Qian Daoliu didn't have any particular reaction to the way Yun Ming addressed him, simply nodding in acknowledgment. However, Qian Renxue was quite displeased by Yun Ming's choice of words; after all, what young girl wants to be called "Big Sister," especially a young girl nearing thirty?
Qian Renxue couldn't stomach this grievance, so she began to stir up trouble. She looked at Yun Ming, her expression filled with feigned hurt.
"Brother Yun, so you knew I was a woman all along? Then why did you..."
She stopped mid-sentence, as if some things were too embarrassing to speak of openly, leaving a trailing, suggestive ending that perfectly complemented her expression.
Seeing this woman suddenly start her performance, Yun Ming inwardly cursed.
Sure enough, hearing his precious granddaughter imply that she had been "ravaged" by Yun Ming just like Ya Li, Qian Daoliu's brows furrowed. He shot a glare at Yun Ming before turning to Qian Renxue.
"Xue Er, what is going on? How did this stinky brat treat you?"
"If he bullied you, Grandfather will certainly not let this boy off."
Yun Ming wanted to explain, but Qian Renxue used a strategy of advancing by retreating, launching her attack first.
"It's nothing, Grandfather. I believe Brother Yun didn't mean it that day."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue cast a glance at Yun Ming with a slight blush on her face. That shy, delicate expression made both Yun Ming and Qian Daoliu feel a surge of heat, though for very different reasons.
Yun Ming: This woman is looking for trouble!
Qian Daoliu: Not only did this kid run off with my little cotton-padded jacket, but now he's making a move on my big cotton-padded jacket too!!
Qian Daoliu looked at Yun Ming with an unfriendly expression and said in a solemn tone.
"Yun kid, you had better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise..."
Watching the holy light begin to condense on Qian Daoliu's sandbag-sized fist, Yun Ming naturally understood the consequences of an unreasonable explanation.
Yun Ming glanced at Qian Renxue and noticed the playfulness dancing in the depths of her eyes. He could only sigh at how strong her desire for revenge was, but he still had to answer Qian Daoliu's question.
"It's actually quite simple. We just had a fight, and I beat her up."
After hearing this, Qian Daoliu asked Qian Renxue.
"Xue Er, is that so?"
Qian Renxue replied.
"Yes."
But her slightly hurried tone and flushed face made it seem as if there were other little stories hidden in between.
Qian Renxue knew very well that some things couldn't be explained clearly. Even though there were four Title Douluo present that day, they hadn't witnessed the entire battle process. As long as Qian Renxue was willing to lose face, Yun Ming would never be able to clear his name.
Thinking this, Qian Renxue glanced at Ya Li, wanting to see her reaction. But the result was destined to disappoint her; Ya Li didn't show any obvious anger or dissatisfaction on the surface, remaining quite calm. There were only two possibilities for this: either she didn't love him and thus felt nothing, or she trusted Yun Ming deeply. Naturally, it was the latter.
Qian Daoliu was no fool; there is a reason they say the elderly are as cunning as foxes. Although he had been momentarily distracted by Qian Renxue's subtle hints, causing his thoughts to veer off course, he now realized that Qian Renxue's three answers lacked any real substance and were merely leading him on. He sensed that she was likely stirring up trouble out of thin air.
Even so, Qian Daoliu wasn't happy; on the contrary, his mood worsened. Qian Renxue was a proud person. If she truly had no feelings for Yun Ming, why would she use her own reputation to frame him?
Qian Daoliu stopped speaking, lost in thought as he considered a strategy. This potential spark of unrequited love had to be extinguished as soon as possible, or else unrequited love would truly become a tradition in the Qian family.
What Qian Daoliu could see, Ya Li could naturally see as well. Seeing her Junior Sister staring "intently" at Yun Ming, she sighed inwardly at how Yun Ming attracted trouble, but it didn't matter; Yun Ming only needed her, his little angel.
Yun Ming was left speechless by Qian Renxue's suggestive admission. Qian Renxue was busy performing her shy act, and Qian Daoliu was lost in his own thoughts, leaving the scene in an awkward silence.
Seeing the strange atmosphere, Ya Li spoke up to ease the tension. She looked at Qian Renxue and said softly.
"Brother Ming didn't know that Junior Sister was the Crown Prince back then, so he was a bit heavy-handed. I hope Junior Sister can be magnanimous."
Hearing Ya Li speak up, Qian Renxue found it difficult to continue her mischief. Her tone returned to normal as she said generously.
"Junior Sister is too kind. One cannot blame those who do not know!"
Ya Li responded.
"Junior Sister is truly broad-minded, worthy of being the great talent who could go undercover for so many years and eventually take down the Heaven Dou Empire."
One does not strike a smiling face. Since Ya Li praised her so highly, Qian Renxue naturally had to return the courtesy.
"Not at all. Junior Sister's reputation for benevolence as the Saintess of Martial Soul Hall is known throughout the world. I should be the one learning from you."
The two sisters interacted, and the atmosphere in the room finally returned to normal. With a tacit understanding, none of them mentioned the previous topic again.
Yun Ming now realized the emotional inclination behind Qian Renxue's mischief and dared not interact with her casually, choosing instead to watch quietly.
Ya Li glanced at Yun Ming and asked Qian Renxue.
"Then, I wonder if Junior Sister can release Grandfather Yang Wushuang now?"
Hearing Ya Li's address for Yang Wushuang, Qian Renxue felt a faint sense of irritation, but she remained calm on the surface.
"Of course."
With that, she bid farewell to Qian Daoliu.
"Grandfather, we will go handle some other matters first and come back later."
Qian Daoliu hadn't yet figured out how to solve his granddaughter's emotional problems and had no time to entertain them further, so he said in a deep voice.
"Go ahead!"
The three of them bowed and departed.
Leaving the Worship Hall, Qian Renxue led the two of them directly toward the Pope Palace.
Standing outside the gates of the Pope Palace, Qian Renxue thought about how she was about to see that woman again as 'Qian Renxue' for the first time in many years, and she couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive. She wondered if, after all these years, that woman's attitude toward her might have changed!
Inside the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong, who was reviewing documents, sensed the familiar and detestable fluctuation of Six-Winged Angel Soul Power outside the hall doors. She set down her pen and looked toward the entrance with a complex expression. Her daughter had returned; as a mother, Bibi Dong should have been happy, but the mere thought of Qian Renxue's father caused a sense of disgust to sprout uncontrollably within her. The collision of these two conflicting emotions left her unsure of how to face Qian Renxue.
Yun Ming and Ya Li watched as Qian Renxue gathered her thoughts at the entrance, not making a sound to disturb her, simply waiting quietly to the side.
After a good while, Qian Renxue finished steeling herself. With a long exhale, she pushed open the doors of the Pope Palace and stepped inside.
Qian Renxue looked up at the throne and saw that Bibi Dong's gaze was exactly the same as it had been twenty years ago—a complex look dominated by disgust and coldness—and her initial apprehension faded away.
She had overthought it; Bibi Dong hadn't changed and still loathed her just as she had back then, so there was no need for her to put on a pleasant face for Bibi Dong either, Qian Renxue said indifferently.
"Long time no see, Big Sister."
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader