Action, Regret, Replacement, Secret Chamber

Under the night sky, the lights of Heaven Dou City flickered sparsely.

A duke's manor was bustling with activity.

A magnificent giant crystal chandelier gleamed with golden light, illuminating the splendor within.

A table dozens of meters long was covered with silverware and glass goblets.

Luxurious ornaments and displayed delicacies dazzled the eye.

As cups were raised and exchanged, the guests sampled fine wines and exquisite dishes from across the continent. Laughter and chatter filled the entire banquet hall.

Xue Qinghe wore lavish formal attire, a laurel crown upon his head and half a glass of red wine in hand.

Every gesture he made exuded nobility and confidence.

The moment he appeared, he became the center of attention.

The nobles crowded around him, offering warm greetings.

Xue Beng raised his wineglass in greeting toward Xue Qinghe, then happily chatted with the female companions brought by the surrounding dukes and nobles.

Xue Qinghe returned a gentle smile, though inwardly he was disdainful.

This younger brother of his showed his intentions so openly at such a young age. He was clearly a born playboy.

He posed no threat whatsoever.

Xue Beng teased the beauty beside him, a barely noticeable gloom flashing through his eyes.

Broad-built and steady-footed, Xue Xing came before Xue Qinghe.

"Uncle."

"Mm, Your Highness. You should still mind how you address me in public."

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. Greetings, Prince Xue Xing."

"Mm~"

Xue Xing gave him a satisfied look, as though he were teachable.

Before Xue Qinghe began slaughtering everyone in sight, Xue Xing did not mind getting a little closer to him.

Wearing a professional fake smile, Xue Qinghe went through the motions.

It was merely the birthday banquet of a Duke's Daughter. There was no need to discuss anything overly sensitive.

Xue Qinghe sat upright, watching with interest as the nobles flattered one another and formed ties through marriage and alliances.

He swirled the wine in his glass and gave a sinister smile.

Sure enough, they were all useless fools. The position of Crown Prince, and the throne itself, were practically his for the taking.

Under his rule, the Heaven Dou Empire would march toward an even more prosperous and flourishing future!

"Your Highness, the Dark Guard has an urgent matter to report."

A Guard approached from behind and spoke quietly into Xue Qinghe's ear.

"Let's go."

This scene had played out countless times before, drawing no attention from those in the hall.

Xue Qinghe was somewhat helpless as well. Over the years, whenever the Dark Guard brought him information—

It was usually nothing more than conflicts and struggles of interest among the nobles.

Yet the information truly was important. Before obtaining that position, it was necessary to win over a group of people who supported him.

Three Guards led Xue Qinghe to a Quiet Room within the duke's manor.

"Speak. What is it this time?"

Xue Qinghe crossed one leg over the other and yawned.

"Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate requests that Your Highness die."

"Hm?"

For an instant, Xue Qinghe thought he had misheard. He sprang to his feet in fury.

"What did you say?!"

"This subordinate requests that Your Highness die!"

"How dare you! Take him down!"

The three Guards replied:

"Yes!"

Heads rolled, and blood sprayed everywhere.

Until his death, Xue Qinghe had never imagined that the three Guards who had accompanied him for years—the three most loyal Guards—would be the ones to kill him.

The scene was quickly cleaned up.

"Xue Qinghe" emerged from the shadows. On a face identical to the original owner's was a pair of colder eyes.

"Let's go."

The banquet continued, and Qian Renxue swiftly resumed playing her role.

Unlike before, however, a trace of regret rose in her heart once more.

Only after truly stepping into Xue Qinghe's life and dealing with these nobles she had never met did she genuinely realize how dull this kind of life was.

A strange feeling welled up inside her. Wasting several hours every day on such things was truly meaningless.

She still had Xiao Feng. No, she had to hurry and cultivate a replacement.

Grandpa could select someone capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility, then slowly train them.

Once they could take over her mission, she could retreat behind the scenes.

By then, the mission would not count as a failure, and she would not lose face before that woman.

No!

Qian Renxue frowned slightly. Why did she care so much about that person who made her call her sister?

She had Xiao Feng now, and Ling Yuan Jie. Why should she lurk here for years just to earn that woman's approval?

As the Young Master of Spirit Hall, as long as the mission was completed, what did it matter if she did not personally carry it out?

As long as she was in charge of the mission, she would be able to convince everyone!

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. Xiao Feng was right. There was no reason for her to personally carry out this kind of mission.

When she returned, she would tell Grandpa about this and have him send over a candidate.

The plan had begun long ago. If there truly were no other candidates, that would be the strange thing.

The Crown Prince Residence.

The atmosphere was the same as always, and so were the people.

What differed was the excited gleam in the eyes of every Guard and maid.

After enduring for so long, they had finally welcomed their true master.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Mm. I am in a good mood today. Everyone will be richly rewarded. You may withdraw for now; go see She Bo later."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The joy of the "disguisers" was plain to see. They all left, impatient to find out just how generous their reward for all these years of work would be.

Qian Renxue entered the Study and solemnly pressed a mechanism on the bookshelf.

Click.

After an almost inaudible sound, a hidden door was revealed behind the bookshelf.

After entering, Qian Renxue let out a long breath.

She locked the mechanism again.

Then she began making her way through the dim Secret Passage.

For some reason, in this environment, whenever she thought of what lay at the end of the Secret Chamber—

Xiao Feng, Ling Yuan, and her own bedroom—a strange feeling rose in her heart.

"Keeping a beauty in a golden house?"

Qian Renxue's lips moved as she unconsciously spoke those words.

Her heartbeat accelerated, and her cheeks flushed for a moment before she continued inward.

After several dozen more steps, the passage suddenly opened up. Beneath the light of Soul Tools, this place was no different from the outside world.

If anything, the careful arrangement made its decor seem even more comfortable.

"Back already?"

Lin Feng enjoyed Ling Yuan's massage, a book in one hand as he beckoned to Qian Renxue.

"How was it? Was it as boring as I said?"

Qian Renxue pursed her little lips, kicked off her shoes, and stretched her two slender legs out before Lin Feng.

"It really was boring. Xiao Feng, I regret it a little."

Lin Feng's hands paused as he massaged Qian Renxue's jade-like legs clad in White Silk.

"Oh? So what are you planning? Going back to Spirit City now?"

"No. Going back like this would be too abrupt. I've already had Chrysanthemum Grandpa inform Grandpa and ask him to send another candidate.

"We'll personally teach them. Once they can fully replace me, I'll finally be free."

Lin Feng nodded. It was not too late for Qian Renxue to come around. After this trip to Heaven Dou, her obsession with Bibi Dong would likely fade somewhat. That was not a bad thing for her.

Qian Renxue rested her head on the bedding and closed her eyes to rest, while Lin Feng continued massaging her.

Qian Renxue's shins were slender, like jade pillars—softly beautiful, yet not lacking in strength.

Her calves were firm and smooth in contour, while her thighs were slightly fuller, their curves graceful.

Massaging them was instead a kind of enjoyment.

Ling Yuan saw the glint in Lin Feng's eyes and chuckled, applying slightly more force as she kneaded his shoulders.

Thanks to Zhidao Yidian Dian, Shark Chili I, and the Silent Frequency Lurker for the monthly tickets.

Qian Renxue's trip to Heaven Dou was about to come to an end.

Qian Daoliu did not want Qian Renxue to remain at Bibi Dong's side + the growing feelings between Qian Renxue, Lin Feng, and Ling Yuan + Qian Renxue's discomfort after actually carrying out the mission + her growing detachment from her obsession with Bibi Dong's affection = Qian Daoliu agreeing to let Qian Renxue and Lin Feng roam around outside. That was roughly the idea.