The Duke of Youming's Mansion.
Unable to refuse Su Cheng's request, Zhu Zhuqing finally took him back to her home after the semester ended.
The two stood at the grand entrance of the Duke's mansion and knocked on the gate.
A moment later, the gate was opened by the servants.
Seeing Su Cheng standing beside Zhu Zhuqing, a hint of surprise flashed across their faces, but they said nothing.
They bowed in unison, saying, "Fourth Miss."
Fourth Miss?
Su Cheng was somewhat surprised.
He really didn't know how many daughters the Zhu family had; he hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to have three older sisters.
The custom of marriage between the Star Luo royal family and the Zhu family was to select the most talented couples from each family and be engaged from childhood.
Of course, besides the first betrothed couple, the later ones served more as an incentive, essentially victims of this bloody system.
After all, the talent gap between outstanding heirs was extremely limited, and the advantage of age often became an insurmountable chasm.
Unless the chosen one was blessed with continuous good fortune, or the older one deliberately slacked off, the latter had almost no chance of surpassing them.
However, under the brutal competitive system of the Star Luo Empire, coupled with the covetous eyes of newcomers, how could the first-in-line heir possibly relax their cultivation?
This also meant that the chances of success for people like Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were actually extremely slim.
They could be considered the most unlucky children in the family.
But other descendants who were not chosen as heirs for marriage might have a much better fate.
After entering the mansion, the two walked towards the main hall under the guidance of servants.
Su Cheng casually looked around at the scenery, secretly sighing.
It can only be said that the Youming Zhu family is indeed a powerful family in the Star Luo Empire, second only to the royal family. The area of the Duke's mansion alone is many times larger than the Marquis's mansion where he grew up.
The surrounding area is even more magnificent with carved beams and painted pillars, and the fences and pillars are all built of precious purple yew and golden nanmu wood. The glazed tiles on the walls and roofs shimmered with dazzling light under the afterglow of the setting sun.
The group moved swiftly and silently through the front hall and garden, arriving at the main hall entrance.
The servants who had led the way withdrew, and Su Cheng followed Zhu Zhuqing into the main hall.
Although it was already dinnertime, only Duke Zhu Hongtao of the Netherworld and his wife were present; Zhu Zhuyun and the other young ladies of the Zhu family were nowhere to be seen.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, maintaining her expressionless and aloof demeanor, and greeted them curtly, "Father, Mother."
The atmosphere was indeed strange.
Su Cheng, sensing something amiss, also stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This junior is Su Cheng of the Fire Leopard Sect, Zhuqing's classmate in the academy. Greetings, Your Excellency, Duke and Duchess."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him but said nothing more.
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhu Hongtao's eyes—wasn't this the emperor's illegitimate son?
However, this expression was fleeting and he didn't seem to care much.
He appeared indifferent to Su Cheng's arrival, showing no particular reaction, his attitude neither warm nor cold.
He nodded to him and said calmly, "So you're the young master of the Su family. No need for formalities. Since you're here, let's have dinner together."
No, this attitude wasn't just directed at him.
Even towards Zhu Zhuqing, his biological daughter whom he hadn't seen for a year, he maintained the same unusually calm demeanor.
"Xiaoqing, please sit down as well."
Upon hearing this, the two took their seats at the luxurious dining table in the hall.
Su Cheng silently observed the expressions of the Zhu family members.
The atmosphere was indeed a bit strange.
No, not just a bit strange, it was extremely strange.
Although the hall's decor was magnificent and exceptionally luxurious, and the food on the table was equally sumptuous and delicious,
he felt as if he were eating his last meal in a death row prison, the entire atmosphere extremely oppressive.
During the meal, the group remained silent, and Su Cheng suppressed his discomfort, using this opportunity to secretly observe Zhu Hongtao.
This observation was extremely subtle.
Most of the time, he only used his peripheral vision to glance at him.
After all, the other party was a powerful expert with a cultivation level as high as Soul Douluo; if he wasn't careful, he would easily be discovered, arousing the other party's vigilance and suspicion.
In the ensuing silence, the group quickly finished their dinner.
Servants then entered the hall to clear away the dishes and the large amount of food left on the table.
The four of them took their seats, host and guest, and began to rest and chat.
The main conversation revolved around Zhu Hongtao and Zhu Zhuqing, exchanging questions and answers.
They briefly inquired about the current situation at the academy and their cultivation progress.
Both Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing had already broken through level ten, adding their first spirit ring to their martial souls and becoming spirit masters.
This cultivation speed was extremely fast, even considering their innate spirit power levels.
However, Zhu Hongtao didn't offer much comment,
simply nodding and moving on from the topic.
Throughout the conversation, Zhu Zhuqing simply recounted her experiences at the academy, without mentioning a single word about them.
Su Cheng observed coldly, unsurprised by her approach.
This wasn't just a matter of personality; it was simply because speaking was pointless.
He clearly saw it all.
Zhu Hongtao's words, seemingly concerned, were actually devoid of any real substance.
The question-and-answer session was merely routine, even somewhat perfunctory.
Zhu Zhuqing was likely aware of this.
The conversation didn't last long.
Less than half an hour later, Zhu Zhuqing's parents left together.
Only then did the oppressive atmosphere finally ease slightly.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, seemed quite used to this, her expression remaining unchanged.
Seeing them leave the hall, her eyes silently glanced at Su Cheng,
clearly indicating that he should also leave.
Su Cheng feigned ignorance, stood up, stretched slightly, and then
turned to look at her, smiling as he said, "Let's go to your room. I'll be leaving
after a while." Zhu Zhuqing felt a sudden unease upon hearing this.
It wasn't that she was worried Su Cheng would do anything to her.
That room was her only private space.
In this home, and even in this world, only that place could give her a semblance of security.
However, seeing Su Cheng's expression, she ultimately didn't refuse. She
silently turned and walked out of the hall towards her bedroom.
Su Cheng followed silently behind.
"As expected of the Duke's mansion, it's truly luxurious, much better than where I live."
After entering the room, Su Cheng casually looked around and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
This was the truth.
Zhu Zhuqing's room wasn't just a single bedroom; it was more like a complete detached house.
A front hall, main hall, bedroom, side hall, and other individual rooms were all present and exceptionally spacious.
Although the Su family was considered a wealthy family in the Star Luo Empire, they were clearly far inferior to the Zhu family.
Su Cheng had lived a life of luxury since childhood, his living conditions no less comfortable than they had been in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Compared to the Zhu family, however, it was nothing.
Although Zhu Zhuqing's room was elegantly designed, exuding understated luxury, it was sparsely decorated, unlike a typical girl's room.
"Are you the fourth young lady in your family? How many children do you have?" Su Cheng asked casually as he walked towards the main hall.
"...Four." Zhu Zhuqing silently followed behind him.
"Where are your other sisters? I haven't seen them today. Aren't they home?"
"..."
After a moment, seeing that Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer, Su Cheng stopped, withdrew his gaze from the room, and turned to look at her.
Seeing Su Cheng looking at her like that, Zhu Zhuqing knew she had to answer this question.
"My eldest sister is studying at the Advanced Academy and rarely comes home. My second and third sisters..."
She paused briefly before continuing, "I don't know where they are right now."
"Don't know?" Su Cheng was somewhat surprised.
He had initially thought that Miss Zhu, who didn't have to bear the burden of arranged marriages, might have a more comfortable life, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
However, upon closer reflection, it wasn't surprising.
Even the most talented descendants had to go through this cruel and bloody competition.
Those with slightly less talent probably wouldn't fare any better; there must be other trials awaiting them.
It seemed that it would be difficult to understand these matters of the Zhu family from this little girl, Zhu Zhuqing. She herself didn't know much information, so he could only wait for an opportunity to dig deeper later.
This seemingly insignificant information might play a very important role in the future.
Su Cheng continued walking inside. The main hall was much larger than the front hall, with bedrooms and side halls connected on both sides.
He glanced casually into the bedroom and noticed a rag doll on the table near the door.
However, it was obviously quite old; although it was cleaned, it already had a worn look.
"Huh, I didn't expect you to play with this kind of thing,"
Su Cheng said casually, feeling a bit curious, and wanted to walk closer to take a closer look.
"Don't move!" Zhu Zhuqing's expression suddenly changed drastically. She quickly took a few steps forward, squeezing into the bedroom beside him and blocking his path.
Her face was resolute.
Su Cheng was somewhat surprised by this; it seemed the teddy bear held a special meaning for her.
However, he didn't force her; these things weren't really his concern.
He smiled, turned, and left the bedroom doorway, returning to the living room.
"Where's your toilet?"
"?" Zhu Zhuqing was puzzled. The toilet was right next to the side hall; Su Cheng should have seen it just now.
"What, you're not going to make me use your room's, are you?" Su Cheng raised an eyebrow.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face flushed red; she hadn't realized this before.
She quickly whispered, "I'll take you there."
"No need, just tell me, I can go myself."
After Su Cheng left, Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the teddy bear on the table.
It was a gift her father had given her when she was young.
It was a pity that he hadn't been to this room for many years.
Just then—
"Knock, knock, knock..." A series of gentle but firm knocks suddenly sounded at the door.
Zhu Zhuqing was somewhat puzzled.
Given Su Cheng's personality, why would he knock, and return so quickly?
Could it be that he couldn't find the place?
The Duke's mansion covered a vast area.
Even the nearest toilet would take seven or eight minutes to get there and back, and with personal chores to do, it should theoretically take at least ten minutes.
She quickly walked over and opened the door.
The figure outside made her freeze.
"Dad?"
There should be another chapter this afternoon, I also want to reach 10,000 words a day! PS, bravely resist school bullying, bullies die!
...
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(End of Chapter)