LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 191: Chapter 191
**Chapter 191: Don't Call Me Uncle Ling**
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly as his thoughts wandered. Just a few days ago, his father had discussed with Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu the possibility of forming an alliance with the Demon Suppression Douluo through marriage.
The plan was to marry off a beautiful cousin from a side branch of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to Zhao Ling.
But now, seeing Arou's stunning beauty, Ning Fengzhi realized how futile that idea was. His cousin's charm was like a flickering firefly compared to the radiant moon and stars that were Arou.
Zhao Ling, however, had no idea what Ning Fengzhi was thinking.
If he did, he might have teased him, saying, "Why go to all that trouble? Promise to marry your daughter to me when you have one, and I won't mind people calling me an old cow eating young grass."
After the carriage arrived at the mansion, Zhao Ling helped Arou and Xiao Wu disembark first. Strangely, Ning Fengzhi didn't leave immediately.
Instead, he lifted the curtain and looked at Zhao Ling with a complicated expression, which left Zhao Ling puzzled.
"Hey, Ning Fengzhi, stop staring at me. I know I'm handsome, but I like women. I'm not interested in you."
While Zhao Ling silently complained, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke.
"Demon Suppression Douluo, I'll take my leave, but I hope you remember this: the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is always willing to trust you and stand by your side. Goodbye."
Zhao Ling watched the carriage leave, confusion written all over his face.
"What was that about? Why would he say something so cryptic?"
Still perplexed, Zhao Ling frowned and began to think. Could something have happened in Tiandou Imperial City while he was away?
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, gazing at the sprawling mansion before them, exclaimed, "Wow! This place is huge! It's thousands—no, tens of thousands—of times bigger than the house Mom and I lived in. Uncle Ling, is this really your house?"
The corners of Zhao Ling's mouth twitched at her words, but he replied, "Of course it is."
However, her calling him Uncle Ling was unbearable. His expression darkened, and he glared at her.
"Xiao Wu, don't call me Uncle Ling. Call me Brother Ling instead—it sounds much better, don't you think?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head, a sly smile on her face.
"Nope. You said you and my father were sworn brothers, and you even called my mom 'sister.' That makes you my Uncle Ling. Calling you anything else would be rude."
Zhao Ling retorted, "How is calling me Uncle Ling polite? You're a 100,000-year-old soul beast—your actual age is probably much older than mine!"
"I don't care. Uncle Ling, Uncle Ling, Uncle Ling!" Xiao Wu repeated with a mischievous grin, nearly driving Zhao Ling to despair.
Finally, an idea struck him. Smiling slyly, he asked, "Xiao Wu, do you want some carrots? If you call me Brother Ling, I'll make sure you have as many carrots as you want."
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? I can have as many carrots as I want?"
"Absolutely," Zhao Ling replied with a solemn nod. "Your Brother Ling always keeps his word."
Delighted, Xiao Wu jumped onto Zhao Ling's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek.
"Brother Ling is the best! Xiao Wu loves Brother Ling the most!"
Zhao Ling chuckled at her antics. 'So carrots are the key to controlling this little troublemaker. Looks like I'll need to stock up tomorrow.'
After coaxing Xiao Wu, Zhao Ling led Arou and her daughter into the mansion.
As they ventured deeper inside, Arou and Xiao Wu were awestruck. The sprawling estate was nearly the size of a palace, far beyond anything they'd ever seen.
Even though Arou had lived in the human world before, she'd always stayed in smaller towns to avoid encountering powerful Titled Douluo. This level of grandeur was entirely new to her.
While she followed Zhao Ling, her thoughts turned inward. 'He has no ill intentions toward us—only desires. If any other man behaved this way, I'd find it disgusting. But with Zhao Ling, I just can't bring myself to hate him... He's simply too attractive.'
Just as Zhao Ling was about to guide them to the courtyard, Butler Qian approached, his expression hesitant.
"Sister Arou, wait here for a moment. I need to take care of something," Zhao Ling said with a reassuring smile.
Arou nodded. She understood that as the mansion's owner, Zhao Ling likely had many matters to attend to.
Zhao Ling followed Butler Qian to a secluded spot beneath a large tree.
"What's the matter?" Zhao Ling asked, frowning slightly.
Butler Qian hesitated before speaking. "Master, three nights after you left Tiandou Imperial City, several assassins infiltrated the palace. They attempted to kill Prince Qinghe. Fortunately, the guards intervened in time, and the prince escaped unharmed."
Zhao Ling's frown deepened. "Xue Qinghe is just a child. Who would target him so soon?"
It wasn't unusual for ancient royalty to face dangers like this; many princes never made it to adulthood. Still, this early assassination attempt was unexpected.
"Did the assassins confess who sent them?" Zhao Ling asked. "They didn't try to frame me, did they?"
Butler Qian nodded gravely. "Two of the assailants were killed, but one was captured alive. Under interrogation, he claimed you were behind the attack."
"While His Majesty doesn't believe this, several court officials have submitted letters of impeachment, accusing you of conspiracy for disappearing during such a critical time."
Zhao Ling's expression darkened further.
"What a mess. Looks like I've got some explaining to do."
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**(End of Chapter)**