Late at night.
Heaven Dou City, the Prince's Mansion.
Two figures landed lightly on the mansion's upturned eaves and melted into the thick darkness.
The first wore tight black clothes that traced a striking figure. A broad hood hid most of her face, leaving only a pair of violet eyes gleaming coolly in the moonlight.
The other had a face as smooth as a child's, with skin so delicate it was almost bewitching. Gold and silver patterns adorned his crimson ceremonial robe, its splendor dazzling even in the dark.
They were Bibi Dong and Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had traveled through the night from Spirit City.
"Your Majesty, shall I summon Snake Lance and Ci Xue to receive you?" Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed slightly, keeping his voice low.
Bibi Dong raised a hand to stop him. Her gaze passed over the palace roofs and settled on the warm yellow light spilling from the study. "No need. This is a good chance to see how much Xiao Xue has grown over the years."
Inside the study.
Qian Renxue had shed her disguise and wore a golden court dress. Her long golden hair fell loosely down her back as she sat upright
in a rosewood chair, reviewing memorials with brush in hand.
Memorials lay piled like mountains across her desk, their fresh ink glinting faintly beneath the lamp.
"Young Master, it's late. You should rest," Snake Lance Douluo said, glancing at the sky outside.
"I have to finish all of these, or that old Xue Ye will start nagging again tomorrow." Qian Renxue looked helplessly at the stack before her.
Ever since she had established the Imperial Hospital and won widespread support among the people, Emperor Xue Ye had handed her every matter except military affairs to manage. She still had to report to