Xu Tianyao hummed a little tune as he swayed his head and opened the door.
He had been in a good mood, but the person outside turned his face deathly pale.
He stood at the doorway, flustered and stammering, "Um, Mengmeng, what are you doing here? I was just about to come find you."
Looking at Xu Tianyao's ingratiating smile, Meng Hongchen gave a cold snort, then pinched him hard at the waist. Ignoring his yelp, she slipped straight into his apartment.
Sure enough, Meng Hongchen spotted a girl inside. And that girl was so beautiful that even she couldn't help being momentarily spellbound.
"So it's true, Xu Tianyao! Xiao told me you were back, and that you'd brought a girl to your apartment. I didn't believe it at first, but I can't believe you're really playing this 'hide a beauty in a golden house' game with me!"
Meng Hongchen whipped around, pouting with a wounded look as she pointed at Xu Tianyao and questioned him, each word deliberate.
"And I trusted you so much! Wuuu, Xu Tianyao, you big bad guy! I'm never speaking to you again!"
With that, Meng Hongchen didn't even glance at Snow Maiden. She gave them no chance to explain, turning and running off, leaving behind only a stubborn silhouette.
Xu Tianyao stood in the doorway, glanced at the bewildered Snow Maiden inside, and sighed helplessly before hurrying after Meng Hongchen.
"Mengmeng, Mengmeng, wait for me! Listen to me explain!"
"It's not at all what you think!"
Xu Tianyao held Meng Hongchen's cold, delicate body tightly, his arms wrapped around her slender waist as he kept explaining.
"Hmph! I won't listen, I won't listen! You big liar, you big bad guy! I don't want to talk to you anymore!"
Meng Hongchen puffed up angrily and struggled in his arms, trying to break free.
Unfortunately, Xu Tianyao's physique had grown stronger again. He was already 1.7 meters tall, and on top of that, he was immensely strong. Meng Hongchen couldn't escape his embrace.
Seeing this, Xu Tianyao glanced around. Once he was sure they were alone, he cupped Meng Hongchen's lovely face and, under her astonished gaze, lowered his head and kissed her.
The kiss sent Meng Hongchen's heart fluttering and her body going soft. She no longer had the strength to struggle, letting Xu Tianyao kiss her until she began to feel suffocated.
Only then did she shove him away and gasp for breath, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at him with hazy eyes.
Xu Tianyao also took several deep breaths, savoring the kiss, still wanting more as he gazed at Meng Hongchen.
Seeing that she had calmed down, he stepped forward again, took her by the arm, and pulled her into his embrace.
Meng Hongchen nestled against him like a wronged little kitten and let out a soft whimper, chiding him, "Don't think that settles things. You'd better explain everything to me, or I'm not letting you off!"
Xu Tianyao rested his chin on Meng Hongchen's hair, breathing in its delicate fragrance as he explained Snow Maiden's story and everything she had been through over the past few months.
The two nestled together by Ming Lake, whispering sweet nothings and pouring out their hearts. They couldn't have been happier.
After some time, when Xu Tianyao finished speaking, Meng Hongchen finally understood where the girl had come from.
Even now, she could hardly believe that the breathtakingly beautiful girl she had just seen was the incarnation of the seven-hundred-thousand-year-old Heavenly Snow Woman from the Far North.
No wonder her Martial Soul had instinctively felt a sense of kinship when she saw her.
It was just like when she had first met Xu Tianyao. For some reason, she had always felt comfortable and at ease around him.
After her Martial Soul Awakening, that feeling had only grown stronger, until she had become completely captivated by him.
That was the allure brought about by Martial Soul resonance.
Realizing she had wrongly accused Xu Tianyao, Meng Hongchen felt a little embarrassed, but still made her position clear.
"Hmph, I'll accept that your explanation makes sense this time. You've escaped punishment."
"But remember this: if anything like this happens again, you have to explain it to me beforehand. Otherwise, I won't let you off!"
Meng Hongchen shook her little fist and threatened him adorably.
Looking at the tsundere girl, Xu Tianyao smiled and nodded solemnly, assuring her again and again, "As you command, my Queen Mengmeng!"
Night fell beneath a hazy moon.
After completing Snow Maiden's enrollment, Xu Tianyao was invited to the palace by an envoy sent by the royal family.
Deep within the imperial palace, the lights blazed bright.
A figure dressed in a prince's python robe passed through layer upon layer of palace halls. Guided by the imperial guards, he made his way toward Yangxin Hall.
At the same time.
Inside Yangxin Hall.
Xu Tianran sat behind the imperial desk, reviewing and correcting one memorial after another with intense concentration.
The hall was filled with the curling fragrance of sandalwood, and warm yellow lamplight illuminated his handsome, gentle face.
Anyone unaware of his true nature would likely have thought him a wise emperor, diligent in government and devoted to his people.
Standing quietly at his side was a figure dressed in orange.
The woman was tall and elegant, with beautiful features. Her palace dress lent her a gentle, dignified air.
It was none other than Ju Zi.
Compared with a few months ago, she had shed the last traces of a young girl's innocence, gaining the composure and poise of someone in a position of power.
Recently, a chance event had revealed her military talent and strategic insight, bringing her to Xu Tianran's attention.
And since the two shared similar ideals and ambitions, they quickly grew closer.
Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
An attendant hurried in and knelt respectfully.
"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Ming has arrived outside the hall and awaits your summons."
Hearing this, Xu Tianran finally set down the memorial in his hands.
A smile flickered across his face.
"He's finally here."
He turned toward Ju Zi and instructed her, "Go wait in the rear hall for now."
Ju Zi nodded slightly. She knew well enough what she should and shouldn't hear when the imperial brothers spoke in private.
Soon, she disappeared behind the layers of curtains.
Only after Ju Zi had left did Xu Tianran wave his hand.
"Summon him."
"By your command."
At the guard's loud announcement, the hall doors slowly opened, and Xu Tianyao strode in with his head held high.
His black-and-gold prince's attire accentuated the young man's spirited, imposing bearing.
Though still young, he already showed the presence of someone destined to command others.
Arriving before the imperial desk, Xu Tianyao clasped his hands in salute. "Your younger brother pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Hahaha!"
Xu Tianran laughed heartily.
"There's no one else here. Why be so formal between brothers?"
"Bring him a seat."
An attendant soon brought over a chair.
Xu Tianyao sat down without hesitation.
Once he had settled in, Xu Tianran's gaze fell on him, undisguised admiration in his eyes.
"I heard you successfully absorbed your third Soul Ring and broke through to the Soul Elder realm?"
"I was just lucky," Xu Tianyao replied modestly.
"Lucky?" Xu Tianran shook his head with a laugh.
"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder is a rarity, even across the continent's ten-thousand-year history."
"You've become a leading figure among the younger generation of the Sun Moon Empire. Your elder brother is truly proud of you."
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