After the initial shock and brief silence, the atmosphere in the courtyard gradually returned to its earlier ease, carrying even more of an indescribable intimacy than before.
The sharing of a world-shaking secret was like the strongest adhesive, binding the people in the courtyard tightly together.
Under the sunlight, Qian Renxue's brilliant golden eyes no longer deliberately concealed their innate nobility and sharpness.
Yet when she tried to imitate Lan Xi and use her slender, fair fingers to bend the seemingly pliant bamboo strips, the sense of alienation belonging to one in a high position was softened by her clumsy yet sincere efforts.
"Here, the angle should turn inward a little more. Don't use Soul Power—just use a deft touch."
At some point, Jiang Zhen had come to her side. His voice was calm as he guided her, neither especially deferential because of her noble status nor impatient because of her unfamiliarity with the task. It was as natural as when he guided Lan Xi and Dugu Yan.
His approach brought with it a crisp, pleasant scent, and Qian Renxue could even feel the warmth of his breath brush past her ear as he spoke.
Her fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, and her heartbeat inexplicably skipped a beat. Yet her expression remained composed. She merely gave a soft "Mm" and adjusted her movements according to his instructions.
Ice Empress watched from the side and curled her lips, but said nothing. She simply raised the lantern frame in her hands, which had already begun to take shape, and examined it beneath the sunlight. Apparently dissatisfied with the stability of one joint, she pressed hard and reinforced it.
Dugu Yan leaned curiously closer to Qian Renxue, her large eyes blinking in amazement. "Sister Qian Renxue, you... you're actually this beautiful! Even more beautiful