The Royal Academy, also considered a noble academy, mostly comprises students from the nobility. Their primary goal is to pass through the Academy as a mere formality before returning to inherit their titles and continue enjoying life.

Conviction?

They might possess it, but it’s nowhere near the effort of commoners or the iron will of the Border Guard.

To them, enjoying life is likely their true belief. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Martial Realm is a world where the strong prey on the weak. However, these aristocrats born into prestigious families do not have to worry about such concerns, as their families alone are enough to place them at the top of the food chain!

Even if they lack high-level cultivation, they have access to endless resources and countless powerful followers!

Thus, at the Royal Academy, various gatherings are held almost every day.

Just like today!

The Young Master of Pearfall Palace is hosting a banquet.

Moreover, the Young Master has invited quite an impressive crowd.

Pearfall Palace might not be considered a major force, but its rise in the past few decades has been remarkably swift. Take this Young Master of Pearfall Palace as an example—he is known for his extravagant spending at the Royal Academy, even managing to sway many specially-recruited students from commoner backgrounds.

Furthermore, he is eager to forge connections with true aristocrats.

Regarding this behavior, most people simply believe the Young Master of Pearfall Palace seeks to enter the upper circles of nobility and secure a higher rank, so no one thinks much of it.

It can be said that the banquets hosted by the Young Master of Pearfall Palace are always quite lively.

This time is no exception, with over a hundred noble students attending—even Princess Ling Xue has been invited!

...

"Young Master, everything has been arranged. After tonight, with a few more gatherings, the drug’s effects should fully remain in their bodies!"

At this moment, in front of the Young Master of Pearfall Palace stood a servant respectfully, but their conversation was rather peculiar.

Drug effects integrated into the body?

So, what exactly are they plotting?

"I heard that this time, the stunning Ling Xue is gracing our gathering for the first time. Later, make sure to closely monitor her. By any means, ensure she drinks the special concoction I prepared for her!"

"Rest assured, Young Master. Even without your instructions, we know what to do. Princess Ling Xue holds significant influence in Great Tang and has many admirers. Once we control her, we will undoubtedly gain considerable power!"

The servant smiled but was promptly slapped across the face.

With a sharp slap, the Young Master of Pearfall Palace struck the servant’s cheek and then said, "Who allowed you to act on your own? Let me remind you, I am not merely interested in Ling Xue’s beauty. The most important thing for me is her heart! Hmph, turning her into a puppet—is there any joy in that? Remember, no one is allowed to use those methods on the lovely Ling Xue! I will personally handle her!"

"Understood, Young Master. Your orders are clear to me!"

Although slapped, the servant dared not harbor even the slightest resentment and responded humbly.

So, what exactly are they planning?

...

Ye Luo and Ling Xue had already exchanged contact information, so Ye Luo directly reached out to Ling Xue.

Ling Xue initially did not want to attend but couldn’t resist the persuasion of a few friends and decided to come and take a look.

However, Ling Xue had only just arrived at the banquet hall when she received a message from Ye Luo.

Seeing the notification on her wristband, Ling Xue furrowed her brows slightly.

In truth, Ling Xue was quite unsure of her feelings towards Ye Luo.

Due to the marriage agreement with Ye Luo, Ling Xue harbored some resentment towards him, but there was undeniably much more attention and focus on Ye Luo in her heart.

"Why is he messaging me now? He hasn’t contacted me before this. Is he upset that I came here?"

Ling Xue thought to herself, recalling Ye Luo’s comment about "attracting trouble," which had left her restless for days.

Just as she was starting to feel better and decided to unwind with her friends, Ye Luo reached out again. Naturally, Ling Xue couldn’t help but overthink.

After all, banquets like these often involve proposals or romantic pursuits.

Ling Xue hesitated, uncertain whether to accept Ye Luo’s message, but after a brief internal struggle, she ultimately decided to respond.

However, she moved to the hall’s entrance before doing so.

"Where are you?"

Ye Luo asked directly but kept his tone amicable, partly because he had a favor to ask.

In Ye Luo’s view, while the Princess could be capricious, she had never wronged him.

"I... I... I’m in the Fifth Banquet Hall..."

Ling Xue originally didn’t want to reply, but for some reason, she still answered.

Hearing this, Ye Luo quickly responded, "Alright, wait for me. I’ll be there immediately!"

Without waiting for Ling Xue’s approval, Ye Luo hung up the call and promptly headed to the Fifth Banquet Hall.

"He’s coming here?"

Ling Xue’s eyes flickered sharply as conflicting emotions surged within her.

"Oh no. Is he coming to confront me? But I didn’t have any ulterior motives—or do anything wrong! Besides, this is my first time attending such a banquet. I haven’t done anything untoward!"

"Yes, I’ve done nothing wrong, so I have nothing to fear!"

Ling Xue muttered to herself, clearly feeling uneasy upon learning Ye Luo was coming.

Knowing these banquets hosted by the Young Master of Pearfall Palace often carried matchmaking undertones, Ling Xue naturally couldn’t help but overthink. Ye Luo’s earlier comment about "attracting trouble" had left her simmering in quiet frustration, which she had only recently managed to calm down. Should Ye Luo misunderstand her intentions today, wouldn’t she be unfairly blamed?

Thus, Ling Xue didn’t dare re-enter the hall and remained at the entrance instead.

"Why is Princess Ling Xue lingering outside and not coming in?"

"Indeed. She’s already here, so why stay outside?"

The crowd whispered among themselves. Many had their own agendas upon seeing Ling Xue arrive.

The banquet hosted by the Young Master of Pearfall Palace was practically geared towards courtship. Success wasn’t guaranteed, but most activities and arrangements tended to revolve around this theme.

The allure of romance was undeniably a favorite topic among the young, which explained the popularity of the Young Master’s gatherings.

Other banquets wouldn’t dare to openly declare their matchmaking intent!

Of course, the person paying the closest attention to Ling Xue was the Young Master of Pearfall Palace!

Seeing Ling Xue standing outside the hall, the Young Master couldn’t help but feel troubled. After all, regardless of his plans, one thing was clear—Ling Xue had to enter the banquet hall for him to proceed with his schemes.