As the two emerged from the corridor, Yao Ling’er and Yuwen Rou both turned their gaze toward them.
“Husband.”
“Your Highness.”
The two greeted Xu Ning.
Xu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm as ever, giving them a slight nod.
In contrast, Yuwen Shuang looked completely dazed, as if her soul had been shaken loose.
Seeing her state, a trace of panic flashed in Yuwen Rou’s eyes.
At that moment, Xu Ning suddenly looked at her. She hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to speak, trying to conceal her unease.
Yuwen Shuang ignored her entirely and walked straight toward the main gate.
“Ling’er, step outside. I have something to discuss with Rou’er,” Xu Ning said.
Hearing him call her “Rou’er,” Yao Ling’er bit her lip lightly. Her delicate hands clenched unconsciously, a flicker of unwillingness passing through her eyes before a faint jealousy rose in her heart.
“Yes, husband.”
She emphasized the word “husband” slightly before turning and leaving.
Soon, only the two of them remained in the hall. Xu Ning smiled faintly as he looked at Yuwen Rou.
He was now certain—Yuwen Rou was a female lead.
And not just any female lead, but one superior even to Yao Ling’er. After all, she possessed ten strands of purple destiny aura, enough to rival Long Lingtian at his peak.
Under his burning gaze, Yuwen Rou felt as though her entire being had been seen through. A deep sense of unease surged within her.
Her heart pounded violently, and the air around her seemed to grow thick, making it hard to breathe.
“Your Highness… why have you kept me here?” she asked softly.
Xu Ning did not answer. Instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them until they were almost touching.
Yuwen Rou could clearly feel the warmth radiating from his body, as well as the masculine breath brushing against her face.
“Mm…” Her body trembled slightly, a blush rising across her cheeks as she instinctively stepped back.
She had never been this close to a man before. Even with Ji Fengyao, they had always maintained a respectful distance.
Yet the more she retreated, the more Xu Ning advanced. Step by step, he forced her into a corner until she had nowhere left to escape.
“Your Highness… what are you trying to do?” she asked, her lips pressed together, her body trembling like a frightened deer.
The thought startled her at first. After all, she believed she understood his character.
But soon, she realized it was entirely possible.
In the end, she was nothing more than his prisoner. No matter what he chose to do, she had no power to resist.
Had everything before been nothing more than a façade, just as Shuang’er had said?
Her face grew paler, her eyes dimming with despair.
“What do I want?” Xu Ning smiled playfully. He placed one hand against the wall beside her, trapping her beneath him like an overbearing nobleman from ancient tales.
“I want to ask how you think the Yuwen Family’s rebellion should be handled.”
His smile remained unchanged, but his words sent a chill down her spine, as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
“Your Highness… you already know?” Her eyes widened, her voice trembling with fear.
The Yuwen Family’s rebellion was a capital crime. Xu Ning had shown mercy, sparing them and even reusing them.
Yet they had not repented, instead plotting against him. Such a crime was enough to exterminate an entire lineage.
“This morning, when your family held its meeting, my people were watching the entire time,” Xu Ning said casually, lying without hesitation.
“Your Highness showed mercy, yet I repay kindness with betrayal. I deserve death a thousand times over!” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Looking at her tearful face, Xu Ning smiled gently. He reached out, wiping away her tears, then carefully smoothed the slightly disheveled strands of hair by her ear.
“If you keep crying, I won’t like you anymore.”
Faced with his sudden tenderness, Yuwen Rou didn’t know whether to feel shy or relieved. Sensing the shift in his tone, she raised her head, staring at him in a daze.
“Your Highness… you won’t kill me?” she asked in disbelief.
“Of course not. I could never bring myself to kill you. That’s why I’m asking how we should deal with the Yuwen Family,” Xu Ning replied with a gentle smile.
At that moment, a wave of emotion surged within her. Her nose tingled, and tears welled up once more.
“Your Highness, I don’t understand. My Yuwen Family has repeatedly offended you, even repaying kindness with betrayal. Why would you—”
Before she could finish, Xu Ning placed a finger gently against her lips.
“Rou’er, do you believe in love at first sight?” he asked, gazing at her deeply.
Her fair cheeks flushed with a charming redness. She turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze.
“I don’t…” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible, tinged with embarrassment. “That’s just something men say to deceive women…”
“Myself, I didn’t believe it either,” Xu Ning said softly. Then he raised both hands, gently cupping her face as their eyes met. “But from the moment I saw you, I did.”
The words struck her like lightning. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
Xu Ning had sworn upon his Dao Heart—for her.
For a cultivator, such an oath carried immense weight. If broken, it would damage the Dao Heart, preventing any further advancement in cultivation.
At that thought, an overwhelming wave of emotion surged within her.
[The female lead has developed feelings for the host, negatively affecting the child of destiny. Reward: 400 fortune points.]
Heh… only one step left before she completely falls.
A playful smile curled at Xu Ning’s lips.
If he could win over a female lead, not only would it weaken the child of destiny, but it would also serve as a steady source of fortune points. And at night… well…
The thought was far too satisfying.
Yuwen Rou took a deep breath. Looking at the man before her, she hesitated before speaking, “Your Highness, I am deeply moved by your affection, but… I already have someone I love.”
Another child of destiny?
A sharp glint flashed in Xu Ning’s eyes. He released her face and asked casually, “Who is it that has captured Rou’er’s heart?”
Yuwen Rou let out a soft breath of relief. After Xu Ning’s Dao Heart oath, her guard had completely fallen. “Promise me—you won’t harm him.”
Xu Ning smiled gently. “Since he is someone you care about, I will not make things difficult for him.”
At this moment, the advantage of his righteous image became clear. Had he acted like a villain from the start, she would never have revealed this information so easily.
Hearing his generous response, Yuwen Rou felt warmth spread through her heart.
His Highness truly cares for me… he’s thinking of me in every way…
Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Then she told him everything about Ji Fengyao.
Ji Fengyao was originally the direct descendant of the Ji Family, one of the eight great families of the former Royal Capital.
After the Mystic Saint Empress ascended the throne, the Ji Family was exterminated. The Yuwen Family, having close ties with them, risked committing treason by secretly taking Ji Fengyao in.
From a young age, Ji Fengyao displayed extraordinary talent. However, one day, he suddenly became a cripple and fell into decline.
Then, three years ago, his personality changed drastically. He rose again, stunning everyone, and declared that in three years he would settle accounts with the Mystic Saint Empress.
After that, he entered the Taixu Sacred Land, one of the three great holy lands, and disappeared without a trace.
Counting the time, the three-year period had already arrived.
He would soon return to the Yuwen Family.