Borrowing the Nine-Section Emerald

Xue Qinghe immediately put away the folding fan in his hand when he noticed the somewhat displeased gazes of Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan, and he wore a refined smile.

"Apologies, it suddenly occurred to me that I still have some matters to attend to at the academy, so I shall not disturb you two young ladies any longer."

Xue Qinghe cast a provocative look at Xue Luochuan before turning directly and walking out of the Front Hall.

Well, he did it on purpose.

Or rather, he deliberately came to mess with Xue Luochuan, and as for Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan, they were merely incidental.

As for the reason he wanted to mess with Xue Luochuan, it was naturally because of the soup Xue Luochuan had sent people to deliver yesterday; although this thing had no practical use, he just liked the look in Xue Luochuan's eyes when he found him annoying yet could do nothing about it.

Listening to the footsteps gradually fading away.

Xue Luochuan got up, changed to another spot, sat down again, and breathed in the fresh air.

"Your Highness, why have you come today?"

Qian Renxue directed her gaze at Xue Luochuan and asked softly.

Hearing this, Xue Luochuan glanced toward the doorway, and after making sure Xue Qinghe had already left the King's Mansion, he lowered his voice and said, "I have come to borrow something."

Xue Luochuan's expression was very solemn, his tone was extremely earnest, and he kept his voice very low.

"To borrow something?"

"What are you going to borrow?"

Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan spoke almost at the same time, looking at Xue Luochuan with puzzled gazes.

"I want to borrow the pet raised by Young Lady Bai: the Nine-Section Emerald!"

Xue Luochuan glanced around the surroundings and lowered his voice a fraction more.

"The Nine-Section Emerald?"

"What do you need the Nine-Section Emerald for?"

Bai Wanwan's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

Ever since Dugu Bo gave the Nine-Section Emerald to her, it had been kept by her in her room, fed some poisonous herbs every few days, and basically never allowed out of the room.

Therefore, besides its original owner Dugu Bo, the only person who knew the Nine-Section Emerald was in Bai Wanwan's hands was Xue Luochuan, with whom she had maintained a cooperative relationship.

"To clean house!"

"The chess game has already unfolded, and before it officially begins, some unstable factors need to be cleared out in advance."

Xue Luochuan's expression was very serious.

"There are many ways to clean house."

"Why choose to use the Nine-Section Emerald."

Bai Wanwan asked in a low voice.

"It is convenient."

"I will handle the subsequent matters cleanly."

Xue Luochuan gazed quietly into Bai Wanwan's eyes.

Tap, tap, tap~

Bai Wanwan lightly tapped the tabletop with her fingertips without answering immediately.

And Qian Renxue did not speak either, but lowered her head in contemplation, as if pondering something.

The Front Hall gradually fell into silence.

A moment later.

Bai Wanwan nodded gently.

"The Nine-Section Emerald can be temporarily lent to Your Highness, but the Nine-Section Emerald itself is still very dangerous, so I must ask Your Highness to use it with caution."

Bai Wanwan paused her words slightly and slowly spoke: "Also, I have recently developed a slight interest in the imperial family's founding treasure: the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. I wonder if Your Highness can manage to get it out for me to study."

"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"

"Although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud bears the title of a founding national treasure, it is actually just a Soul Tool with some clever uses. Taking it out for Young Lady Bai to study is not a difficult task."

Xue Luochuan agreed readily.

"Then follow me."

Bai Wanwan and Qian Renxue rose from their seats and strode toward the Back Hall.

Xue Luochuan followed behind them with a smile on his face.

Entering the Back Hall.

Arriving at the door of Bai Wanwan's boudoir, Bai Wanwan reached out and pushed the door open, but did not step inside.

Clap~ clap~ clap.

Bai Wanwan raised her hand and clapped three times lightly, and the faint sound of crawling appeared in the room.

Soon, a small emerald-green snake crawled out from under Bai Wanwan's bed. Upon reaching the doorway, the small snake looked at the single finger Bai Wanwan extended and immediately climbed up along it.

When the small snake climbed to Bai Wanwan's wrist, Bai Wanwan took out the Ruyi Treasure Pouch, put the small snake into it, and handed it to Xue Luochuan, who stood behind her.

"Here you go."

"A word of warning in advance: do not get bitten by it, as I do not know how to cure the poison of the Nine-Section Emerald."

Bai Wanwan gave a serious warning.

"Rest assured, I still cherish my life."

Xue Luochuan held the Ruyi Treasure Pouch in his hand, a smile unconsciously curving the corner of his mouth.

To this, Bai Wanwan merely smiled noncommittally.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Bai Wanwan and Qian Renxue, Xue Luochuan put away the Ruyi Treasure Pouch and walked out of the King's Mansion.

Watching Xue Luochuan's retreating figure, Qian Renxue walked forward alongside Bai Wanwan and spoke: "Wanwan, handing the Nine-Section Emerald over to him carries a bit of risk, in my opinion."

"Others might not be able to tell, but Dugu Bo will certainly be able to recognize the poison of the Nine-Section Emerald, and moreover, Dugu Bo is currently still a Guest Elder of the royal family."

There was a hint of contemplation in Qian Renxue's voice.

"Mm, I know."

"I will handle Dugu Bo's side of things. As for the subsequent cleanup, Xue Luochuan should manage that as well."

Bai Wanwan smiled indifferently. "Besides, Sister, you should have been able to tell as well: by borrowing the Nine-Section Emerald, wasn't Xue Luochuan trying to tie us to his chariot?"

"Since he wishes to, we might as well humor him."

Bai Wanwan lay on a rocking chair, took a pillow out of the Storage Bracelet, and held it in her arms.

"Mm, there are pros and cons, but generally speaking, the pros outweigh the cons."

Qian Renxue lay down on another rocking chair. "As for tying us to his chariot, that's just a thought; the moment any unfavorable signs appear, we can walk away at any time."

"Mm, if things look amiss, we will just walk away."

"It's just that Heaven Dou City is likely to become unsettled in the near future."

Bai Wanwan stretched her body, took a small blanket out of the Storage Bracelet, covered herself with it, and feeling the warm sunlight, gradually closed her eyes.

Watching Bai Wanwan, who was preparing to sleep, Qian Renxue merely smiled and had no intention of disturbing her.

Instead, she closed her eyes as well, preparing to rest her mind.

Meanwhile.

The Imperial Palace.

In the palace where Xue Luochuan resided.

Xue Luochuan looked at the Ruyi Treasure Pouch in his hand, a look of deep thought gradually appearing in his eyes.

Who knows what he was thinking about.

Gently stroking the Ruyi Treasure Pouch with his fingertips and feeling its smooth texture, Xue Luochuan's gaze gradually became firm, as if he had made up his mind.

At that very moment.

The voice of a guard rang out from the doorway: "Your Highness, the Third Prince has arrived."

"I know."

Xue Luochuan gave a response, put away the Ruyi Treasure Pouch, and strode toward the doorway.

Upon seeing Xue Haicang standing at the door, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Xue Luochuan's mouth.

"Third Brother, what brings you the time to come to my place?"