Ning Rongrong in the Heaven Dou Empire (Part 2)

"Why?"

All the thousand words in Xue Qinghe's heart condensed into just three words.

"What a nuisance! I just don't like it. It feels like Your Highness the Crown Prince stole my Dad."

"Every time he comes to the Heaven Dou Empire, he has to build connections with the Heaven Dou nobles."

"When he goes back, he makes me learn etiquette and all that. As for Spirit Masters, isn't cultivating properly enough? What's the point of learning those things?"

"Uh..." Xue Qinghe blinked, somewhat unable to understand Ning Rongrong's train of thought.

His becoming Ning Fengzhi's disciple had stolen Ning Rongrong's fatherly love?

She really was a spoiled little girl!

Xue Qinghe silently sighed to himself, unsure whether he should say Ning Rongrong was fortunate or that his own life had been rather unhappy.

After thinking briefly, Xue Qinghe said, "Rongrong, these are necessary matters to consider. When you become Sect Master in the future, you'll also need to consider the interests of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Teacher... no, it should be said that this is something that must be done."

"I just think it's hypocritical!" Ning Rongrong retorted. "Compared to that, I prefer Spirit Hall's way of doing things."

"Huh?" Three question marks practically appeared on Xue Qinghe's forehead. If he had not seen Ning Rongrong gritting her teeth as she spoke, he would have thought Ning Fengzhi had arranged this scene in advance.

"Rongrong, I am the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Isn't it inappropriate to say such things to me?"

"What does it matter? Is Your Highness going to report me?"

"Or is Your Highness that kind of hypocrite? If you like something, you like it. If you don't, you don't!"

After the two passed through the bustling district, there were very few people around them. Ning Rongrong was not speaking loudly, and passersby could not hear her at all.

"Spirit Hall gives commoners the chance to awaken their Martial Souls for free. It even provides funding to help them through their weaker years."

"No matter how you look at it, this benefits humanity's development."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, aren't the things I said facts? Without Spirit Hall, would the Heaven Dou Empire really do this?"

"No. In this regard, the Empire truly has not done well enough." Xue Qinghe let out a long sigh, his expression full of concern for the country and its people.

"What is Your Highness's ideal?"

"To let the people of this country live happier lives," Xue Qinghe said with emotion.

"I also hope to change the Heaven Dou Empire's noble system."

"But the matters involved are simply too extensive. I am only a Crown Prince, alas..."

If Ning Rongrong had not known the truth, she truly might have thought Xue Qinghe was a decent Crown Prince.

However, the person beneath Xue Qinghe's exterior was Qian Renxue.

How much sincerity there was in those words was open to question.

"You truly are a benevolent Crown Prince. In that case, Rongrong doesn't dislike you anymore," Ning Rongrong said solemnly.

"Then I'm truly happy!" Xue Qinghe felt as though he were coaxing a child. Still, it was not a bad result if he could keep his teacher's daughter from disliking him.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, could you take me to see Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"Although I can't study there because of my health, I'm rather interested in it."

Ning Rongrong directly skipped over their previous topic. Everything she had said earlier had been to probe Xue Qinghe's feelings.

"Very well." Xue Qinghe gathered his thoughts and raised a finger, pointing toward the corner ahead.

"Once we pass here and enter the outskirts, we'll reach Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not within Heaven Dou City, but outside it.

Led by Xue Qinghe, Ning Rongrong soon arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, nestled against mountains and waters.

Come to think of it, this was Ning Rongrong's first time entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

After all, she was not the Little Devil from the original story who ran around everywhere.

She spent most of her time cultivating or learning about this world.

"Hmm, someone?"

Not long after entering the academy, Ning Rongrong sensed a trace of malice.

It was not directed at her, but at Xue Qinghe.

Having attained the Five Aperture Exquisite Heart, along with her perception abilities formed by combining True Qi and spiritual power,

she was far stronger than ordinary Spirit Masters and could rather clearly sense hostile gazes.

However, Ning Rongrong paid it no mind.

As long as they did not come looking for trouble with her, even if they stared Xue Qinghe to death, it was none of her business.

After turning left and right several times, Xue Qinghe finally arrived at a splendid building.

Upon entering, Ning Rongrong saw the three committee members from the original story. All three looked somewhat younger than they had in the original story.

Xue Qinghe told the three that Ning Rongrong would be staying there for a few days and asked them to treat her well.

The three Soul Douluo Committee Members nodded in agreement.

Xue Qinghe had managed to win over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and his relationship with the Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect appeared quite good.

That made this young girl an honored guest.

If Xue Qinghe could advance another step, he might even be able to completely win over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Of course, that thought merely passed through the minds of the three committee members and went right out the other ear.

No one was foolish. The Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not possibly marry into the Royal Family, even if it was the future heir to the throne.

The Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a Support Spirit Master. Her future spouse had to be a powerful Battle Soul Master; that had been the rule for many years.

Unless Xue Qinghe could become a Titled Douluo, he should not even think about it.

But was that possible?

Still, being able to build good relations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not bad.

After all, the academy already had Poison Douluo's granddaughter and the eldest grandson of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's clan leader.

Adding one more Young Sect Master from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect seemed perfectly normal.

After probing indirectly and learning that Ning Rongrong was in poor health and could not stay to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the three felt somewhat regretful.

Xue Qinghe did not remain at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for long.

Before coming, he had already instructed the person in the shadows to send word into the palace that Ning Rongrong would be staying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a few days.

There should not be much of a problem here.

With three Soul Douluo Committee Members at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Ning Rongrong's safety was guaranteed.

Besides, there might also be some protective force secretly following Ning Rongrong.

As Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe still had many matters to handle. After staying only briefly, he left and returned to Heaven Dou City.

He was the main character of the Apprenticeship Ceremony, and there were still many things to prepare.

Today, he had merely taken some time to get to know the girl whom his teacher considered the next Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

He was very satisfied with the result. The other party had praised Spirit Hall without reservation, strengthening Xue Qinghe's resolve to win over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

After Xue Qinghe left, Ning Rongrong followed the earlier directions to the place where Heaven Dou Royal Academy's honored guests stayed. She was not a student, after all, so she could not stay in the student dormitories.

"I finally got in. Tomorrow, I'll see if I can find Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan."

She had no intention of attending the Apprenticeship Ceremony or anything like that.

It was too troublesome, all so overly refined and formal. Rather than waste time on that, she might as well do her own things.

"Qian Renxue's feelings can be exploited, but it's dangerous. If I'm not careful, I might end up playing with fire."

If Qian Renxue, who had lacked love since childhood, received care and concern, she might rush toward it like a moth to a flame.

Once the familial love, friendship, and romantic love that had been endlessly suppressed erupted completely, it would become impossible to contain!

"I feel like I'm so evil."

Ning Rongrong silently mocked herself, then recalled the resentful gaze she had sensed when entering the academy.

"Xue Beng probably won't come looking for trouble with me, right?"

It might actually be better if he did!

As long as she planned things properly, she might be able to save herself a Soul Bone.

Dugu Bo owed Prince Xue Xing a fairly substantial favor. If she wanted to win over Dugu Bo, she first had to make him repay that favor.

"Well, I'll wait until tomorrow to see."

Tomorrow would be another day full of hope.