Chapter 24
When Li Chang'an returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, ready to confess his feelings to Dugu Yan, he found the campus strangely quiet — no sign of her anywhere. After asking around, he learned she hadn't attended classes for three days.
He went to her dormitory, but the dormitory manager told him that Dugu Yan had taken a long leave of absence and gone home.
Gone home? How could it be such a coincidence?
And given our current relationship, if something had happened, she would've left me a message... How could she suddenly leave without saying goodbye?
Li Chang'an frowned, a deep unease stirring in his chest. For the first time, things were slipping beyond his control.
Dugu Manor
"Yan'er, you've been locked in your room for three days. What's wrong? Tell Grandpa — did someone bully you at school?" An old man with striking green hair stood outside the door, voice gentle but tinged with frustration and something sharp beneath it.
"…I'm fine, Grandpa." A slightly hoarse female voice came from inside. "I just want to be alone for a while."
Fine? This doesn't sound fine at all.
The green-haired elder's face showed helplessness mixed with anger and worry. Since his precious granddaughter returned three days ago, she hadn't stepped outside her room once. Something was clearly wrong.
His only thought: she must have been bullied at school. And who could dare bully the esteemed Poison Douluo's granddaughter?
"No one dares!" he muttered under his breath.
"Alright, Grandpa won't ask anymore," he said, softening. "But you have to eat something. You haven't had a drop of water in three days. Even a soul master's body can't take that."
"Grandpa, I'm not hungry..." Her voice trailed off, then she added weakly, "I'll find something to eat later…"
The old man sighed, "Okay. Remember to eat. Grandpa has something to do now. I'll leave first." He turned to the maid waiting beside him, commanding, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some food right away."
The maid nodded silently.
His granddaughter looked psychologically broken, and his anger flared the moment he stepped outside the manor gates.
A burst of emerald light flared, and the old man shot into the sky, becoming a green streak heading straight for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
At the Academy Gate
The green light descended, revealing the green-haired elder. He strode purposefully into the school grounds, heading directly for the Teaching Committee. The guards recognized him and didn't dare block his way.
Teaching Committee
All three committee members were present, working diligently. The sudden arrival of the green-haired man startled them — but they quickly realized he was here for answers. After all, they knew Dugu Yan hadn't attended school for days, and they knew why.
"Poison Douluo Your Excellency, forgive our lack of welcome…" Meng Shenji, head of the committee, stood respectfully. The other two followed suit with polite smiles.
The green-haired man's face was dark with anger. Anyone could tell he was in a foul mood.
"Save me the formalities!" he snapped. "I'm here to seek justice for my precious granddaughter! She's been wronged at your academy! Do you owe me an explanation?"
The three committee members exchanged glances, then Meng Shenji said with a wry smile, "Your Excellency, it's a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Then why did Yan'er suddenly run home, lock herself away for three days without eating or drinking?" The old man's voice was low and harsh, picturing his granddaughter's haggard state. She must have been wronged!
After a brief pause, the three members decided to tell the truth. After all, it was just a youthful romance — no real losses or deep conflict.
"One of you start," Meng Shenji said, and the others nodded.
They told the story in detail: Dugu Yan had fallen for an outstanding student at the academy but discovered he already had a fiancée. Feeling betrayed and heartbroken, she fled home without looking back.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's face softened. Knowing she hadn't been bullied, his tone lost some edge.
"So that's the situation…" he said thoughtfully. "What about the aptitude of the boy Yan'er likes? If he's worthy, maybe I'll let him join the Dugu family, even if reluctantly."
The three committee members exchanged uncomfortable looks.
"His aptitude is top-tier," one said. "But the engagement won't be easy to dissolve."
Normally, if it was a noble engagement — even a duke or marquis — Dugu Bo's authority as a Title Douluo would carry enough weight to demand its end.
But Li Chang'an's position was different.
"He's the prince consort appointed by His Majesty," Meng Shenji said quietly.
"To win him over, His Majesty even granted him the title of Marquis."
Dugu Bo frowned deeply. This was not something easily handled.
"If the engagement was to a lesser noble, I could force the issue," Dugu Bo said quietly.
"But facing an imperial marriage, even a Title Douluo's influence means little."
Especially since Emperor Xue Ye clearly prized this man highly — marrying his daughter to him and bestowing a noble title.
This was a challenge — and one Dugu Bo hadn't expected.
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