Mutual Performances

The Angel Lineage's Martial Soul was invariably the Six-Winged Angel, and their hair shone as brilliantly as gold. How could it possibly be black?

A bloodline test?

A cold gleam flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes.

Eva had quite the nerve!

What was Qian Renxue's true bloodline?

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

Once a thorough bloodline test was conducted, Soul Masters might not see through her Camouflage directly, but if they sensed the sacred aura and angelic power in her bloodline, far beyond that of ordinary people and vastly different from Xue Ye's imperial bloodline, would that not expose her identity?

Qian Renxue would not do something so foolish as exposing her identity for a child that was almost certainly not hers.

Since Eva claimed the child was hers, 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 possible?

Qian Renxue scoffed at the notion. The Six-Winged Angel was a Divine-Gifted Martial Soul, universally acknowledged across Douluo Continent as an existence 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 proof!

Qian Renxue's gaze became sharp and icy. The child was fake, and Eva's lie had already been laid bare in 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 status in the Heaven Dou Court was currently soaring. Xue Ye favored and trusted her deeply, and the invisible power she held was quite real.

If she could use acknowledging the child as an excuse to bind Eva to her chariot—or at least make her side with her at a critical moment—it would undoubtedly be a great help to her plans to take control of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Putting on an act?"

A cold curve formed at Qian Renxue's lips.

Then let them see who could act more convincingly!

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

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

"Dear Madam Eva: I have received your letter. Every word was like an awl piercing Qinghe's heart. Upon first seeing my daughter yesterday, I was overcome by timidity and suspicion. That was truly Qinghe's fault. Madam, you are pure and noble, and your feelings are profound. How could Qinghe dare doubt you? As for the matter of bloodline, since you say 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 was indeed rash and committed a grave mistake. Madam and the child have suffered, and Qinghe's heart aches as though being cut apart. Tomorrow, I will certainly visit Emerald Palace in person to see Madam and my daughter, apologize face-to-face, and make what amends I can. Xue Qinghe, respectfully."

After sending the letter, Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and repeatedly rehearsed tomorrow's scene of father and daughter recognizing each other.

Every expression and every line had to be flawless.

She would make Eva believe that, driven by guilt and a yearning for blood ties, Qian Renxue was slowly falling into the tender trap she had carefully woven.

The next day, Emerald Palace.

Sunlight streamed through the exquisite gauze windows, filling the room, while a faint warm fragrance lingered in the air.

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

Her face bore the gentle radiance of a new mother, yet her eyes were calm and unruffled. There was even a trace 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.

She's here.

Qian Renxue entered in elegant, plain everyday clothes, her steps steady.

Her face carried a carefully measured mixture of nervousness, guilt, anticipation, and faint detachment.

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 greeting.

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

"Please rise quickly, Your Highness."

Eva's voice was so gentle it seemed ready to drip with sweetness. She motioned for Qian Renxue to sit beside her. "My daughter and I are both very happy that Your Highness has come."

Qian Renxue sat as instructed, her gaze fixed tightly upon the baby in the swaddling clothes.

She reached out and lightly touched Snow White's tender cheek.

"She is so small."

Qian Renxue's voice choked slightly, her eyes filled with paternal affection and novelty.

After all, the Xue Qinghe she was currently playing was wholly devoted to state affairs, had no interest in women, and had neither concubines nor children.

"She resembles you, Madam. She is very beautiful."

Qian Renxue did her best to play a father facing his own bloodline for the first time, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

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

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

Eva guided Qian Renxue to examine the infant's features, which had not yet fully developed, trying to plant a suggestion in her mind.

Qian Renxue felt no ripple in her heart, yet she cooperatively showed surprise and studied the baby closely.

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

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

"Qinghe behaved improperly yesterday."

At the right moment, Qian Renxue revealed a guilty expression. She looked at Eva, her gaze utterly sincere.

"Madam suffered through childbirth, yet Qinghe doubted you. I truly should not have. Rest assured, Madam. From this day onward, Qinghe will do everything in my power to protect you and my daughter. It is Qinghe's duty, and also my heartfelt wish!"

Qian Renxue's words rang with conviction, as if she were truly moved by paternal 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 become once the truth came to light, and that guilt would bind her tightly afterward.

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

Tears shimmered in Eva's eyes as she gently rested her head against Qian Renxue's shoulder. Her voice was full of 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 against each other, watching the infant sleeping quietly in her swaddling clothes. The sight was warm and harmonious.

Snow White's inner thoughts: ...

Qian Renxue felt the weight on her shoulder and the cool fragrance lingering beneath her nose. Her heart was utterly cold, and she found this performance nauseating.

But for the greater plan, she had to endure.

She even stretched out her hand and awkwardly, stiffly wrapped it around Eva's shoulder, showing comfort and intimacy.

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

Perform, then. Perform 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 paternal love and guilt you invest now is laying bricks for my future throne.

When you personally witness the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul awaken, how marvelous will your expression be then?

That guilt and sense of responsibility, like mountains collapsing and seas overturning, will be enough to make you obey my every word!

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

To make up for her debts to her biological daughter and for her concealment, she would have no choice but to hand over more power, even Spirit Hall's resources, to Eva.