Assertiveness

"Mother… I suspect you're calling me stupid again."

Ao Ying looked at her mother with a depressed expression and spoke.

The Dragon Queen rolled her eyes at her and sighed, saying, "Don't suspect it. I am calling you stupid."

"I'm not that stupid, am I?" Ao Ying curled her lips.

She was naturally unwilling to admit she was dull.

To be honest, she actually thought she was quite clever!

Stupid—that was only on very rare occasions.

"Girl, you have to seize the opportunity…" The Dragon Queen crouched down, rubbed her head, and said, "Do you know why I'm in such a hurry?"

"Why? Because you want to hold a granddaughter sooner?" Ao Ying tilted her head and pondered.

During these few days at home, she had naturally noticed her mother constantly preparing clothes for a future child…

So, she answered as if it were obvious.

Hearing this, the Dragon Queen sighed slightly and said, "Yes, that’s right… that is indeed one aspect. But the other aspect is that if you don't marry out, you will always be just a princess of the Dragon Palace."

"Mother, what do you mean by that?" For a moment, Ao Ying couldn't quite understand.

"That’s why I say you're a silly girl!" the Dragon Queen said helplessly. "Do you know why your father gave up on dragging you back? Do you know why your incredibly prideful father has suddenly become able to set aside his dignity to a certain extent? Do you know the reason behind it?"

Ao Ying’s brow furrowed slightly. She didn't think she was stupid.

Therefore, when the Dragon Queen asked these questions, she keenly sensed the implications involved.

"Because… because of Sister?" Ao Ying fell silent for a moment before answering.

The Dragon Queen nodded slightly upon hearing this. She said, "Yes. Your father’s change is entirely because there is a Su Qing by your side whom he cannot afford to provoke. I know your mind isn't actually slow. As for the rest, I assume I don't need to say more for you to understand, right?"

Inside the bedchamber, the seawater fell silent, as if it had frozen.

After a long silence, Ao Ying shook her head slightly and said, "Sister won't abandon me… and, I don't want to force Sister to marry me."

"Sigh, you girl. If only you had been this sensible in the past." The Dragon Queen rolled her eyes.

She knew her daughter truly liked that woman, because she also quite liked her future son-in-law.

Of course, she also knew that Ao Ying hadn't sought out Su Qing just for protection…

After all, if she had gone to Su Qing for that purpose, she wouldn't be asking such foolish questions now.

Nor would she have failed to secure her partner by this point.

"Was I not sensible before?" Ao Ying curled her lips in frustration and muttered to herself, "Mother… I only want to take things one step at a time. She isn't the restless type, and I don't want to be like that either. So, Mother, don't worry too much about the things between us."

The Dragon Queen sighed slightly, then slapped Ao Ying on the head.

"Fine, fine, fine, Mother understands." The Dragon Queen sat back on the bed but stood up again after a moment, saying, "No, I'm still annoyed. How did I give birth to such a stupid daughter? Ao Ying, go get the rattan cane yourself!"

Ao Ying: "????"

Tonight, someone was destined to have a sleepless night.

Meanwhile, in Su Qing's guest room.

Leng Xiang had already trimmed Su Qing’s nails neatly, yet she still hadn't let go of Su Qing’s foot. Instead, she took out a certain dye and began to apply it bit by bit to the toenails, covering the original light pink color.

Seeing this, although Su Qing knew what was being done, she was still slightly surprised.

She had only mentioned it casually back then; she hadn't expected Leng Xiang to actually produce it.

As she was thinking, Leng Xiang suddenly spoke: "Master… there are some things I’ve been thinking about all day, but I still feel I should mention them to you."

Su Qing was taken aback and instinctively asked, "So, what is it?"

"Master, I feel… that sometimes, you truly need to be more assertive."

Leng Xiang lowered her head, seriously painting the nails, but her mouth didn't stop. "Sometimes Master is just too easy to talk to, too soft-hearted. That’s why you end up suffering losses."

Hearing these words, Su Qing was a bit confused and said, "I… I’m used to it."

"Precisely because you are used to it, Master needs to change," Leng Xiang said seriously. "However, perhaps Master was right about one thing—accepting the Old Dragon King’s request this time isn't a bad thing. It’s a perfect chance for Master to learn how to become assertive."

"Assertive?" Su Qing looked up at the ceiling.

As for the idea of her becoming assertive, she hadn't actually thought about it seriously.

Her journey might have had some twists and turns, but in reality, it had still been far too easy.

Compared to those who grew up struggling with all their might, her life was indeed too comfortable.

"Would you like an assertive version of me?" Su Qing thought for a moment and asked.

"If Master became assertive, why would I hate it? If anything… I quite want to see Master like that," Leng Xiang thought carefully before answering seriously.

"Is that so?" Su Qing muttered to herself. "Then I’ll give it a try."

Being assertive?

If she wanted to do it, she should be able to manage, right?

Thinking this, she closed her eyes.

She recalled some memories from her past life.

After a long time, she opened her eyes and said, "Leng Xiang, come over here for a moment."

"Huh?" Su Qing’s words made Leng Xiang’s hand pause slightly.

"Just come here."

Leng Xiang obediently stood before Su Qing.

Then she saw Su Qing freeze up.

"Does Master not know what to do next?"

"Yeah… it's been too long since I've done anything like this; I've almost forgotten it all. I’ve grown too used to being gentle…" Su Qing shrugged and said helplessly.

"Master doesn't need to be in a hurry; just take it slowly," Leng Xiang smiled and said. "I only don't want Master to suffer losses; I didn't want to make things difficult for you."

After speaking, Leng Xiang returned to her original position, meticulously painting bit by bit.

Su Qing looked at her, smiled in her heart, and then lay back, letting her finish.

However, in her mind, she was still thinking about the matters for tomorrow.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the next day.

There was naturally no distinction between day and night under the sea, but because of the special night-luminescent pearls, whenever the sun rose above the surface, the Dragon Palace would regain its brightness.

Thus, there was no issue of not knowing the time.

Su Qing woke up very early today.

It wasn't that Su Qing wanted to get up so early, but rather that Leng Xiang had pulled her up.

Because she wanted to apply makeup for her.

Su Qing actually wanted to refuse such a thing… but she was pressed into the chair by Leng Xiang, so she could only obediently comply.

At the same time, she was shifting her mindset.

"Be a bit more arrogant? I'll give it a proper try!"

The corners of Su Qing’s mouth curved into a smile, carrying a hint of mockery.

However, the person she was mocking was herself.

Soon, the makeup was finished.

This was not her usual look. Usually, she only wore careful light makeup, which was merely the icing on the cake for her natural base and did not change her temperament.

But today’s makeup gave her a touch of wildness.

She looked distinctly different from her past self…

Looking at herself in the mirror, Su Qing thought for a moment and restored her eyes to their snake-like form.

Suddenly, her reflection became somewhat eerie and demonic.

Though beautiful, she looked like she could scare children just with her aura.

"But it's probably only limited to scaring children, right?"

Su Qing shook her head, then stood up and said:

"Let’s go! The guests are gradually arriving."

Leng Xiang nodded slightly, then helped Su Qing change into a dark red dress. This dress was as red as blood, as if it had been dyed with fresh blood itself.

Once Su Qing had changed her clothes, she and Leng Xiang walked together toward the main hall of the Crystal Palace.

On the way, Su Qing ran into the Old Dragon King.

The Old Dragon King had also changed his clothes, appearing to be in formal attire.

"What a coincidence. Would my worthy son-in-law like to come with me to receive those demon kings?" the Old Dragon King said with a smile.

Hearing this, Su Qing gave the Old Dragon King a cold glance and said flatly, "I only agreed to intimidate the demon kings; I didn't agree to receive them. Go deal with that nonsense yourself! Don't bother me."

Su Qing had switched her emotions early on…

Only, she still wasn't used to arrogant and assertive speech, and for a moment, it sounded a bit strange.

However, Su Qing’s reaction caused the Old Dragon King to startle slightly.

He looked at Su Qing in surprise, not understanding why she had changed so drastically.

It was as if… she had become a different person.

Perhaps such a tone and words wouldn't seem out of place coming from someone else, but coming from Su Qing, there was an indescribable sense of strangeness.

It was as if… he had somehow pissed her off.

But the Old Dragon King was a 'battle-hardened' veteran after all. Even though he was surprised, he silently pondered the reason.

Finally, he reached a conclusion…

This was the result of Su Qing agreeing to his request.

"No wonder… but it’s fine. At least she took my words to heart." The Old Dragon King breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Although his interactions with Su Qing weren't many, he understood her character.

She was the type who was very easy to talk to…

Modest, kind, and easygoing—that was his fixed impression of her.

However, one thing was one thing; even with those impressions, he didn't dare to lightly provoke her.

Provoking her was one thing.

The important thing was the fear of provoking the person behind her.

If the person behind her got angry, then he would truly be finished.

After recalling these matters, the Old Dragon King said cheerfully, "Very well. My worthy son-in-law should go drink some wine first; I will go receive those guests."

Hearing this, the corners of Su Qing’s mouth twitched slightly. She instinctively let out a mocking smile, laughing at the fact that she had failed on her first attempt.

But she didn't bother to say anything and simply turned and walked away quickly.

However, that smile, falling into the eyes of the Old Dragon King, somehow took on a different flavor.

It made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

After taking a few deep breaths, the Old Dragon King thought to himself, "I’m the one who asked her to be like this… I’m the one who asked for this… I brought this on myself."

Once he had finished comforting himself, the Old Dragon King set off to meet the other guests.

Su Qing soon arrived in the great hall of the Crystal Palace, which had been arranged for the birthday banquet.

She scanned the surroundings, then found a prominent position and sat down.

From here, she could almost see the entire state of the banquet hall.

It was a pretty good spot.

She hadn't come here to be low-key today, so she naturally couldn't pick a corner.

Leng Xiang stayed by Su Qing’s side. Not knowing what her master was thinking, she simply poured a cup of wine for her.

"Master."

Su Qing took the wine cup and watched her own face reflected in the liquid.

Her mood gradually sank.

Keep acting!

She just needed to find the feeling from that period in her past life.

Time ticked by.

Su Qing sat there, sipping the wine mouthful by mouthful.

Guests gradually filled the banquet hall.

However, every single one of them was staring at Su Qing.

The reason was simple: the position Su Qing was sitting in was far too obvious.

No matter where one was in the hall, she would be noticed at first glance.

Although the demon kings below had strange looks in their eyes, none of them spoke up. They merely looked like they were waiting to see a joke.

After all, none of them knew Su Qing’s identity…

Though they were used to the law of the jungle, at a time like this, one still needed a bit of a brain.

Besides, if anyone was going to be embarrassed, it wouldn't be them.

They were naturally happy to watch the show.

Su Qing naturally noticed the gazes of the demon kings below, but she ignored them. This was the seat she had chosen, so she couldn't just change it on a whim.

If she backed down just because she was being stared at, how could she play the part?

So, at most, she just gave them a look as if she were looking at trash.

Of course, this wasn't entirely an act…

She truly felt that some of the people present were quite trashy.

After all… among this group of demon kings, there wasn't even a single late-stage Earthly Immortal.

In the mortal world, could one be called a Demon King with just this level of power?

Su Qing drank her wine and thought, "I know quite a bit about the human world, but my understanding of the demon realm is still too lacking."

However, she also thought…

Maybe it was just that these early arrivals were relatively weak?

Or perhaps they were hiding their strength?

Who knew?

Su Qing wasn't quite sure either.

Shaking her head, Su Qing continued to drink silently, pondering how she should go about intimidating those demon kings later.

She didn't have much experience in this.

Minutes and seconds passed, and more and more demon kings gathered in the hall.

Before she knew it, the entire hall was filled with all sorts of monsters and demons.

Indeed, there were all kinds of strange spirits.

The breadth of the Old Dragon King’s social circle was truly at the level of 'never turning anyone away.'

Seeing these monsters, Su Qing couldn't help but furrow her brow slightly…

As she was thinking.

The Old Dragon King had also returned.

He saw Su Qing sitting there, raised an eyebrow, and then said with a smile, "I didn't expect my worthy son-in-law to have already taken a seat! By the way, let me introduce everyone. This is the fiancé of my daughter Ao Ying, Su Qing!"