Seeing Bai Wanwan like this, Qian Renxue smiled silently and gently stroked her ice-blue hair with her fingertips.
Her ice-blue hair was silky smooth and especially pleasant to the touch, so much so that Qian Renxue almost couldn't bear to stop stroking it.
The room gradually fell quiet.
Yet the atmosphere felt peaceful and serene.
Under Qian Renxue's gentle touch, Bai Wanwan gradually grew sleepy. She nuzzled against her lightly and was just about to drift off when a knock echoed through the room.
The knocking made Bai Wanwan open her eyes at once, all her drowsiness vanishing. Qian Renxue stopped stroking her hair and turned toward the door.
"What is it?"
Her voice was elegant, but a flicker of displeasure slipped through her slightly narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes.
Bai Wanwan said nothing, but her eyes betrayed her unhappiness.
To her, Qian Renxue's lap was more comfortable than any pillow. Yet someone had interrupted her after she had barely lain down. On top of that, the knocking had startled her awake just as she was about to fall asleep, instantly spoiling her wonderful mood.
"Young Master, the Second Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has come to visit."
Moxiong's voice came from outside the door.
"Understood."
Qian Renxue replied, then patted Bai Wanwan's head, signaling for her to get up so they could attend to business first.
At Qian Renxue's signal, Bai Wanwan rose and walked toward the door with her.
Click.
The door opened.
The first thing they saw was Moxiong's burly figure, followed by Xue Luochuan, who stood beside him looking refined and courteous.
"Greetings, young ladies."
Xue Luochuan gave them a cultured smile.
"Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Qian Renxue inclined her head slightly and asked in an indifferent tone.
"Young ladies, I have come because of the matter involving my fourth brother, Xue Beng."
"After learning what Xue Beng had done, Father Emperor gave him an appropriate punishment. Since my fourth brother was at fault in that incident, I have arranged a banquet as a small token of apology, to make amends on his behalf. I only wonder whether you two have the time."
Xue Luochuan's expression gradually grew serious.
Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan exchanged a glance, then both turned their eyes toward Xue Luochuan with a hint of amusement.
They were almost certain that Xue Luochuan had another purpose for coming. The banquet to apologize on Xue Beng's behalf was merely an excuse.
"There's no need for a banquet."
"The matter with Xue Beng is over, so there's no need to bring it up again. If you have anything else to say, Your Highness, perhaps we could discuss it at the teahouse across the street."
Bai Wanwan leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded, her tone calm.
"To be honest, there is indeed something else. This isn't the place to discuss it, though. Let's go to the teahouse across the street."
Xue Luochuan extended a hand in an inviting gesture.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue beckoned to Moxiong, signaling for him to follow, then headed forward with Bai Wanwan.
Xue Luochuan walked alongside them.
They left the hotel.
They arrived at the teahouse across the street.
Using his status, Xue Luochuan secured a private VIP room, ordered a pot of fine tea and several plates of pastries, then headed to the room.
Everyone entered and took their seats.
After serving the tea and pastries, the attendant withdrew and closed the door behind them.
The room fell quiet.
Xue Luochuan picked up the teapot and personally poured three cups of hot tea, placing them before Qian Renxue, Bai Wanwan, and Moxiong in turn.
"Your Highness, feel free to speak plainly."
Qian Renxue glanced at the tea before her but did not reach for it.
Bai Wanwan crossed her legs, looking ready to listen.
Moxiong closed his eyes to rest.
His main duty was to protect Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan. As for anything else, he would do whatever the Young Master and the Young Lady told him to.
"Young ladies, I would like to discuss a partnership with you."
Xue Luochuan poured himself a cup of tea, his eyes watching Qian Renxue's and Bai Wanwan's expressions.
"What sort of partnership?"
Bai Wanwan asked with interest.
"One concerning our imperial family."
"Of the four princes of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, my eldest brother, Xue Qinghe, currently has the best chance of becoming crown prince. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect supporting him and the civil and military officials rallying to his side, the rest of us have very little chance of competing with him."
"Once he is named crown prince and eventually succeeds to the throne, I expect I will be a prince with little real power."
Xue Luochuan raised his teacup and took a small sip.
Hearing this, Bai Wanwan glanced unobtrusively in the direction of the Star Luo Empire.
Honestly, compared with the Star Luo Empire, Bai Wanwan thought becoming a prince with little real power was a pretty good outcome for Xue Luochuan. At least he could enjoy a lifetime of wealth and comfort.
In the Star Luo Empire, by contrast, those who lost the struggle for the throne could forget about becoming princes. Even life imprisonment would be a blessing. Most simply ended up buried somewhere with a pleasant view.
"So what exactly are you suggesting, Your Highness?"
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes and tapped a finger lightly against the table.
"I don't want to be a prince without real power. To be precise, I want to add the character for 'white' above the character for 'king.'"
Xue Luochuan set down his teacup, undisguised ambition filling his eyes.
Qian Renxue fell silent and did not speak for a long time.
Bai Wanwan showed no intention of speaking either.
Xue Luochuan's meaning was already obvious, and both Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan understood. Adding the character for "white" above "king" formed "emperor."
"Young ladies, please don't be so quick to refuse. I have given this partnership careful thought, and I am sincere."
"As the Second Prince of the imperial family, I still have some power at my disposal. If you need help with anything, I will do everything I can to assist you. Moreover, as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't intervene directly, I won't need you to do anything."
"What I need now is support-support strong enough to let me compete with my eldest brother. Once we succeed, if I can take that seat, you will be granted princely titles with real authority, hereditary in perpetuity. You may choose your fiefs anywhere within the empire, and the organization you belong to will become the most powerful force in the empire."
Xue Luochuan clasped his hands together, his gaze exceptionally sincere.
"A reason."
"Give us a reason to help you, and a reason you think we would."
Bai Wanwan lightly rubbed her fingertips together as she studied Xue Luochuan with interest.
She had to admit, Xue Luochuan was quite good at making grand promises.
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