Xue Qinghe, or rather, Qian Renxue, the young mistress of Spirit Hall disguised as Xue Qinghe.
She frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the deserted entrance.
Her inspection today had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and she had indeed given no advance notice.
But ordinarily, as Eight-Ring Soul Douluos, how keen were the three Education Committee Members' senses?
Even without the crown prince's ceremonial escort, they could not possibly have failed to sense that distinctive imperial aura surrounding the carriage.
Normally, Meng Shenji would already have led people out to greet her by now.
"Strange..."
Qian Renxue did not grow angry.
A trace of contemplation flashed deep within those gentle eyes.
As an undercover agent hidden in the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire, she had an almost instinctive vigilance toward the slightest rustle of wind through grass.
The Education Committee Members' discourtesy was never, in her eyes, a matter of etiquette, but a signal of where they stood.
"What important business are they occupied with? So important they can't even spare a moment for me?"
"Or... have they noticed something? Has their attitude toward me changed?"
Countless possibilities flashed through her mind in an instant.
Finally, she lowered the carriage curtain, her voice so calm that not a ripple could be heard:
"Go inside first."
The carriage had only just entered the academy's main avenue.
A figure came hurrying over from the direction of the Education Committee Members' building.
It was Qin Ming, who had just been ordered to arrange the dormitories.
At the sight of that familiar carriage.
Qin Ming's heart jolted, and he hurried forward to bow.
"I did not know Your Highness was coming and failed to welcome you! I am deeply ashamed!"
The curtain lifted, and Xue Qinghe stepped slowly out.
Her face wore that