Brother Xue Is the Best, Qian Renxue Was Coaxed into a Placenta

"Little Chen, you'll live here from now on."

After passing through the corridor, Qian Renxue led Meng Chen by the hand to a small courtyard. Her own courtyard stood right beside it.

"Mm-hmm! Thank you, Brother Xue!"

Looking at his new home, Meng Chen nodded obediently, gratitude spreading across his little face as he thanked Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue smiled and reached out to stroke Meng Chen's little head, a faint trace of doting affection surfacing deep in her eyes.

Such an adorable little fellow, and with innate full soul power, too. She had to raise him well. He was bound to become another Titled Douluo someday.

"Your Brother Xue lives right next door. If anything happens, come find me, understood?"

Qian Renxue pointed at the large courtyard beside his as she spoke.

Meng Chen glanced over and nodded again to show he understood.

Afterward, Qian Renxue showed Meng Chen around the Crown Prince's Residence and had the kitchen prepare a sumptuous dinner.

After merging with the Golden Dragon King bloodline, Meng Chen's appetite had grown enormously. He ate even more than an adult.

Under Qian Renxue's astonished gaze, he polished off three enormous bowls of rice and every last bite of the dishes, leaving the plates spotless.

Looking at Meng Chen's round little belly and the grains of rice stuck to the corner of his mouth, Qian Renxue teased him:

"Haha... Little Chen, you may look small, but I never imagined you could fit so much food inside you. You're quite the little eating champion."

At her words, embarrassment appeared on Meng Chen's little face. He lowered his head and said softly, "Sorry, Brother Xue. I haven't had much to eat for so long, so I ate a little too much. Don't worry, Brother Xue. I'll eat less from now on."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue's smile froze again, and she slapped herself once more in her mind.

I really deserve to die!

The child already has it hard enough. What's wrong with eating a little more? It's not as if I can't afford to feed him!

Guilt rose in Qian Renxue's eyes, along with an aching tenderness that would not melt away.

She reached out to wipe the rice from the corner of Meng Chen's mouth and comforted him gently. "You don't need to eat less. Eat as much as you want. Your Brother Xue is the empire's Crown Prince. Do you really think you could eat me into poverty?"

Meng Chen was overjoyed.

"Really? Yay! Brother Xue, you're the best!"

Hearing him say that she was the best filled Qian Renxue's heart with warmth and satisfaction. She even reached out to pinch his little cheeks.

Before long, the steward returned.

"Your Highness, the junior academy affiliated with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy begins classes in one month. The education committee has already reserved a place for you."

"Mm, you may go. Oh, and assign two maids to look after Little Chen's daily needs."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly and gave the steward another instruction.

The steward answered respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."

I even get maids to look after me!

Meng Chen secretly rejoiced.

Food, drink, lodging, and travel are all covered, and I even have people waiting on me.

Sure enough, choosing to go with Qian Renxue couldn't have been more right!

Then Qian Renxue turned back to Meng Chen. "Little Chen, the Heaven Dou Junior Academy won't begin classes for another month. Stay at home for now. I'll find a royal Soul Master to teach you about Soul Masters."

"You have innate full soul power. After a little while, I'll arrange for a Soul Master to take you soul hunting."

"Mm-hmm. I'll do whatever you say, Brother Xue." Meng Chen nodded obediently, making it clear that he would follow all of Qian Renxue's arrangements.

Very pleased, Qian Renxue reached out to stroke his little head again.

After dinner, Meng Chen returned to his small courtyard, where the two maids assigned by the steward had already been waiting for some time.

The maids were named Qingdai and Hongyu. Both had refined features and courteous manners, and Qingdai held a brand-new set of clothes.

"Young master, these are the clothes the steward prepared for you. Would you see whether they fit?"

Meng Chen asked Qingdai to put the clothes in his room first.

After bathing, Meng Chen changed into his new clothes.

The outfit was predominantly white and fit him quite well. Gold thread embroidered the collar and cuffs, while a pale purple tulip adorned the left breast, lending it a touch of nobility. It complemented his otherworldly air, instantly transforming him from a country child into a handsome little aristocrat.

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue had someone investigate Meng Chen.

She still possessed the vigilance she ought to have.

Soon, the information on Meng Chen lay on her desk.

He had been born in a small village outside Heaven Dou City. Both parents were dead, and he had grown up on meals provided by the villagers. He possessed innate full soul power and a Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, and he had already accepted an invitation from Spirit Hall.

If Qian Renxue had not intervened and whisked Meng Chen away, Soul Masters from the Heaven Dou Sacred Hall would likely have escorted him to Spirit City before long.

"Fortunately, I struck first and gained the upper hand. If this child had been sent to Spirit City and fallen into that woman's hands, who knows what she would have trained him into?"

Qian Renxue murmured under her breath, secretly relieved.

After burning the report, Qian Renxue recalled that fleeting, breathtaking glimpse from earlier in the day.

She had just returned from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when she happened to notice Meng Chen sitting on the curb.

Although he wore coarse linen clothes covered in patches, his incredibly handsome little face, fair with a rosy flush, had immediately drawn her attention. The pair of golden rabbit ears trembling slightly atop his head had struck her girlish heart most of all.

She had originally only intended to take Meng Chen home, but once she heard he was an orphan, how could she possibly resist the temptation of such an exquisite little rabbit-eared boy?

Qian Renxue looked up toward Meng Chen's small courtyard, a hint of worry appearing on her face.

"I wonder if that child will settle in comfortably..."

Early the next morning.

Meng Chen got out of bed bright and early and washed up with Qingdai and Hongyu's help. Hongyu even braided his slightly long hair into a short, thin scorpion-tail braid, making him look utterly adorable.

Looking at the fair, tender, adorable Meng Chen, Qingdai and Hongyu found their girlish hearts captured as well. If not for the difference in their stations, they would have loved to hold him and pet him to their hearts' content!

Touching the scorpion-tail braid, Meng Chen felt somewhat helpless, but he did not ask Hongyu to undo it.

Forget it. I'll leave it like this.

Qingdai brought Meng Chen to the dining hall, where Qian Renxue was already seated at the table, waiting for him.

When she saw the scorpion-tail braid swinging behind Meng Chen's head, she paused, then the corners of her mouth lifted into a faint smile.

I have to admit, that scorpion-tail braid makes him look even cuter.

"Good morning, Brother Xue," Meng Chen greeted Qian Renxue.

"Little Chen, come have breakfast. I specifically asked the kitchen to make one of every breakfast dish in Heaven Dou City. See which ones suit your tastes."

Qian Renxue gestured at the breakfast dishes covering the table and smilingly beckoned Meng Chen over.

Meng Chen did not stand on ceremony. He sat down at the table and began inhaling the food like a whirlwind. He ate so quickly that, before long, he had cleared every breakfast dish in front of him.

Seeing this, Qian Renxue brought the dishes beyond his reach over to him, feeding Meng Chen as she watched him eat with a beaming smile. His cheeks puffed up like a guinea pig's, making quite an amusing sight.

In less than half an hour, Meng Chen had wiped out the entire tableful of breakfast.

Looking at the plates licked spotless, Qian Renxue asked with concern, "Little Chen, are you full? Shall I have the kitchen bring another serving?"

Meng Chen wiped his hands clean and rubbed his round little belly, satisfaction written across his face. "No need, Brother Xue. I'm full. Have you had enough to eat?"

"I have a small appetite. Seeing you eat so happily has filled me up, too."

"I need to go to the palace on business shortly. If you get bored in the residence, you can ask the steward to arrange for someone to take you out to play."

Qian Renxue reached out to stroke Meng Chen's little head as she gently instructed him. Meng Chen nodded obediently and reassured her that he would not run around on his own.