Chapter Forty-five: Whimsical and Clever

The other’s skin was delicate, her eyes bright and lively, her cheeks tinted with a peach-like blush, and her every gesture carried a light and ethereal grace.

“My little ancestor, you promised me before—if the other party refuses, you won’t force it. You can’t go back on your word now! Have some pity on this old turtle, it’s not easy for me,” the Prime Minister Turtle pleaded pitifully.

“Ah? Grandpa Turtle, are you getting old and forgetful? I don’t recall promising anything earlier,” Ao Xiuxiu replied innocently.

Had the Prime Minister Turtle not long since recognized the mischievous cleverness of his little princess, and if his eyesight weren’t still sharp, he might have doubted his own memory.

By now, Yi An had basically figured out the general situation. The old turtle’s invitation had nothing to do with any fated connection—it was clearly at the behest of the girl before him. What puzzled him was that he could swear he was a stranger to her, and yet Ao Xiuxiu had gone to such lengths to invite him to the Crystal Palace as a guest. What was her real intention?

Just as Yi An was preparing to slip away quietly, the girl spoke again in a sweet voice: “Grandpa Turtle, if you won’t agree, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

The Prime Minister Turtle was startled, a bad premonition suddenly rising in his heart.

“I’ve heard you’re quite close with Auntie Clam. I wonder what Grandma Turtle would think if she found out?” Ao Xiuxiu mused aloud, her face still adorned with a sly smile.

At her words, the Prime Minister Turtle’s face darkened instantly, and a bead of cold sweat traced quietly down his cheek, leaving a subtle mark.

“Oh dear, my little ancestor, you mustn’t say things like that, nor believe every rumor. My relationship with Xiaoxuan is perfectly proper—don’t let me find out who’s slandering my name, or I won’t let them off!” The Prime Minister Turtle glared fiercely. He didn’t believe the princess had come by this gossip herself; someone must have been whispering behind his back, for it to reach Ao Xiuxiu’s ears.

“You say you’re unrelated, yet you even bring up Xiaoxuan—doesn’t that count as a confession? If Grandma Turtle finds out…” Ao Xiuxiu grinned mischievously. The old turtle’s fear of his wife was legendary among the entire aquatic clan; if one wished to make him comply, this was the only way.

Rumors about the old turtle and the clam spirit had only reached her in passing, never with certainty. After all, the Prime Minister Turtle was a figure of great authority in the Eastern Sea—second only to the Dragon King—and few dared spread rumors about him. But there are no walls without cracks, and if one wishes to avoid detection, one must not act at all.

Seeing the exaggerated expression on the old turtle’s face, Ao Xiuxiu was mostly sure that the rumors had substance.

“Fine, I’ll agree, just don’t spread any wild tales, little ancestor. And don’t misunderstand, I’m not hiding anything—I just don’t want Grandma Turtle to grow suspicious. You know, her liver fire has been running high lately, and it’s not good for her health to be worried or troubled,” the old turtle said bleakly.

At this point, he could no longer worry about the Dragon King’s wrath.

Because, compared to the Dragon King’s reproach, his wife at home was clearly more terrifying.

“Don’t worry, I’m the most reliable person around. You can rest assured!” Ao Xiuxiu promised heartily.

The old turtle moved his mouth, but in the end said nothing more.

In truth, he wanted to retort, “You said the same thing before!” Thus, her words sounded particularly grating in his ears.

He sighed deeply—bad luck, to have his weakness seized by the other.

Yi An: “…”

Watching their back-and-forth, Yi An’s emotions were equally tangled. Just what about him attracted her interest? Couldn’t he just refuse?

“Silly boy, you must have heard by now—our princess wishes to invite you to the Crystal Palace. What do you say, any objections?” the old turtle asked.

“Would my objection matter?” Yi An replied with a bitter smile.

“It wouldn’t,” the old turtle answered flatly.

Yi An: “…”

Then why ask?

“How about this—so you don’t think I’m bullying the young, I’ll give you ten breaths. If you can escape from under my nose, I’ll admit defeat. But if I catch you, I’m afraid you’ll have to come to the Crystal Palace with me,” the old turtle mused, devising a way to make Yi An comply willingly. In the water, he was master; he doubted Yi An could stir up any trouble.

“No need,” Yi An responded weakly.

He was well aware of his own abilities. Even with ten breaths, he’d only waste his energy. Better to save his strength and think of another solution.

With the old turtle daring to make such an offer, his confidence was beyond doubt.

“Very well, let’s be off then,” the old turtle nodded with satisfaction. This fit his wishes perfectly—if he could avoid moving, he would not waste his energy. Yi An’s willingness to cooperate improved the old turtle’s impression of him, and he even dropped the “silly boy” from his address.

“Princess, do we still have more days left to play?” the old turtle asked expectantly.

Originally, the Dragon King had granted Ao Xiuxiu a ten-day holiday; only six days had passed, so the time was not yet up.

Ao Xiuxiu didn’t hesitate and decided instantly: “Grandpa Turtle, let’s go back. Father won’t let me visit the mortal world, and here there’s nothing but water—there’s nothing fun left.”

The old turtle nodded as expected, and with a gesture, enveloped Yi An and Ao Xiuxiu, leaping forward and dashing across the water. It was clearly a water-based spell of exceptional mastery.

“Hmm? Quite impressive,” Yi An’s eyes flashed. Having recently practiced the Water-Repelling Technique, he understood the difficulty of water-based arts. While the aquatic clan had a natural advantage in cultivating such arts, mastery still depended on one’s own strength.

Along the way, Yi An couldn’t help but ask about the difficulties he’d encountered in practicing the Water-Repelling Technique. Perhaps out of a newly kindled goodwill, the old turtle answered every question freely, resolving Yi An’s doubts with a few brief explanations.

Yi An felt as if clouds parted and mist cleared—his earlier confusion dissolved instantly.

The dragon princess Ao Xiuxiu, meanwhile, chirped incessantly, probing Yi An about his circumstances all along the journey, leaving him quite overwhelmed.