The Qian Family Tradition: A Secret Chamber...

After Jiang Mingyang followed Xue Qinghe back to the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe settled him in a luxurious residence. The treatment he received was hardly different from what he had enjoyed in Fasinuo Province.

After all, the finest treatment in Fasinuo Province was roughly equal to the finest treatment in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Through six months of diligent cultivation and Martial Soul Fusion, Jiang Mingyang had reached level 36. And he was only twelve and a half.

In the residence Xue Qinghe had arranged for him, Jiang Mingyang slowly unfolded his crossed legs and got down from the bed.

After washing up, Jiang Mingyang headed for the Crown Prince's Mansion as usual.

Ever since Jiang Mingyang arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire Capital, Xue Qinghe had required them to perform Martial Soul Fusion once a week.

After their first Martial Soul Fusion, however, every fusion had essentially been nothing more than a summoning. What had happened that first time had never happened again.

Jiang Mingyang walked quickly and reached Xue Qinghe's Prince's Mansion before long.

Seeing him arrive, one of Xue Qinghe's trusted aides hurried off to report it.

Jiang Mingyang went straight to Xue Qinghe's bedroom without anyone stopping him, then entered and meditated while he waited.

It had to be said: Xue Qinghe truly had the bearing of an enlightened ruler.

It was only around eight in the morning when Jiang Mingyang arrived, yet Xue Qinghe was already handling affairs of state. He worked tirelessly and had won the people's hearts.

If Qian Renxue's impersonation of Xue Qinghe had never been exposed, and if the atmosphere across the continent had been different, her Xue Qinghe might well have become an enlightened ruler for the ages.

Before long, Xue Qinghe received her aide's report, swiftly finished her work, and returned to the bedroom.

Seeing Jiang Mingyang meditating as he waited for her, Xue Qinghe smiled gently. "Sorry for the wait, Cousin Mingyang. Let's begin!" Jiang Mingyang smiled and nodded.

At twelve, Jiang Mingyang had fine features, swordlike brows, and bright eyes. His manner was gentle, yet his face retained a manly resolve. Even Xue Qinghe could not help feeling pleased as she looked at him.

When Jiang Mingyang summoned his Tianya Sword martial soul, Xue Qinghe took off her shoes, sat opposite him, and summoned her Swan Martial Soul.

Under their control, the two martial souls slowly fused into the "Sacred Angel Holy Sword," with Xue Qinghe as the dominant partner.

Xue Qinghe had chosen the name "Sacred Angel Holy Sword."

For one thing, it reflected her own Angel Martial Soul.

For another, she meant to reveal more clues to Jiang Mingyang, letting him grow accustomed to such explosive revelations.

She was deliberately inviting him to guess her true identity. She believed that, with his intelligence, he could probably work out which side she belonged to. In fact, Xue Qinghe had felt for some time that he had already guessed part of it.

It was all to make it easier for Jiang Mingyang to take her side if her identity was ever exposed.

As for whether Jiang Mingyang would tell Emperor Xue Ye if he guessed who she was...

Qian Renxue reckoned that if a Soul Elder with no standing told Emperor Xue Ye such things, the ministers would never believe him, regardless of whether Xue Ye did. Her position would remain unaffected.

Suddenly, Jiang Mingyang's expression changed. This feeling was unmistakable—it was the same as during their first Martial Soul Fusion.

His consciousness slowly faded, then slowly returned.

Throughout it, Jiang Mingyang felt profoundly uncomfortable and profoundly good at the same time.

His senses returned quickly. When he saw a red blossom on the bed, he knew something was terribly wrong.

Jiang Mingyang abruptly understood what had happened and was at a loss.

He hurriedly looked up. Sure enough, it was no longer "Xue Qinghe" before him, but Qian Renxue.

Jiang Mingyang did not know what to do. Two voices warred within him: one urged him to flee, while the other told him he had to take responsibility.

In the end, Jiang Mingyang chose to stay.

After a while, Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes as well.

The moment she woke and felt the state she was in, she glared at Jiang Mingyang, brimming with anger.

Qian Renxue swiftly raised the Angel Holy Sword and pointed it at him. A fierce light in her eyes, she said slowly, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jiang Mingyang swallowed. He was afraid, yet somehow found a measure of courage.

He knew Qian Renxue was a woman who would remain faithful to one partner for life.

If he said the right thing, satisfied her, and continued to satisfy her with his actions, they might make this work. After all, what had happened was an accident.

Besides, Qian Renxue's skin really was absurdly smooth and tender. Even girls from his previous life probably could not compare. It felt as though the slightest pinch would squeeze out water.

She was exceptionally beautiful, too. Aside from being a little blinded by love, she was fairly intelligent.

In his previous life, he would never have been worthy of such a wonderful wife. Now that this had happened in this life, if he put in the effort, perhaps...

As for chasing other women, Jiang Mingyang thought, Why would I, with a wife this wonderful? I could spend a lifetime with her!

A true marriage should not be sustained by the lower half of the body alone. The upper half mattered too.

If he found several more women and had them call one another sisters, their marriages probably would not be very happy. After all, who wanted to share the person they loved?

If his answer failed to satisfy her, Jiang Mingyang would probably be done for on the spot.

He might have a Soul Douluo for a father, but his father was only a Soul Douluo.

Still, Jiang Mingyang thought the chances of displeasing her were slim.

Some time ago, he had keenly noticed Qian Renxue pretending to let details about her true identity slip by accident.

She probably wanted him to accept who she really was. After all, he was someone who could perform Martial Soul Fusion with her.

Such people were generally husband and wife if they were of opposite sexes, or siblings if they were of the same sex.

And Jiang Mingyang had pretended to pick up on a few clues, as though he had begun to suspect Xue Qinghe's true identity.

Thinking of this, Jiang Mingyang could not help feeling wistful. A woman who'll stay faithful for life... I couldn't have found one no matter how hard I tried in my previous life. How wonderful!

Jiang Mingyang weighed his words, then said with a complicated look in his eyes, "That's an Angel Martial Soul, isn't it? You really are from the Qian Family of Spirit Hall.

"The atmosphere across the continent is tense. Spirit Hall must be making moves, so it sent you to impersonate a prince and try to swallow up the Heaven Dou Empire.

"But what happens to the Heaven Dou Empire has nothing to do with me. I was an abandoned baby, lucky enough to be saved by my adoptive father, Jiang Tian. The only people I care about are the Jiang Family. As long as you don't hurt my father or his family...

"You and I can perform Martial Soul Fusion, and now that this has happened between us... I won't expose your identity.

"Whatever you do, I'll help you as much as I can..."

Hearing him say this, Qian Renxue's heart softened despite herself. It seemed Jiang Mingyang had accepted her true identity.

Qian Renxue was a proud little girl... No, a proud woman. But she was a gentle woman, too.

In truth, over the past six months, Qian Renxue had found Jiang Mingyang thoroughly trustworthy and gentle in his dealings with others. Now that this had happened, as long as he did not expose her identity... Hmph. She would let him off this once.

Qian Renxue blushed faintly and said, "At least you know what's good for you. But I can't be sure you won't say one thing and do another. From now on, you'll stay by my side!

"You'll serve as an adviser to the crown prince. As for what happened today... Hmph. We'll pretend it never happened."

Jiang Mingyang nodded hurriedly. As long as she doesn't lock me in a secret chamber, I'll count that as a success...

From that day on, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had one more adviser at her side.