Song Qingshuang

Qin Yuan returned to the Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace. Nearly a month had passed since he left, and Qian Renxue rushed over immediately upon hearing the news, her concern palpable.

Qin Yuan brushed it off, citing the difficulty of finding suitable spirit beasts for his spirit rings. Qian Renxue relented, promising to personally accompany him on his next spirit ring hunt.

Qin Yuan grinned and agreed, then asked Qian Renxue to help him find a sword instructor. Qian Renxue naturally wouldn't refuse.

Afterward, Qian Renxue urged Qin Yuan to rest well. Having lived a life of luxury and never endured hardship, Qin Yuan had been wandering outside for nearly a month, which deeply pained her, as she was sure he had suffered greatly.

Qin Yuan was indeed a bit tired. After bathing, he slept until the afternoon of the next day.

When he woke up, the sword instructor Qian Renxue had found for him was already waiting in the courtyard.

Thus, Qin Yuan began learning his third skill: the way of the sword.

Just like the previous two times, Qin Yuan's terrifying talent in swordsmanship astonished his instructor, who regarded him as a celestial being.

Qin Yuan's sword instructor had never imagined anyone could progress so rapidly in swordsmanship; "ten thousand miles in a day" wouldn't even begin to describe it!

In just three days, he went from first touching a sword to reaching the first stage of swordsmanship. In less than a month, his swordsmanship had already broken through to the third stage...

Just as Qin Yuan was immersed in the joy of his rapid progress in swordsmanship and the influx of evolution points, two people arrived at the palace today.

They were Duke Song Hongtu of the Heavenly Dou Empire and his daughter, Song Qingshuang.

On their way to pay their respects to Emperor Xue Ye, Song Hongtu looked at his beloved daughter and quietly advised, "Shuang'er, why don't you think about it again? That Qin Yuan has a noble status and is close to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. In the future..."

"Father!" Song Qingshuang interrupted impatiently, her exquisite snow-white face etched with displeasure. "How many times have you said that! I told you, that Qin Yuan is just a cripple with half-level Innate Soul Power, while I am a genius with eight-level Innate Soul Power! He's the same age as me, and they say he just broke through to level ten to obtain his spirit ring. I'm already a Soul Grand Master at level twenty-six. Besides his status, how can he compare to me? I will never marry a cripple, no matter how noble his status!"

"But..." Song Hongtu wanted to persuade her further. On one hand, he didn't want to offend the royal family. On the other hand, he wished to solidify his position through his daughter's marriage to Qin Yuan. However, he also knew his daughter well; if he forced her into marriage, she might run away, which would be a huge trouble, far worse than breaking off the engagement.

"Father, am I even your daughter? Why do you always want to push me into a fiery pit!" Song Qingshuang suddenly stopped, her almond-shaped eyes glaring angrily at her father. She said indignantly, "Does that Qin Yuan deserve me? A cripple with only half-level Innate Soul Power! Among the many suitors I have at the academy, any one of them is a hundred times better than him! Don't you just want to marry into the royal family and solidify your status? Among my suitors, there's a Duke's son, and he's the legitimate heir, much better than this Qin Yuan, a cripple from the imperial in-laws! I don't fancy Qin Yuan!" Song Qingshuang pouted, full of disdain.

Seeing this, Song Hongtu sighed. His daughter was so resistant to Qin Yuan, and he couldn't say anything more. He could only feel guilty and sigh inwardly, "Brother Qin, I'm sorry. Although I was the one who proposed the arranged marriage back then, who can you blame but your son for being so useless? Alas..." Song Hongtu fell silent and, with the proud Song Qingshuang, went to pay their respects to Emperor Xue Ye.

At this moment, Emperor Xue Ye was discussing state affairs with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Upon hearing of Duke Song's arrival, he immediately summoned them. Qian Renxue watched Song Hongtu and Song Qingshuang enter the hall. Her gaze fell on the latter, her eyes flickering as she thought, Why has Xiao Yuan's fiancée come at this time? Is she here for the wedding? I was just thinking of finding an excuse to break off the engagement. She certainly wouldn't hand over Qin Yuan, whom she had raised for twelve years, to another woman. Xiao Yuan was hers, and no one would snatch him away!

Emperor Xue Ye and Song Hongtu chatted for a moment. Then, under Song Qingshuang's constant urging glances, Song Hongtu finally braced himself and said, "Your Majesty, your subject has something to report!"

"Oh?" Emperor Xue Ye smiled. "What is it, Hongtu? Speak freely. This is not the imperial court, so there's no need to be reserved." Even as the Emperor of the Heavenly Dou Empire, he had to consider the feelings of a Duke and maintain a good relationship.

"Your Majesty, my daughter Qingshuang has been strong-willed since childhood, with a proud and arrogant personality and no manners. I feel my daughter is truly unworthy of Young Master Qin Yuan, so..." Song Hongtu gritted his teeth. "I have come today to request the dissolution of the engagement."

The entire hall fell silent at these words. Emperor Xue Ye was only slightly surprised, showing no great shock. Qian Renxue, however, felt a surge of anger. Although Song Hongtu claimed Song Qingshuang was unworthy of Qin Yuan, everyone present knew that it was Song Qingshuang who looked down on Qin Yuan and had come specifically to break off the engagement, merely saying it nicely. But amidst her anger, she also felt a hint of joy, as breaking off the engagement suited her plans. However, she couldn't tolerate her Xiao Yuan being dumped by the woman who came to his door to break the engagement. She immediately rebuked, "Song Hongtu, how dare you! You dare to break off a royal marriage? Do you want to disgrace the Heavenly Dou Imperial Family!"

"No, I wouldn't dare!" Song Hongtu quickly replied. "I will announce to the public that it was Young Master Qin Yuan who looked down on my daughter and actively broke off the engagement. It will not damage the royal family's prestige in the slightest!"

"Heh, do you believe that?" Qian Renxue sneered.

"This..." Song Hongtu's face showed distress. Song Qingshuang trembled under Qian Renxue's imposing aura, her arrogance gone. Her face turned pale, and she felt uneasy, fearing that if the engagement wasn't broken, she might be punished instead.

"Enough!" Emperor Xue Ye glanced at Qian Renxue and said calmly, "I approve of this matter. It is true that my nephew is not good enough and unworthy of your daughter. However, Qinghe is not wrong. Hongtu, you will announce to the public that my nephew actively broke off the engagement. Do not let the royal family's prestige be harmed."

Hearing this, Song Hongtu and Song Qingshuang showed joy. Song Hongtu quickly pulled his daughter to bow and said:

"Thank Your Majesty!"

"Father Emperor!" Qian Renxue's brows furrowed tightly, and she opened her mouth, wanting to say something more.

"Enough, my mind is made up. There's no need to discuss this further," Emperor Xue Ye said indifferently:

"Hongtu, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this subject takes his leave." Song Hongtu pulled Song Qingshuang, who could barely hide her smile, and quickly left the great hall, fearing Emperor Xue Ye would go back on his word and not break the engagement.

After the Song father and daughter left, only Emperor Xue Ye and Qian Renxue remained in the great hall.

"Father Emperor, how could you agree so easily? You should at least have asked Xiao Yuan's opinion!" Qian Renxue said in a deep voice.

"Ask his opinion?" Emperor Xue Ye snorted coldly:

"What's there to ask about a cripple! Between Qinghe, a cripple with only half a level of Innate Soul Power, and a Duke, you should know which is more important.

It's not worth affecting the relationship between a Duke and my royal family for a cripple, and I don't want to sour my relationship with Song Hongtu because of a cripple, do you understand?"

Emperor Xue Ye's gaze fixed on Qian Renxue and said:

"Qinghe, I know you have a very good relationship with Qin Yuan, but remember, do not let that cripple affect state affairs!"

After speaking, Emperor Xue Ye stood up, said, "Imperial We is tired," and headed towards the harem, ignoring Qian Renxue any further.

When Emperor Xue Ye had completely left the great hall, Qian Renxue's eyes turned exceptionally cold and chilling.

"Old man, how dare you speak of my Xiao Yuan like that? You'd better die sooner rather than later!"