Zhu Zhuqing walked slowly, each graceful step carrying her closer to Northern Jiangsu. Under the faint glow of the hall, her beautiful face was reflected before him like a delicate painting.
Northern Jiangsu turned slightly, eyes meeting hers, and for just a moment, Zhu Zhuqing froze in place, completely captivated.
System Notification
"[Xiao AI congratulates the host on signing in to Douluo goddess Zhu Zhuqing and obtaining the following rewards.]"
"[①: Soul power increased by two levels.]"
"[②: Physical fitness enhanced by 10%.]"
"[③: Special affinity skill acquired — Cat Rolling Hands. Host gains natural compatibility with cat-type martial spirits. Touching, rubbing, and other intimate physical contacts will grant the other party comfort and pleasure.]"
As always, the little voice of Xiao AI inside Northern Jiangsu's mind automatically settled the sign-in and delivered the rewards without him lifting a finger.
Northern Jiangsu's gaze lingered on Zhu Zhuqing. Before him stood a girl with lips as delicate as pink pearls, slightly parted in nervousness. Her breathing grew quicker, her chest rising and falling with a rhythm almost like storm waves crashing against the shore.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't believe it. She had been told countless tales and rumors about the so-called Prince of the Hall. Yet standing this close, she realized one thing—
All the legends were false.
The stories she had heard weren't simply exaggerations… they didn't even begin to capture reality.
Because His Highness Northern Jiangsu was no longer a child.
His refined, handsome features, his tall and straight posture, the aura of calm that surrounded him—all of it combined into something that made her feel a strange sense of safety and warmth just by standing beside him.
At only eleven years old, he was already a head taller than her. Looking at him, it was impossible not to imagine how easily he would tower over her, lift her, protect her—make her his.
Their eyes locked, and the air between them seemed to soften, charged with an unspoken emotion.
The beautiful moment was broken, however, by a familiar lively voice.
Xiao Wu Cuts In
"Who are you? I don't think I've seen you before," Xiao Wu interrupted, stepping into the tense atmosphere.
Scratching her head, she squinted suspiciously at the girl hiding partly behind a tree in the hall courtyard. "And what are you doing skulking back there? Did you sneak in?"
"I… I…"
Zhu Zhuqing blushed furiously, her eyes sneaking toward Northern Jiangsu as she whispered almost timidly, "My name is Zhu Zhuqing. I'm… one of the Tianjiao Class recruits His Highness accepted a few days ago."
Xiao Wu blinked, then gave her a casual nod. She glanced at Northern Jiangsu, sighed dramatically, and muttered under her breath, "Figures. After bullying me, he quickly finds some other girl. Hmph, so playful (╯^╰)."
Looking past Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu's attention shifted again. "And you? Hiding back there—come out!"
The Unknown Girl
Another figure stepped out, hesitantly, almost apologetically. It was a young "girl," though something about her drew puzzled expressions.
"Hey? Why do you look so familiar? Have we met before?" Xiao Wu asked, tilting her head.
Walking closer, she gasped. "Wait—you're that waitress from the temple? No… that can't be right. The waitresses are all very pretty. But you… you have this strange… I don't know, kind of annoying smell about you."
Her ears twitched suspiciously, then she recoiled instantly, running back to Northern Jiangsu's side like a startled rabbit.
Shaking her head, Xiao Wu huffed, then gestured properly. "Anyway, my name's Xiao Wu. I'm eleven years old. This here is my brother, His Highness Northern Jiangsu."
Zhu Zhuqing quickly lowered her head, bowed slightly, and introduced herself formally. It was clear she wanted to show respect but wasn't entirely sure if a handshake—or even a hug—was appropriate.
Northern Jiangsu chuckled warmly and reached out to softly pat her head. His palm lingered there, brushing lightly against her silky hair. "You've been living in the temple for several days now. Anything you're not getting used to?"
Zhu Zhuqing's blush deepened instantly. A mist seemed to cover her eyes as she quickly shook her head. "Not at all! The scenery at Shenyan Hall is beautiful, the food delicious, and the waitress sisters are all very kind. I have nothing to complain about. I… I had always heard of your Highness's reputation but never had the chance to see it for myself until now."
Northern Jiangsu smiled faintly. "And now that you've seen it?"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled slightly as she said, "It's better to meet in person than to admire from afar. Your Highness is even more extraordinary than the rumors claimed."
Her voice carried a trace of raw admiration. Truly, there were no words eloquent enough to describe the feeling.
But it wasn't just admiration. As Northern Jiangsu's palm gently caressed the top of her head, slowly rubbing in soothing motions, a wave of comfort washed over her. Her body tingled, her heart pounded, and an almost scandalous thought crossed her mind—if he kept rubbing like this, she might not be able to hold back a soft cry.
It was a feeling so strange, yet so unbearably addictive.
Another System Reward
"[Congratulations to the host for completing the task: Cat Head Pat Kill. Activation of special reward—gain an enhancement to absorption speed and reflex, borrow agility characteristics of the Nether Civet, and option to share cultivation improvements with Zhu Zhuqing.]"
"[Please select one of the following feedback options:]"
"①: Boost agility by 20%, increasing speed-related skills."
"②: Boost soul power cultivation by 20%, accelerating growth."
"③: Upgrade Nether Civet Martial Spirit by one evolution stage (results lower at partial stage)."
Northern Jiangsu didn't hesitate. He selected the third.
The system confirmed: "[Choice successful. Daily interaction with Zhu Zhuqing now promotes her Nether Civet Martial Spirit evolution by 1% each time. Accumulation required—please devoutly continue rolling the cat for true results.]"
A moment later, it chimed again: "[Detected host's affectionate gesture. Additional 1% increase granted.]"
Northern Jiangsu was momentarily taken aback. Was the system suggesting he… become her teacher? After all, students recruited into Shenyan Temple needed proper guidance, and who else but him could teach them?
Although the idea of teaching brought dangerous distractions to his mind. Should lessons take place on the sofa? In the kitchen? The bathroom? Or perhaps in the depths of the forest during a 'hunting session'?
Smiling to himself, he set aside the thoughts and said softly, "Titles don't matter. What matters is this—welcome to Shenyan Hall. From today forward, this will be your home. No one will dare bully you here."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sparkled with emotion. Inwardly, she thought: The Hall Lord's brother isn't only handsome beyond compare—his words alone make me feel completely safe.
Suspicion Falls Elsewhere
But Xiao Wu was less dreamy. She eyed the unknown girl again, ears twitching suspiciously. "Brother… don't you think she looks a little like Xiao San?"
"Xiao San?" Northern Jiangsu joked. "What? Tang San? That one? He's supposed to be good-looking. She's just… average. Compared to Xiao Wu, it's the difference between heaven and earth."
Xiao Wu stomped her foot. "Yes! Tang San!"
Northern Jiangsu raised his brows, studying the girl again. And yes… now that he looked closer, there was something oddly familiar about her demeanor.
But how could Tang San…
Before he could finish, the "girl" panicked. Her eyes involuntarily lingered on Northern Jiangsu's face—filled with strange complexity: admiration, sorrow, longing. Then, without a word, she spun around and ran away.
"Eh? She just ran?!" Xiao Wu gasped, shaken. "If she was really one of those weird girls obsessed with you, brother, she would've thrown herself at you. This is… odd."
Northern Jiangsu frowned. Her movements—fast, fluid, practiced. Recognition clicked in his mind.
He ordered a maid, "Go! Check who she is. Few people can move so freely through the temple grounds."
Moments later, a panting waitress returned. "Your Highness… we checked. That girl showed a token. She was… Tang San's third young master."
"Sure enough…" Northern Jiangsu and Xiao Wu exchanged a look.
Tang San's Peculiar Path
"Seriously?! Tang San was cross-dressing?" Xiao Wu threw her hands up. Then giggled. "Now I think about it… he was kinda cute…"
Northern Jiangsu shook his head firmly. "I don't get what he's doing anymore. Can cross-dressing be addictive?"
Zhu Zhuqing nearly choked. "Wait—he's a man?! No wonder he kept quiet. He must've been terrified we would notice."
Northern Jiangsu's gaze darkened slightly. "I'll have to talk with him. Something's not right. That's not the Tang San I know."
In truth, in his impression, Tang San had always been someone small-minded—selfish, cunning, but working in his own narrow logic. But what he was seeing now… dressing as a girl, sneaking, acting strangely—it sent frustration through him.
Tang San possessed the Xuantian Baolu, a cultivation art that could make one a master even on Douluo Continent. Northern Jiangsu had left him alone to study freely. But instead of rising in strength, it seemed Tang San was… practicing makeup.
Absolutely infuriating.
"A disciple of ghosts and snakes, training in rouge and skirts… You're supposed to be the protagonist of the original. Can you not be so disappointing?"
Yet even Northern Jiangsu hadn't realized—Tang San's odd behavior all stemmed from a dangerous attraction. Tang San had already fallen into obsession with Northern Jiangsu…
Tang San's Inner Thoughts
Inside a lonely room, Tang San sat before a mirror. He peeled away the makeup, his plain male features reemerging. He sighed, packing away cosmetics, before muttering bitterly to himself.
"I've succeeded for the most part. They didn't recognize me. Even Xiao Wu and… him… didn't see through it. My makeup is good enough. But my movements, my voice, my grace as a woman… all need much more training."
His fists clenched. "I'll learn. I'll learn from the maids he favors. He once praised a dancer—soft, delicate… I'll emulate her. Perfect myself until even he cannot turn away."
But one issue remained.
"This face." Tang San touched his cheek miserably. "Not handsome. Not delicate. Compared to Xiao Wu… or even Bibi Dong… I pale completely. If I'm to compete, I need beauty. At least a little more, enough to raise my value."
Pulling open a drawer, he retrieved a small notebook filled with scribbles and formulas. "A prescription… a method to reshape the face. Risky, yes. Experimental… But if it succeeds, it will be revolutionary. It has to be."
His eyes gleamed with madness and determination. "I will succeed. I will stand at his side. Not Tang San the man, but Tang San the woman he cannot ignore."
--
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