When Ning Yuyao first stepped into the palace, that was indeed what she thought.

Zhu Li's face is indeed very striking in public, but compared to Shen Yunhao, it's hard to say who is better!

Looks don't determine everything...

until……

As she got closer, she shifted her gaze down a few degrees from Zhu Li's face.

Then the foot that had just stepped out froze in mid-air...

A moment later, the girl stopped walking and lowered her head.

His previously nonchalant expression suddenly turned very serious.

It was as if she had encountered some kind of nemesis that she couldn't control!

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhu Li regained her composure and began to scrutinize Ning Yuyao.

She is indeed a stunning beauty, and more importantly, she possesses an ethereal quality that Zhuli lacks.

After all, in front of Shen Yunhao, Zhu Li was just a silly little thing who always needed to be coaxed, and she could never show such temperament.

only……

Zhu Li proudly puffed out her chest.

He's just a little kid, not even close to me!

At this moment, the most puzzled person was undoubtedly Nie Qingshuang, the head of the palace.

She's racking her brains but still can't figure out what kind of relationship the two girls have—whether they know each other or not.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly frowned.

"There's a murderous aura!"

Looking down, Ning Yuyao had already stopped in the middle of the hall, her slightly raised eyes flashing with an extremely aggressive and dangerous look that had never appeared on her before!

Like a hedgehog with its feathers bristling, if it weren't for her master still standing there, Nie Qingshuang had no doubt that this girl would have drawn her sword on the spot!

That hint of killing intent emanated from Ning Yuyao.

And her goal...

Um?

Why is this girl staring at other people's chests?

Could it be that something terrible is threatening her somewhere?

Is it a magic weapon or a murder weapon?

Why didn't I feel it?

Of course... based on Nie Qingshuang's understanding of her disciple, she would definitely not think about female rivalry.

That's really ridiculous.

"Master..."

Just then, Ying Tangtang, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, walked in at the entrance of the main hall: "Disciple is late. I met Senior Uncle Hua outside the hall, which delayed me a little..."

Ying Tangtang was unaware of the strange atmosphere inside the hall and simply strode forward.

Until one moment, Ning Yuyao looked at the candlelight in front of her and suddenly spoke...

"How old is Aunt Zhuli?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Ying Tangtang's foot, which had just been in mid-air, remained suspended in the air for several minutes before slowly retracting.

"How could this be...where is this strong smell of gunpowder coming from?"

Nie Qingshuang was completely dumbfounded.

What's going on?

Why does the atmosphere feel... increasingly off?

Compared to the others, Zhuli's reaction was undeniably exaggerated.

She was so taken aback by Ning Yuyao's question that she took two steps back, her mind went blank for a moment, and she began to question the meaning of life.

It was as if a straight, long spear had pierced her heart.

The word "Auntie" was written on the tip of the gun.

The gun barrel is inscribed with "Your Age".

Honestly... this is the first time in her life she's been asked this question!

Are you being polite?

A moment later, Zhuli came to her senses and took a deep breath.

Then she crossed her arms, squeezing her chest into an exaggerated arc, her tone utterly ruthless.

"A little bit older than eighteen!"

A little bit bigger...

A little bit bigger...

Ning Yuyao was struck as if by a heavy blow; her face turned pale, and she staggered back two steps!

Even if Ying Tangtang were stupid, she would have sensed that something was wrong. Without hesitation, she turned around and walked out of the hall: "Master, this disciple still has evening lessons to do, so I will take my leave now..."

However, she was nowhere near as fast as Nie Qingshuang.

With a flash of blue light, the beautiful woman in palace attire was already stuck in the path that Ying Tangtang had to pass.

"It's only morning, there's no need to rush to do evening classes..."

Ying Tangtang: "..."

Nie Qingshuang coughed twice and said calmly, "I still have some matters to attend to in the palace. Tangtang, why don't you stay and take care of the guests for me?"

"Since this is a matter for the temple, why did Master go outside?"

Nie Qingshuang: "..."

However, Nie Qingshuang naturally wouldn't play any word games with her. She waved her hand lightly and said, "They've come from afar as guests, so remember to take good care of them... Don't cause any conflict or fighting, or you'll ruin the hospitality of Qingyou Palace! If anything happens, I'll hold you responsible!"

It's unclear who she was speaking to, but as soon as she finished speaking, Nie Qingshuang disappeared, leaving Ying Tangtang completely bewildered.

On the other side, Ning Yuyao bit her lip and mustered her courage once again: "How much is 'a little bit'? How many Jiazi (sexagenary cycles) are there?"

You son of a bitch!

They're not that old.

At most... at most, you could be my great-grandmother...

Zhu Li didn't answer directly, but instead used a different approach, saying, "Not by much, anyway, it's just older than yours..."

"you!"

Ning Yuyao gritted her teeth angrily: "I think Aunt Zhuli should stop showing off in public. She's so old, she should go back to Beihai to get married and have children! Otherwise, she'll be unwanted when she's old and have to go and snatch someone else's..."

The word "Auntie" almost broke Zhu Li's defenses again.

If Zhu Li still couldn't see through Ning Yu Yao's intentions after such aggressive and targeted words, then she would truly be a fool.

He immediately retorted, "Marriage is something only humans should consider. We dragons disdain it. Isn't it more useful for two people to travel across the rivers and seas together and have a bunch of dragon babies than that piece of paper? In the end, it's just a bunch of complicated constraints!"

"A good match is preordained by heaven, a perfect couple is made, mandarin ducks compose music, and beautiful paintings are created. How could you possibly understand the meaning of the word 'husband and wife'!"

Ning Yuyao, unlike her usual tongue-tied self, actually spoke quite eloquently.

"Tch! What's the point of a marriage without love, held together by just a piece of paper?"

Zhu Li curled her lips: "It used to be an engagement, and now it's a preordained marriage. What kind of preordained marriage is this? It's clearly a deliberate act... I've really learned something new. How can someone use moral blackmail like this and still make it sound so righteous?"

"Moral blackmail?" Ning Yuyao was slightly taken aback.

"It may seem like genuine sincerity and no regrets, but in reality it's all about constraints! If a couple can only maintain their relationship with these messy things, then it's better if the marriage doesn't work out!"

"..."

Ying Tangtang, listening from behind, had a complete mental blank, clutching her head with a look of utter confusion: "What? What are you talking about? What are you two even discussing? It's just about persuading someone to get married, how did it turn into such a grand pronouncement?"

"snort!"

Ning Yuyao snorted: "My relationship with Yunhao isn't maintained by these things! How can an outsider understand the feelings between husband and wife?"