Xu Kun: Children, I'm Out of Ideas

"Your subject takes his leave."

Realizing he had finally survived the most difficult hurdle, Xu Yan let out a breath of relief as if granted a pardon.

After bowing to the old Emperor, Xu Yan bolted out of Wenhua Hall like a streak of smoke.

As the doors of Wenhua Hall closed once more behind Xu Yan, Xu Kun slowly paced toward the imperial desk where he reviewed memorials, his index finger tapping rhythmically against the tabletop, producing a monotonous, steady "tap-tap" sound.

"Cultivating a relationship from a young age, then going through the motions of an engagement when the time is right... it seems it is not impossible. In any case, the Sun Moon Empire will be the one gaining the most."

In this instance, it appeared that Xu Kun, the Emperor, had opened his mind and let go of his reservations.

In reality, however, he simply had no other choice, ಥ⌣ಥ.

At the same moment, compared to the poor, overworked Emperor in the palace—who worked year-round and wished he could split himself into several pieces to handle the workload, only to sit hunched over his desk in a foul mood—the atmosphere at the dining table in the Princess Mansion in the eastern district of Bright Capital had reached a level of pleasant harmony that was almost eerily saturated.

As a royal princess, Xu Tianzhen knew she had to maintain the necessary royal reserve and the distance expected of a noble lady.

Qian Yuhan, a man of old-fashioned decorum, also knew that as a visiting guest, he needed to be as considerate of his host's face as possible without demeaning himself.

The two simply ate and chatted, moving from the delicacies on the table to the strange and wonderful customs of different regions across the Douluo Continent, and from personal interests to the long, multi-millennial history of the continent.

Finally, through the lens of history, they discussed the transformation of the churches and the Martial Soul Hall, the collision between the Sun Moon Empire and the Douluo Continent, the so-called Holy War, and the relationship between soul masters and Soul Tools.

Qian Yuhan was astonished by the magnificent and promising future of Soul Tools—this novel invention—as described by a member of the royal family of the leading nation in Soul Tool technology.

Xu Tianzhen, in turn, was shocked by the vastness of knowledge and the grand perspective possessed by this youth, who was a year younger than herself.

In short, it was a luncheon where both host and guest were thoroughly satisfied.

As the time for parting arrived, Xu Tianzhen even personally escorted Qian Yuhan to the main gate of the Princess Mansion.

Just as Qian Yuhan was about to step over the threshold, Xu Tianzhen seemed to recall something and suddenly called out to him: "You just arrived in Bright Capital; where are you staying?"

"I am currently staying with Xu Yan. I plan to move into the school dormitory after the semester begins," Qian Yuhan paused, deciding to resolve the problem for Xu Yan before leaving, as payment for the night he had spent at his home.

"School dormitory? There is nothing good about living there. School is annoying enough as it is; having to squeeze into a dorm with others after class is even worse."

Mentioning the dormitory, which seemed small and shabby compared to her own mansion, Xu Tianzhen pursed her lips in disdain. But suddenly, her eyes widened as if she had thought of something, and she proposed: "I happen to have a building near the Bright Capital Soul Engineer Academy that is just sitting empty. Why don't you stay there instead!"

"Bright Capital Soul Engineer Academy?" Qian Yuhan looked at Xu Tianzhen with feigned surprise, asking skeptically: "As a member of the Sun Moon royal family, shouldn't you be attending the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?"

"What is there to go to at the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy? You look around, and it's all familiar faces. Even if I don't know them, they basically all know me."

At the mention of the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, the expression on Xu Tianzhen's face shifted instantly from sunny to overcast. She slumped, waved away the attendants standing nearby, and whispered cautiously to Qian Yuhan:

"To tell you the truth, I didn't want to go to the Bright Capital Soul Engineer Academy either. I originally planned to study at Shrek Academy. Who knew that not only would my father and the others forbid it, but they also grounded me for two months! How could this Princess endure such a grievance! Even if I go to the Bright Capital Soul Engineer Academy, I am absolutely not going to the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."

Old Qian, I've figured it out. This girl is hitting her rebellious phase early. The best way to deal with this kind of rebellion is physical removal, and only then, reasoning, the Rakshasa Phantom muttered from the shadows as usual, but Qian Yuhan remained silent.

On one hand, as an elder of the Douluo Continent, he could certainly understand the multifaceted considerations of the old Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, both as a monarch and an elder, believing that the younger generation should indeed heed the advice of successful predecessors.

On the other hand, as a very open-minded veteran, he also understood Xu Tianzhen's dissatisfaction from her perspective, believing that elders should communicate more with the younger generation to find the root of the problem.

What to do? He seemed to have reached an age range where he could understand both sides, and it was truly exhausting.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you think I'm being unreasonable, just like my father?" Xu Tianzhen's tone was now tinged with frustration. With crystalline tears welling in her eyes, she lowered her head and murmured: "Right, you are a year younger than me, yet so mature. You must surely..."

Old Qian, you have to agree with her right now. Trust me, you can't go wrong.

Seeing that Xu Tianzhen's emotions were clearly unstable, the Rakshasa Phantom hurriedly reminded Qian Yuhan. But to its surprise, there were some things that did not require its instruction; Qian Yuhan, as an elder, already knew them. For instance...

"You are not wrong. As a person, having your own thoughts is a good thing. Everyone has the right to think about the direction of their own life; that is beyond reproach."

Qian Yuhan gently lifted Xu Tianzhen's head with his right hand, while his left hand held a tissue, wiping the tear tracks from her cheeks with an incredibly gentle motion, guiding her patiently:

"But at the same time, I believe your father, that Majesty, also has his own considerations."

"You know that the Sun Moon Empire and that side... do not have the best relationship. And you, being his one and only precious daughter, how could he possibly feel at ease letting you travel across half the continent to study in a place with a low safety rating!"

"But..." Xu Tianzhen wanted to argue, but the moment she opened her mouth, she remembered the things she had done since she was a child:

Whether it was turning the entire royal household upside down, stealing a concubine's cosmetics, or setting fire to her father's bedchamber, her father had never once spoken a harsh word to her.

It was only when she threw a tantrum in Wenhua Hall, screaming that she had to go to Shrek, that her father had lost his temper for the first time in history.

Perhaps, was she really in the wrong? Should she go and apologize to her father? But going alone felt a bit...

Wait! Hold on, I seem to have the perfect person here to accompany me.

At this moment, Qian Yuhan, who had been wiping away Xu Tianzhen's tears a second ago, suddenly felt an eerie chill of being coveted.

Just as he turned to find the source of the chill, he was astonished to discover that the way Xu Tianzhen was looking at him... seemed a bit off.