"My Crown Prince Cousin"

"Your Highness, I dare not," Xu Tianran's subordinate quickly knelt on one knee. "This matter is indeed true, and judging by Kong Bo's demeanor, Elder Kong has also given his consent."

"Elder Kong actually tacitly approved of Kong Bo acting so recklessly?" Xu Tianran was astonished. "No, there must be a deeper meaning behind Elder Kong's actions. But whatever his calculations are, I must go and ask His Majesty!"

Xu Tianran then called for Ju Zi, having her push his wheelchair to the Imperial Palace to find the current Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Cong. After Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran to the Imperial Study, Xu Tianran told her to go to another room to rest, as he had matters to discuss with his father, Xu Cong.

"Ran'er, is there something you need from your father today?" Xu Cong set down his memorial and asked Xu Tianran.

"This matter is neither large nor small," Xu Tianran sighed. "After seeing this, your son was completely baffled and wished to seek your guidance. It concerns the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. You still remember Elder Kong's great-grandson, Kong Bo, right?"

"Oh, I remember him," Xu Cong said. "When that child's martial soul awakened, you were the one who represented our royal family at the Kong Mansion, weren't you? What about him? How is he doing in his studies, and how does he compare to Elder Kong when he was young?"

"He is even more talented than Elder Kong. At nine years old, he was already a level 25 Great Soul Master. Most remarkably, his soul master certification exams have kept pace with his soul master rank—that is something only Elder Kong has ever achieved," Xu Tianran said. At this moment, he noticed the expression on Xu Cong's face, which was one of great surprise.

Just then, Xu Tianran changed the subject. "I came to see you today, Father, because who could have imagined that this child actually... actually took two young girls as his concubines!"

"?" Hearing Xu Tianran say this, Xu Cong raised his head. "What? Are you telling the truth? Well, I suppose you wouldn't have come to see me otherwise. What does Elder Kong say? Did you go and ask?"

"Father, that is exactly what I don't understand," Xu Tianran said. "According to Principal Hongchen, Kong Bo brought the two girls to the principal's office quite openly to handle their enrollment procedures. Kong Bo is younger, so he isn't in the same grade as them, but they eat lunch together—and that includes the Evil Emperor's niece, Gu Long'er."

"Ran'er, so you mean to say that this child, Kong Bo, is fond of beauty?" Xu Cong asked.

"Yes, but what I find most incomprehensible is why Elder Kong doesn't intervene. Father, in my view, this is highly abnormal," Xu Tianran said. "What exactly is Elder Kong thinking? Could it be that these two girls have powerful martial souls, and Elder Kong wants to win over their favor?"

"Ran'er, you must not suspect an elder of the Royal Offering Hall like that!" Xu Cong said. "Elder Kong is very loyal to our royal family. I suggest you go and ask Kong Bo yourself. By seniority, he has to call you cousin. Kong Bo is still just a child and cannot keep secrets well. Why don't you invite him to your Crown Prince's Mansion to ask him? He's still a child; what could a child possibly hide?"

"Yes, Father, your son understands," Xu Tianran said. "Then I shall go and ask Kong Bo. Your son takes his leave."

At noon that day, Kong Bo left school, returned to the Kong Mansion, and then went to the Evil Emperor's home to have him take him to the Underground Soul Fighting Arena for a match. However, when he returned home, there were some people inside the Kong Mansion—they were guards from the Crown Prince's Mansion. They carried no weapons and appeared to be delivering goods to the Kong family.

"Bo'er, the Crown Prince has something to ask you," Kong Deming said. "They are here to pick you up."

"His Highness the Crown Prince wants to see me?" Kong Bo was curious. "Very well, gentlemen, I will go with you."

And so, Kong Bo arrived at the Crown Prince's Mansion. The guards told him, "Young Master Kong, please wait a moment; His Highness will be here shortly."

Kong Bo picked up a copy of the Sun Moon Times from a bookshelf and began to read. While he was looking at the news, he heard Xu Tianran's voice: "Kong Bo, you've arrived?"

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, Kong Bo quickly got down from his chair. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for such formalities," Xu Tianran said. "This is my mansion, and you are not an outsider. By seniority, I am your cousin, and His Majesty is your uncle! My father even told me that in the future, when you see me or him, you needn't be so distant."

Xu Tianran possessed a refined and scholarly air, and he smiled warmly at Kong Bo. If Kong Bo were a naive child, he might have truly believed Xu Tianran was a sympathetic older brother and viewed him as family.

But Kong Bo was a transmigrator; he naturally knew how wicked Xu Tianran was. However, he didn't show it, instead feigning ignorance and smiling at Xu Tianran. "Cousin Crown Prince, may I call you that from now on?"

"Of course you may," Xu Tianran said.

At this moment, Ju Zi, who was pushing the wheelchair, spoke up: "Kong Bo, your cousin the Crown Prince thinks of you often. He truly views you as a younger brother, and he was genuinely happy to hear that you are doing so well at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy."

Don't bother, Kong Bo thought to himself. Do you think I don't know how those younger brothers of yours died?

"Really, Cousin?" Kong Bo looked at Xu Tianran with a happy expression. "Cousin-in-law Ju Zi, did my cousin really say that?"

"Of course," Xu Tianran said. "Kong Bo, you are the only child in your family. There is always a generation gap when we young people talk to our elders. If there is anything you find inconvenient to discuss with your father or great-grandfather, just come to the Crown Prince's Mansion and find me."

Xu Tianran then handed a token of the Crown Prince's Mansion to Kong Bo. "Take this, and you can come to see your cousin whenever you like."

"Cousin, I cannot accept this!" Kong Bo said. "If my parents knew you gave me such a precious item, they would surely think I asked you for it and scold me. Cousin, if you are willing, perhaps just give me some snacks or toys instead."

Hearing this, Xu Tianran was convinced that Kong Bo's personality was indeed that of a child. Others would beg for a token of the Crown Prince's Mansion, yet Kong Bo didn't even want it for fear of being scolded by his parents. Xu Tianran felt much more at ease.

"Very well, very well. I certainly wouldn't want you to be scolded by your parents. In that case, I will tell the guards that you are to be let in directly whenever you come. Your cousin will always be here at the mansion."