Xue Tianxing sat alone in the pavilion, watching the two little girls still playing happily on the ice, but he could not help recalling his conversation with Shui Bing'er earlier.
He believed that with his mother Yu Ningxin's support, Shui Bing'er staying in the Balak Kingdom would certainly be arranged smoothly.
Just as he was lost in thought, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind him:
"Tianxing, cousin, why are you sitting here alone?"
Xue Tianxing's heart tightened. He abruptly turned around and saw Xue Qinghe slowly approaching with a gentle smile on his face.
Qian Renxue? Why had she come looking for me?
Alarm bells rang in Xue Tianxing's mind, but he calmly rose to his feet and cupped his hands in salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Second Prince."
Xue Qinghe quickly stepped forward, making a gesture as though to support him, and said with a smile:
"No need for such formality, Tianxing. If we trace our lineage back a few generations, we are family. There is no need to be so distant."
As Xue Qinghe spoke, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Xue Tianxing, but she had actually been secretly observing his reactions the entire time.
Xue Tianxing sneered inwardly, but outwardly played along.
"You flatter me, Your Highness. I am sitting here to keep an eye on Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Shui Yue'er, my friend's younger sister, so that they do not have any accidents while playing on the ice. But Your Highness, why have you come to the garden instead of accompanying the guests in the main hall?"
Following his gaze, Xue Qinghe looked toward the two little girls on the ice and nodded. Then she turned back to Xue Tianxing, her tone carrying a hint of praise.