"Were you bored staying in the residence by yourself today?"
Qian Renxue took off her outer robe, and the maid tactfully withdrew. She walked over to Meng Chen and reached out to rub those fluffy rabbit ears she could never get enough of.
"Brother Xue... I actually sneaked out to the Benevolent Heart Apothecary today."
Meng Chen let her stroke his ears as he took a bite of a Spirit Fruit, mumbling his confession through a mouthful.
"I met Madam Ye at the apothecary, and a girl named Dugu Yan, too. She insisted on holding on to me and told me to visit Dugu Manor to play with her sometime."
"Dugu Yan?"
Qian Renxue's hand paused briefly. A faint, unusual gleam flashed through her phoenix eyes, and an amused smile curled her lips before she feigned anger.
"Who said you could sneak out? It looks like it's time those people..."
Seeing her reaction, Meng Chen hurried to explain.
"It had nothing to do with anyone else. I wanted to sneak out myself... Don't..."
Qian Renxue cleared her throat and returned to her usual doting manner.
"All right, I'll stop teasing you. Remember to have someone accompany you whenever you go out."
Then, without waiting for Meng Chen to answer, she continued.
"By the way, you said you met the granddaughter of that old venomous creature, Dugu Bo? With his protection to rely on, that granddaughter of his has always been terribly feisty and arrogant. To think a little fellow like you actually won her over!"
Dugu Bo was a loner who had always remained neutral toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the major powers. Even her attempts to recruit him as Xue Qinghe had failed.
If Meng Chen could use his status as a child to build a good relationship with Dugu Yan, it would be an unexpected hidden piece on the board of her long-term infiltration plan.
"You're still young, and being cooped up in the residence is no fun. It's good to make a few more friends, but remember that you must take someone along."
Qian Renxue affectionately brushed a finger over Meng Chen's little nose and gave him a mysterious smile.
"As it happens, an elder will be visiting the Crown Prince's Residence tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to him then. Whether in temperament, vision, or influence within the Heaven Dou Empire, he stands among the very best. You must mind your manners when you meet him."
"An elder?"
Meng Chen blinked, already understanding who she meant.
There was only one person whom Qian Renxue, currently disguised as Xue Qinghe, would address so respectfully as an "elder."
Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects!
Early the next morning.
A luxurious carriage stopped before the gates of the Crown Prince's Residence.
Its entire body was crafted from agarwood, with exquisitely made Green Jade Seven-Treasure Tassels adorning the edges of its curtains, displaying luxury through understated elegance.
Dressed in a simple, elegant white robe, Xue Qinghe had brought Meng Chen to wait before the front entrance's stone steps well ahead of time.
The carriage curtain lifted, and a middle-aged man with a scholar's bearing stepped out first.
His face was as handsome as polished jade, and his manner was refined and gentle. He wore a gold-rimmed monocle and a spotless moon-white robe, holding an exquisite Jade Marrow Folding Fan in his hand.
Even standing there casually, he exuded a grandmaster's presence, like gentle rain nourishing all things without a sound.
Beside him, he held the hand of a little girl who looked about five or six.
The girl wore a pale-yellow Gold-Threaded Pleated Skirt. Her lovely face seemed sculpted from pink jade, with large, bright black eyes brimming with spirit, and her skin was so tender it seemed a pinch would draw water.
With her appearance and that proud little gaze, she was the very image of a pampered little peacock, willful and spoiled.
It seemed this was Ning Rongrong, the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
"Your student Qinghe respectfully welcomes you, Teacher."
Xue Qinghe strode forward and offered a proper, deep bow.
"Qinghe, there's no need for such ceremony between master and student."
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly and gestured for Xue Qinghe to rise, teasing him.
"Court ended early today, and Rongrong kept making a fuss about wanting to visit Heaven Dou City, so I brought her along to your Crown Prince's Residence to beg a cup of hot tea."
"It is my greatest honor to have you and little sister Rongrong visit, Teacher."
Xue Qinghe smiled.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi's gaze naturally fell on Meng Chen, who stood beside Xue Qinghe.
When he saw the gently trembling rabbit ears atop Meng Chen's head, glowing with soft golden light, even Ning Fengzhi, who had met countless people, could not keep a flicker of admiration and surprise from his eyes.
"Qinghe, this young gentleman is...?"
Xue Qinghe took the opportunity to put an arm around Meng Chen's shoulders, his expression earnest and his affection heartfelt.
"Teacher, this is my newly sworn younger brother, Meng Chen. He possesses extraordinary gifts and a pure, innocent heart. I regard him as my own family."
"Meng Chen greets Sect Master Ning. May countless blessings be upon you, Sect Master."
Following noble etiquette, Meng Chen bowed with a sweet, childish voice, his bearing poised and unselfconscious.
"Good. What a child brimming with spirit."
The appreciation in Ning Fengzhi's eyes deepened. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect excelled at appraising treasures and discerning auras, and he could tell at a glance that Meng Chen's spiritual radiance was held within, while an exceptionally wondrous energy circulated faintly around him. He was no ordinary child.
Smiling, Ning Fengzhi lowered his head and patted his little daughter's pigtails.
"Rongrong, this is little brother Meng Chen. You're always complaining that there's no one your age to keep you company in the sect. Today is a perfect chance to get to know him."
Ning Rongrong had been idly swinging her little embroidered shoes in utter boredom. Only upon hearing her father's words did she reluctantly lift her spoiled little face.
But when her gaze fell on Meng Chen's exquisite, fair little face, like a golden child from a painting, and the soft, fluffy golden rabbit ears atop his head, her proud eyes suddenly lit up!
"Wow... such cute ears!"
Ning Rongrong felt as though something had given her heart a fierce little scratch.
But as the Little Demoness whom everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect spoiled to the heavens, her deeply ingrained pride made her quickly suppress her delight. She deliberately lifted her pointed chin and gave a soft huff.
"Hey, kid! Are your ears real or fake? You look like a rabbit spirit, all dopey and clueless."
The corner of Meng Chen's mouth twitched. Looking at this younger version of the little demoness Ning, hands planted on her hips and "hurry up and please me" written all over her face, he sighed inwardly.
Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi exchanged knowing smiles.
"Teacher, freshly picked, pre-rain Spirit Mist Tea from this year's harvest is ready in the side hall. There are also some matters of court administration on which I would like your guidance."
Xue Qinghe spoke at just the right moment.
"Excellent."
Ning Fengzhi folded his fan and looked down at Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, play with little brother Meng Chen in the courtyard. Don't bully him, understand?"
"I know, Daddy! You're such a nag!"
Ning Rongrong waved her little hand impatiently.
As Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi walked side by side into the main hall of the inner courtyard, only Meng Chen and Ning Rongrong remained in the vast courtyard of the Crown Prince's Residence.
The breeze passed through the Wisteria Trellis, carrying wafts of delicate fragrance.
With her hands behind her back, Ning Rongrong circled Meng Chen twice with somewhat swaggering steps. Her gaze never left the rabbit ears atop his head, and she could no longer hide the fondness in her eyes.
She stopped in front of Meng Chen, stretched out a little hand, and lifted her chin slightly, speaking in a proud, commanding tone.
"Hey! You, Meng Chen! I'll allow you to play with me! First, lower your head and let me touch your rabbit ears. If they feel nice..."
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