Imperial Palace Banquet

When She Long and Zhang Fei returned to the Crown Prince's Residence, night had already fallen completely.

The two made their way to the Crown Prince's study.

Xue Qinghe was still seated behind her desk, a scroll in hand, but her gaze kept drifting toward the window. Clearly, her mind was not on the book.

Hearing footsteps outside the door, 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 giving him a quick once-over and seeing that his clothes were intact and his complexion rosy, she secretly let out a sigh of relief.

"Uncle She, how did it go?" Xue Qinghe set down the scroll, rose to her feet, and walked around the desk.

"Reporting to Young Master, everything went smoothly." She Long cupped his hands. "Xiao Fei absorbed the soul ring of a three-thousand-five-hundred-year-old Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, and his soul power has broken through to level twenty-two."

"A Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear?" Xue Qinghe looked shocked. "Sunset Forest actually has such a top-tier soul beast?"

Zhang Fei chuckled. "Your Highness, that's not all."

Xue Qinghe looked at him, curiosity in her eyes.

Zhang Fei raised his right hand, his thoughts stirring slightly.

"Hiss!!!"

Five claws as black as ink suddenly sprang from his fingertips, their edges gleaming with a cold dark-gold light and 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 Master has a keen eye." She Long smiled from the side. "It is indeed the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's right palm bone. Xiao Fei named it the Heaven-Rending Claw."

At his 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.

The three-year-old child who had once given her a headache, whom she had only reluctantly agreed to take into the residence, was now even a little taller than she was, and had grown into such a ruggedly handsome young man.

The more Xue Qinghe looked, the hotter her heart became. She could only cough lightly and suppress that inexplicable flutter in her chest 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 must leak out. Xiao Fei, 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, his right palm returning to normal as he nodded earnestly.

"Alright, it's getting late. Get some proper rest tonight." Xue Qinghe returned behind her desk and sat down. "There will be a banquet at the imperial palace tomorrow. Since you're back, Xiao Fei, come with me."

"Sure." Zhang Fei answered and turned to leave.

She Long also cupped his hands and took his leave.

The next day at noon, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

The midsummer sun was blazing and dazzling, bathing the entire palace complex in magnificent golden splendor.

The glazed tiles reflected piercing golden light, while the paintings beneath the upturned eaves and ornate brackets became even more vivid beneath the sunlight.

Long rosewood tables were laden with delicacies, while fine wine shimmered amber in white jade cups.

The hall rang with music, fragrant gowns and elegant coiffures filled the room, and nearly every notable dignitary of the Heaven Dou Empire was present.

This was a celebratory banquet Xue Ye the Great had hosted to commemorate the great victory in the empire's northern border war.

It was called a victory banquet, yet not a single general or soldier who had actually fought in the northern border war could be seen. It was merely an excuse for these nobles to gather.

Zhang Fei was already used to such things and looked down on 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 material was excellent, accentuating his broad shoulders, long legs, and straight waist. His hair was tied up, exposing his smooth forehead and those clear, sharp eyes. The moment he entered, he drew quite a few gazes.

"Is that the child adopted by His Highness the Crown Prince? He's quite handsome."

"I heard his talent is exceptional, and His Highness treasures him dearly..."

The soft murmurs reached his ears, but Zhang Fei kept his eyes straight ahead and quietly followed at Xue Qinghe's side.

Xue Qinghe wore a robe embroidered with golden-threaded pythons, a jade belt cinched around her waist, and strode calmly toward her seat. Wherever she passed, the ministers rose and bowed in greeting.

"Qinghe, you're here." Xue Ye the Great smiled and waved from the seat of honor.

"Father Emperor." Xue Qinghe bowed, and Zhang Fei hurriedly bent at the waist behind her.

"No need for formalities. Sit." Xue Ye the Great appeared to be in a fine mood as he waved a hand.

Zhang Fei took his seat beside Xue Qinghe, his gaze discreetly sweeping across the hall.

At the seats on the left, Ning Fengzhi wore a green robe and held an emerald-green scepter as he smiled and spoke quietly with Chen Xin beside him. Behind him, Ning Rongrong wore a pale yellow dress and swung her little legs in boredom. 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 grayish-green robe sat alone. Who else could it be but Dugu Bo?

His complexion was far rosier than it had been two years ago, his eye sockets no longer deeply sunken. He even looked noticeably younger overall.

Zhang Fei's heart stirred. It seemed that old poisoner had indeed followed his method and forced the toxins into his soul bones. Now that the toxins within his body had been purged, even his appearance had recovered somewhat.

Still, Dugu Bo clearly had not recognized Zhang Fei, since Zhang Fei had worn a mask back then.

"Qinghe, is this the adopted child of yours people are always mentioning?" Xue Ye the Great looked at Zhang Fei with a gentle gaze.

"That's right, Father Emperor. His name is Zhang Fei." Xue Qinghe turned slightly and lightly rested a hand on Zhang Fei's shoulder, her gesture intimate and natural.

"Mm, a fine-looking young man." Xue Ye the Great nodded and asked no more.

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.

"Hey, little Feifei~"

The sweet, cloying voice carried a hint of teasing.

Zhang Fei's hand trembled, and he nearly spat out the venison in his mouth.

Turning his head, he saw that Ning Rongrong had somehow slipped over. Her bright, lively eyes were curved into crescents as she smiled.

"How did you get over here?" Zhang Fei lowered his voice.

"I was bored." Ning Rongrong pouted and pointed toward the center of the hall. "All that stuff the adults are talking 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. "You have no idea how handsome you are now."

Zhang Fei shifted to the side. "Stay away from me. I'm afraid you'll set me up."

"Hmph, you cheapskate." Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks, but her eyes rolled before she stuck to him again. "It's too stuffy in 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 to tug 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 set down his chopsticks.

"...Just for a little while."

"Yay!" Ning Rongrong cheered and tugged him out by the sleeve.

The two quietly slipped out of the hall, passed through the corridors, and arrived at the imperial garden behind the palace.