Only what I give you is yours

A long while passed.

The contemplation in Xue Ye's eyes gradually faded.

"Someone, summon Luochuan. I have something to discuss with him."

His voice, tinged with age, slowly emerged from his lips.

As soon as he finished speaking, a guard answered from outside the door.

Xue Ye picked up the brush before him and lowered his head to write.

Silence settled over the study.

Only the sound of the brush moving across paper continued to fill the room.

A while later.

The study door opened, and Xue Luochuan stepped inside.

"Greetings, Father Emperor."

Xue Luochuan bowed to Xue Ye, who sat at the head of the room.

"Mm."

Xue Ye merely gave a quiet acknowledgment and said nothing more.

Xue Luochuan remained where he was, holding his bow without moving.

Time slowly passed.

Xue Ye set down his brush and looked at Xue Luochuan, who was still bowing, his eyes filled with authority.

"Rise."

Xue Ye raised his hand slightly. Only after Xue Luochuan straightened did he speak slowly. "Luochuan, there are certain rules I hope you understand."

"Some things are yours only when I give them to you. If I do not give them to you, you cannot seize them."

"I understand, Father Emperor!"

Xue Luochuan lowered his eyes slightly and answered without hesitation, his voice full of respect. Yet an unreadable look flickered in the depths of his eyes.

In truth, he did not agree with Xue Ye's words.

Whatever Father Emperor gives me, I can rightfully accept, because he gave it to me.

But if Father Emperor won't give it to me, I'll just take it.

After all, struggles over who becomes the Heir Apparent have always worked that way.

Fight it out beyond the palace walls. The winner becomes the Heir Apparent, and the loser becomes a rebel.

If I try, there's always a chance of success. If I don't, there's no chance at all.

As for what the history books say, that's for the victor to decide.

Of course, for now, Xue Luochuan only dared think these things. Saying them aloud was absolutely out of the question.

"Good, as long as you understand."

"Lately, you've been quite close to those two young ladies protected by a Titled Douluo. You gave them a residence and even paid for their bids at the Auction House."

Xue Ye tapped his fingertips against the desk, producing a steady tapping sound.

Xue Luochuan's heart lurched. But after a few flickers of his gaze, he bowed to Xue Ye again.

"Yes, Father Emperor."

"I have indeed become quite close to them lately. But I have no selfish motives. I simply believe they are worth winning over, so they can become an asset to our imperial family."

"Although our imperial family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have always supported one another, I believe having another option might not be a bad thing. At the very least, judging by the top experts they have shown us, they are no weaker than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Xue Luochuan delivered his explanation with complete seriousness.

He did not deny that he had recently grown close to Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan. After all, since Xue Ye had brought it up, he clearly already knew. There was no point in denying it.

"Mm, you're right."

"If someone has a Titled Douluo protecting them, we should naturally try to win them over. Even if we cannot, we must not offend them unless absolutely necessary."

Xue Ye smiled and gave Xue Luochuan a long look. His eyes were calm, with a calmness that seemed to see through every thought in Xue Luochuan's heart.

No one knew a son better than his father.

How could he not know what Xue Luochuan was thinking or why he wanted to win them over?

He simply did not mind.

Besides, a little competition was not entirely a bad thing. It could even help him see who was truly best suited to become the empire's heir.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is currently managed jointly by Qinghe and Xue Xing. I will have Xue Xing hand his authority over to you later. Go there tomorrow to complete the handover."

As he spoke, Xue Ye rolled up the paper before him and tossed it to Xue Luochuan. "Deliver this tomorrow as well. You should know who it is for."

Xue Luochuan caught what Xue Ye had tossed him and unrolled the paper. After a hurried glance at its contents, his pupils involuntarily contracted.

Princely titles!

It was an edict bestowing two princely titles. Although they carried no real authority, they came with fiefs of their own.

He rolled the paper up again.

"I understand, Father Emperor."

Xue Luochuan bowed to Xue Ye.

"Mm. You may leave."

Xue Ye waved his hand lightly.

"I take my leave!"

Xue Luochuan straightened and headed outside, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from lifting slightly.

After Xue Luochuan left, Xue Ye turned his gaze in the direction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his eyes gradually narrowing.

"It wouldn't hurt to use their strength to give the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a little warning."

"Lest the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect start getting ideas."

Xue Ye murmured to himself, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk in a steady rhythm.

At the residence.

In a room furnished in a traditional style in the rear hall.

Qian Renxue held Bai Wanwan in her arms like a body pillow. Her nose twitched slightly as she breathed in the faint fragrance, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily lifted.

The soft figure in her arms was more comfortable than any expensive body pillow. It even brought her a sense of contentment in both body and mind, as though she were holding the entire world.

She tightened her arms, drawing Bai Wanwan closer until Bai Wanwan's back rested fully against her.

Qian Renxue rubbed her cheek against Bai Wanwan's shoulder, then gradually closed her eyes, seemingly drifting into a deep sleep.

Feeling Qian Renxue's movements, Bai Wanwan remained perfectly still, simply playing the part of a proper body pillow.

The Young Master of Spirit Hall is personally holding me as she sleeps.

Does anyone else get this treatment?

Absolutely not!

Even if I'm only playing the role of a body pillow, that's enough. I'm not losing out at all.

With her eyes closed, Bai Wanwan silently mused to herself.

Besides, strictly speaking, this is perfectly normal. Close sisters sleeping together is a perfectly normal thing.

Qian Renxue and I have spent ten years together, day in and day out. Our bond has already gone beyond friendship, so this is even more natural.

She let out a soft breath and glanced up to check the time. Then Bai Wanwan shook off her scattered thoughts, closed her eyes, and soon fell fast asleep.

The room was very quiet, with only their breathing softly echoing within it.

Early the next morning.

Fine rays of sunlight fell across the bed.

A series of knocks woke Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan from their deep sleep.

A maid's somewhat timid voice sounded from outside the door.

"Young Ladies, the Second Prince has come to visit. He is waiting in the front hall."