Xue Qinghe Arrives

Plans were one thing; reality was another.

Although Gu Ye had the idea of supporting Kadan as queen, the current circumstances were not enough to achieve that goal. For now, he could only briefly explain the objective and certain matters to Kadan.

Kadan's body and heart were both bound to Gu Ye. No matter what he said, she would agree.

That night, Gu Ye and Kadan took their first step toward plotting for the Balak Kingdom.

Two days later, at the gates of Suotuo City, a convoy escorted by cavalry slowly entered the city.

Inside the most luxurious carriage at the center of the convoy, a handsome man dressed in noble robes sat upright on the cushions, reading a book in his hands.

Just then, the captain of the knight guards rode up beside the carriage and said, "Crown Prince, we have arrived at Suotuo City."

"Mm." Xue Qinghe closed his book, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked toward Suotuo City's gates.

Xue Qinghe was more than willing to carry out Emperor Xueye's orders to visit and inspect the kingdoms and duchies under the Heaven Dou Empire.

After all, opportunities to take a vacation and travel under the guise of official business while also passing messages to Spirit Hall were rare.

How could he not be willing? Furthermore, during his inspection of the kingdoms and duchies under the Heaven Dou Empire, he could learn which of them harbored dissatisfaction toward the empire. That information could also be provided to Spirit Hall in preparation for their future plans.

He should have headed straight for the capital of the Balak Kingdom today, yet he had appeared in Suotuo City instead. Naturally, it was because of Xue Hong, his nominal cousin and the second prince of the Balak Kingdom.

King Barak was now old and frail, his health worsening by the day. He could pass away at any time, and Xue Hong harbored ambitions of becoming king.

From what Xue Qinghe understood, Xue Hong was practically a half-wit. If he could bring Xue Hong under his command and use his influence to push him onto the throne, it would maximize his own benefits. Why wouldn't he?

"Cousin Qinghe!"

Just then, Xue Hong ran out from the city gates in excitement.

His clothes were disheveled, he was barefoot, and he wore nothing but a nightgown.

The scene even bore some resemblance to Cao Cao welcoming Xu You barefoot.

Yet just a quarter of an hour ago, Xue Hong had still been pumping away and singing tunes with a woman in bed at some pleasure house, going deep and shallow.

The moment he received word from his guard Qin Xiao, he rushed out in a hurry before even having time to straighten his clothes.

Inside the carriage, Xue Qinghe heard someone call him cousin. When he saw the man running out from the city gates, he immediately knew who it was.

By seniority, Emperor Xueye was Xue Hong's father's cousin. However, Xue Hong was older than her, so calling him cousin was indeed appropriate and even made them seem somewhat closer.

Still, when Xue Qinghe glanced over Xue Hong's appearance, a trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes.

"Huff—"

Xue Hong had barely reached Xue Qinghe's carriage before the cavalry guards stopped him.

Panting, he called loudly to Xue Qinghe, "Qinghe... Cousin, your cousin... I've been waiting for you."

"It's fine." Xue Qinghe gestured for them to let him through.

Only then did the knight guards obey and allow him to pass.

Seeing this, Xue Hong hurriedly ran up to the carriage.

"Cousin Xue Hong, what is the meaning of this?" Xue Qinghe pointed at Xue Hong's disheveled state. As for calling him cousin, it was merely to display his grace.

"Oh, this? The moment I heard that Cousin Qinghe had arrived in Suotuo City, I rushed here without stopping. Compared to seeing Cousin Qinghe, something as trivial as changing clothes is nothing, nothing at all," Xue Hong shamelessly explained.

As for being too busy playing with women to get dressed in time to greet him, who would know if he did not say so?

"Oh, so that's how it is." Xue Qinghe nodded in understanding. However, when he noticed the red lipstick marks on Xue Hong's neck and the pungent scent of perfume coming from him, then recalled the information he had gathered on Xue Hong, he instantly understood what sort of person Xue Hong was.

He was somewhat clever and had a few small tricks.

But he himself was incapable, little more than a half-wit. Like those nobles, he loved indulging in every pleasure and lived a debauched life.

But to Xue Qinghe, this kind of person was ideal—easy to control, and exactly the sort he needed.

Then, under Xue Hong's lead, Xue Qinghe and his group entered Suotuo City.

The moment they entered the city, Xue Hong brought Xue Qinghe to the City Lord's residence. Fine food, wine, beauties, treasures—every indulgence favored by the upper nobility was brought out to entertain him.

As the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe had long since grown accustomed to such things. His expression remained utterly unmoved.

However, while drinking, Xue Hong laid out all his thoughts to Xue Qinghe one by one.

For instance, he wanted to become the next king of Barak and needed Xue Qinghe's support, among other things.

"Easy enough, easy enough." Xue Qinghe took a sip of tea.

"Cousin Qinghe, are you really willing to support me in becoming the next king?" Xue Hong asked excitedly.

Xue Qinghe nodded, then shook his head.

"Cousin Qinghe, what do you mean by that?" Xue Hong did not quite understand.

"I can support you in becoming the next king, but what can you offer me in return?" Xue Qinghe said as he sipped his tea.

Looking at Xue Qinghe, Xue Hong understood his meaning. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Cousin Qinghe, as long as I can become the next king of Barak, no matter what you need me to do, I can agree to it."

In order to become king, and to avenge himself against his elder brother for nearly causing his death two months ago, Xue Hong could disregard everything.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe said calmly, "Then this matter is easily discussed."

The moment Xue Hong heard those meaningful words, he instantly understood Xue Qinghe's intentions.

He rose to his feet excitedly and toasted Xue Qinghe three cups in succession.

Afterward, Xue Qinghe chatted with Xue Hong about various matters, subtly probing him along the way and gaining a deeper understanding of him.

He had no particular talent, making him easy to control. At the same time, he was very suitable to become Barak's next king.

That was Xue Qinghe's assessment of Xue Hong.

"By the way, I heard that the most famous place in Suotuo City, Cousin Xue Hong's fief, is the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena. Would you be willing to take me there for a look?"

"Since Cousin Qinghe is interested, how could I refuse? As it happens, my wife is at the Spirit Arena right now. I'll take you there shortly."

Xue Qinghe was somewhat surprised to hear that Xue Hong's wife was at the Great Spirit Arena.

The only reason he wanted to watch the spirit fights was because drinking here with Xue Hong was boring. He might as well head to the arena and see whether there were any exceptional unaffiliated talents worth recruiting into his ranks.

But Xue Hong's claim that his wife was fighting spirits piqued his interest.

"Yes. My wife usually manages the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena, so under normal circumstances, she is there."

"Is that so? Then I'm rather curious to see what sort of remarkable woman Cousin Xue Hong's wife is."

"What remarkable woman? She's just an ordinary woman." Xue Hong spoke modestly, but inwardly, he was delighted.

After all, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire had praised his wife. It reflected well on him too.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two headed to the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena.

Meanwhile, in a VIP room on the highest floor of the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena.

Kadan sat elegantly in her chair, with Gu Ye beside her.

She watched Gu Ye focus intently on the letter in his hand, growing more captivated the longer she looked.

"Where is he now?" Gu Ye asked as he set down his pen.

"He returned to the City Lord's residence with Xue Hong half an hour ago."

As Kadan spoke, there was a knock at the door.

"Speak." Kadan glanced toward the door.

"City Lord Xue Hong and His Highness the Crown Prince are on their way to the Spirit Arena. They will arrive in half a quarter-hour."

"Mm, understood. You may leave."

"Yes."

The maid outside left, and Kadan turned to Gu Ye.

"They actually came to the Great Spirit Arena? That saves us the trouble of finding another way to meet him."

Gu Ye's eyes held a trace of anticipation for Xue Qinghe's arrival—or rather, Qian Renxue's.