Heaven Dou Empire, the imperial palace.
Inside the Crown Prince's Palace, wisps of green smoke curled from the incense burner, carrying a faint dragon's-blood fragrance.
Qian Renxue had just finished a round of cultivation. Now she sat on the soft couch by the window, holding a memorial in her hands, but she couldn't focus on a single word.
The cool, noble air about her softened into a few traces of a young woman's tenderness now that she had shed her disguise.
"That rascal should have left Spirit City by now, right?"
Qian Renxue rested her chin in one hand and gazed through the lattice window at the peonies blooming in the garden, her thoughts already flying a thousand miles away.
Ever since Lin Qiu had left last time, she had felt a little empty inside.
She knew he was powerful and wouldn't be in any danger, but she just couldn't shake her worry for him.
"Big Sister Xue'er..."
Thinking of how Lin Qiu had followed her around as a little boy, calling her "Big Sister" in his babyish voice, the corners of Qian Renxue's lips lifted ever so slightly.
Who could have imagined that the little brat who once needed her protection would grow into someone even her grandfather had to praise?
Just as Qian Renxue was lost in her memories, a faint sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.
A moment later, the respectful voice of a trusted guard rang out from beyond it:
"Your Highness, Crown Prince."
The tenderness vanished from Qian Renxue's face, replaced by the characteristic warmth and authority of Xue Qinghe.
She gently set down the memorial and asked in an even tone:
"What is it?"
The guard outside replied respectfully:
"Your Highness, two people are requesting an audience outside the palace gates.