The Tsundere Mengmeng, The Purpose of Study

Xu Tianyao hummed a little tune, shaking his head as he unlocked the door.

Though he had been in a good mood, the person standing outside the door made his face turn deathly pale.

He stood at the threshold, flustered and blocking the way, stammering, "Uh, Mengmeng, why are you here? I was just about to go find you."

Seeing Xu Tianyao's fawning smile, Meng Hongchen let out a cold snort. She pinched his waist, and ignoring his yelp of pain, she pushed past him and ducked into his apartment.

Sure enough, Meng Hongchen spotted the figure of a young girl inside, and the girl was so beautiful that even she was momentarily stunned.

"Well, well, Xu Tianyao! You told me you were back and that you'd brought a girl home with you. I didn't believe it at first, but I never expected you to actually be playing this game of hiding a beauty in your golden house!"

Meng Hongchen whipped around, pouting, and pointed at Xu Tianyao with a look of grievance, interrogating him word for word.

"I trusted you so much, boo-hoo-hoo! Xu Tianyao, you big jerk, I'm never talking to you again!"

With that, Meng Hongchen didn't even glance at the Heavenly Snow Woman, nor did she give them a chance to explain. She turned and ran out, leaving behind only a stubborn silhouette.

Xu Tianyao stood at the door, glanced at the bewildered Heavenly Snow Woman inside, sighed helplessly, and then strode off in pursuit.

"Mengmeng, Mengmeng, wait for me! Just listen to my explanation."

"It's not at all what you think it is!"

Xu Tianyao pulled Meng Hongchen into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around her slender waist as he explained incessantly.

"Hmph, I'm not listening, I'm not listening! You big liar, you big jerk, I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

Meng Hongchen said indignantly, struggling continuously in his arms, trying to break free.

However, Xu Tianyao's physical body had been further strengthened; he now stood at 1.7 meters tall, not to mention his immense strength. Meng Hongchen simply couldn't escape his grasp.

Seeing this, Xu Tianyao checked his surroundings. Once he confirmed no one was around, he cupped Meng Hongchen's pretty face and, to her surprise, lowered his head to kiss her.

This kiss made Meng Hongchen's heart flutter wildly. Her body went limp, and she no longer had the strength to struggle, letting Xu Tianyao kiss her until she felt breathless.

Only then did she push him away, gasping for air, her cheeks flushed red as she looked at him with dazed eyes.

Xu Tianyao took a few deep breaths, still savoring the lingering taste, and looked at Meng Hongchen with a sense of unfulfilled desire.

Seeing that Meng Hongchen had calmed down, he stepped forward again, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his embrace.

Meng Hongchen, like a kitten that had been wronged, nestled into Xu Tianyao's arms, let out a soft whimper, and grumbled, "Don't think this is over. You'd better explain everything clearly, or I'm not letting you off the hook!"

Xu Tianyao rested his chin on Meng Hongchen's hair, inhaling the faint fragrance, and began to explain the situation regarding the Heavenly Snow Woman and his experiences over the past few months.

The two of them huddled together by the side of Ming Lake, whispering sweet nothings and pouring out their hearts in a display of pure affection.

I do not know how much time passed, but as Xu Tianyao finished his final sentence, Meng Hongchen finally understood the girl's origins.

She still found it hard to believe that the breathtakingly beautiful girl from earlier was actually the incarnation of the 700,000-year-old Heavenly Snow Woman from the Far North.

No wonder her martial soul had felt an inexplicable sense of closeness when she saw her.

It was just like the first time she had met Xu Tianyao; she didn't know why, but she always felt comfortable and at ease whenever she was with him.

It wasn't until her martial soul awakened that this feeling became even more intense, eventually growing into an obsession.

This was the attraction brought about by martial soul resonance.

Realizing she had misunderstood Xu Tianyao, Meng Hongchen felt a bit embarrassed, but she still maintained her stance.

"Hmph, I'll assume what you said makes sense for now, so you've escaped this time."

"But you'd better remember: if this happens again, you must explain it to me in advance, or I won't let you off!"

Meng Hongchen raised her small fist, threatening him in a very cute manner.

Looking at this tsundere girl, Xu Tianyao smiled slightly, nodded solemnly, and promised her repeatedly, "As you command! My Queen Mengmeng!"

At night, the moonlight was hazy.

After completing the enrollment procedures for the Heavenly Snow Woman, Xu Tianyao was invited to the palace by an envoy sent by the royal family.

Deep within the imperial palace, the lights were bright.

A figure dressed in a prince's python robe passed through layers of palace gates, walking slowly toward the Yangxin Hall under the guidance of the imperial guards.

Meanwhile, inside the Yangxin Hall.

Xu Tianran sat behind the imperial desk, focused intently on reading and annotating a stack of memorials.

The hall was filled with the curling smoke of sandalwood, and the warm yellow light illuminated his gentle and handsome face.

Anyone who didn't know his true nature would likely think he was a diligent and benevolent monarch who loved his people.

Standing quietly by his side was an orange-clad figure.

The woman was tall with a beautiful face, and her court attire accentuated her gentle and dignified temperament.

It was none other than Ju Zi.

Compared to a few months ago, she had completely shed the naivety of a young girl, gaining the composure and poise of someone in a position of power.

During these past few days, she had caught Xu Tianran's attention after demonstrating her military talent and strategic vision during an accidental incident.

Furthermore, the two shared similar ideals and ambitions, so their relationship naturally grew close very quickly.

Suddenly, the sound of faint footsteps drifted in from outside the hall.

An attendant hurried into the main hall and knelt respectfully.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Ming has arrived outside the hall and awaits an audience."

Hearing this, Xu Tianran slowly set down the memorial in his hands.

A trace of a smile flashed across his face.

"He has finally come."

He turned his head to look at Ju Zi and instructed, "You should withdraw to the rear hall first."

Ju Zi nodded slightly; she naturally knew what should and should not be heard regarding secret discussions between imperial brothers.

She soon disappeared behind the layers of heavy curtains.

After Ju Zi had departed, Xu Tianran waved his hand.

"Summon him."

"As you command."

Following the guard's loud proclamation, the hall doors slowly opened, and Xu Tianyao strode in with his head held high and chest puffed out.

A black and gold prince's robe set off the youth's heroic spirit and imposing manner.

Although still young, he already faintly displayed the bearing of someone in a position of power.

Arriving before the imperial desk, Xu Tianyao cupped his hands in a salute, "This younger brother pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Hahaha."

Xu Tianran laughed heartily.

"There are no outsiders here; why must there be such formality between us brothers?"

"Bring a seat."

A maidservant soon brought over a chair.

Xu Tianyao did not stand on ceremony and sat down generously.

Once he was seated, Xu Tianran's gaze fell upon him, revealing undisguised admiration in his eyes.

"I heard you have successfully absorbed your third soul ring and broken through to the Soul Elder realm?"

"It was merely luck," Xu Tianyao said modestly.

"Luck?" Xu Tianran shook his head with a chuckle.

"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder—looking back at the continent's ten-thousand-year history, you won't find many of them."

"You are now worthy of being called the banner figure of our Sun Moon Empire's younger generation. Your imperial brother is truly proud of you from the bottom of his heart."