Xue Luochuan took an unhurried sip of tea.
"My reasons?"
"Let me answer your first question. Strictly speaking, helping me won't bring you any harm. First, all I need is support strong enough to let me stand against my elder brother. In other words, as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't intervene directly, I'll handle matters in the Imperial Palace myself."
"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does intervene directly, you can decide for yourselves whether to help me. After all, cooperation goes both ways, and right now, I can't offer terms of equal value."
"That way, you can keep your losses to a minimum. Even if I fail in the end, you can easily withdraw. With the power backing you, whoever ultimately takes the throne won't make trouble for you lightly."
"If your support helps me take the throne, I'll honor the terms I mentioned earlier. And I still have some authority now. If you need help with anything within my power, I'll do everything I can to assist you."
"That is why I want to ask for your help."
Xue Luochuan slowly held up two fingers. "As for your second question-why I think you would help me-the reason is simple. In my view, the power behind you may be no weaker than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It may even be stronger."
"Ever since the Clear Sky Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, withdrew from the world, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has shown signs of becoming the Number One Sect Under Heaven. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect supporting my elder brother, Xue Qinghe, there aren't many powers capable of supporting me and letting me challenge him head-on."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is one, but the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has never involved itself in imperial affairs. And none of the Lower Four Sects are within the Heaven Dou Empire. That leaves so few powers capable of helping me that I could count them on one hand."
"But you're different. As far as I know, you have more than one Titled Douluo at your side. To be precise, there are two in plain sight alone. If you could help me, I would have the strength to contend with Xue Qinghe. So whether you're willing to help or not, I had to come and try."
"And I'm not worried about you leaking this, either. Once I walk out that door, unless you agree to work with me, I won't admit a single word of it."
Xue Luochuan poured himself another cup of tea and quietly waited for Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan's answer.
Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan exchanged a glance, but neither answered immediately.
They, too, picked up the teacups before them and silently savored their tea.
The private room fell quiet again.
Moxiong still rested with his eyes closed, as though he had heard none of Xue Luochuan's words.
After a long while.
Qian Renxue set down her teacup and gave a soft laugh.
"You've certainly given us a difficult decision, Your Highness. But aren't you afraid we might turn around and support the First Prince instead?"
"After all, by your own account, the First Prince has a better chance of winning."
Qian Renxue regarded Xue Luochuan with an enigmatic smile.
"You jest, Young Lady. How could I dictate your thoughts? Even if you choose to support my elder brother, Xue Qinghe, there's nothing I can do. All I can do is try my best to win you over."
"But adding to someone's good fortune can never compare to helping them in their hour of need."
Xue Luochuan's voice remained calm, but beneath the table, his hands slowly clenched.
"We'll need to give this some careful thought."
"Once the two of us have reached a decision, we'll give you an answer, Your Highness. Would that be acceptable?"
Qian Renxue rested a hand on Bai Wanwan's shoulder.
"Of course."
"This is no small matter. Naturally, you need to consider it carefully."
Xue Luochuan nodded slightly, took out a key, and slid it across to Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan.
"As far as I know, neither of you has a residence of your own in Heaven Dou City yet. I happen to have an unused estate. It has lovely surroundings, and I've already had it cleaned. Please accept it as a welcoming gift."
A faint smile appeared in Xue Luochuan's eyes.
Although Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan had not agreed immediately, didn't their willingness to consider it mean they were thinking of helping him?
Otherwise, why would they need to consider it? They could simply refuse.
As for the estate he had given away, it was exactly as Xue Luochuan had said-nothing more than a welcoming gift.
After all, if he wanted someone's help, he had to offer something tangible. Who would be willing to work for him if all he offered were empty promises?
"We'll accept this welcoming gift, then."
After a moment's consideration, Qian Renxue picked up the key.
"The estate is in the eastern part of the city, the first one on the busiest street."
"I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you ladies any longer."
Xue Luochuan rose from his seat, smiled at Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan, then headed out of the private room.
Once Xue Luochuan had left, Qian Renxue casually tossed the key onto the table.
"Wanwan, what do you think of this?"
Qian Renxue turned her gaze toward Bai Wanwan.
"It's an excellent opening, and it came knocking on our door all on its own. Why wouldn't we take it?"
"But there's one thing Xue Luochuan and I agree on."
Bai Wanwan crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
"What?"
Curiosity flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes.
"Xue Luochuan doesn't want to be a prince without real power, and I don't want some princely title, either. Even one with real power."
"What about you, Sister?"
The corners of Bai Wanwan's lips curved upward.
"I feel the same."
Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.
The two exchanged a smile, picked up their teacups, and savored their tea.
Meanwhile.
In a somewhat secluded courtyard.
Dugu Bo stood at the courtyard entrance, watching Dugu Yan's figure recede into the distance. He could not help sighing, but his gaze gradually grew resolute.
"I'll have to find that young girl when I have time."
"As long as she can cure the backlash from the snake venom, there's no price I can't accept for Yanyan's sake."
Dugu Bo murmured to himself, his hands slowly clenching behind his back.
After an entire night of careful thought, he had already made his decision. For his granddaughter's sake, there was nothing unacceptable about paying a price himself.
As for what price I'll have to pay, I've already thought that through, too. At worst, she'll want me to help her get things done. I'll be bound by a few restrictions and lose some freedom, that's all.
That was well within what he could accept.
Dugu Bo turned and locked the courtyard gate, then set off in a certain direction.
He did not walk quickly, yet after only a few flickers, his figure vanished, as though he had never been there at all.
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