Chapter 112

“Your Highness, His Majesty beckons to you to the imperial study.”

Looking at the man in black, Duanmu Xi slightly narrowed her eyes. It was Long Yue but not Eunuch Wang who was sent to find her. Grandpa’s intention was self-evident.

In the imperial study, Huangfu Cang was reviewing the memorials.

“Grandpa!”

As Duanmu Xi arrived, Huangfu Cang immediately put down his pen (a pen using red ink originally used by an emperor in signing decrees), “Xi, there you are!”

“What’s this?” Upon entering the imperial study, she saw two piles of red things.

“This is why I ask you to come here,” Huangfu Cang walked to Duanmu Xi and explained, “These two piles of things are sent by Prince Regent of the Xuanwu Empire and Second Prince of the Baihu Empire on their own.”

Duanmu Xi subconsciously frowned. Her grandpa’s 60th birthday had passed. They sent the presents tied up with red ribbons now. Did they…

Huangfu Cang seemed to see through Duanmu Xi’s mind and then directly said, “You are right. They came here to propose marriage to you.”

To propose marriage to her? Duanmu Xi’s lips curved into a sneer. Did they really think there could be such pennies from heaven? Only Snow was qualified to marry her in this life.

“Did you agree?” Her casual voice was not bashful or flurried. Instead, it sounded as if she was bantering.

“Of course not,” Huangfu Cang answered without thinking. How could he agree with her to marry into another empire? She was the crown princess of the Zhuque Empire and the Qinglong Empire now. Never could he allow what happened 16 years ago to take place again. Besides, even if he agreed, his fifth daughter-in-law wouldn’t for sure.

“So, why did you show these things to me, Grandpa?” Duanmu Xi slightly curled up the corners of her lips. She knew that he couldn’t bear to let her marry into another empire.

“I still want to respect your opinion. If you fall for them, though I won’t agree with you to marry into another empire, I can send some people to the Xuanwu Empire and the Baihu Empire to propose marriage and ask them to marry into our family,” Huangfu Cang said with a masterful facial expression.

What was he talking about? To make them marry into the Huangfu Family? How could he think of such an idea?

“Grandpa, I like Snow only! Whether he marries into our family or I marry into his, I want him only in this life,” Duanmu Xi stared at Huangfu Cang seriously and confessed her feelings to him.

Huangfu Cang could tell Duanmu Xi’s seriousness from her eyes and then slightly nodded his head. Xuanyuan Mo was quite good. He had a high cultivation level, a good character and a handsome appearance. And his family background was well-matched with Xi’s too. Cold as he appeared, he treated Xi very well.

“Okay. As long as you like him, I will have someone go to the Baihu Empire and propose marriage right away.”

Hearing that, Duanmu Xi shook her head, “No need. I will go on my own.” It was already unfair that he was going to marry into her family. She didn’t want to make him aggrieved on any issue.

Seeing the determination in Duanmu Xi’s eyes, Huangfu Cang heaved a sigh resignedly. This kid was a spoony just like her father. He didn’t know whether this was good or bad.

Huangfu Cang patted Duanmu Xi’s shoulders, “Okay. Just let me know when you do it. I will prepare the betrothal presents for you.”

“Okay.” Duanmu Xi looked at Huangfu Cang and nodded, her dark purple eyes full of sadness, “Grandpa, I…”

Seeing Duanmu Xi wanted to say something and yet still bit her tongue, Huangfu Cang frowned, “What’s wrong?”

Duanmu Xi took a deep breath, “I’m going to the Central State.”

Huangfu Cang’s heart clenched at once. He just stared at Duanmu Xi dully without saying anything. Previously, his world didn’t include her and he had never felt lonely; however, now, he had started to feel lonely before she left.

He liked this kid at first maybe because she took after Qingwan but the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her. There seemed to be some special bond between them. It seemed that this was how they were supposed to spend time together. Now, she was about to part from him, maybe for a while only, but he still found it unbearable.

Looking at Huangfu Cang’s eyes that showed deep reluctance to part from her, Duanmu Xi felt her heart aching suddenly. She didn’t feel so sad when she left her parents. Indeed, she liked her grandpa even more.

A while later, Huangfu Cang finally asked in a low voice, “When are you leaving?”

“Grandpa.” Duanmu Xi threw herself into Huangfu Cang’s arms and sobbed, “I will come back as soon as possible.”

When she finished all things, she would never leave her grandpa.

Huangfu Cang stroked her long hair again and again, “Okay. I will stay in the Qinglong Empire all the time, waiting for you to come back.”

Tears just rolled down from Duanmu Xi’s eyes.

Two days later, above the city wall of the imperial palace of the Qinglong Empire, Duanmu Xi took a look in the direction of the Longxiang Palace again. She felt a bit disappointed that her grandpa really didn’t come to see her off.

“Xi, how long will you be away this time?” Duanmu Xue dragged Duanmu Xi and asked affectionately.

Duanmu Xi gazed at Duanmu Xue and Huangfu Che, saying, “I’ll be back as soon as possible. You and Father just stay in the Qinglong Empire for a bit longer and keep Grandpa company for me.”

“We will…”

“I don’t need them to keep me company.” Two voices immediately sounded.

“Grandpa!” Upon seeing Huangfu Cang, Duanmu Xi sprang into his arms happily, “I thought you wouldn’t come!”

Huangfu Cang cracked a bitter smile. He didn’t want to come actually just for fear of sadness but he still came out of worry about her.

Duanmu Xue, Huangfu Che and Xuanyuan Mo looked at them and the corners of their mouths all twitched.

“I shouldn’t have listened to Che and brought Xi to the Qinglong Empire. Now, Xi has completely become a Huangfu,” Duanmu Xue thought.

“Why does Xi like Father so much? She used to like me most and call me dad all the time. Why is she so different now?” Huangfu Che thought.

“Why does Xi just show a total disregard for me as long as this old man is around? It seems that we had better leave the Qinglong Empire as soon as possible and stay away from him,” Xuanyuan Mo thought.

“Ahem…” Xuanyuan Mo balled his hand into a fist, put it at his lips and coughed drily twice.

Huangfu Cang just ignored Xuanyuan Mo’s cough and stared at Duanmu Xi, saying, “Xi, I will assign Long Yue to assist you. He is a smart boy. With him around you, I can rest assured then.”

“Greetings, Mistress.” Long Yue just half-knelt before Duanmu Xi right after Huangfu Cang finished talking. Besides, how he addressed Duanmu Xi this time was different from before. He used to call Duanmu Xi Her Highness but this time, he addressed her as Mistress.

Duanmu Xi glimpsed Long Yue kneeling on the ground. Her purple eyes glistened. It turned out to be as she expected.

“It’s not early now. Time to leave,” Xuanyuan Mo said and directly summoned the ice dragon.

“Okay.” Duanmu Xi nodded and looked at Huangfu Cang, reluctant to part from him, “Grandpa, I’m leaving.”

“Go ahead.” Huangfu Cang looked at the cold white dragon and waved his hand.

Duanmu Xi looked at the ice dragon and then took a glance at Phoenix Five and Long Yue, saying with a frown, “Phoenix Five, Long Yue, you can’t sit on the ice dragon. You two may as well take the colorful-feathered dragonish eagle.”

Then, Duanmu Xi summoned the colorful-feathered dragonish eagle from the crystal ball, “Phoenix Five, take good care of Long Yue on the way.”

Hearing that, Phoenix Five turned around and took a glance at Long Yue, “Yes, Your Highness.”

The corners of Long Yue’s mouth twitched. Why would he need a woman’s care?

After Duanmu Xi gave the instruction, Xuanyuan Mo directly carried Duanmu Xi and rode on the ice dragon. Without giving Duanmu Xi any chance to postpone, Xuanyuan Mo just harnessed the ice dragon and flew away.

The several people on the city wall didn’t drop their gazes until they couldn’t see the ice dragon anymore.

Phoenix Five dragged Long Yue’s hand and wanted to help him get on the dragonish eagle.

“I can do it myself.” Long Yue shook Phoenix Five away and flew onto the dragonish eagle without waiting for her.

Looking at Long Yue on the dragonish eagle, Phoenix Five puckered her lips. Men were so affected. If it were not because Her Highness asked her to take care of him, she wouldn’t bother to help him at all!

On the ice dragon, Duanmu Xi nestled against Xuanyuan Mo, “Snow, you summoned the ice dragon on purpose, didn’t you?” He just deliberately made Phoenix Five and Long Yue unable to ride on the mount with them.

Xuanyuan Mo gathered the cloak on Duanmu Xi, “No.”

Duanmu Xi kept drawing circles on his chest, “Snow!”

Xuanyuan Mo felt a sensation in his lower abdomen and hastened to grab her hands. He laid a kiss on her hands, “Yes?”

“Do you love me?” Duanmu Xi raised her head and looked at Xuanyuan Mo with a serious face.

Rather than give her an answer directly, Xuanyuan Mo gave her a soul kiss. After a kiss, he whispered to Duanmu Xi’s ear, “Xi, I love you.” His husky voice was full of affection.

Duanmu Xi went limp and leaned against Xuanyuan Mo’s arms. She hadn’t recovered from the soul kiss. Moments later, she finally raised her head, “What if you don’t love me one day?”

Xuanyuan Mo smiled and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead, “That’s never gonna happen.” His voice is low and yet determined.

…

They stayed on the ice dragon for three days and three nights before they finally arrived at the Shengjin Academy in the Central State.

Although she had been away only for several months, Duanmu Xi felt as if it had been several years.

Everything remained the same in Shengjin Academy. So it was with Wisteria Yard.

“Xi!”

Hearing that, Duanmu Xi turned around and saw Situ Kong looking at her with a surprised facial expression.

“Chief Master.”

“You are finally back. I miss you so much.” Situ Kong directly strode forward and observed Duanmu Xi’s face. Last time, she was seriously injured. He wondered whether she had been completely recovered.

Duanmu Xi looked at Situ Kong and asked, “How are Second Master and Third Master doing?”

Hearing that, Situ Kong puckered his lips, “Of course they are fine…”

“Xi! You are back for real!” Nalan Xi and Mei Luo also arrived.

“Second Master, Third Master.” Duanmu Xi directly ran to Mei Luo and looked at Mei Luo, asking with concern, “Have you recovered from the injuries?”

Telling the concern from Duanmu Xi’s eyes, Mei Luo was no longer apathetic. She answered with a faint smile, “Your chief master and second master are around. No need to worry about me.”

Hearing that, Duanmu Xi nodded.

Nalan Xi looked at Situ Kong and snapped, “You are so unbelievable! Why didn’t you tell us that Xi was coming back? Luckily, we felt the Qi of the mythical creature and came here on our own. Otherwise, we wouldn’t know about her return by now.”

Hearing that, Situ Kong replied grumpily, “Old chap, be reasonable! I’ve just seen her only. I didn’t have time to inform you.”

Duanmu Xi grinned, amused at the scene. This was so familiar. She hadn’t heard Chief Master and Second Master bickering for a long time.

Seeing the scene, Xuanyuan Mo also smiled and looked at Duanmu Xi. She was well-received wherever she went.