Let me keep it to myself, unless...

Along the corridor, the two arrived in front of a set of double doors.

Knock knock~

Xuehua gently knocked on the door: "My lord, the young master has arrived."

The next second.

Click!

An elderly man wearing a butler's uniform and gold-rimmed glasses opened the door.

He immediately spotted Gu Yan and a kind smile appeared on his face: "Young master, you've arrived."

The elderly man stepped aside: "The Madam and Master have been waiting for some time."

"Mm."

Gu Yan nodded and entered.

Xuehua wanted to follow, but after Gu Yan walked in, the elderly man stepped back out and closed the door.

He blocked Xuehua, saying kindly: "The Master and Madam wish to see the young master alone."

He then respectfully took up his post beside the door.

Xuehua's expression remained unchanged, but her fists were tightly clenched.

How infuriating, why does this good-for-nothing receive so much favor from the Master and Madam?

Even the eldest young master doesn't get such treatment!

Though these were her thoughts, she naturally wouldn't show them on her face.

After giving a slight bow to the elderly man, she turned and left.

Entering the study.

The first thing that caught the eye was the impressive collection of books filling the shelves.

Then came the sight of two elderly people sitting by the window.

One sat at the desk, his face lined with wrinkles, white hair atop his head revealing the passage of time, but his deep eyes sparkled with determination.

His fingers gently turned the pages of a book, seemingly not noticing Gu Yan's arrival.

Grandmother Gu sat opposite, her gaze deep and forgiving, her hand gently caressing the pages of an ancient text.

Gu Yan naturally walked over and sat in the empty seat.

The old man, without raising his head, asked in a steady, powerful voice: "What made you suddenly decide to visit us old folks?"

"Didn't you say last year you'd rather die than come here?"

His words seemed to carry a hint of displeasure.

Grandmother Gu gave a gentle laugh and raised her head to look at Gu Yan, saying softly: "Xiao Yan, has something happened?"

Her gaze paused when she saw something hanging around Gu Yan's neck, and her heart skipped a beat.

The Dragon King Jade?

How did it end up with Xiao Yan?

Gu Yan shook his head and said gently: "I was passing by and suddenly wanted to visit Grandfather and Grandmother, so I came."

Grandmother Gu nodded kindly: "Is that so... Then let's have a meal together."

She patted the empty space beside her: "Come sit by Grandmother, let me have a good look at you."

"Alright."

Gu Yan obediently moved over.

As time passed minute by minute, Grandmother Gu held Gu Yan's hand, looking at him kindly.

Finally, she nodded: "Mm, you've matured a bit since last year."

"Is it because of that girl from the Leng Family?"

At these words.

Gu Yan wasn't at all surprised they knew about this matter.

Gu Tianlong slightly raised his head to look at Gu Yan, particularly noticing the jade pendant hanging around his neck. Though surprised internally, he still snorted externally: "Fickle-minded, what kind of behavior is this?"

"Gu Tianlong, you be quiet first."

Grandmother Gu gave him a kind glare, then held Gu Yan's hand, looking into his eyes, asking gently: "Do you truly love the Leng Family's daughter?"

Gu Yan answered seriously: "In this life, I love only Leng Qingqiu."

"Even in death, I won't let her leave me."

Hearing these words, Grandmother Gu's eyes flashed with pity.

What a shame, what a shame...

She reached out and gently held the jade pendant hanging around Gu Yan's neck, her mind swimming with thoughts, seeming to recall scenes from years past.

What cruel fate is this...

Her grandson had become the heir to the Dragon King Palace, and the one he loved was that Leng Qingqiu from the Leng Family.

Grandmother Gu let go of the pendant and sighed softly: "Xiao Yan, the path ahead for you two won't be easy, you must think it through carefully."

Gu Yan nodded at her words: "I understand, Grandmother."

Gu Tianlong glanced at the jade pendant around Gu Yan's neck and sighed internally.

Heaven truly won't let Xiao Yan have it easy.

He was chosen by the Dragon King Palace as heir and gained the ability to cultivate, yet he fell in love with Leng Qingqiu from the Leng Family.

This is a tragic fate indeed.

Grandmother Gu sensed Gu Yan's determination and said: "Well then, you may go now. Zihua is also in the manor, you brothers haven't seen each other in a while, take some time to talk."

Gu Zihua...

Gu Yan thought of this as he stood up, saying: "Yes, Grandmother."

Then he looked at the old master: "Grandfather, I'm leaving."

"Hmph!"

After leaving the study.

After exchanging greetings with the elderly man standing guard at the door, Gu Yan walked downstairs.

He played with the jade pendant hanging around his neck, Xuehua's image flashing through his mind.

The corners of his mouth curved upward slightly - mm, time to try his luck.

After Gu Yan left.

The atmosphere in the study became somewhat heavy.

Gu Tianlong said in a deep voice: "Xiao Yan becoming the Dragon King Palace's heir is good news for our Gu family."

"It's said the Dragon King Palace recognizes the jade, not the person. When the Dragon King Jade becomes one, Xiao Yan will be able to command the Dragon King Palace."

"Once the Gu family and Dragon King Palace unite, their power will shake all of Huaxia."

"However... the Leng Family is a big problem here, those two shouldn't be together."

Hearing this, Grandmother Gu smiled lightly and shook her head: "Tianlong, Tianlong, have you forgotten something?"

"Why didn't the Gu family participate in that siege operation back then?"

"You know best in your heart, don't you?"

Gu Tianlong fell silent, then after a pause defended: "The childhood betrothal was just something arranged while drinking with that old fellow from the Leng Family..."

"That's enough."

Grandmother Gu interrupted, a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth: "Perhaps this is what they call fate."

"Trust in Xiao Yan, I can see he has changed."

Gu Tianlong remained silent, muttering: "So how did that old fellow agree to accept this kid as the Dragon King Palace's heir?"

Seeming to sense the displeasure from the person sitting opposite, he quickly added: "Ahem, I'm not saying Xiao Yan isn't capable, it's just hard to believe that such a massive organization as the Dragon King Palace will be handed over to our Xiao Yan."

Grandmother Gu smiled: "Who knows? Perhaps this is destiny and fortune, after all, Xiao Yan, who was diagnosed with almost zero cultivation talent, has somehow reached the Innate realm."

"Indeed. So for this year's family meeting, what's your thought?"

Gu Tianlong put down his book and looked at the person opposite.

The Gu family vote, though said to be one vote per person to choose the heir, actually left the final decision in their hands.

Everyone else's participation was merely for their reference.

Grandmother Gu thought for a moment, then shook her head: "...Let's observe a while longer."

.......

........

In a room.

Xuehua, upset with her mood, had come to her happy place again.

She calmly dismissed the other maids present: "Alright, I'll handle the cleaning and organizing here, you may all leave."

"Yes, Lady Xuehua."

"Yes, my lady."

The group of maids left.

After the door closed, Xuehua quickly walked to a cabinet.

Opening it revealed several pieces of luxurious clothing inside.

She took out a fitted short-sleeve shirt, her face showing a maiden's shy blush as she slowly buried her face in it: "Lord Zihua..."

The next second.

Click! The door was pushed open and the sound of a camera shutter came through.

"!!"

Xuehua's whole body trembled, and she hurriedly threw the clothes to the ground.

Then.

A voice that made her expression freeze rang out.

"Oh my? Grandmother mentioned that brother was also in the manor today, so I came to take a look."

"And look what I've discovered?"

Hearing this voice.

Xuehua turned her head in disbelief.

There stood that good-for-nothing young master, but where was the gentleness from their first meeting? He was holding up his phone, walking over with a malicious expression.

Thump!

"Ah!"

Gu Yan pinned Xuehua against the cabinet with one hand, causing her to let out a frightened cry.

"Hey hey hey, what's a maid doing in her master's bedroom?"

"If my grandparents were to find out you have ulterior motives toward my brother... what do you think would happen?"

Gu Yan's threatening words reached Xuehua's ears.

Especially when the other party showed her that photo of herself burying her head in Gu Zihua's clothes.

In that instant, her face turned pale, and she collapsed to the ground, her body going weak from extreme fear.

With a thud, she fell to the floor. Xuehua lifted her head with difficulty, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling: "Please... please don't tell the adults."

Gu Yan looked down at her from above, pondered for a moment, and said: "Hmm, I could keep quiet about this, unless..."