Su Chen went in with Ye Lingling.
The back courtyard.
Su Chen clearly sensed two powerful auras. They were probably Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo, who were responsible for protecting Qian Renxue.
"Your Highness."
The two of them came all the way to the door. There was no one around, and Su Chen felt awkward just barging in, so he called out softly.
Qian Renxue came out. She was still wearing Xue Qinghe's appearance, and greeted them with elegant courtesy:
"An honored guest has come to visit. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."
Su Chen looked her up and down. He couldn't help thinking that, paired with that Soul Bone Skill, her disguise really was flawless!
"I just went back to the Spirit Hall Branch. The people there said Nana had been staying with you?"
Qian Renxue nodded slightly and gestured for him to come in.
Su Chen followed her inside and asked casually, "The people back here are all trustworthy, right?"
"Of course."
Qian Renxue replied, then thought for a moment before saying, "May I ask you for a favor?"
Su Chen looked puzzled, then said, "I'm glad you came out to welcome me, but I really don't like how you look right now, so I can't!"
Qian Renxue was speechless.
What difference did it make what she looked like?
Inside the room.
Hu Liena was wearing Qian Renxue's nightgown and sleeping in her bed. When she saw Su Chen, she got off the bed and threw herself into his arms, asking,
"Did everything go smoothly at Lingling's house?"
Su Chen rubbed Hu Liena's head and said,
"Her family were all very nice. Why are you sleeping here? You even brought your nightgown."
Hu Liena pouted. "I came over first thing this morning, and then I didn't feel like going back, so I stayed here waiting for you."
"I'm wearing Xue'er's nightgown."
What?
You're wearing Pinru's clothes?
Su Chen's heart instantly leaped with excitement. Hu Liena, Hu Liena, who would've thought you were into something this thrilling!
And look—
Hu Liena even spun around in front of Su Chen, showing off her full, alluring figure and Qian Renxue's lace-trimmed nightdress.
"Does it look good?"
Su Chen smiled and nodded. "It looks good!"
Your reward is to wear it all night tonight.
Hu Liena gave a little laugh, then asked again, "So, do I look better, or does Xue'er's nightgown?"
???
Su Chen was struck dumb. Beside him, Ye Lingling covered her mouth and laughed.
Qian Renxue stood to the side with a dark expression, nearly ready to kick Hu Liena out.
Sigh!
Qian Renxue sighed inwardly. She couldn't keep that nightgown now. It reeked of that vixen.
Su Chen changed the subject, turning to Qian Renxue with a serious look.
"Since there's no one else back here, can you change back into Qian Renxue?"
"You look like a man right now, while my girlfriend is wearing a nightgown and sleeping in your room. It's making me really uncomfortable!"
Uh.
Qian Renxue was speechless too. What did this have to do with her? She hadn't told Hu Liena to sleep here, and she wasn't the one sleeping with her!
Besides.
When they were very, very young, she had slept with Hu Liena before. More than once or twice, too.
Hu Liena looked at Qian Renxue and said, "That's right! Su Chen's jealous, Xiao Xue. Hurry up and change back!"
Qian Renxue said nothing. Light flashed around her, and she returned to her true appearance.
Her skin was as fair as snow, with a straight nose and slightly slender phoenix eyes. Her stunning face carried a hint of authority. She wore a golden palace gown, a single-piece dress that seemed to be woven from golden thread. It had few decorations, its style simple yet elegant.
Su Chen sized her up in secret, thinking that she really was the blond little angel with the best looks!
So beautiful!
Qian Renxue noticed Su Chen's gaze, and a faint blush appeared on her face.
Ye Lingling had been quiet all along. She couldn't help marveling inwardly—Qian Renxue was so beautiful! Her figure was amazing! Her bearing was incredible!
Hu Liena pulled Qian Renxue close, smiling seductively as she said,
"Xiao Xue looks better!"
"Su Chen, didn't you say you came to give Xiao Xue some pointers today? Then go ahead and give her some guidance."
"Lingling and I can learn from it too."
Qian Renxue came back to her senses and gestured toward Su Chen. "Sir, please sit."
She invited Su Chen to sit at the table, poured tea for the three of them, then stood modestly at the side, waiting for him to lecture her.
Being criticized to her face was even more embarrassing, but it was still better than having her secrets exposed in the diary.
Su Chen felt that something was a little odd. Even if Hu Liena had told Qian Renxue something, she was the Young Master of Spirit Hall and the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Royal Family. She shouldn't be acting so humble, should she?
So she was a sly one!
Of course.
Without the diary, Qian Renxue definitely wouldn't have been so convinced by him. But after reading its contents, she already understood Su Chen and was now thoroughly sincere.
Su Chen remembered something and couldn't help asking,
"Can I ask you something first?"
"If you knew your father had forced my mother to her death, and my father had killed your father, would you put aside your hatred and try to win me over?"
Qian Renxue froze at his words, staring at Su Chen with confusion in her eyes... Then she thought of Tang San. Was he asking this question on Tang San's behalf?
Qian Renxue shook her head and answered earnestly, "The hatred of a murdered father can never be reconciled. Even if you were willing, I could never accept you!"
But that was exactly what you did!
Unbelievable!
Su Chen complained inwardly, then asked, "Which do you think matters more: your great ambition, or the man you've fallen for?"
What?
As soon as Su Chen said this, Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, and Ye Lingling were all left awkwardly speechless.
What did he mean?
Could it be—
Qian Renxue was a lovesick fool too?
Hu Liena and Ye Lingling looked at Qian Renxue with complicated expressions. They truly hadn't expected that this cold, noble woman was a lovesick fool too!
Qian Renxue herself was at a loss. She stared at Su Chen with a complicated expression, almost wanting to lay her cards on the table and tell him she had a Diary Copy, then ask him directly whether the man in question was Tang San.
"Between a man and my ambitions, I, Qian Renxue, would definitely choose my ambitions. I've worked hard for so many years. I absolutely cannot fail!"
But you've lost your nerve several times.
Su Chen thought for a moment, then asked,
"What do you think it means to be someone who achieves great things?"
"I..."
Qian Renxue's mind was in turmoil. Su Chen spoke slowly, word by word, and having read his diary, she truly didn't know how to answer.
Su Chen looked a little embarrassed and said, "I'm only eighteen. You're a few years older than me, so it doesn't seem quite right for me to teach you."
"Of course."
"Learning has no order of seniority; whoever understands the Way can be the teacher."
Su Chen spoke solemnly:
"The benevolent cannot do business, the righteous cannot guard wealth, those who value love cannot establish authority, the kind cannot hold office, the compassionate cannot command an army, and the gentle cannot rule a nation."
"To achieve great things, you must first cast aside mercy. Be ruthless, cut the weeds and pull out the roots, and leave no future troubles."
"Do you think you've managed to do that?"
Qian Renxue had just begun to answer, but lowered her head again.
If Hu Liena hadn't said anything to her, she would've said she had.
The truth was, she hadn't.
And what's more!
Su Chen's questions all targeted the reasons she would fail in the future. That made Qian Renxue's heart tighten even more.
.