148: A marriage alliance with the Spirit Hall?

Prince Xue Xing heard Xue Qinghe's somewhat Yin and Yang tone.

His expression looked a bit strained; was Xue Qinghe teasing, or what did he mean?

"Haha, Qinghe means that the relationship between you master and disciple is truly enviable."

Fearing that Xue Qinghe might anger Bibi Dong, Prince Xue Xing hurriedly added a sentence with a smile.

Bibi Dong acted as if she hadn't heard, her expression as calm as ever.

Su Wen, however, was amused in his heart.

Is Xue Qinghe jealous of me?

To test his theory, he supported Bibi Dong all the way to the palace hall.

Feeling those large, irresistible hands constantly on her slender waist, Bibi Dong could only try her best to calm her emotions; breaking free at this moment would instead cause her to lose Face.

At the palace entrance stood an old man with hair and beard as white as snow.

He wore a Dragon robe of white and gold, with an imperial crown set with gold and diamonds on his head. His features were rugged, and his eyes were sharp. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw Bibi Dong and Su Wen.

Beside him was a little girl with striking silver-white hair. Her Face was small and exquisite, her chubby cheeks very cute. Wearing a silver-white ceremonial dress, her large eyes watched with a clear, innocent gaze.

"Your Holiness, Supreme Pontiff, please!"

Emperor Xue Ye stepped forward a few paces, his Face covered in a fake smile.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly and, with her long legs, took the lead in walking into the hall.

Emperor Xue Ye was somewhat displeased by this indifferent attitude, but he said nothing, maintaining a standard aristocratic smile.

Su Wen saw that Emperor Xue Ye did not look like he had mobility issues as Xue Qinghe had claimed.

He seemed quite energetic.

Looking at the old man's condition...

...living for another dozen years or so shouldn't be a problem.

Under normal circumstances, it seemed it would be that long.

He was somewhat speechless. Since Xue Qinghe was already the Crown Prince, shouldn't he speed things up? Why was he still procrastinating?

Were the guards around Emperor Xue Ye that strict?

There were only three tables at the banquet in the hall. Su Wen didn't see anyone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, or even other nobles.

He was a bit surprised; today's banquet really seemed to be just a simple reception.

These three tables were well-placed, with no distinction in rank. After they were seated, Emperor Xue Ye apologized again for the matter regarding Xue Beng, followed by the usual polite exchanges between nobles.

Su Wen found it boring and sat beside Bibi Dong, leisurely eating.

Occasionally, he would pick up some food for Bibi Dong, and she would taste it slightly.

However, from time to time, the little girl next to Emperor Xue Ye would glance at him. When Su Wen looked over, she would turn her head away in fear.

"Imperial Father, our Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall should grow closer."

"His Highness the Holy Son is a man of great talent. Why not grant him a marriage with Princess Xue Ke? Let the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall become relatives and eternal allies!"

At the otherwise normal banquet, Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke these words, nearly causing the chopsticks in Su Wen's hand to drop.

He looked at Xue Qinghe with a strange expression. What did this woman mean?

Wasn't she infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire to take power? Why the marriage alliance?

He glanced at Bibi Dong and saw her expression was normal, as if she already knew.

Su Wen finally understood why Snake Lance Douluo had suddenly come over.

"Your Highness Su Wen, how do you feel? You are the esteemed Holy Son of Spirit Hall, of noble status, and my Heaven Dou Empire's princess is no less. Furthermore, our princess possesses the noble Swan Spirit and can assist you in the future. If you two unite, you would become an enviable couple."

Xue Qinghe looked at Su Wen with a meaningful smile, a hint of vengeance in her eyes.

She had planned it; this marriage contract held no loss for the Spirit Hall.

In fact, it would indirectly pull the Heaven Dou Empire toward the Spirit Hall, after which it wouldn't be a problem for Spirit Masters from the Spirit Hall to openly operate within the Heaven Dou City legions.

She had already discussed it with Emperor Xue Ye many times, and he had basically agreed.

For a country without a Titled Douluo, the Spirit Hall was a massive backer. While it could also harm the Empire, Emperor Xue Ye knew that if the Heaven Dou Empire didn't make some changes, it would sooner or later be consumed by the Star Luo Empire, even without the Spirit Hall.

"Xue Ke?"

Su Wen finally understood why that girl kept looking at him.

She was likely the Heaven Dou Empire's Princess Xue Ke.

She's even younger than Tang San.

Her Spirit probably hasn't even undergone Awakening yet, right?!

Xue Ke felt his gaze and instinctively lowered her head.

Her Face was flushed red; it was unclear whether it was from fear or shyness.

"We shall discuss this later!"

Bibi Dong suddenly spoke.

"Yes, yes, they are still young. There's no rush!"

Emperor Xue Ye spoke up at the right moment.

But in his heart, he was somewhat disappointed.

The relationship between the Saint and the Supreme Pontiff was very good. If the marriage alliance succeeded and the Saint became the Supreme Pontiff in the future, Xue Ke would be able to help Qinghe manage the Empire.

But the imperial family valued Face above all; since Bibi Dong had said so...

...he wouldn't be thick-skinned enough to press the matter.

Xue Qinghe was somewhat displeased; if Bibi Dong had just nodded at this moment, the matter would have been essentially settled.

She could have shortened her infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire by many years.

After Xue Qinghe sat down again, she saw Su Wen staring at her.

She trembled slightly, then revealed a standard smile.

When the dinner ended, Su Wen and Bibi Dong left the palace directly.

Returning to the Crown Princes Mansion, the chill on Xue Qinghe's Face was hard to conceal.

Snake Lance Douluo cautiously approached: "Young Lord, let's just drop this matter. Her Holiness should have new plans."

"Hehe!"

Hearing this, the corners of Xue Qinghe's mouth curled up slightly, letting out a cold laugh that even made Snake Lance Douluo feel a chill.

"I think she just can't bear to let her own disciple be happy. I didn't expect Bibi Dong to care about him even more than I imagined. Today, she even let him support her—I've never seen that before, never even heard of it. Not even with my father..."

Snake Lance Douluo remained silent. He had already heard that it wasn't because the marriage alliance failed, but rather... jealousy!

...On the other side, Su Wen and Bibi Dong returned to the Spirit Hall branch.

Bibi Dong prepared to rest here for the night and leave Heaven Dou City early tomorrow morning.

"Teacher, do you think a marriage alliance between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall is appropriate?"

Inside the room, Bibi Dong walked out of the bathroom, her snow-white, slender legs gleaming beneath her nightgown as she walked with overlapping steps.

Hearing Su Wen's words, Bibi Dong frowned, her heart tightening slightly.

"Are you tempted?"

"No, I just think it wouldn't hurt the Spirit Hall or the Heaven Dou Empire. It would essentially tie this Empire to our war chariot."

"But I'm not suitable. Xue Ke is too young. Nana, on the other hand, would be fine."

Su Wen suggested with a smile.

"Hmm?"

Bibi Dong's chest relaxed slightly, and she looked at him in confusion: "What do you mean?"

"Nana could be paired with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe!"

Su Wen said with a hint of teasing.

He was very curious.

When would Bibi Dong be willing to tell him Xue Qinghe's true identity?

"Nana?"

Bibi Dong immediately thought of some things, a flash of complexity in her eyes.

Without even thinking, she rejected it: "Nana won't do either. She's not suitable. That girl has no other men in her eyes at all!"