
Shui Lingguang said calmly.
The captain, as if granted amnesty, quickly led his team away.
Lu Yuan frowned and asked, "How did someone like him become a team captain?"
If it weren't for the black mark on his forehead, Lu Yuan would've thought an impostor had snuck in.
"Everyone has different personalities. There are always some eccentric ones."
Shui Lingguang replied casually, then turned to Yan Shaozhe and Xu Jiujiu.
Facing Shui Lingguang's gaze, both Yan Shaozhe and Xu Jiujiu felt a little awkward.
"Fourth Guardian, if I may explain—this is all a misunderstanding..."
Yan Shaozhe said, embarrassed.
"I believe it's a misunderstanding, but make sure it doesn't happen again."
"If you wish to meet the Young Master, feel free to inform us directly. Tailgating the Young Master is a serious crime in the Ice God Palace."
"But since you're guests, we won't pursue the matter this time."
"The Young Master has instructed us to accompany you around Ice Snow City today."
Shui Lingguang said calmly.
Yan Shaozhe and Xu Jiujiu nodded hurriedly, relieved.
"We won't do it again. Please rest assured, Guardians. May I ask, where is Young Master Su Yu heading...?"
Shui Lingguang replied, "The Young Master has matters to attend to and cannot be disturbed. As for the details, I cannot disclose them."
"Now, please come with us."
"Oh, by the way, young lady, are you Ling Luocheng?"
Shui Lingguang looked at the cold and silent girl behind Yan Shaozhe and asked.
Ling Luocheng nodded and said, "That's me."
Shui Lingguang's gaze softened slightly.
"The Young Master mentioned that Miss Luocheng is an ice-attribute soul master, which means, in a sense, you share a significant connection with us."
"Miss Luocheng, would you like to join the Ice God Palace and become one of us?"
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily stunned, looking pained. Recruiting someone right under his nose?
Xu Jiujiu's beautiful eyes grew serious. What was going on? Shui Lingguang had personally invited Ling Luocheng to join.
Her expression shifted slightly, feeling an even greater pressure.