Seeing Qian Renxue Again

The palace doors opened from within, and the captain of the guards stepped out, nodding toward Ji Ye.

"His Highness the Crown Prince will see you now."

Ji Ye stepped into the hall.

The interior was vast, with deep red carpets covering the floor and dragon-and-phoenix-carved pillars standing on either side. Soul Power lamps embedded in the tops of the pillars emitted a warm, yellow glow.

In the center of the hall sat a wide desk piled with stacks of documents, beside which sat a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.

Seated behind the desk was a young man dressed in bright yellow crown prince robes. His face was handsome, and his brow carried a gentle, scholarly air.

Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Ji Ye's gaze fell upon Xue Qinghe's face, examining him with meticulous care.

His skin was fair, his features regular, and a perfectly measured smile played at the corners of his mouth. He sat with upright posture and a straight back, looking every bit the quintessential royal aristocrat.

If he hadn't known the truth beforehand, he never would have guessed that the person before him was a woman in disguise.

The effect of that mental-type skull bone was truly powerful; it could even perfectly disguise one's aura.

"You are Ji Ye?" Xue Qinghe spoke, his voice gentle and carrying the composure typical of those in high positions.

"I heard from the captain of the palace guards that you have something to give to this Prince?"

Ji Ye did not answer immediately, instead turning to scan the corners of the hall.

He could feel gazes from the shadows falling upon him, filled with scrutiny.

Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo were likely nearby.

"Your Highness, would it be possible to have the people in the hall withdraw?" Ji Ye asked.

"There are some things that are not convenient to say in front of so many people."

Xue Qinghe glanced at him, remained silent for two seconds, and then waved a hand.

"All of you, withdraw. Without my orders, no one is to approach."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The maids and attendants in the hall filed out, and the last guard to leave gently pulled the palace doors shut.

Only two people remained in the hall, along with the two Title Douluo who had yet to reveal themselves in the shadows.

Ji Ye took two steps forward, stood before the desk, and looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Your Highness, there are no outsiders here now."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly.

"Very well, you may speak now."

Ji Ye looked at him, a faint smile on his lips.

"What I mean is, Your Highness, you can drop the disguise."

Xue Qinghe's expression did not change, but that gentle smile faltered for a brief moment.

"Disguise? This Prince does not understand what you are talking about."

Ji Ye did not continue to beat around the bush, his tone flat yet direct.

"I said, Qian Renxue, drop the disguise. Talking to me while wearing Xue Qinghe's face makes me feel like I'm chatting with a grown man."

The air in the hall went quiet for several breaths.

The smile on Xue Qinghe's face faded bit by bit, and her gaze toward Ji Ye grew profound, a sharp light flashing in the depths of her eyes.

"Did Grandfather tell you?"

"Senior Qian Daoliu told me nothing." Ji Ye shook his head.

Qian Renxue's pupils contracted slightly.

She stood up slowly from behind the desk, her movements unhurried, and raised a hand to brush across her face.

A thin layer of golden light faded from her features, as if a transparent veil were being lifted.

Beneath the bright yellow crown prince robes, the once gentle, scholarly face gradually became exquisite and sharp. The lines of her features softened, and a cold, heroic spirit emerged between her brows.

Her long golden hair cascaded from her crown, falling over her shoulders and shimmering with fine luster under the warm yellow light.

Qian Renxue stood there, still wearing the crown prince robes, yet she was already a completely different person.

Her azure eyes watched Ji Ye, her gaze filled with scrutiny and vigilance.

"If Grandfather didn't tell you, then how did you know?"

Ji Ye did not answer the question.

He reached into his robe, took out the jade box he had been carrying with him, placed it gently on the desk, and pushed it toward Qian Renxue.

"This is for you."

Qian Renxue looked down at the jade box, not rushing to open it.

"What is this?"

"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. An immortal herb that cleanses the marrow and improves the speed of Soul Power cultivation." Ji Ye's voice was calm.

"You have been undercover here for so many years, wasting too much talent and time. I obtained this immortal herb by chance; it should be able to help you make up for some of it."

Qian Renxue was silent for a few moments.

She reached out to open the lid of the jade box, and an elegant fragrance immediately permeated the air—warm, gentle, and carrying the unique vitality of vegetation.

Inside the jade box lay a pale blue orchid, its petals as warm and smooth as jade, its veins distinct, and it emitted a soft halo of light.

Just by smelling that fragrance, she felt the circulation of her Soul Power become smoother, and the fatigue accumulated from reviewing memorials for days on end dissipated significantly.

Qian Renxue looked up at Ji Ye.

"Why are you so good to me? What is your goal?"

Ji Ye looked at her and smiled.

"Consider it thanks for recommending me to the Worship Hall back then."

Qian Renxue was stunned for a moment, then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

"Recommending? Wasn't it me who dragged you to the Worship Hall to be punished?"

Ji Ye shrugged.

"Regardless, the result was that I stayed in the Worship Hall."

Qian Renxue closed the jade box, tucked it into her sleeve, and looked at Ji Ye with a gaze that had softened, though it still held a trace of inquiry.

"You still haven't answered me how you knew my identity."

Ji Ye had already turned and walked toward the door.

"That is not important."

He walked to the doorway, placed his hand on the doorframe, suddenly stopped, and glanced back at Qian Renxue.

"Right, one thing to remind you."

"What?"

"That Prince Xue Beng is not as dissolute as you imagine."

"Also, the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo has already been killed by Falling Devil."

Ji Ye pushed the door open and walked out.

The palace doors closed slowly behind him, emitting a low, muffled sound.

Qian Renxue stood where she was, not chasing after him.

She looked at the tightly shut doors, her brows slightly furrowed.

Xue Beng?

That fourth prince who spent his days in the palace fighting roosters, chasing dogs, harassing palace maids, and learning nothing.

What was wrong with him?

And Dugu Bo was actually dead?!

As a consultant for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, his death would certainly cause a significant impact.

Before long.

In the shadows of the hall, two figures slowly emerged.

Snake Lance Douluo walked out from the darkness, looking toward the doorway with a playful tone.

"Young Master, isn't that kid the little grave robber you caught and brought to the Worship Hall from the mausoleum last time?"

Qian Renxue did not turn around.

"It is him."

"His Soul Power... I actually cannot see through it." There was a hint of seriousness in Snake Lance Douluo's tone.

"This kid is not simple."

From the shadows on the other side, Pufferfish also walked out.

He did not look at the door, his gaze falling on the jade box in Qian Renxue's sleeve. His nostrils flared slightly, and then he nodded.

"The herb in the Young Master's hand is not poisonous. Moreover, its medicinal power is very pure; it is indeed a rare treasure."