When She Long and Zhang Fei returned to the Crown Prince's Residence, night had already fallen completely.
The two entered the crown prince's study.
Xue Qinghe was still seated behind her desk, holding a scroll in her hand, but her gaze drifted toward the window from time to time. Clearly, her mind was not on the book.
Hearing footsteps outside, she immediately looked up.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, and Zhang Fei followed She Long inside.
Xue Qinghe's gaze immediately fell on Zhang Fei. After looking him over and seeing that his clothes were intact and his complexion rosy, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Uncle She, how did it go?" Xue Qinghe put down the scroll and rose from behind the desk.
"Reporting to Young Mistress, everything went smoothly." She Long clasped his hands. "Xiaofei absorbed a three-thousand-five-hundred-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear Soul Ring. His Soul Power has broken through to rank twenty-two."
"A Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear?" Xue Qinghe looked stunned. "Sunset Forest actually has such a top-tier soul beast?"
Zhang Fei chuckled. "Your Highness, that's not all."
Xue Qinghe looked at him questioningly.
Zhang Fei raised his right hand, his thoughts stirring slightly.
"Ssshhh!!!"
Five claws, black as ink and edged with cold dark-gold gleams, suddenly sprang from his fingertips, radiating a heart-palpitating sharpness.
The air in the study seemed to freeze for an instant.
Xue Qinghe stared fixedly at that hand. After a long silence, she slowly spoke. "This is... an External Soul Bone?"
"Young Mistress has sharp eyes." She Long smiled from the side. "It is indeed the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's right palm bone. Xiaofei named it the Heaven-Rending Claw."
At those words, Xue Qinghe's expression filled with shock and delight.
"You brat... Why do you always manage to surprise people?"
She looked at Zhang Fei, her eyes now brimming with affection.
That three-year-old child who had once put her in a difficult position, whom she had only reluctantly agreed to bring into the residence, was now slightly taller than her—and so ruggedly handsome besides.
The longer Xue Qinghe looked, the hotter her heart grew. She could only cough lightly and suppress that inexplicable flutter before turning to She Long. "Uncle She, who else knows about this?"
"Only the three of us," She Long said seriously.
"Good." Xue Qinghe nodded, her expression turning solemn. "An External Soul Bone is a matter of great importance. Not a word of it can leak out. Xiaofei, unless absolutely necessary, do not casually display the Heaven-Rending Claw before others until you have completely fused with it."
"Understood." Zhang Fei retracted his claws, and his right palm returned to normal. He nodded seriously.
"Alright, it's getting late. Get some rest tonight." Xue Qinghe turned and returned to her seat behind the desk. "There will be a banquet at the imperial palace tomorrow. Since you're back, Xiaofei, come with me."
"Alright." Zhang Fei answered and turned to leave.
She Long also clasped his hands and took his leave.
At noon the next day, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
The midsummer sunlight was fierce and dazzling, bathing the entire palace complex in brilliant splendor.
The glazed tiles reflected blinding golden light, while the paintings beneath the soaring eaves and brackets appeared even more vivid in the sunlight.
Long rosewood tables were laden with delicacies, and fine wine shimmered amber in white jade cups.
Music filled the hall, and nobles in splendid attire gathered within. Nearly every influential figure in the Heaven Dou Empire was present.
This was a victory banquet Xue Ye had arranged to celebrate the great triumph on the empire's northern frontier.
It was called a victory banquet, yet not a single general or soldier who had actually participated in the northern campaign was in sight. It was merely an excuse for these nobles to gather.
Zhang Fei had long grown used to such things, and he regarded them with disdain.
He followed behind Xue Qinghe as they entered the magnificent hall.
Today, Zhang Fei wore a dark blue-green brocade robe personally chosen for him by Xue Qinghe. The fabric was exquisite, accentuating his broad shoulders, long legs, and straight back. His hair was tied up, revealing his smooth forehead and clear, sharp eyes. The moment he entered, he drew quite a few gazes.
"Is that the child His Highness the Crown Prince adopted? He's quite handsome."
"I heard his talent is exceptional, and His Highness treasures him dearly..."
The quiet murmurs reached Zhang Fei's ears, but he kept his eyes straight ahead and simply followed quietly at Xue Qinghe's side.
Xue Qinghe, dressed in robes embroidered with golden serpents and cinched at the waist by a jade belt, walked calmly toward her seat. Ministers rose to salute her wherever she passed.
"Qinghe, you're here." From the seat of honor, Xue Ye smiled and beckoned.
"Father Emperor." Xue Qinghe bowed, and Zhang Fei hurriedly bowed with her.
"No need for formalities. Sit." Xue Ye appeared to be in a fine mood as he waved a hand.
Zhang Fei took his seat beside Xue Qinghe, discreetly sweeping his gaze across the hall.
At the seats on the left, Ning Fengzhi wore a green robe and held an emerald scepter as he smiled and spoke softly with Chen Xin beside him. Behind him, Ning Rongrong wore a pale yellow little dress and swung her legs boredly. The moment she looked up and spotted Zhang Fei, her eyes lit up.
At a seat toward the rear on the right, an old man in a gray-green robe sat alone. Who else could it be but Dugu Bo?
His complexion was far rosier than it had been two years ago, and his eye sockets were no longer deeply sunken. He even appeared considerably younger.
Zhang Fei's heart stirred. It seemed the old poisoner had indeed followed his method and forced the toxins into his Soul Bones. Now that the toxins in his body had been cleared, even his appearance had recovered somewhat.
However, Dugu Bo clearly did not recognize Zhang Fei. After all, Zhang Fei had worn a mask back then.
"Qinghe, is this the adopted child of yours I hear people mention so often?" Xue Ye looked at Zhang Fei with a gentle gaze.
"Yes, Father Emperor. His name is Zhang Fei." Xue Qinghe turned slightly and gently rested a hand on Zhang Fei's shoulder, her manner intimate and natural.
"Mm, a fine-looking young man." Xue Ye nodded and did not ask further.
The banquet began, filled with song and dance.
Zhang Fei buried himself in the feast before him. Just as he was eating happily, he suddenly felt someone lean close to his ear.
"Hi, Little Feifei~"
The sweet, cloying voice carried a hint of teasing.
Zhang Fei's hand trembled, and he nearly sprayed the venison in his mouth.
Turning his head, he saw that Ning Rongrong had somehow slipped over. Her large, bright eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.
"How did you get over here?" Zhang Fei lowered his voice.
"I'm bored." Ning Rongrong pouted and pointed toward the center of the hall. "Listening to the things adults talk about makes my head hurt."
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes. "If you're bored, go find your father. Don't bother me while I'm eating."
"Oh, come on. We're old friends. Why are you so guarded?" Not only did Ning Rongrong refuse to leave, she leaned even closer. A faint fragrance drifted from her. "Don't you know you're really handsome now?"
Zhang Fei shifted farther away. "Stay away from me. I'm afraid you'll trick me."
"Hmph, cheapskate." Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks, but her eyes darted about before she latched onto him again. "It's so stuffy here. Come get some fresh air with me, okay? I heard the imperial palace gardens are beautiful."
"No."
"Come on, come on!" Ning Rongrong reached out and tugged at his sleeve, looking determined not to give up until she got her way. "If you don't come, I'll keep bothering you here until you can't even eat in peace!"
Zhang Fei: "..."
He glanced at Xue Qinghe, who was discussing something with Ning Fengzhi, then reluctantly put down his chopsticks.
"...Just for a little while."
"Yay!" Ning Rongrong cheered, tugging his sleeve as she slipped outside.
The two quietly left the hall, passed through the corridors, and arrived at the imperial garden behind the palace.
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