Xue Qinghe's Invitation

The morning sun filtered through the window lattice, gilding the interior of the Moonlight Pavilion in a layer of warm gold.

Tang Yin was enjoying breakfast with Tang Yuehua when a servant appeared outside the door, announcing that someone had arrived from the Crown Prince's Mansion.

"His Highness invites Young Master Lan Yin to the mansion for a chat."

The Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, is inviting me? Tang Yin's heart tightened. Had yesterday's events finally drawn her attention?

It made sense; he was not yet ten years old and was already a level 23 Soul Grand Master. Such talent was an incredibly dazzling existence anywhere.

Just as he was contemplating this, the servant added, "The messenger also mentioned that Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is at the mansion as well."

"Oh, then it's nothing!"

Tang Yin gave a light cough. He had been overthinking things; it was clear the Crown Prince was acting under the influence of Ning Rongrong.

Why couldn't that little girl just stay put for once?

"You clashed with Xue Beng in the front hall yesterday, and the Crown Prince was a witness. Perhaps he has taken an interest in you, or perhaps... there is another motive."

Seeing his hesitation, Tang Yuehua, assuming Tang Yin was worried about retaliation from the Crown Prince for yesterday's incident, gently pressed his hand to comfort him. "Although Xue Qinghe is a man of deep schemes, he enjoys a virtuous reputation among the common people. Since the messenger specifically mentioned Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I suspect this is not about yesterday's events!"

"Aunt, I understand all of this." Tang Yin nodded and proactively spoke about his relationship with Ning Rongrong, taking the opportunity to point out that Tang Hao had stolen money from her and been caught, leaving him to take the fall.

"Hao is truly... such a..." Tang Yuehua paused slightly, remembering that when Tang Hao came to see her three years ago, he had specifically instructed her to avoid seeking him or the child, and even if they met, she was not to reveal their true identities.

"By the way, judging by what you've said, that Ning Rongrong seems very close to you." Tang Yuehua changed the subject rather stiffly, though this was indeed a point of great interest to her.

After all, gossip was a woman's nature, especially when it concerned her own nephew's romantic entanglements.

"I also don't quite understand why Ning Rongrong treats me differently." Tang Yin ignored the sudden interruption in Tang Yuehua's words, his expression turning strange at the mention of Ning Rongrong.

Their first meeting had not been pleasant, but ever since he had used Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon on her, her attitude toward him had changed drastically.

Could it be that his Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon had such a heaven-defying effect?

Or was Ning Rongrong simply a face-value enthusiast who had truly taken a liking to his appearance?

That seemed unlikely. Although this was the Love Continent, when it came to soul masters, a woman's criteria for a partner were generally based on strength.

Not everyone was like Liu Erlong or Bibi Dong...

After breakfast, Tang Yin ultimately decided to accept the invitation to the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Refuse?

Given the Crown Prince's status, for him to personally send someone to "invite" him—and specifically mention Ning Rongrong—a flat refusal would only appear suspicious and more likely to invite Xue Qinghe's scrutiny and investigation.

Tang Yuehua looked at him deeply, her eyes filled with concern. "Be careful in all things. The Crown Prince is unfathomable; weigh your words carefully."

"Don't worry, Aunt."

Tang Yuehua summoned a maid and ordered a carriage to be prepared to take Tang Yin to the Crown Prince's Mansion.

Crown Prince's Mansion, East Flower Hall.

Ning Rongrong was absentmindedly fiddling with her teacup, listening to Xue Qinghe gently recount recent anecdotes from Heaven Dou City.

A steward's voice came from outside the hall: "Your Highness, Young Master Lan Yin has arrived."

Ning Rongrong lifted her head abruptly, a flash of surprise and joy erupting in her jade-like eyes.

A deeper smile touched Xue Qinghe's eyes as he said warmly, "Bring him in."

Led by an attendant, Tang Yin stepped into the flower hall. The first thing that caught his eye was Xue Qinghe sitting in the center, followed by the cold-faced Chen Xin to the side, and finally, Ning Rongrong, who was walking toward him.

"Lan Yin, you finally came!"

"Commoner Lan Yin greets His Highness the Crown Prince." Tang Yin first bowed to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe before turning to nod and smile at Ning Rongrong.

"Little Brother Lan, there is no need for such formalities. Please, sit."

Xue Qinghe smiled warmly and gestured to the seat next to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong has been mentioning you often these past two days. Knowing you were at the Moonlight Pavilion, I thought I would invite you over for a chat."

"I am honored by the Crown Prince's concern." As soon as Tang Yin finished speaking, Ning Rongrong pulled him down to sit on Xue Qinghe's left.

"Brother Lan Yin!" Ning Rongrong could no longer contain herself, turning to face Tang Yin the moment she sat down.

"Actually, I went to the Moonlight Pavilion yesterday to find Crown Prince Brother, but the pavilion was already closed. Otherwise, we could have met yesterday! By the way, why are you at the Moonlight Pavilion? Crown Prince Brother said you clashed with Xue Beng at the pavilion yesterday and even beat up that annoying brat?"

Ning Rongrong's crisp voice, like that of an oriole, filled the entire hall. Tang Yin maintained a smile throughout their conversation, occasionally teasing Ning Rongrong until she laughed so hard she had to clutch her stomach, ignoring her image.

Xue Qinghe held his teacup, occasionally interjecting with trivial remarks, while Chen Xin sat with his eyes closed in meditation, trying to ignore the scene. However, the clenched fists hidden within his sleeves betrayed his inner resentment.

The little princess Rongrong is going to be swindled by this little blond brat.

"By the way, Brother Lan, I wonder what your relationship is with the Pavilion Master, Tang Yuehua? You should know that the Pavilion Master rarely allows people to stay overnight at the Moonlight Pavilion." The Crown Prince's question caused the chattering Ning Rongrong to fall silent.

She had actually asked this at the very beginning, but Tang Yin seemed to avoid the topic, so she had tactfully stopped asking.

Now that the Crown Prince had brought it up again, she found herself curious as well.

Tang Yin felt a stir in his heart, thinking that he knew he couldn't avoid this forever. However, he had prepared for this before coming, and he immediately recited the identity he and Tang Yuehua had settled on the night before.

"It's nothing much. My mother and the Pavilion Master were like sisters when they worked together years ago. Later, she married and left Heaven Dou City. Before I set out on my travels, my mother entrusted me to pay a visit if I had the chance." At this point, Tang Yin looked at Ning Rongrong beside him.

"It just so happened that I came to Heaven Dou City at Rongrong's invitation, so I decided to take the opportunity to fulfill my mother's request."

This was the new identity Tang Yuehua had arranged for him the night before. It was true that one of Tang Yuehua's subordinates had married years ago, and they had exchanged letters over the years discussing the follies of their youth, to the point where she was now unable to bear children.

Tang Yin's new identity was that of an orphan from Nuoding City who had luckily awakened his martial soul, and who had been adopted and sponsored in his cultivation three years ago by his foster father.

As long as today passed and all the paperwork was properly arranged, it would be difficult for anyone to find any flaws.

"I see," Xue Qinghe nodded noncommittally, habitually attempting to recruit him.

"Brother Lan is already a level 23 Soul Grand Master at such a young age, truly gifted. Would you be interested in joining the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for further studies?"

"Many thanks for your kindness, Your Highness, but Aunt Yuehua has already spoken to me about some matters regarding the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, so there is no need to trouble the Crown Prince further."

Tang Yin was not lying about this; Tang Yuehua had indeed discussed the matter of entering the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with him, and with her status, securing a spot for Tang Yin was not difficult.

After weighing his options, he had ultimately decided to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Cultivation was secondary; his main goal was to facilitate future contact with Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, to provide an insurance policy for his future trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

After all, he could not be certain whether his arrival and the changes in Tang Sanmei herself would affect the original plot.

"It seems I have been a bit redundant then. It appears Brother Lan is highly valued by the Pavilion Master!" Xue Qinghe's expression remained unchanged, though she had already mentally labeled him as part of the Moonlight Pavilion faction.

In her view, this Lan Yin must be someone secretly raised and cultivated by Tang Yuehua's subordinates.

Tang Yin had left a good impression on her, but that was all; in this world, talented youths were as numerous as carp crossing a river, and she herself was a genius among geniuses.

A Soul Grand Master under the age of ten was certainly impressive, but not worth her lowering her status to personally recruit, so she had only done so symbolically.

Success would naturally be best, but even if the other party refused, it mattered little.

Moreover, the other party had not exactly refused; he simply already had a way to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and she was naturally happy to see that happen.

After all, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy belonged to her sphere of influence, and even if Lan Yin were to advance rapidly in the future, she had plenty of schemes and methods to bring him to heel.