Chapter Seventy-Four: The Uninvited Guest

  "Your Majesty, I'm back." Huangfu Jiang walked into the imperial study from outside the palace and greeted.

  "Lian'er, haven't you caused any big trouble?" The empress hastily asked, her face showing an exceptionally tense expression.

  "It's probably not!" Huang Fu also didn't know how to explain it to his father and mother, he couldn't say that Leng Ruo Xue was already a bit dissatisfied!

  However, Father Emperor, Huo's family young master Huo Qing plans to go to Feng Tian Academy for further studies. Huang Fu said after some thought.

  "Huo Qing wants to go to Feng Tian?" Huang Pu was somewhat incredulous. The relationship between the Huo family and Long Sheng College was extraordinary, yet Huo Qing wanted to study at Feng Tian College. Would the Huo family and Long Sheng College agree?

  "Hmm, and also, Huo Qing has already chased away the people from Feng Tian Academy." Huang Fu added.

  "Your Majesty, what do you think?" Huang Fu Zhen turned his head to ask the Empress beside him.

  "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this fire is probably aimed at Leng Ruoxue." The empress furrowed her brow and thought for a moment before speaking cautiously. She had heard that the Huo family had proposed to Leng Ruoxue before, but was rejected. Could it be true? Thinking about this, she also became uncertain.

  "Your Majesty, why don't you let the crown prince also go to Fengtian Academy to study?" The empress suggested.

  "This..." Huang Pu hesitated, if Lin Er went to Feng Tian Academy, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction from Yue Ying Academy, and he didn't want to have a falling out with them just yet.

  "Your Majesty, there is a fire at home, and the Moon Shadow Academy is beyond our expectations. Rather than this, we might as well put all our energy on Leng Ruoxue!" The queen said with great understanding, knowing the emperor's concerns in his heart, but she always believed that Leng Ruoxue was their best choice.

  "Alright then, let's follow the Empress' words!" Huang Fu was extremely trusting of the Empress. He knew that in this world, only she was wholeheartedly good to him.

  "Lian'er, you'd better get ready too and go to Fengtian Academy!" Huangfu Zhen showed his imperial demeanor, with a powerful tone that left no room for hesitation.

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  At an altitude of 10,000 meters, Leng Ruoxue and others have been flying for nearly two days.

  "Xuě ér, lèi le ma?" The demon lord proactively pulled Xuě ér into his arms, letting her lean against him as she lay down, and also snacked on some tender tofu.

  "I'm not tired, it's just that I've been flying for two days." Ling Yu's beautiful face was filled with concern, her eyes shining with worry. She had been flying non-stop for two days and refused to rest, but fortunately, they were almost at Fengdu.

  "Master, I'm not tired." Hearing the master's concern, Yu Hao's good mood and silly tone said that it was originally a flying bird, flying is its instinct, how could it be tired? Moreover, there is also the master's elixir, so it flies very easily.

  "Master, the divine beast isn't that weak, don't worry too much." Mei comforted, lying in Leng Ruo Xue's arms. It knew its master cherished them, but they also loved and protected their master just the same. Yu also knew its master wanted to return early, so it didn't dare stop.

  Her icy fingers gently stroked the soft, smooth fur of her beasts, calming her mind. She knew that her beasts were all very powerful, but they were also hers. Moreover, in her heart, these beasts were just as important to her as her own family.

  "We've already entered the territory of Dongchi Country now." Yu looked down at the place below and explained with a silly expression.

  "It's been tough on you."

  "Master, don't worry, in a few hours we'll be home," Yu said, and then accelerated his flight speed, flying with all his might.

  "Old Man Qiu, after returning to the academy, are there any arrangements?" Leng Ruoxue's beautiful eyes lightly narrowed as she asked the excited Old Man Qiu, truly not knowing what this old man was so excited about!

  "I'll have to go back and ask the Dean about this, I don't know either right now." Autumn Old Man scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

  "Oh." She thought the principal had already made arrangements!

  "Autumn old man, Huo Qing is coming to Feng Tian Academy, what do you think?" Leng Ruo Xue continued to ask, that Huo Qing was really troublesome.

  "This... I think, he should be coming for you." As soon as Elder Qiu finished speaking, he immediately felt a cold and icy gaze shooting towards him, causing him to involuntarily shrink his neck. He was telling the truth, why was he being intimidated like this?!

  The old man Qiu was indignant and thought that his dignified spiritual master would actually be afraid of his own student, which was unreasonable! Woe...

  "Hmm, you're right, he's treating me as a sparring partner." Thinking of this, Leng Ruo Xue felt depressed and wondered if she had brought this upon herself.

  "Xue Er, what should we do?" The demon's jealousy was burning fiercely, with flames raging in his eyes, as if he wanted to extinguish that flame of passion.

  "You demon, after going back, I'll focus on cultivating and probably won't go to the academy anymore." Lan Ruo Xue thought for a moment before comforting him.

  "Oh, then I'll focus on my cultivation too." The demon said hastily, but when he heard Xue'er say that she wouldn't be going to the academy, his heart was still very pleased. Hmph! Huo Qing's plan had backfired.

  "Yaotou, how can you not go to the academy? Our academy cannot do without you!" Autumn old man heard Leng Ruoxue say she wasn't going to the academy and couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

  "Autumn Elder, my original purpose for going to the academy was mainly for the academy's trial. Now that the task is complete, there's no need for me to go back to the academy anymore. Moreover, what do you think the academy can teach me?" Leng Ruoxue raised her beautiful eyes slightly, and her gaze swept Autumn Elder lightly.

  "This... girl, you'd better go and talk to the principal yourself." Old Man Qiu sighed! Hopefully, the principal can persuade her, and this girl will stay!

  "Uh-huh, I'll go and talk to Grandpa Lin."

  "Master, we've arrived at Fengdu." Yu reminded him again after flying for several more hours.

  "Feathers, find a place to put them down!" Leng Ruoxue ordered, "Everyone is tired, let's all go home and rest well first!"

  "Yes, master." Yu immediately found a wide and flat place and landed.

  "Miss?" Liu Yan and others were somewhat perplexed.

  "Go home and rest well, three days later, come to the General's Mansion to find me, I have other arrangements." Leng Ruoxue looked at the rich expressions on everyone's faces, explaining, but in her heart, she couldn't help but feel a little amused. Would these people think they were being abandoned?

  "Yes, miss." Liu Yan and others were overjoyed, thinking that the young lady didn't want them anymore!

  "Let's go home!" Lingering gaze on Liu Yan and Qiu Chang Lao, Han Ruoxue lightly opened her lips.

  A moment later, Yu landed in the garden of the General's mansion.

  "The old master, young lady and young masters have returned!" A servant shouted excitedly after seeing them.

  "Master, Miss, Young Master." The butler rushed out of the room upon hearing the shout.

  "Housekeeper, what's going on here?" Leng Qingtian asked somewhat puzzled. It had only been a month since he hadn't been home, was it necessary to be so excited? He used to often be away from home for several months at a time, and when he came back, they didn't show such enthusiasm!

  "Heh heh, Master, Miss has really made a big splash this time. Now, the number of people who want to visit our General's Manor is several times more than usual." The steward said with an excited face, as if he was the one who had made a big splash.

  "How did everyone in Fengdu find out so quickly?" It really spread fast, it's only been three or four days.

  Everyone knew it for several days. Right, old master, the emperor also sent someone to say that a banquet should be held for Miss and others to celebrate their success." The housekeeper began to report one by one.

  "Grandpa, let's go back to our room and have a good sleep first. Whatever it is, we can talk about it after we wake up." Leng Ruo Xue glanced at the anxious butler and reminded him that they hadn't had a good rest in nearly three days.

  "Xue'er is right, everyone should go back to their rooms and rest now!" Leng Qingtian waved his hand, exuding the majesty of a great general.

  After hearing Leng Qingtian's words, everyone returned to their rooms one after another. Even the demon was obedient and didn't pester Xue'er to accompany him for a chat.

  "Housekeeper, let's go to my study!" Leng Qingtian said to the somewhat dazed housekeeper.

  "Master, why don't you go back to your room and rest first? These are just trivial matters, no need to rush." The butler said with some embarrassment.

  Leng Qingtian glared at the butler with a stern expression, "Not urgent? Not urgent enough to report in the garden?" Leng Qingtian cursed inwardly, then turned and walked towards his own room.

  It wasn't until Cold-as-Snow and the others had slept their fill that it became afternoon of the second day.

  Leng Ruo Xue got up and left the room after washing up.

  "Grandfather." Leng Ruoxue walked into the study, where only her grandfather and the butler were present.

  "Xue Er, get up." Leng Qing Tian's mood immediately improved when he saw his beloved granddaughter.

  "Grandpa, why don't you sleep a bit more?" Leng Ruoxue said with some displeasure on her face. Grandpa had just come back and wasn't resting properly.

  "Hehe, Grandpa is used to it and can't stay idle." Leng Qingtian said with a somewhat flattering tone on his face, he didn't want his granddaughter to get angry at him!

  "Grandfather, is there something important?" Leng Ruoxue noticed that her grandfather's face didn't look too good.

  "It's okay, Grandpa will handle it." Leng Qingtian hastily said, not wanting his granddaughter to worry about him.

  "Grandfather, is there something you want to tell me?" Leng Ruoxue reminded him, she wanted to help share the burden for her grandfather, but he refused to say anything, and she couldn't force him.

  "Hehe, don't worry, if Grandpa really can't solve something, I won't be polite to you." Leng Qingtian assured.

  "Yes, Grandpa, Snow is hungry, you accompany Snow to eat, okay!" Cold Ruo Xue hugged her grandfather's arm and coquettishly said.

  "Okay, okay."

  Leng Qingtian and his grandson walked into the dining hall, only to find that they were actually the last ones to arrive.

  "You bunch of stinkers, you're just not as considerate as my precious granddaughter." Leng Qingtian said with a straight face, pretending to be displeased.

  "Grandpa, that's because we all know that Xue'er has gone to find you!" Leng Ruo Han hastily stood up and came to Leng Qing Tian's side, speaking in a flattering tone.

  "Yes, grandpa, aren't we all waiting for you? We wouldn't dare start dinner without you!" The little demon also came over, with a flattering expression on his absolutely beautiful face.

  "Haha, you guys are so gullible! I was just teasing you. You must be starving by now? Hurry up and eat!" Then the two of them sat back down in their own seats.

  "By the way, what do you think about the banquet at the imperial palace?" asked Leng Qingtian as he inquired for his granddaughter's and others' opinions after dinner.

  "I don't want to go." Leng Ruoxue was the first to express her opinion, the imperial palace was too dark and she didn't know what other ideas the emperor would come up with, so it's better to avoid trouble.

  "I'm listening to Xue Er's." The demoniac everything is centered around Xue Er, the standard twenty-four filial piety unmarried husband.

  "Grandpa, I don't want to go either." A thoughtful expression appeared on his cold and handsome face.

  "What about you?" Leng Qingtian's gaze turned to Feng Da and others.

  "Miss doesn't go, we don't go either." Feng Da said without hesitation, the imperial palace and all that, wasn't his cup of tea.

  "No way, they can stay behind, but you few have to go." Leng Qing's tone was full of overbearing arrogance. If none of them went, wouldn't that be a loss of face for the Emperor? After all, he was still the Grand Marshal of the Empire.

  "Why?" Feng Da cried out with a sorrowful face, saying in a depressed tone.

  "Because you guys didn't go, nobody went." said Leng Qingtian matter-of-factly.

  It seems they were just making up the numbers!

  "General, socializing isn't my strong suit, really, don't make me go, I won't be able to hold up your old man's face." Feng Da said pitifully, almost crying.

  "Old man? Am I that old?" Leng Qingtian glared at Feng Da.

  "You're not old, you're not old, you don't look old at all! Look, I'm so bad at talking, just don't let me go, okay!" Just as the volcano was about to erupt, Feng Da hastily put out the fire and casually offered a few minor suggestions.

  "We must go." General Leng's tone was firm and decisive, leaving no room for dissent.

  "Miss." Feng Da's face was bitter as he looked at Leng Ruo Xue.

  "Good boy, eat more for us." Leng Ruoxue patted Feng Da's head, comforting him like a little dog, with a radiant smile on her face.

  "Young demon, come with me to the Academy!" Leng Ruoxue turned her head and said to the young demon, "We should go see Grandfather Lin."

  "Good."

  When the two arrived at Fengtian Academy, it was already evening. The two entered the academy and rushed straight to the principal's office.

  "Grandpa Lin." Leng Ruoxue knocked on the door.

  "Ruo Xue, why are you two so late?" Lin Liang looked at Leng Ruo Xue and Ye Chen with some surprise.

  "I have something to say to Grandpa Lin." Leng Ruoxue said straightforwardly, getting straight to the point.

  "Oh, is it about you guys not coming back to the academy?" The autumn elder had already reported back after returning.

  "Yes, our mission is already complete. From now on, the focus will be on cultivation, so the academy should not be coming again." Lan Ruoxue said tactfully.

  "Ah, yes, she should cultivate properly." Lin Liang was very much in agreement with this, and he also knew that this little girl was unlikely to be bound by a single academy.

  "Right, Yuexue, Huoqing..." Lin Liang's face showed some difficulty, wanting to speak but stopping.

  "Old Man Lin, I know about him coming to Feng Tian Academy."

  "It's not just him, there are others." Lin Liang was very helpless, extremely helpless.

  "Who else?" asked Leng Ruoxue with some suspicion.

  "There's also Nanxi Guo's prince, Huangfu Liang, Shui Xianran, Beiliang Gongzhu Ximen Ya, and Ye Xiao too, they all want to transfer over." Lin Liang said with a headache, if the two geniuses from Longsheng College were to transfer to their college, that old thing from Longsheng would hate him to death.

  Leng Ruo Xue and Yao Jiao exchanged a glance, and simultaneously said: "Grandfather Lin will have a way."

  "I'm helpless!" He's been worried about this for two days and his head is bursting.

  "Snow ah, Fire and Qing are both coming for you, you can't ignore them?" Lin Liang said with a expectant face to that cunning little girl.

  "Grandpa Lin, they didn't come for me, I told you, I won't even come to the academy anymore. Even if they did come for me, there's nothing I can do about it!" Leng Ruoxue made it clear that she wasn't taking responsibility and didn't want to get involved in this matter.

  "Hey, Snowy, can you come up with a good idea for Old Man Lin?" Lin Liang said with full expectation. Those people he really didn't want to take in, taking them in would mean trouble, but not taking them in would...

  "Grandpa Lin, as long as you can move the Fire Department, others are nothing to be feared." Leng Ruoxue reminded kindly.

  "Alas, I'll give it a try then!" Lin Liang also had no other choice.

  "By the way, Uncle Lin, has there been any movement from the Fu family and Vice President Chen over the past month?" asked Leng Ruoxue with some curiosity.

  "Chen Jian has been much more honest lately, as for the Fu family, I heard they were robbed, and Fu Mingyuan has been looking for news of Fu Mingzhu and others." Lin Liang said after some thought.

  "Nobody is giving Vice President Chen any trouble?" Leng Ruoxue couldn't help but feel that it was somewhat unbelievable, looks like his background isn't small!

  "At first, there were some, but they were all small families with no real power. After causing a stir once or twice, they quieted down." Lin Liang knew what Leng Ruo Xue wanted to ask and explained.

  "Oh."

  "Grandpa Lin, it's late, we're going back." Leng Ruoxue and Yao Jiao stood up, ready to leave.

  "Uh-huh."

  After Leng Ruo Xue and Yao Jiao left the Dean's office, they walked along a quiet path in the academy towards the entrance.

  "I want to talk to you." Xu Na'er suddenly appeared in front of them, saying softly.

  "There's nothing for us to talk about." Leng Ruoxue didn't even bother to glance at Xu Na'er, who was being pretentious, and refused bluntly.

  "Please, I really have something very important to talk to you about." Xu Na'er was so anxious that she almost cried, with tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitiful and lovely.

  Unfortunately, the two people in front of her were both heartless.

  "Get out." The demon yelled in great annoyance. What did this woman want to do? Why was she so annoying, like a fly buzzing around?!

  "Night Shixiong, I really want to have a good talk with Ruoxue classmate, I don't have any malicious intentions." Xu Na'er said with grievance, two lines of clear tears flowed down from the corners of her eyes.

  "What do you want to talk about?" Leng Ruo Xue was really tired of watching her continue acting, and said somewhat impatiently. She also wanted to know why Xu Na suddenly showed weakness, but she caught the flash of viciousness and jealousy in Xu Na's eyes.

  "Xu Nai, I know that in the past there were many things that I did wrong, please forgive me and don't be angry with me anymore." Xu Na'er pleaded, her expression extremely sincere.

  "What's next? Continue." Leng Ruoxue urged.

  "I won't fight with you for Brother Yu anymore, really, I promise, from now on Brother Yu is yours alone, I won't appear again..." Xu Na'er said while crying.

  "Nah, I don't allow you to speak like that." Suddenly, a loud roar sounded in their ears.

  "Cold as snow, I will never marry you, give up on that thought!" The seventh prince appeared beside Xunair like a guardian angel, embracing her and glaring fiercely at Leng Ruoxue.

  "Seventh Prince, have you taken the wrong medicine? Did I ever say I'd marry you?" Cold Snow furrowed her brow, somewhat annoyed. What were these two treasures singing about now? She didn't have any spare time to watch them perform this tragic love duet in front of her.

  "Seventh prince, Xue Er is my fiancée, and you've had nothing to do with her for a long time. Don't be so self-righteous." The demon's eyes shot out a cold glare, saying displeasedly.

  "Do you think you can still marry her now?" The Seventh Prince sneered at Ye Chen and said.

  "What do you mean?" asked Leng Ruoxue in a cold voice.

  "Hmph! The cold and beautiful young lady is now in high demand, an ordinary person can't even marry her." The Seventh Prince said with a tone that seemed to carry a hint of sourness, though he himself didn't even realize it.

  "Brother Ye, don't say anything more, I won't let you be embarrassed." Xu Na'er said with a very understanding tone, but in her heart, she was furious that Li Ye had come out to stir up trouble at this time. After finishing speaking, she also secretly glanced at Ye Chen.

  "Nair, I've said it before, I won't marry anyone else. You have to believe me." Li Yu guaranteed, his expression very serious.

  "Fourth brother, don't be like this, it's not my luck. As long as you treat Ruo Xue well in the future, that's enough." Xu Na'er said with a hint of pleading, but her heart was shouting, agree to it! Agree to it quickly! As long as she could get rid of the Seventh Prince, she could shift her target to Ye Chen. Now, only that heavenly man was the one she wanted to marry.

  "Nah, I only want you, apart from you, I don't want anyone else." Li Yu said solemnly.

  "You guys take your time, we're leaving." Leng Ruoxue really couldn't bear to watch anymore. After speaking, she directly summoned Yu and jumped onto its back with Yao Jie, flying away.

  The two of them stared blankly at the black eagle that suddenly appeared, and for a long time they didn't come back to their senses. By the time they reacted, Leng Ruoxue and the others had already disappeared without a trace.

  "Brother Wei, you'd better listen to your father's words. We shouldn't be together anymore." Xu Na'er felt a surge of anger with nowhere to vent, so her tone was especially cold. After speaking, she turned and walked away without looking back.

  "Na'er..." Li Yu looked at Xu Na'er who turned and walked away, his heart couldn't help but think of the dazzlingly beautiful Cold Ruo Xue again, his heart was filled with emotions, and he became even more bewildered.

  Leng Ruo Xue and Yao Jiao returned to General's Manor and immediately went to the study.

  "Grandfather, what do you think about this?" Leng Ruo Xue told Leng Qing Tian about what had just happened and asked.

  "Heh heh, Xue Er, this was expected all along, not surprising." Leng Qing Tian was extremely calm, it seems the imperial family has set their sights on Xue Er again. Hmph! Thinking of getting beauty, do they think Xue Er is still the same as before? The Seventh Prince Li Yu had long been unworthy of his precious granddaughter.

  "Grandpa..." Ye Chen looked at Leng Qingtian with a very wronged expression, as if he wanted Leng Qingtian to take responsibility for him.

  "Tonight, rest assured, Grandfather only recognizes you as his one and only grandson-in-law." Leng Qingtian guaranteed.

  "Grandfather, if I'm guessing correctly, tomorrow the Emperor should bring this up with you." Cold Snow guessed.

  "Xue Er, even if the emperor doesn't mention it, others will. Don't worry, Grandpa knows how to handle it."

  "This matter will be left to Grandfather then, I won't care about it anymore." said Leng Ruo Xue mischievously.

  "What's in it for Grandpa?" Leng Qingtian asked with a hint of slyness, as he happened to have a favor to ask of Xue'er.

  "What benefits does Grandfather want?" asked Leng Ruoxue with some skepticism. She knew that her grandfather had been worried about something, and now he was finally willing to say it?

  "Xu?r, Grandfather just needs you to help Grandfather think of a way." Lěng Jīng Tiān explained the situation and then looked at Lěng Ruò Xu? with an expectant face.

  "Grandfather, don't look at me like that. I'll go back to my room first and think about it. As soon as I figure it out, I'll tell you right away." After saying this, Leng Ruoxue turned around and left, with the demon following closely behind her.

  The next evening, Leng Ruo Xue sat with her brother and Yeou Ya in the pavilion of the garden, having hot pot while chatting.

  "Brother, Grandfather and the others should have arrived by now, right?" asked Leng Ruoxue casually. She had never been to the imperial palace of Dongchi Country, nor did she want to go.

  "Hmm, it's about time, Xue Er. You didn't go today, and I believe many people will be very disappointed." Leng Ruo Han teased, having also heard about yesterday's incident.

  "Brother, as long as I'm happy, that's all that matters. Why bother with those unrelated people?" said Leng Ruo Xue nonchalantly.

  "Xue Er, this one is done, you eat this." The demon continuously fed Xue Er things to eat.

  "Miss, someone is looking for Young Master Ye." At this time, the butler walked over to report.

  "Who is it?" The demon asked somewhat displeased, who would be looking for him?

  "It's Young Master Ye's parents." The butler said somewhat nervously, the visitor claimed to be Young Master Ye's parents, so he had no choice but to come and disturb them.

  "Parents? My mother died when I was born, what mother do I have?" Ye Chen's eyes were like cold ice, his expression suddenly becoming very sinister.

  "Housekeeper, have them wait in the living room for now." Ling Ruo Xue instructed.

  "Yes, miss." The butler was intimidated by Ye Chen's ferocity and ran away quickly after hearing Leng Ruo Xue's order.

  "Young master, what's going on?" asked Leng Ruoxue with some confusion. The young master had been with them for so long, but had never mentioned anything about his family before, and she had never asked either. In fact, if it weren't for the sudden visitor earlier, she still wouldn't have asked. Every family has its own unspeakable secrets, so she respected the young master's privacy.

  "Xue'er, come with me first and let's get rid of them. I'll talk to you later," the demon said coldly.

  "Good."

  Leng Ruo Xue and Yao Jiao arrived in the living room together, and as soon as they entered the door, they saw a middle-aged couple sitting on the chairs.

  "Where is your mistress? Doesn't she know we've arrived? How rude!" A middle-aged woman with a beautiful face was frowning in discontent.

  The butler standing next to her didn't even frown and directly ignored her words.

  "Give me some quiet." The middle-aged man sitting next to her scolded.

  "Sir, it's obvious they're slacking off on us. Is this how the General's Manor treats its guests?" The middle-aged beautiful woman retorted, not putting the words of the man beside her to heart at all.

  "Are you looking for me?" Leng Ruoxue and Ye Chen walked into the living room with a carefree attitude.

  Digression

  Thank you for the flowers from qinxin, huali shuijing, lingniu98 and jenhui.