Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off

Su Qinglan finally peeked out from behind Han Jue’s broad arm, her cheeks still burning with a lingering flush.

However, as her eyes swept across the courtyard, she suddenly froze. Standing near the grand steps were two completely unfamiliar faces!

Curiosity instantly washed away her embarrassment. Nudging Han Jue’s arms aside, she stepped forward to get a better look. This was the very first female she had encountered since arriving in the Upper Domain!

The female stood with regal poise, draped in luxurious robes that practically radiated authority.

Su Qinglan could tell at a single glance that she was no ordinary person...she was clearly a high-ranking noble female of the Upper Domain.

Beside her stood a handsome young man, Feng Yuchen, who was scrutinizing Su Qinglan so intently that the tiny hairs on her arms stood straight up.

His gaze was deep and unblinking, as if he were trying to read every secret hidden within her soul.

Off to the side, she also noticed Shen Mochen and his little daughter, who were watching the scene unfold with wide, curious eyes.

While Su Qinglan was observing her, the Beast Queen was doing the exact same thing.

The Beast Queen’s sharp gaze swept up and down Su Qinglan’s figure, inspecting her from head to toe.

Seeing the subtle, radiant glow surrounding the young female, the golden mark shimmering between her brows, and her striking features, the Beast Queen nodded slightly to herself.

She really is a magnificent beauty, the Beast Queen admitted silently. No wonder that brat An Mo and even the cold Xuan Long fell so deeply for her.

However, the Beast Queen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Beauty alone was never enough in the harsh, dangerous Upper Domain.

A female standing beside the peak lord of the Heavenly God Estate needed strength, courage, and true poise. She silently resolved that she would have to test this young female to see if she was truly qualified to be the ultimate Mistress of the Heavenly God Estate.

Breaking the quiet tension, the Beast Queen stepped forward, a grand, sweeping smile spreading across her face as her eyes softened.

"So, you are the famous female who dragged my nephew away for an entire week," the Beast Queen spoke, her voice clear and rich with authority. "I am the Beast Queen of the Upper Domain."

Su Qinglan blinked in surprise, but she quickly recovered her composure. She bowed gracefully, her voice calm and smooth. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Beast Queen. I am Su Qinglan."

"Su Qinglan..." The Beast Queen repeated the name slowly, taking another step closer.

"You carry yourself well for someone from the Lower Domain. But tell me, child...do you truly think you have what it takes to manage this estate and stand beside these powerful males?"

Han Jue’s face immediately darkened at the sharp question, stepping forward to defend his mate, but Su Qinglan gently raised her hand to stop him.

She looked straight into the Beast Queen’s sharp eyes without a single trace of fear or hesitation.

"I did not come here to prove myself to anyone, Beast Queen," Su Qinglan replied in a simple, straightforward tone, a gentle yet firm confidence radiating from her.

"I am here because I love my family, and I will protect and stand beside my mates through anything. Whether I am ’qualified’ or not is for my family to decide, not status."

Hearing her bold, grounded answer, the Beast Queen froze for a second before a loud, booming laugh burst from her lips!

"Ha! Well said!" The Beast Queen grinned, her initial strict demeanor melting away into genuine admiration. "You have a spine, little girl! I like that!"

Behind her, Feng Yuchen’s eyes flashed with an even intense, burning light as he watched Su Qinglan.

Her calm confidence and radiant aura hit him like a lightning strike, confirming everything he had hoped. He clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, his desire to join her nest burning stronger than ever before.

An Mo was completely dumbfounded as he looked at his aunt and cousin standing in the courtyard. His golden eyes widened in shock, not expecting to see them here at all.

However, the moment he heard her blunt, intrusive question questioning Su Qinglan’s qualifications, his shock instantly twisted into sheer rage.

Without a second thought, An Mo stepped forward, shielding his mate completely behind his broad back and his massive white wings. He scowled heavily at the Beast Queen, his eyes flashing with dark anger.

"What gives you the right to come into my home and question my mate?!" An Mo barked, his voice sharp and aggressive.

"Who I choose to bond with and who stands as the Mistress of this estate is strictly my business. It has nothing to do with you!"

The Beast Queen’s smile vanished, replaced by an indignant glare.

"An Mo! Is that any way to speak to your elder?! I came all the way here out of concern for you and the estate! Beauty isn’t everything in the Upper Domain, and as your Beast Queen, I have every right to..."

"You are only my aunt!" An Mo cut her off coldly, his tone dripping with harsh defiance.

"Stop treating yourself like you are my mother! You are not my mother, and you have absolutely no right to interfere in my life or dictate who my female should be!"

The harsh words hit the Beast Queen like a physical blow. Her face went pale, then flushed violently with hurt and outrage.

Her chest heaved, her heart aching so intensely from his cold rejection that she felt like she was going to spit blood right then and there!

"You... you ungrateful brat!" she gasped, clutching her chest in sheer disbelief. "I raised you! I cared for you like my own son, and you dare say I have no rights?!"

"Then stop acting like a tyrant over my mate!" An Mo shot back, his posture defensive and unyielding.

"If you came here just to insult Lanlan and test her, you can turn around and leave right now!"

Seeing the explosive bickering escalate to a dangerous point, Feng Yuchen immediately stepped out from the shadows, placing himself between his furious mother and his scowling cousin to soften the intense situation.

"Mother, An Mo, please calm down," Feng Yuchen spoke smoothly, his voice calm, diplomatic, and soothing. He turned to the Beast Queen, gently placing a hand on her arm.

"Mother, An Mo is just protective of his newly wedded mate. You know how strong the bond is after mating. He didn’t mean to hurt your feelings."

He then turned to look at An Mo, flashing a calm, pleasant smile while his eyes subtly lingered on Su Qinglan behind him.

"And An Mo, Beast Mother, didn’t mean any harm either. She has been waiting here anxiously for a whole week just to make sure both of you were safe after the Sacred Pond. She was merely worried."

The Beast Queen huffed loudly, turning her head away with a hurt expression, while An Mo crossed his arms, still glaring coldly at his aunt.

Though the explosive tension eased slightly under Feng Yuchen’s smooth mediation, the sharp air in the courtyard remained thick with lingering annoyance.