The two of them entered the Crown Prince's bedchamber, one behind the other. A palace attendant silently closed the doors behind them.
The vast hall held only Fang Xuan and Xue Qinghe, seated across from each other.
He laughed soundlessly to himself.
An hour ago, he had entered this palace as "Fang Xuan, commoner." Now, seated here again, his identity had been officially written in black and white as "the Crown Prince's aide."
An aide in name, but in the eyes of others, he was a close associate personally promoted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. From now on, he would be inextricably linked to the imperial family.
His title had yet to be decided, and his rank had yet to be discussed. He didn't care about either.
No matter how finely dressed up, a title was ultimately just for people outside the palace walls. It served no practical purpose for him.
Today, Xue Qinghe wore pale moon-white casual robes, her hair bound beneath a silver crown. The Crown Prince's usual dignified reserve had softened around her brows and eyes, making her seem more like a neighborly older brother.
A maid served the tea and withdrew. The hall was so quiet that they could hear the occasional soft pop of a lamp's wick.
"I didn't have anything urgent to discuss with you."
Xue Qinghe lifted the teacup before her and gently brushed aside the floating leaves with its lid. Through the rising steam, she looked at Fang Xuan.
"There are just a few things I wanted to let you know about in advance."
Every faction was generous toward geniuses. She understood this perfectly, which was why she had treated Fang Xuan with courtesy and respect from the beginning—and continued to do so now.
"I'm a few years older than you. In private, you can simply call me Brother Xue. Would it be all right if I called you little brother Fang Xuan?"
Xue Qinghe was the same age as Qian Renxue. Qian Renxue was now about twenty-three, a full five years older than him.
Still, knowing full well that the other person was a woman and treating her as his brother felt a little strange to Fang Xuan.
It was like saying, "I want your body," and having the other person talk about pure friendship.
But she had no intention of revealing her true identity, so he couldn't just expose her, could he?
"Life really is a play, and it all comes down to acting."
Since she wanted to perform, he'd play along. She didn't mind, so naturally, he wouldn't object.
When her identity was eventually revealed, whoever felt awkward could deal with it.
After a moment's hesitation, Fang Xuan raised his head and gave Xue Qinghe a smile that was just right.
"Then I'll accept your offer, Brother Xue."
And just like that, Fang Xuan and Qian Renxue somehow became brothers.
Xue Qinghe seemed pleased with the way he addressed her, and the distance in her eyes softened further.
She picked up the teapot again and poured him another half cup, her movements smooth and unhurried, without the slightest trace of a Crown Prince's arrogance.
"You don't need to rush the matter of Soul Tools."
She brought the conversation back to business.
"Your ideas are indeed very appealing. I can even glimpse a moment of what the future might hold."
"But I also understand just how difficult it will be. It looks to be a very long road, one that may not reach its end even with an entire generation's effort."
"So don't burden yourself. Just do what you can."
Fang Xuan nodded in agreement.
He knew perfectly well that while Soul Tools had a brilliant future, with the Douluo Continent's current craftsmanship, materials, and understanding of Soul Masters, expecting him to bridge a technological gap of tens of thousands of years all by himself was pure fantasy.
Xue Qinghe's cleverness lay in this: she was willing to invest patiently in the distant vision, but would never stake everything on it.
Her real wager had always been Fang Xuan himself.
"Let's set Soul Tools aside for now."
Xue Qinghe's tone shifted, and her expression grew more serious.
"There's something else I wanted to tell you in advance. Do you remember those people you clashed with in Suotuo City?"
Fang Xuan's hand paused slightly as he raised his tea. Then he took a sip as if nothing had happened.
"You mean the people from Shrek?"
"Yes. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing..."
Xue Qinghe listed the names in a calm voice, as if reading out an unimportant inventory.
"Everyone from Shrek has been taken to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by Ning Fengzhi."
"I only received the news a few days ago. Judging by the timing, they probably arrived in Heaven Dou City a few days before your wedding."
Fang Xuan furrowed his brows slightly. He'd expected Tang San and the others to show up.
When he'd seen Ning Rongrong, he had already suspected that they might have arrived in Heaven Dou City. But until now, he hadn't seen them, so he couldn't be certain.
Now that he'd heard it from Xue Qinghe, his suspicion was confirmed.
Ning Fengzhi's appearance at his wedding must have been planned in advance. He had probably intended to mediate and win Fang Xuan over.
He simply hadn't anticipated Yu Yuanzhen's sudden arrival, which had thrown his original plan into disarray.
"There's one called Yu Xiaogang among them."
As if she'd read his thoughts, Xue Qinghe continued.
"He's been taken away by people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My people haven't yet discovered the details, but given Yu Yuanzhen's temperament, he personally intercepted the man from Ning Fengzhi. I doubt it was just for a friendly reunion."
At this, Fang Xuan fell silent. Not long ago, Dugu Bo had gone to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and used Yu Xiaogang as a pretext to stir things up.
Now Yu Xiaogang had walked right into the lion's den. There was no telling how badly things would go for him after being taken away by force.
This was entirely beyond Fang Xuan's expectations. He hadn't even prepared to make a move against Shrek yet, but somehow he'd already landed them in serious trouble.
As they say, life is unpredictable; the large intestine can wrap around the small intestine.
"As for the others," Xue Qinghe said, meeting Fang Xuan's gaze, "they officially entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy today. They passed the entrance examination and became registered students."
The hall fell silent. Fang Xuan's brows furrowed even more.
Tang San and the others were now at the academy. That meant they'd be in the same city from now on, bound to cross paths sooner or later.
Given Tang San's temperament, he would never let their old grudge in Suotuo City go. And why had Ning Fengzhi allowed them to enter the academy?
"Thank you for letting me know, Brother Xue." Fang Xuan looked away, his usual composure returning. "I'll remember this kindness."
Xue Qinghe waved a hand, a smile returning to her face.
"Since you call me brother, there's no need to thank me."
She rose and walked to the window, her back to Fang Xuan. Her voice held a trace of thoughtfulness that few would have noticed.
"Heaven Dou City is very large, large enough to hold countless schemes; it is also very small, small enough that everyone who comes here will eventually collide head-on.
"Just remember this—whenever you need it, there will always be a door open for you on my side."
Fang Xuan looked at Xue Qinghe, understanding.
He knew the abyss of Spirit Hall lay behind that door, but for now, he wasn't in a hurry.
The stage had been set, and the leading actors were taking their places one by one. All he had to do was perform his part well. Until the final curtain, no one could say who would have the last laugh.
Fang Xuan rose and cupped his hands in farewell to Xue Qinghe.
"Then I'll take your words to heart, Brother Xue. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."
Xue Qinghe didn't rise. She only gave a slight nod.
The tightly shut doors opened again. Watching Fang Xuan's retreating figure, Xue Qinghe's lips curled into an enigmatic smile.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it's time to change players and face you across the board."
"I hope you don't lose too miserably."