Xue Ke

Qian Renxue spent another two days moving stealthily along the edge of the Star Dou Forest, putting the area that had filled her with dread completely behind her.

She found a secluded cave and spent a full day and night regulating her breathing. Only then did she completely suppress the agitation of the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring inside her, and her Soul Power returned to its peak.

After confirming that the terrifying gaze from deep within the forest had not appeared again, she let out a slight sigh of relief, though her vigilance remained undiminished.

"Heaven Dou City..." She unfolded a crude map, her fingertip landing on the mark representing the center of power of the Heaven Dou Empire.

She had now gained a rudimentary grasp of this body and its Martial Soul, but if she wanted to advance further, unravel the secrets of Ye Yang and this Soul Ring, and find a way back to her own body, there was no chance of doing so by staying tucked away in some remote corner.

At the thought of Ye Yang, Qian Renxue's gaze turned sharp and complicated.

"I have to go." Qian Renxue murmured to herself and put away the map. She needed a new identity, one that would let her enter Heaven Dou City without raising suspicion and give her a chance to access information at a higher level.

She changed into a cleaner, more practical set of plain clothes, making herself look like an ordinary young traveler, and set off toward Heaven Dou City.

Meanwhile, inside Heaven Dou City.

In the East Palace, Ye Yang lounged against a cushioned couch, turning a smooth jade pendant over between his fingers, his expression inscrutable.

"Three days have passed. Have the Ministry of Justice and the City Defense Department found anything?" His voice was calm, betraying no emotion.

A guard standing nearby bowed and replied, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice and the City Defense Department investigated the case jointly. They arrested several Soul Masters suspected of contact with bandits outside the city, but after questioning, they all denied having anything to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples' case."

"Prince Xue Xing personally petitioned His Majesty yesterday, claiming that someone must be framing the Imperial Family to stir up unrest. He asked His Majesty to grant the investigation more time, and..."

"He also brought up Your Highness's clash with Ning Yuanfeng and the others in the street again. He didn't say so outright, but hinted that Your Highness might be implicated in the case."

"Oh?" A cold curve touched Ye Yang's lips. "My good uncle is certainly eager to turn the flames toward me."

The guard lowered his head, not daring to respond.

"What has Sect Master Ning said?"

"Sect Master Ning Fengzhi entered the palace to see His Majesty this afternoon. He said that his sect's disciples had been brutally killed and that his grief and anger were hard to bear, but he still believed His Majesty and the court could uncover the truth."

"He only hoped the court would speed up the investigation to put the sect at ease. His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Justice to make a breakthrough within ten days."

Ye Yang nodded and dismissed the guard. He walked to the window and looked at the palace walls beyond the East Palace, so strictly guarded. A flicker of impatience crossed his eyes.

"House arrest... Hah." He lightly tapped the window frame with his fingers. He understood Xue Ye's concerns, but being confined like this rankled him.

And then there was Tang Yuehua... At the thought of the mistress of Moonlight Pavilion, whom he had flustered in the carriage and the quiet room, a glimmer of interest crossed Ye Yang's eyes. The Clear Sky Sect's attitude was also worth probing.

"Looks like I need to get out and about."

Ye Yang murmured, running his fingers over his belt. With the power of the Emperor Armor and the mystery of the Zen Seal, slipping in and out of the East Palace's defenses would be a piece of cake. He only needed to find the right time and a good excuse.

As he was pondering, a voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Princess Xue Ke requests an audience."

Xue Ke? Ye Yang raised an eyebrow. His younger sister had always been close to him. As one of Xue Ye's more beloved princesses, she might make a useful "bridge."

"Let her in." Ye Yang straightened his robes, his usual gentle expression returning to his face.

A moment later, a young woman in a pale yellow palace dress entered with graceful steps. With her lovely, sweet features, she was none other than Princess Xue Ke of the Heaven Dou Empire.

She seemed troubled. When she saw Ye Yang, she first offered a proper curtsy. "Greetings, Crown Prince Brother."

"Ke'er, there's no need for formalities. Sit." Ye Yang smiled warmly and gestured for her to take a seat. "What brings you to the East Palace today? I heard Father recently assigned you a new etiquette tutor?"

Xue Ke sat down as he asked. She wrinkled her dainty nose and complained, "The old matron Father hired is so strict."

"Crown Prince Brother, how was Moonlight Pavilion when you went last time? Is Madam Yuehua's tea-making really as impressive as they say? I haven't been to Moonlight Pavilion for ages to learn from her."

At the mention of Moonlight Pavilion and Tang Yuehua, Xue Ke's eyes lit up with obvious longing.

Ye Yang's thoughts stirred, but he kept the warm, brotherly smile on his face. "Moonlight Pavilion is elegant, and Madam Yuehua's grace and bearing are truly rare in this world. Her tea-making is also unparalleled. It's just..." He paused at just the right moment and gave a slight shake of his head.

"Just what?" Xue Ke asked curiously.

"I discussed some matters of refinement with Madam at the time. Perhaps I was a little too forward with my words and displeased her."

"Then that case broke out in the palace, and Father placed me under house arrest. I had no time to go and apologize."

Ye Yang's voice carried just the right touch of regret and self-reproach. "I did Madam Yuehua's fine tea a disservice, and our Heaven Dou Imperial Family failed to show proper courtesy."

At that, Xue Ke blinked and suddenly said, "Crown Prince Brother, if you feel you were discourteous, why not make it up to her with an apology? Madam Yuehua is so reasonable and magnanimous. If you sincerely apologize, she certainly won't hold it against you."

"Oh? And how should I make it up to her? I'm under house arrest in the East Palace and can't even leave the palace gates." Ye Yang spread his hands helplessly.

"That's easy!" Xue Ke seemed to have already thought of it. Her eyes brightened. "I can go to Moonlight Pavilion on your behalf!"

"I'll say... I'll say I've long admired Madam's tea-making and would like to invite her into the palace to teach me for a few days. And while I'm at it... I can pass along your apology."

"Father dotes on me so much. If I go and ask him, he'll definitely agree! Madam Yuehua won't refuse to stay in the palace and teach me, not with me asking, right?"

Ye Yang looked at his seemingly innocent, cheerful younger sister, whose mind was sharp beneath the surface, and a flicker of approval passed through his eyes.

This was an unexpected opening.

Having Tang Yuehua enter the palace would make it much easier to sound her out and observe her, right under the East Palace's nose. And with Xue Ke making the request, it would be perfectly reasonable and arouse no suspicion.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you, Ke'er? Madam Yuehua manages Moonlight Pavilion and must be very busy..." Ye Yang feigned hesitation.

"No trouble at all!" Xue Ke hurriedly waved her hand, her face alight with excitement.

"Having Madam Yuehua teach me would be a dream come true! Don't worry, Crown Prince Brother. I'll go ask Father right now!" Saying this, she got to her feet and hurried to leave.

"Ke'er," Ye Yang called after her gently. "If Father agrees, then go ahead and invite her. But remember to be respectful, and don't insist if she refuses."

"Also... if Madam asks about me, tell her honestly that I'm sorry and that I'm under house arrest. You don't need to say anything else."

"I know, Crown Prince Brother!" Xue Ke gave him a sweet smile, curtsied, and turned to leave, her skirt swaying with every step.

Watching Xue Ke's retreating figure, Ye Yang's warm smile slowly faded, replaced by a look of deep amusement.

"Tang Yuehua... entering the palace?" he murmured, the jade pendant in his fingers falling still. "All right, then. Let's muddy these waters a little more."