"For Rongrong?"
"Negotiating with Dugu Bo?!"
Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe spoke simultaneously, their concerns focused on different matters, leading to distinct remarks.
"What?!"
Ning Rongrong exclaimed in shock, "Brother Jian, you negotiated with the Poison Douluo? And got poisoned in the process?"
Qin Jian gently stroked her silky long hair and said, "Don't worry. It's a slow-acting toxin, and I know how to neutralize it. I allowed him to poison me in exchange for a treasure."
He then softly brushed his hand against Ning Rongrong's smooth cheek and added, "It's something… incredibly important to you."
Hearing this, even Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel curious.
However, Xue Qinghe interrupted before Qin Jian could continue. She felt that if the conversation went on, her plans would be entirely disrupted by Qin Jian.
"Teacher, I know Rongrong is very fond of Qin Jian right now…"
She stepped forward with a sincere expression and said, "I don't intend to forcefully separate them, but young emotions are often unstable, and this engagement holds significant political meaning for both the imperial family and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, wanting to say something, but Xue Qinghe continued with a casual gesture, "Even if this engagement is established now, if Rongrong doesn't wish to proceed a few years later, we can always dissolve it. For now, all the imperial family wants is to release some rumors—rumors that spread across the empire."
"That would signify that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is standing firmly behind the imperial family."
At this point, Xue Qinghe turned to Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong. "I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. I truly believe your feelings won't change because of this."
Her words sounded earnest and reasonable, as though there wasn't much at stake.
But for Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, this was a monumental issue. How could lovers not care about such an engagement? After all, it would mean that Ning Rongrong would officially become Xue Qinghe's fiancée!
"I refuse! I will never agree to an engagement with you!"
The more Ning Rongrong thought about it, the angrier she became. "I don't even like you! I won't marry you!"
"Rongrong, this isn't just about you. It's about the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Xue Qinghe replied with a calm smile.
"Don't call me Rongrong! Are we that close?!"
Ning Rongrong retorted angrily, "I only want to marry Brother Jian! If you insist on forcing me, I'll hug him on the streets every day, and your imperial family's reputation will be utterly ruined!"
Her childish yet defiant outburst made everyone present—Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Xue Ye the Great, and others—half-amused and half-helpless.
"This… Rongrong really might do something like that…"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled wryly at Xue Ye the Great, "It's my fault for spoiling her all these years. Please forgive us, Your Majesty."
Xue Ye the Great maintained a composed expression, betraying no emotion. "Sect Master Ning, you're too polite. If Rongrong is unwilling, perhaps we could compromise. Let's forgo the engagement and instead simply let the rumors spread. How does that sound?"
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly at this moment. "That would work as well."
The conversation reached a point where the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could hardly refuse. After all, they had been staunch supporters of the imperial family for years and couldn't risk severing ties.
Ning Fengzhi glanced uneasily at Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong before letting out a soft sigh. "Then we shall…"
"Father!"
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong's voice rang out loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
The next moment, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.
Ning Rongrong threw herself into Qin Jian's arms and, without hesitation, pressed her soft lips against his!
Qin Jian's eyes widened momentarily, then he felt the warm, jelly-like sensation on his lips—a refreshing sweetness.
This was their first kiss!
The unexpected setting and timing didn't feel out of place. It was as if it had been destined all along…
Ning Fengzhi covered his face with his hand. "My dignity… My dignity as a father has been completely thrown away by this little girl…"
Even Xue Qinghe's face twitched. "Rongrong is truly…"
Instead of being angry, Xue Ye the Great burst into hearty laughter. "Qinghe, let it go. If we forcibly separate them, we'll become the villains in this story. I wouldn't want the Heaven Dou imperial family to fall out with the future master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"…Understood."
Xue Qinghe agreed, though her gaze lingered not on Ning Rongrong but on Qin Jian's strikingly handsome face, her expression unreadable.
"All right…"
Qin Jian finally pulled away first.
"Now even the rumors won't spread, thanks to you, Rongrong. Well done…" he whispered into her ear with a smile.
Even he hadn't anticipated such a bold move, yet the thrill of the moment was something he would cherish forever.
This fiery, youthful love!
"Mmm…"
Ning Rongrong, her anger subsiding, was suddenly overwhelmed with shyness.
She quickly buried her small face into Qin Jian's chest…
Seeing her behavior, Ning Fengzhi shook his head and turned to Sword Douluo. "Uncle Sword, I think we should strike while the iron is hot. How about we set their engagement today? His Majesty is here as a witness."
Sword Douluo smiled faintly. "I think it's a good idea."
"Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi approached and lightly patted her head. "What about you? Are you still opposed to this now?"
"…No, I'm not," Ning Rongrong murmured, her voice muffled as she clung to Qin Jian.
"And you, Qin Jian? Are you willing to be engaged to Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi turned to him.
Qin Jian froze for a moment, clearly not expecting things to escalate so quickly.
He glanced at Sword Douluo, then at Xue Qinghe, before finally looking down at the girl in his arms…
"I…"
He spoke softly but resolutely, "I'm willing, and I will never regret it for the rest of my life."
Ning Rongrong's entire body trembled. She lifted her head abruptly, locking eyes with Qin Jian. "Me too!"
She blurted out.
"Hahaha! I originally intended to arrange an engagement for Qinghe, but it seems we've instead brought this young couple together…"
Xue Ye the Great showed no signs of displeasure. Instead, he said warmly, "In that case, let me, on behalf of the imperial family, draft a marriage contract to officially bear witness to their engagement. What do you think?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled and gave a slight bow. "Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
He understood this was Xue Ye's way of salvaging the situation—turning a failed political maneuver into a goodwill gesture.
It also helped dissipate any resentment from Ning Rongrong and Qin Jian. Such imperial cunning was truly impressive.
Although, in truth, Ning Fengzhi had long been looking for an opportunity to formalize the engagement between Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong.
As Xue Ye the Great and Xue Qinghe departed, Xue Qinghe suddenly paused beside Qin Jian.
"Brother Qin…"
Her radiant smile caught Qin Jian off guard.
"Don't forget our agreement," she said softly.
"What agreement?" Qin Jian asked, puzzled.
Xue Qinghe chuckled lightly and replied, "The one about whether or not you'll accept… and whether or not we'll end up together."
"Uh…"
Qin Jian scratched his head, feeling at a loss.
He truly couldn't figure out what this heir to the Spirit Hall was plotting.
"Hahaha…"
Xue Qinghe left with a laugh…
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