One moment it was “my Lu Xingzhou,” the next it was “the person I care about cares about me.”

His personal feelings were so blatantly obvious, what else could he be doing but flirting with her?

Yet, Dugu Qingli, despite saying this, didn’t show any displeasure. Compared to her earlier attitude of wanting to strike with a sword, it was as if she was saying, “Flirting with me is fine,” but “don’t make it obvious on my face.”

After all, his words were pleasant and made one feel comfortable.

As for the reasoning in his words… indeed, no one had ever spoken to her like that. When her master and the sect discussed similar topics, it was always based on cultivation, as if her existence as an ice-element swordsman was more important than her identity as a young girl.

How to describe that reasoning? Knowing is easy, doing is hard. Who could be as arrogant and narcissistic as Long Qinghuang?

But Long Qinghuang had the power to crush all opposition, so she had the right to be arrogant. Dugu Qingli imagined herself in that position and felt that if her cultivation improved, she could also be like that.

So, everything still came down to cultivation. As long as one’s cultivation was as high as Long Qinghuang’s, even if they pointed at a deer and called it a horse, others would have to agree, wouldn’t they?

Therefore, her master’s and the sect’s reasoning wasn’t wrong, but why was it less comforting than what Lu Xingzhou said… It was truly strange.

Lu Xingzhou secretly glanced at her.

Then he secretly glanced again.

Dugu Qingli said expressionlessly, “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” I thought you’d draw your sword, but you’re actually quite calm.

So that proves I, Lu Xingzhou, am the best at raising children! (Puts hands on hips) Ah-Nuo can attest to that.

Dugu Qingli said, “If you think I look good, you can look openly and honestly, there’s no need to be so furtive.”

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

Are you learning how to be arrogant on the spot? And you’re learning quite fast.

“What is that place? So many people,” Dugu Qingli suddenly pointed to a shop ahead. The crowd was surging, ten times more than other shops.

Lu Xingzhou looked over, also puzzled. Wasn’t that the clothing store they had visited before? It wasn’t this popular then.

He couldn’t help but feel a little curious, so he grabbed Dugu Qingli’s hand and sprinted over: “Let’s go take a look.”

Dugu Qingli immediately shook him off: “Just look, why are you touching me? Grandmaster, please show some self-respect.”

“…” Lu Xingzhou had repeatedly used the “unintentional” excuse to take her hand and get closer. Even Ye Tinglan and Long Qinghuang had fallen for this trick, but the little white-haired girl saw right through it.

Having failed, Lu Xingzhou could only save face: “Am I that kind of person? It was just a natural gesture, unintentional.”

Dugu Qingli didn’t bother with him. When they reached the shop entrance, she immediately saw a large couplet hanging from the door frame: “Beautiful clothes, the Demon Empress cleared them out; Comfortable attire, the Saintess lingered and forgot to return.”

The horizontal inscription read: “Mei Kai Er Du (Second Blooming).”

Both of them were dumbfounded. So, the business here was so good because people were coming for a pilgrimage?

“Oh, Lord Hou Lu!” The shopkeeper hurried out: “Lord Hou Lu is truly a distinguished guest of our small shop. All the success of our shop today is due to Lord Hou’s patronage! Is Lord Hou bringing his new Madam to buy clothes again today? Feel free to take anything you like, our shop will offer it as a gift!”

Lu Xingzhou was sweating profusely. Dugu Qingli glanced at him sideways: “So, this ‘Mei Kai Er Du’ is all thanks to Lord Hou Lu?”

The shopkeeper nodded and bowed: “Madam looks extraordinary at first glance. May I know your esteemed name?”

“Who is his Madam?” Dugu Qingli’s white hair stood on end: “I don’t want to be hung on the wall, changing from ‘Mei Kai Er Du’ to ‘Sui Han San You (Three Friends of Winter)’.”

After saying that, she ran off directly.

Lu Xingzhou, covered in sweat, pointed at the shopkeeper: “Advertising fee!”

Then he quickly chased after her: “Wait for me!”

The shopkeeper, having missed a good opportunity, stomped his foot and sighed: “What a pity, what a pity.”

Someone nearby asked, “Is that Lu Xingzhou, the Dingyuan Hou of Daqian?”

“The genuine article.”

“They say he’s always surrounded by top beauties, each with a more astonishing background than the last. How could he fancy someone with such a strange appearance?”

“What do you know?” A knowledgeable person immediately retorted: “When you’re used to delicacies, you also enjoy some iced drinks. Some people even, with women readily available, lose interest and turn to men…”

“Your insight is profound.”

“Besides, do you understand women better than Lord Hou Lu? If he finds this beautiful, there must be his reasons, you just don’t understand.”

“You know, though she looks a bit strange at first glance, upon closer thought, her skin is as white as snow, her eyes like colored glaze, and her white hair has a unique charm. She’s actually quite beautiful, isn’t she?”

She was already beautiful to begin with. Even if human aesthetics have deviations, the underlying logic won’t differ too wildly. Given that the people of Chongguo generally adore white hair, how could Daqian find it ugly?

The reason why people considered her a monster was because others didn’t look like her. Things that are different are naturally labeled as strange, which is a form of xenophobia caused by limited exposure. But just as they judged the young Qingli as a spirit-demon back then, they also found her “delicate and adorable.”

So, aesthetics are actually universal; what’s missing is just a guide to encourage people to view things with a mindset of discovering beauty.

Lu Xingzhou, whose reputation for having beautiful wives was well-known, undoubtedly became an excellent guide.

“It really is quite beautiful when you think about it. Tomorrow, I’ll have my wife dye her hair white and see.”

“Oh, come on. Not everyone can pull off such a unique look… To be honest, my friend, I once had my wife wear the Dragon Empress’s golden outfit, and guess what? The neighbor saw her and asked where that giant golden silkworm came from.”

The crowd burst into laughter, the sound carrying far and and reaching Dugu Qingli’s ears as she ran away, making the little white-haired girl’s cool face flush red.

Lu Xingzhou walked beside her with a smile: “See, now I’m not the only one who says you’re beautiful.”

Dugu Qingli truly didn’t understand why this was happening. When she was alone, she was a monster, but if she was Lu Xingzhou’s woman, she suddenly became very beautiful.

No one had ever fed her this kind of data, so she couldn’t comprehend it. She only felt her heart thumping, as if the whole world was helping Lu Xingzhou cheat.

The little white-haired girl gritted her teeth: “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Huh?”

“You arranged people to deliberately spread rumors that I’m your new Madam, your woman.”

Lu Xingzhou was exasperated: “I’ve been with you all this time, how could I arrange anything beforehand? Could I have transmitted my voice in front of you without you noticing?”

“Who knows? Isn’t Lord Hou Lu skilled at planning everything?”

“Some things don’t need arranging. This is called reputation.”

“You’re very proud of your notorious reputation for being lecherous, aren’t you?” Dugu Qingli flared up: “Then say something! Deny it, say it’s not true!”

“The more you try to refute something like this, the more you’ll only get a meaningful ‘Oh.’ Trust me.”

“Lu Xingzhou! You’re doing this on purpose! Give me back my good name!” Dugu Qingli drew her sword.

Lu Xingzhou took off running, and Dugu Qingli chased him wildly with her sword.

Passersby saw them and smiled kindly: “What a loving young couple.”

Dugu Qingli: “?”

Why was it like this?

I was clearly trying to strike him, why would others think this was a loving young couple, a sign of deep affection? Are you all sick?

Dugu Qingli put away her sword.

Lu Xingzhou returned to her side with a smile and walked with her.

And so, the smiles of the passersby became even more benevolent.

The little white-haired girl’s database crashed.

Even if I try to strike him, we’re a couple; if I don’t, we’re still a couple. How can you teach me not to be a couple?

“I’m not shopping anymore! It’s not fun at all!” The little white-haired girl protested, walking back to Hanlan Sect expressionlessly.

As they passed the clothing store again, the countless smiling gazes of the crowd made Dugu Qingli wish she could die. Her eyes darted to the couplet, and she wondered what her master and the Dragon Empress would think if they saw it. Would they be ashamed and angry, or would they be happy that memories of their past with that annoying man were left here?

It was very likely the latter.

It felt like being involved with Lu Xingzhou made everything feel off. Things that she used to understand normally suddenly became different.

Including the appreciative gazes of the people at this moment, which were just like Lu Xingzhou’s gaze at her back then.

So, Lu Xingzhou was a contagious virus?

With a muddled head, she returned to Hanlan Sect. Sihan happened to arrive, and upon seeing Lu Xingzhou, he smiled and cupped his hands: “Lord Hou Lu, I trust you have been well.”

Lu Xingzhou returned the salute: “Why has State Lord Si personally come?”

Sihan said, “I heard that Lord Hou Lu and the Saintess have arrived, so naturally, I had to come and host.”

“State Lord Si is too kind.” Lu Xingzhou gestured to the ring on his hand: “The gift the State Lord gave me has already been made into a ring. I like it very much, thank you, State Lord.”

“Haha, congratulations on your new marriage, Lord Hou Lu. I was afraid the gift I gave was too humble. As long as Lord Hou likes it, that’s good.” Sihan’s eyes swept over the two of them, and seeing Dugu Qingli’s still flushed face, he chuckled: “When the two of you have good news, I will make up for it with another gift.”

Dugu Qingli’s eyes widened: “I’m not…”

Sihan made a welcoming gesture: “Please, the two of you, let’s talk inside.”

Dugu Qingli: “?”

Your Tianshuang Kingdom relies entirely on my Tianyao Holy Land for protection, and you interrupt me?

So you acknowledge the Saintess’s male consort but not the Saintess herself, is that it?

Sihan secretly thought, “Why are you pretending with me? I am the State Lord of Tianshuang. I know about the major events happening in Tianshuang Kingdom—for example, your illicit affair with Lu Xingzhou in the Ice Prison Sect.”

Never mind, the young girl is still tender-faced, best not to say it.

Also, Tianyao Holy Land is quite scandalous, master and disciple… hmm.

Everyone arrived at the Hanlan Sect living room, where Zhang Liying had already prepared tea and snacks. Sihan took the main seat and said with a smile, “I never expected the Saintess to be so concerned about the disaster in Tianshuang Kingdom. I hadn’t even reported the matter of the Hanchuan earthquake to the Saintess, yet the Saintess dispatched the two of you to investigate.”

Zhang Liying: “…”

Lu Xingzhou said without batting an eyelid, “True Person Tinglan’s divination abilities are unparalleled in the world, you see.”

Dugu Qingli: “…”

Sihan chuckled: “I personally went to see this earthquake a few days ago.”

“Oh? Since State Lord Si personally investigated, I presume you have some conclusions.”

“Indeed… Lord Hou should know that the entire Dongyue Hanchuan is essentially a sea, just completely frozen due to extremely strong ice and cold. And there were originally many anomalies on the seabed, such as numerous secret realms buried beneath, even ancient cities buried… as well as various landforms, like volcanoes.”

Lu Xingzhou’s heart stirred slightly: “So, what kind does State Lord Si conclude it to be?”

Sihan said, “We’ve all seen the prelude to this matter. That bone dragon back then was an example. Originally a bone dragon that died in the sea, it was frozen in a certain position, and for some reason, it gradually floated upwards, was discovered by us, and triggered a series of changes at that time. We felt then that a space was moving upwards as a whole, most likely a large secret realm was breaking through the earth, and this bone dragon was just a byproduct brought up.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Yes, that was indeed the judgment at the time. So, State Lord Si believes that this earthquake is a continuation of the previous incident?”

“More or less.”

“In other words, it has little to do with the ice demons?”

Sihan said, “It doesn’t rule out the possibility of being a secondary effect caused by the ice demons trying to break free, but it’s largely not the ice demons themselves. Firstly, the location is off, and secondly, based on my investigation, no demonic intent was detected.”

Lu Xingzhou stroked his chin, muttering softly, “Interesting, Atlantis?”

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