With the situation growing tense, Dai Mubai, after being calmed by Su Ming and Tang San's words, finally began to cool down. The white light in his palm dissipated as he roared into the sky, releasing his pent-up anger.
Oscar, noticing Dai Mubai's calm demeanor, asked cautiously, "Boss Dai, do you know Zhu Zhuqing? It doesn't seem like you're just interested in her because your martial souls can resonate, right?"
Oscar was usually lazy and not very focused on training, but he was no fool. He could tell that Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's relationship wasn't simple, and it wasn't just him—Tang San had also picked up on this. Tang San, being smarter than Oscar, had already suspected the connection.
As for Su Ming, Xiao Wu, and the others, they already knew about the relationship between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, so they didn't ask any questions.
Dai Mubai sighed deeply, realizing that the situation between him and Zhu Zhuqing was no longer a secret. "Actually, Zhu Zhuqing is my fiancée."
"What!" Oscar exclaimed in disbelief. How could Boss Dai be so lucky to have such a cold, beautiful goddess as his fiancée?
The rest of the group remained silent, waiting for Dai Mubai to explain.
"Little Oscar, I think I've mentioned before that I'm from the Star Luo Empire, but I never said exactly where," Dai Mubai continued.
Oscar nodded, feeling that Dai Mubai's identity must be more complicated than he had previously thought. Tang San furrowed his brow, the words "Star Luo Empire," "Evil Eyed White Tiger," and "Netherworld Spirit Cat" echoing in his mind. These martial souls sounded familiar—his teacher had mentioned them briefly when discussing martial soul fusion techniques. Could Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing be from that background? And if so, why had they come to the Heaven Dou Empire?
Tang San glanced curiously at Dai Mubai, awaiting further explanation.
"I am the third prince of the Star Luo Empire," Dai Mubai revealed. "Since childhood, Zhu Zhuqing and I were engaged. We met once when we were younger, but we were too young to remember much. As we grew, Zhu Zhuqing changed a lot. When I first sensed someone with whom I could perform a martial soul fusion, I didn't immediately connect it to her. It wasn't until she said her name that I realized she was my fiancée, and she had come to the Heaven Dou Empire to find me."
Ning Rongrong spoke up angrily, "So if she's your fiancée, why did you come to the Heaven Dou Empire? And why did Zhu Zhuqing have to follow you here?"
Dai Mubai's face showed a hint of shame. "In the Star Luo Empire, there's a rule: all princes must marry someone from the Zhu family, and the princes must compete with each other to determine the final heir to the throne. The winner becomes the next emperor, while the losers... at best, have their spirit power stripped and are sent to a remote territory. At worst, they are killed."
"My older brother, Davis, is a few years older than me. He's more talented and has a higher spirit power level. So..." Dai Mubai trailed off, unable to finish.
But Ning Rongrong, growing more incensed, cut in, "So, you abandoned Zhu Zhuqing, who's been working hard to improve herself, and fled to the Shrek Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire to escape your royal competition."
"Even if she resented you for running away, the fact that Zhu Zhuqing came here to find you means she still held on to some hope. She probably thought you had a plan, that you came to the Heaven Dou Empire to escape your brother's control. But what she found was you wallowing in debauchery, either hooking up with women or visiting brothels!"
"Zhu Zhuqing is not even twelve years old and already at spirit power level 35. Her progress shows how hard she's been working. And you? You're fifteen and only at level 37. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"And she probably caught you with those twins when she arrived, right? That's why she's been ignoring you, mocking you, and giving you the cold shoulder. Did you really think that just because you've been following her around and acting nice for a few days, you could make up for the years of pain she's endured?"
Each word Ning Rongrong said made Dai Mubai's expression grow darker. She was speaking the truth, but the veins on his forehead bulged with suppressed anger.
Initially, Ning Rongrong had only planned to say a few words, but the more she spoke, the angrier she became. Her fiery temper, the same as when she was known as the little princess, was fully unleashed as she sought to stand up for Zhu Zhuqing.
In contrast to her original character, Ning Rongrong had matured, showing empathy and concern for others while still maintaining her mischievous side. She and Zhu Zhuqing, both having copies of Su Ming's diary, were united in their resolve. Ning Rongrong didn't want Zhu Zhuqing to forgive Dai Mubai. Even if Zhu Zhuqing were to end up with Su Ming instead, Ning Rongrong thought it would be a better outcome than staying with Dai Mubai.
Su Ming, though attracted to multiple women, had not behaved inappropriately. He was clean, respectful, and took his time pursuing the women he liked, as shown by his actions toward Xiao Wu. While his diary entries might have been a bit strange at first, calling Xiao Wu his wife, his attitude had since become more sincere. Ning Rongrong could tell that Xiao Wu had developed feelings for Su Ming as well—they just needed the right opportunity to move forward.
Ning Rongrong herself wasn't opposed to Su Ming's idea of having multiple women. She thought it was normal, but only if the man had enough strength to support it. After all, her father had more than just her mother; he also had a few concubines. Despite this, Ning Rongrong held the highest status among all his children.
As Ning Rongrong continued to criticize Dai Mubai, Su Ming stood to the side, frowning. Ning Rongrong's character was similar to her original self, but with some differences. In the original story, she had been spoiled and self-centered. Now, she was standing up for Zhu Zhuqing.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, a pair of eyes watched the group intently, focusing especially on Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong knew that if she kept going, Dai Mubai would likely snap and attack her, just as he had in the original story. But she wasn't afraid. In fact, she was curious—would Su Ming just stand by and watch her get hurt?
This was Ning Rongrong's little test for Su Ming. She wanted to know if his feelings for her were genuine or if they were just fleeting words from his diary. Would he defend her, even if it meant offending the third prince of the Star Luo Empire? Although Dai Mubai had left the empire, he was still a noble.
Ning Rongrong had already prepared for the worst-case scenario. If Su Ming didn't intervene, she wouldn't say anything outwardly, but her opinion of him would certainly drop. And if Dai Mubai dared to harm her, she would make sure her grandfathers punished him.
As Ning Rongrong finished speaking, she looked at Dai Mubai, who was trembling with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. "Why aren't you saying anything? Is it because everything I've said is true, and you have nothing to refute?"
Oscar had been about to step in to defuse the situation, but Ning Rongrong's words stopped him in his tracks. Tang San, on the other hand, chose to remain neutral. This was a conflict between two powerful families—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Star Luo Empire. As someone from a humble background, Tang San decided it was best to stay out of it.
Dai Mubai's fury finally boiled over. "Enough! Ning Rongrong, I've had enough of your nonsense! So what if everything you said is true?"
"My father, the Emperor of Star Luo, has more than just my mother—he has many concubines! Growing up in the royal family, I was taught that this is normal. What's so wrong with being a little promiscuous? This is a noble's privilege! Even your father isn't only with your mother!"
"And what if Zhu Zhuqing caught me with the twins? It's completely normal for nobles to indulge a little! It was just a way to release some tension!"
Dai Mubai's face turned red with rage as he ranted. He had tried to suppress his true nature because he found Zhu Zhuqing attractive and wanted to apologize. But she had shown him no respect, and he couldn't take it anymore.
What Dai Mubai didn't know was that Zhu Zhuqing, having read Su Ming's diary, was aware of what would happen in the future. According to the diary, she and Dai Mubai would eventually reconcile and perform a martial soul fusion technique together. But Zhu Zhuqing had sworn to herself that she would never let that future come to pass. She would not forgive Dai Mubai.
Ning Rongrong, having heard Dai Mubai's defense, looked at him with disdain. "Dai Mubai, I've finally seen your true colors."
"You don't even understand why Zhu Zhuqing is angry. Seeing you with those women was just the spark. As a member of the Zhu family, she knows that royal family members often have multiple women. What hurt her was that she had placed her hopes on you!"
"Not only did you abandon her when she was young and leave her to face danger alone, but you came here to indulge yourself while she worked hard back home. You've shattered her hopes and expectations!"
Su Ming was surprised by Ning Rongrong's maturity and insight. He didn't expect her to be so perceptive. Could it be that this parallel version of Ning Rongrong was more mature and intelligent than he thought?
Dai Mubai, realizing the truth in Ning Rongrong's words, grew even more frustrated. He knew he had wronged Zhu Zhuqing, but what could he do about it now? As long as Zhu Zhuqing was a member of the Zhu family, she couldn't escape their engagement. Did she dare defy their marriage contract?
Dai Mubai's face turned even redder as he pointed at Ning Rongrong and roared, "That's enough, Ning Rongrong! I've had it with you! Do you think just because you're the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I won't dare touch you? You're just an auxiliary spirit master!"