Putting on a Show

The Angel bloodline invariably possessed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, with hair as brilliant as gold. How could it possibly be black?

A bloodline test?

A cold glint flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes.

Eva had some nerve!

What was Qian Renxue's true bloodline?

It was the Six-Winged Angel! A God-Tier Martial Soul!

If they conducted an in-depth bloodline test, Soul Masters might not see through her disguise directly, but what if they sensed the sacred aura and angelic power in her blood—far beyond ordinary people and utterly different from Snow Night's imperial bloodline? Wouldn't that be exposing herself?

Qian Renxue would never do something so foolish as exposing her identity for a child who was almost certainly not hers.

Eva claimed the child was hers, so there was only one possibility: the child's Martial Soul was truly powerful enough to suppress or rival the Six-Winged Angel. Only then could she have black hair instead of golden hair.

But was that even possible?

Qian Renxue scoffed at the notion. The Six-Winged Angel was a Divine-Gifted Martial Soul, universally acknowledged across Douluo Continent as standing at the very pinnacle of the Martial Soul system.

She absolutely did not believe Eva possessed a Martial Soul that surpassed the Six-Winged Angel.

No matter what, that black hair was the strongest evidence!

Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened, turning icy. The child was fake, and Eva's lie was already laid bare before her eyes.

Still, this was an excellent excuse and opportunity.

An opportunity to approach Eva openly and win her over!

Whether the child was real or not, Eva's standing in the Heaven Dou Court was currently at its peak. Snow Night favored and trusted her greatly, and the invisible authority in her hands was very real.

If she could use the pretense of acknowledging the child to tie Eva to her chariot—or at least make her favor her at crucial moments—it would undoubtedly be a tremendous help to her plan of taking control of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Putting on a show?"

A cold curve touched Qian Renxue's lips.

Then they would see who could act more convincingly!

Eva wanted to use the child to bind her, so she would play along and use this child as a stepping stone to approach Eva and gain her trust.

Having made up her mind, Qian Renxue immediately picked up her brush and wrote a reply.

"Madam Eva:

I have received your letter. Every word struck my heart like an awl. When I first saw my daughter yesterday, fear overtook me, and doubts filled my mind. That was truly Qinghe's fault. Madam, you are pure and virtuous, and your feelings are sincere and deep. How could Qinghe dare doubt you?

As for the matter of bloodline, since Madam says it can be tested, Qinghe naturally trusts your character. Why involve outsiders and create needless trouble?

Thinking back to that night at Emerald Palace, Qinghe truly acted rashly and committed a grave mistake.

Madam and the child suffered because of me. It feels as though my heart is being twisted by knives. Tomorrow, I will certainly come to Emerald Palace in person to visit Madam and my daughter, apologize face-to-face, and atone as best I can.

Xue Qinghe, with deepest respect."

After sending the letter, Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and repeatedly rehearsed in her mind the act of recognizing Eva and her daughter the next day.

Every expression and every line had to be flawless.

She would make Eva believe that, driven by guilt and longing for bloodline, Qian Renxue was gradually falling into the gentle trap she had so carefully woven.

The next day, Emerald Palace.

Sunlight streamed through the delicate gauze windows, and a faint warm fragrance lingered in the air.

Eva reclined halfway on a chaise lounge, cradling a swaddled infant in her arms. Inside the swaddling clothes was Snow White.

Her face carried the gentle radiance of a new mother, yet her eyes were calm and undisturbed. There was even a hint of amusement as she looked toward the palace doors.

When the attendant announced, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived," the curve of Eva's lips deepened slightly.

He's here.

Dressed in simple, elegant casual robes, Qian Renxue walked in with steady steps.

Her face bore a carefully measured mixture of nervousness, guilt, anticipation, and faint distance.

Qian Renxue's gaze immediately fell upon the swaddled infant in Eva's arms. Her eyes instantly softened, even reddening slightly.

"Madam Eva."

Qian Renxue's voice was somewhat hoarse, and she lowered herself especially deeply in salute.

"Qinghe has come to see you and the child."

"Please rise quickly, Your Highness."

Eva's voice was so gentle it seemed capable of dripping water. She motioned for Qian Renxue to sit beside her. "My daughter and I are both delighted that Your Highness has come."

Qian Renxue sat down as instructed, her gaze fixed tightly on the infant in the swaddling clothes.

She stretched out a hand and gently touched Snow White's tender cheek.

"She's so small."

Qian Renxue's voice caught slightly, her eyes brimming with affection and wonder.

After all, the Xue Qinghe she was currently playing was wholly devoted to state affairs, uninterested in women, and had neither concubines nor children.

"She looks like you, Madam. Very beautiful."

Qian Renxue worked hard to portray a father facing his own bloodline for the first time, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

Eva took in every detail of her performance. She sneered inwardly, but her face was full of relief and emotion.

"As long as Your Highness likes her, I can rest easy. Look, Your Highness. Her brows and eyes—if you look carefully, don't they resemble yours a little?"

Eva guided Qian Renxue to examine the baby's features, which had yet to fully develop, trying to plant a suggestion in her mind.

Qian Renxue felt nothing inside, but her face cooperatively showed surprise as she carefully studied the child.

"Ah, she does resemble me a little. Around the nose..."

Qian Renxue followed Eva's lead, doing her best to indulge her.

"Qinghe lost his composure yesterday."

At the right moment, Qian Renxue revealed a look of guilt. She turned toward Eva, her gaze incomparably sincere.

"Madam suffered through childbirth, yet Qinghe suspected you. I truly should not have. Rest assured, Madam. From this day onward, Qinghe will do everything in his power to protect you and my daughter. This is Qinghe's responsibility—and his sincere wish!"

Qian Renxue's words rang with conviction, as though she were truly driven by fatherly love and responsibility.

Eva laughed inwardly. The fish has taken the bait.

This was precisely the promise and guilt she had been waiting for from Qian Renxue.

The more emotion Qian Renxue invested now, the deeper her guilt would be when the truth was finally revealed—and that guilt would bind her tightly.

"With those words from Your Highness, I could die without regrets."

Tears glimmered in Eva's eyes as she gently rested her head against Qian Renxue's shoulder. Her tone was filled with dependence and happiness. "From now on, my daughter and I will rely on Your Highness."

Qian Renxue's body stiffened for an instant before she forced herself to relax.

The two leaned together, looking at the peacefully sleeping infant in the swaddling clothes. The scene was warm and harmonious.

Snow White's inner thoughts: ...

Feeling the weight on her shoulder and the cool fragrance lingering beneath her nose, Qian Renxue's heart was cold. The entire performance made her feel sick.

But for the greater plan, she had to endure.

She even reached out, awkwardly and stiffly wrapping an arm lightly around Eva's shoulders to show comfort and intimacy.

From an angle Qian Renxue could not see, Eva wore a cold smile of certain victory.

Act, then. Act to your heart's content, my Crown Prince.

Eva murmured inwardly, her gaze sweeping over Snow White's sleeping little face.

Every shred of false fatherly love and guilt you invest now will become another brick in the foundation of my future throne.

When you witness the awakening of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul with your own eyes, how marvelous will your expression be then?

That guilt and responsibility, like a mountain collapse and tsunami, will be enough to make you obey my every word!

Eva could practically see the future already: Qian Renxue collapsing in remorse before irrefutable evidence.

To make up for the debt owed to her biological daughter and for her deception, she would have no choice but to hand over even more power—and even Martial Soul Hall's resources—to Eva.