The Elder was smiling. He was obviously in a good mood. Ouyang Mingjing had epted the Acacia beans more easily than he had imagined, and he conducted his n within a short time as well. That made him feel assured.


    Now that the Acacia beans were eaten, the Phoenix Girl would soon want to return to the Snow Territory with the Head, which would bring Snow Territory many years of peace. That made him even more assured.


    He spoke to the Head as if he were telling a story to a grandchild, "Head, Acacia beans are rare. They will grow inside the couple''s heart, and soon the emotions will be out of control. As long as she eats the Acacia beans, she will not be able to control her affection towards you and it will work by tomorrow, when you meet her again."


    Ouyang Mingjing smiled brightly, after hearing that.


    He had already put Acacia beans in the pastry, so soon she would eat them. By that time, they would have a connection.


    The Phoenix Girl was pure-looking and the cold, distant air around her made him feel extremely satisfied.


    The wagon was moving forward, when Ouyang Mingjing started to smile brightly.


    ***


    At Xinlin Mansion.


    When Qing finished the pastry, Zhou Huaijin came. Gu Chaoyan asked them to eat the pastry somewhere else. Lord Huai did not need to be served.


    Gu Chaoyan''s eyes were sparkling. "Why are you dressed like this?"


    Zhou Huaijin was dressed in a ck robe, with patterns made of golden thread. Concise and attractive, he looked very noble. A silver mask also covered his handsome face.


    It was a costume that she had never seen Zhou Huaijin wear before.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Zhou Huaijin removed the silver mask from his face and ced it on the table.


    "That is what the Head of Shadow Door is like. I am out in the costume for the first time, but I will have it on me constantly. After all, Lord Huai can''t appear in the public''s eyes, but the Head can."


    "…"


    "Monsters are everywhere in the capital, but the court does nothing. The Shadow Door has to defend the city, but we want to leave our name this time. Everyone is going to know how important Shadow Door is."


    "…"


    "He has betrayed the civilians, so it is reasonable of me to do so." Zhou Huaijin said with determination, "We have people from Shadow Door everywhere, and whenever monsters show up, the Shadow Door will be at the frontline."


    As he was speaking, Zhou Huaijin showed a look of concern at this skinny woman in front of him. "Monsters are going about and you are being forced to take the me. Those civilians can''t think on their own. How can they me it on you?"


    "…"


    "When all of this is settled, I will give up this throne and live as a hermit with you, so that you won''t be med for anything."


    Gu Chaoyan looked up at him abruptly.


    He had just told her that he needed to take over the throne so that the civilians could have a peaceful life, yet he was giving up the throne now? Could that be because of the rumor?


    Gu Chaoyan was about to counter him, when Zhou Huaijin lowered his head and silenced her with his lips.