100: We cannot abandon it

But facing Nangong Yu's eye-roll, Shangguan Yuexi merely smiled slightly before turning her head to look behind her.

She looked at Su Xingmeng, who had been following close by, her expression showing a hint of curiosity.

Seeing her gaze fall upon Su Xingmeng, Nangong Yu explained, "Mother, Sister Xingmeng came to the Martial Arts Arena with me today. I even introduced her to Eldest Imperial Sister and the others."

"After the conflict with Nangong Jinglin, I was worried that if he didn't dare touch me, he might take his anger out on Sister Xingmeng, so I invited her to stay with me temporarily during this period!"

Shangguan Yuexi nodded slightly. "Your concern might not be unfounded. Just now, I noticed Nangong Jinglin's gaze was unsettling. He might really try to harm this girl. I'm very happy that you considered this."

Hearing this, Su Xingmeng's expression flickered. Even the Grand Consort of Zhenbei said so—could their guess really be correct? Was that person truly so narrow-minded?

Su Xingmeng gently took a breath and said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Highness the Grand Consort, and thank you, Little Prince!"

"No need to be polite!"

Shangguan Yuexi shook her head slightly. "To be honest, you were dragged into this because of Yuer. It is only right that we let you stay with us and protect you for a while."

"Thank you, Your Highness the Grand Consort!"

Su Xingmeng didn't know what else to say and could only thank her again.

Shangguan Yuexi smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Before long, the group reached a side gate leading to the Inner Palace. Nangong Ruoxue said goodbye to them and left with a reluctant expression.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi couldn't help but shake her head slightly, looking at Nangong Yu, who was holding her hand, and smiling, "I don't know what's so special about you, Little Fellow, that your Imperial Elder Sister Ruo Xue likes spending time with you so much?"

Nangong Yu blinked, raising his eyes to ask, "Mother, am I not good?"

"Of course you are!"

Looking at his soft, adorable appearance, Shangguan Yuexi quickly smiled. "My Yuer, to me, you are the best in the world!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yu smiled happily. "Mother is also the best in the world!"

"Hehehe, both of you are the best!"

The sound of their cheerful laughter flowed continuously, making Su Xingmeng, who was following behind, show a look of envy.

The journey was uneventful!

Before long, the group returned to the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence.

Nangong Yu spoke up and instructed, "Qing Ling, first take Sister Xingmeng to the Inner Courtyard, arrange a place for her to sleep, and then bring her over for dinner."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Qing Ling agreed, turned to look at Su Xingmeng, and said, "Young Miss Xingmeng, please follow me!"

"Thank you, Little Prince!"

Su Xingmeng agreed and left with Qing Ling.

Watching the two leave, Shangguan Yuexi turned her head and smiled. "Yuer, is there anything special about this Su Xingmeng? You seem to treat her quite uniquely!"

Nangong Yu shook his head. "I'm not sure, but I feel a sense of familiarity, so I'm getting to know her for now. Mother, have you checked into her background?"

"I have checked!" Shangguan Yuexi nodded. "This Su Xingmeng seems to have only arrived in Qingyou Imperial City in the last two days. Yesterday, His Majesty decreed a reward, allowing her entry into the Supervision Office. We haven't found any other information yet!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yu nodded slightly. "She said her Spiritual Root is unusual, and she lacks a suitable Cultivation Technique to Cultivate. She is currently still at the Body Tempering Realm Peak. For a person like this to be rewarded by Imperial Uncle just two days after arriving, she must have something special about her."

"Indeed!" Shangguan Yuexi nodded. "Mother thinks so too."

She paused here and said hesitantly, "Yuer, this Su Xingmeng seems to be somewhat special, and the nature of that specialty is unknown. How about you stop interacting with her?"

"Mother, why is that?" Nangong Yu asked, looking puzzled.

Shangguan Yuexi shook her head slightly, squatted down, and stroked Nangong Yu's head. "Mother just wants you to be safe and hopes you won't get involved in any disputes."

Hearing this, Nangong Yu's eyes flickered. He couldn't resist giving his mother's peerless face a kiss.

Then, he shook his head and said, "Mother, don't worry too much. Regardless of any disputes, with Mother and Aunt Shen protecting me, what trouble could there possibly be?"

"Furthermore, Yuer has already interacted with her, and she might even be implicated because of me. I can't just abandon her, can I?"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi shook her head slightly. "Alright, as long as Yuer is happy!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

Nangong Yu smiled happily upon hearing this reply.

The group arrived at the dining hall, where the meal was already prepared.

Soon, Qing Ling brought Su Xingmeng over.

At this moment, Su Xingmeng was clad in a white dress whiter than snow, her robes billowing lightly, looking like a Fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

Her cold, beautiful face faintly revealed a hint of playfulness and agility, creating a contrasting beauty.

Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, smoothly hanging down to her waist, with a few playful strands scattered on both sides of her face, swaying gently in the breeze.

She wore a simple white jade hairpin in her hair, lightly binding her long locks, adding a touch of elegance.

"Oh!"

Nangong Yu let out a soft exclamation and laughed, "I knew why Sister Xingmeng was disguised as a man. Walking around outside with such peerless beauty is indeed very dangerous."

"After all, rumor has it that the outside world isn't very friendly toward stunning women, especially those with low cultivation levels!"

Hearing this, Su Xingmeng smiled slightly, a smile that could topple cities and states.

"Xingmeng greets Your Highness the Grand Consort, greets the Little Prince, and thanks the Little Prince for his praise!"

"Rise."

Shangguan Yuexi shook her head slightly and laughed, "Yuer wasn't wrong. Your appearance is truly extraordinary. If you travel outside without taking precautions and without protection, it is indeed very dangerous."

Su Xingmeng smiled gracefully. "Your Highness the Grand Consort speaks the truth. This is also why Xingmeng was disguised as a man. I hope Your Highness will not take offense!"

Shangguan Yuexi smiled faintly. "No worries. Come quickly and eat first!"

"Thank you, Your Highness the Grand Consort!"

Su Xingmeng bowed slightly in thanks, and without further ceremony, sat down next to Nangong Yu.

"Please start eating. Don't be constrained!"

...Imperial Palace, Fengxian Hall.

Nangong Aotian looked gloomily into the distance, his expression slightly displeased.

'Truly ignorant of favors!'

He had just received news that Song Ning of the Song family had tragically died in the Huaiyue Tower.

Before this, Song Ning had sent a trusted subordinate to the Yellow Springs Tower branch in the Black Market, intending to hire an assassin!

But only three breaths after his subordinate completed the transaction to hire the assassin, Song Ning was killed.

The two women accompanying him were unharmed, but Song Ning was publicly dismembered, his Divine Soul shattered and dissipated between heaven and earth.

A dignified Cultivator at the Late Stage Deity Transformation Realm died tragically in broad daylight, yet not a trace of the killer was found.

What a major cold case!

Nangong Aotian's gaze was profound, and he thought inwardly, 'Are those people really protecting Su Xingmeng in secret?'