Qian Chen accepted the tea.
"That's fine."
She watched him take his first sip before lowering her head to taste her own tea.
The shadows of branches outside the window fell onto the table.
Qian Chen turned the porcelain plate halfway around, so that the best-blooming Moon Orchid was facing her.
Snow Empress looked up at him.
He didn't explain, but simply straightened the flower that had been bent over by his sleeve.
The sunlight gradually moved to the window.
Snow Empress picked up the book on the table, turned two pages, and her long, flowing hair slid onto the paper.
Qian Chen reached out and tucked her hand behind her shoulder.
She continued turning the page.
A moment later, that strand of long hair fell down again.
He simply got up and took a silver hair clip from the dressing table.
"I'll tie it up for you."
Do you know how to use this button?
"Teach me."
Snow Empress put down her book, raised her hand and flipped her hair clip over, revealing a small clasp on the back.
Her fingertips rested on his knuckles, guiding him to open the buckle.
"Don't use force here."
"First, gather your hair up, then close it."
Qian Chen stood behind her, only gathering the long hair on both sides, leaving the rest of her hair hanging down her back.
The silver clasp closed gently.
As he bent down to check, his shirt brushed against her shoulder.
Snow Empress glanced at him in the bronze mirror.
You're standing too close.
Qian Chen stopped moving.
"Did I press down on you?"
"No."
She didn't move aside.
He smoothed the last strand of her hair, rested his hands on the back of the chair, and looked at her in the mirror.
How about this?
The Snow Empress in the mirror raised her eyes.
Silver buckles neatly held her long hair back, revealing a small white jade pendant by her ear.
She reached out and touched her hair clip.
"Very good."
Qian Chen was still standing behind him.
Snow Empress put down the bronze mirror and turned around.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
"Have."
He looked at her.
You're beautiful too.
Her fingers paused on the mirror handle, then she gently pushed the mirror back into place.
I was asking about the hair.
I'm talking about you.
It became quiet by the window.
Snow Empress picked up the book again, but did not turn the page immediately.
Qian Chen noticed her fingertips pressing on the corner of the book, so he sat back down next to her and didn't ask any further questions.
After a while, a hand landed on his sleeve.
She tugged at his sleeve.
"Move over a little."
He moved the chair closer.
Their shoulders touched lightly.
Snow Empress spread the book between the two of them and pointed to one of the lines.
You were blocking the light; I couldn't see clearly here.
Qian Chen lowered his head and read it to her.
She listened, but didn't turn to the next page.
He turned his head and saw her silver-white hair resting on his shoulder.
"Snow Sister?"
"I'm listening."
She handed the book to him, leaned back in her chair, and kept her shoulder pressed against his.
Qian Chen steadied the pages and continued reading.
A breeze blew in through the window.
Snow Empress raised his hand, preparing to press down the corner of the flipped paper, but his palm had already landed there first.
Her fingertips stopped on the back of his hand.
Qian Chen did not pull it away.
He turned the page, gently turned his hand, and took her fingers.
Snow Empress glanced at their clasped hands, then pulled down her sleeves to shield herself from the wind blowing in from the window.
"Continue."
"Good."
He moved the book closer to the two of them, his gaze returning to the paper.
She leaned against him, not letting go of his hand until the tea in her cup gradually cooled down.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace
The long corridor in the Rear Garden.
Qian Chen and Snow Empress walked side by side.
News of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's destruction has already reached Heaven Dou City.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong were waiting outside the palace.
Qian Renxue stood in the front hall.
She changed out of the long dress she wore before going to war and put on her white and gold imperial robes again.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back, and the imperial crown was worn neatly in her hair.
Shui Bing'er placed a scroll on the table.
"Your Majesty, this is a letter of surrender from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Qian Renxue unfurled the scroll.
There were only a few lines of text above.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to hand over all of its Soul Tool, scriptures, and resources.
Disciples of the sect no longer gather in the name of the sect.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was now subject to the command of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After reading it, Qian Renxue put the scroll back on the table.
"They want to see their brother."
Qian Chen entered the hall.
Snow Empress followed beside him, smoothing out the wrinkles in his cloak.
Ice Empress walked over quickly and took Qian Chen's arm.
"Chen'er, Ning Fengzhi arrived quite quickly."
"The Clear Sky Sect has just been destroyed, and he's already delivered himself to our doorstep."
Qian Renxue looked at Qian Chen.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is different from the Clear Sky Sect."
Ning Fengzhi controls many trade routes and resources within the Heaven Dou Empire.
"If it is completely destroyed, Heaven Dou City will be affected."
Qian Chen looked at the surrender document on the table.
"Is he willing to submit?"
"Willing."
Qian Renxue walked up to him.
She raised her hand to straighten Qian Chen's collar, the cuff of her golden imperial robe brushing against the back of his hand.
But Ning Fengzhi wants to see you.
"Let him in."
Qian Renxue nodded.
"Bring Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong into the hall."
The attendant acknowledged the order and left.
Not long after.
The palace doors opened again.
Ning Fengzhi walked at the very front.
He was dressed in a blue robe and held the Sect Master’s Token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in his hand.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin followed behind him.
His white robes remained impeccably neat, and his long sword hung at his waist.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong walked last.
His gaze swept across the hall, and when it landed on Qian Chen, his expression turned serious.
The three of them arrived at the bottom of the long steps.
Ning Fengzhi stopped in his tracks.
Ning Fengzhi greets Heaven Dou Empress.
Qian Renxue sat on the throne.
She glanced at the Sect Master’s Token in Ning Fengzhi's hand.
"Sect Master Ning, there's no need for such formalities."
Ning Fengzhi did not get up.
He held up the Sect Master’s Token with both hands and handed it to the attendant beside him.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to submit to the Heaven Dou Empire."
The attendant received the Sect Master’s Token and presented it to Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue did not accept it immediately.
She looked at Ning Fengzhi.
"Sect Master Ning, you should understand that the object to which the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect submits is not the Heaven Dou Empire."
"It's my brother."
Ning Fengzhi lowered his eyes.
"I see."
Qian Chen stood to one side of the throne.
His gaze fell on Chen Xin.
Six years ago, Chen Xin brought him back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Chen Xin personally taught him swordsmanship back then.
Later, his Soul Power did not improve for six years.
Ning Rongrong broke off her engagement with him.
Chen Xin did not stop him.
When they met again, Chen Xin's face lacked its usual calm.
"Qian Chen."
Chen Xin took a step forward.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to hand over all its resources."
"I am also willing to apologize to you."
Qian Chen looked at him.
"Apologize?"
Chen Xin remained silent for a moment.
"What happened back then was due to the sect mistreating you."
"The sect leader made the decision, and I did not stop him."
"After you left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I didn't send anyone to try and stop you."
His hand rested on the hilt of the sword.
"This is my fault."
Qian Chen remained silent.
Ning Fengzhi raised his head.
"Rongrong was young at the time, and many of her words were not what she truly meant."
"Even the sect didn't expect you to have grown to this level after you left."
Ice Empress looked up at Ning Fengzhi.
"Does Sect Master Ning mean that Chen'er didn't have her current strength, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't need to apologize?"
Ning Fengzhi immediately shook his head.
"No."
"I just want to point out that the decision made back then was indeed ill-considered."
Ice Empress released Qian Chen's arm.
She walked up to him and straightened the hem of his cloak.
"Since you haven't considered this thoroughly, there's no need to explain further."
"Chen'er doesn't need to hear this."
Ning Fengzhi did not refute.
He looked at Qian Chen.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to close its doors for three years."
"All Soul Tool and inherited scriptures of the sect shall be handed over to the Heaven Dou Empire for registration."
"Disciples of the sect may leave without being stopped."
Those who remain will be at the Empress's command.
Qian Renxue picked up the Sect Master’s Token.
The token is engraved with an image of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
She ran her fingertip across the surface of the token.
"Sect Master Ning, do you know what this means?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will no longer be an independent sect."
"I know."
Ning Fengzhi his hands in greeting.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to accept."
The Gu Rong raised its eyes.
"Charm."
Ning Fengzhi turned to look at him.
"Uncle Bone, there's no need for further words."
"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does not submit, its fate will be the same as that of the Clear Sky Sect."
Gu Rong's palms slowly tightened.
He looked at Qian Chen, who was standing beside the long steps.
"Do you really intend to make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School an appendage?"
Qian Chen looked at him.
"You were the ones who delivered the Sect Master’s Token first."
That means you've made your choice.
Gu Rong didn't continue speaking.
His gaze fell on Qian Renxue.
"His Majesty agrees as well?"
Qian Renxue placed the Sect Master’s Token beside her.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School may retain its sect name after it submits."
"However, the Soul Master, Soul Tool, merchant guilds, and lands belonging to the sects must be subject to the Empire's investigation."
"Sect Master Ning will continue to manage the Chamber of Commerce."
"Sects are prohibited from privately recruiting troops, interfering in Province affairs, or forming private alliances with the Spirit Hall or other forces."
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
I accept.
Qian Renxue looked at Chen Xin.
"Sword Douluo Senior."
Chen Xin raised her eyes.
"After the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School submits, you and Bone Douluo are forbidden from taking action privately in Heaven Dou City."
"If the empire encounters a powerful enemy, you two may be summoned to battle."
Chen Xin remained silent for a moment.
"Can."
Gu Rong glanced at him.
I accept.
Qian Renxue looked at Ning Fengzhi.
"Does Sect Master Ning have any further conditions?"
"No."
Ning Fengzhi lowered his body.
I have only one request.
Rongrong is still in the sect.
"She did not participate in the sect's decisions, nor did she take action against the Heaven Dou Empire."
"I hope Your Majesty will allow her to retain her freedom."
The hall fell silent.
Qian Renxue raised her eyes and looked at Qian Chen.
Qian Chen did not answer.
Ning Rongrong's image flashed through his mind.
The Back Mountain six years ago.
The girl removed the clay sword from his neck and placed it back in his hand.
She said they had already gone down different paths.
Qian Chen withdrew his gaze.
She never laid a hand on me.
I won't make things difficult for her.
Ning Fengzhi his hands in greeting.
Thank you.
Qian Chen looked at him.
"But she can no longer mobilize the sect's resources as the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School."
"It's up to her to decide what she wants to do."
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"I see."
Qian Renxue stood up.
The golden imperial robes fell down the steps.
She walked up to the attendant, picked up the Sect Master’s Token, and handed it back to Ning Fengzhi.
"The Sect Master’s Token is temporarily returned."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's letter of submission must be delivered to the Imperial Palace within three days."
"The officials tasked with investigating the sect's resources will depart tomorrow."
Ning Fengzhi accepted the Sect Master’s Token.
"Yes, sir."
He held the token in both hands, turned around, and handed it to Chen Xin.
After receiving the Chen Xin Sect Master’s Token Xin held it in both hands and came before Qian Chen.
He did not hand the token to Qian Renxue.
Instead, it is delivered to the Qian Chen.
"This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's final act of sincerity."
Qian Chen did not reach out.
"Give it to her."
Chen Xin looked at Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue took the Sect Master’s Token from his hand.
She raised her hand and put it into the Soul Tool.
"From this day forward, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be at the command of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Sect Master Ning."
"Exist."
"Take your people back."
"Reorganize the sects and await imperial officials."
Ning Fengzhi to her.
"Yes, sir."
He turned around.
Chen Xin stopped in her tracks as she walked past Qian Chen.
"I misjudged you back then."
Qian Chen did not turn back.
You didn't see wrong.
Chen Xin watched his retreating figure.
"What's the meaning?"
What you saw back then was only what I wanted you to see.
Chen Xin's fingers landed on the sword hilt.
After a moment, he looked away.
"I see."
Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong walked out of the front hall.
The palace doors slowly closed.
Qian Renxue came to Qian Chen's side.
She raised her hand and grasped Qian Chen's fingers.
"Elder brother."
"Um?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has submitted."
"From this day forward, within the Heaven Dou Empire, there will be no sect capable of independently confronting you."
Qian Chen looked at her.
"What are your plans for dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Keep it for now."
Qian Renxue pulled his hand to her front, and their fingers slowly intertwined.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul is suitable for supporting the army."
"Ning Fengzhi has managed the Chamber of Commerce for many years and is familiar with the flow of resources throughout the Empire."
"As long as they are willing to obey, they can continue to be effective."
Ice Empress walked to the other side of Qian Chen.
She hugged his arm and rested her face against his shoulder.
Will Ning Rongrong stay too?
"She made her own choice."
Qian Renxue looked towards the palace gate.
Ning Rongrong did not leave with Ning Fengzhi.
She stood at the foot of the long steps outside the palace, her white dress billowing in the autumn wind.
Her long, golden hair fell over her shoulders.
She stared at the tightly closed palace doors, clutching a jade pendant shaped like a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand.
That was a token of the sect's heir.
It was something Ning Fengzhi had just given her.
"Rongrong."
Ning Fengzhi stood behind her.
Ning Rongrong turned around.
"Dad."
Let's go.
She did not take a step.
He didn't ask me a single question.
Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter.
"Qian Chen has already said he won't make things difficult for you."
But he didn't look at me.
Ning Rongrong looked down at the jade pendant in her hand.
On the jade pendant, the seven layers of light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up in sequence.
"Dad, did I do something wrong back then?"
Ning Fengzhi did not answer immediately.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong also stopped at a distance.
Ning Fengzhi looked at the tightly closed palace gates.
"Back then, you chose your own path."
"Now, he has chosen his own path."
Ning Rongrong raised her eyes.
"Can I go back to him?"
You should ask him.
Ning Fengzhi turned and walked down the long steps.
Ning Rongrong stood still.
She gripped the jade pendant tightly and took one last look at the front hall.
Inside the hall.
Qian Chen raised his hand to straighten the silver hair clip in Snow Empress's hair.
Snow Empress stood in front of him without moving away.
"The matter concerning the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is over."
Qian Renxue leaned against Qian Chen's other side.
"Brother, have dinner with me tonight."
Ice Empress immediately looked up.
"Chen'er will stay with me tonight."
Snow Empress grasped Qian Chen's other hand.
"Let's go back to the Rear Garden first."
Qian Chen looked at the three people beside him.
"Let's eat first."
Ice Empress was finally satisfied.
She hugged Qian Chen's arm tightly.
Qian Renxue held his finger.
Snow Empress smoothed out the edges of his cloak for him.
The four of them walked together towards the Rear Garden.
Outside the hall.
Ning Rongrong remained standing at the foot of the long steps.
She looked in the direction Qian Chen had left, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda pendant in her hand gently brushing against her clothes in the autumn wind.
She didn't chase after him.
She simply tucked the jade pendant into her sleeve, then turned and followed Ning Fengzhi out of the palace.