Qian Renxue nodded gently.
She turned, lifted her long white dress, and slowly sat upon the throne.
Golden divine light spread from between her brows.
A phantom of a six-winged angel appeared above the great hall.
Three pairs of golden wings unfurled.
A sacred aura enveloped the entire imperial palace.
Qian Renxue raised her eyes.
She looked at the officials kneeling below.
"Pass on my command."
"Starting today, every major city in the Heaven Dou Empire shall replace the imperial proclamation."
"Xue Qinghe shall inherit the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"The era name shall be changed to the first year of the Angel Era."
The officials all bowed their heads.
"We obey Your Majesty's sacred decree."
Qian Renxue leaned back against the throne.
She looked at Qian Daoliu, who stood in the center of the great hall.
"Grandfather."
"I am now the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire."
Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Next, govern this empire well."
"I will."
Qian Renxue raised her hand, her long golden hair falling along her shoulder.
She sat upon the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire, the angel runes between her brows gleaming brightly.
On this day.
Xue Ye died.
Xue Qinghe ascended the throne.
The Heaven Dou Empire welcomed a new emperor.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
The night deepened.
The first court session following the accession had ended.
Qian Renxue sat in the imperial study, memorials sent from various regions laid out before her.
She had changed out of her daytime imperial robes and wore only a long gold-and-white dress.
Her smooth golden hair lay over her shoulders, a few strands trailing over the edges of the memorials.
Qian Renxue picked up her vermilion brush.
She had just finished reviewing a military report when someone pushed the door open from outside.
Qian Daoliu entered the room carrying a jade platter.
Sliced fruit rested on the platter, along with a cup of warm tea.
Qian Renxue immediately set down her vermilion brush.
"Grandfather."
"Take a break first."
Qian Daoliu placed the jade platter at the edge of the desk.
Qian Renxue rose from beside the throne and reached out to link her arm through her grandfather's.
"These memorials are even more troublesome than cultivating."
"Since you've taken the throne, you must handle these matters."
Qian Daoliu sat down beside the Soft Couch.
Qian Renxue followed and sat beside him.
Her white skirt draped over the edge of the Soft Couch, revealing a pair of slender feet in golden soft shoes.
She stretched out her legs and leaned back against Qian Daoliu's shoulder.
"I met with thirty-seven officials today."
"Much of what they said was useless."
"You can tell them to give you only the results."
Qian Daoliu handed her a piece of fruit.
Qian Renxue parted her red lips and gently bit into it.
Sweet, refreshing juice trickled to the edge of her lips.
She raised her hand to wipe it away, but Qian Daoliu had already taken out a handkerchief.
Through the soft fabric, his fingertip brushed gently across the corner of her mouth.
Qian Renxue looked up at her grandfather close beside her.
"You're treating me like a child, Grandfather."
"You were like this before, too."
"I'm the Heaven Dou Emperor now."
Yet even after saying this, she did not move away from Qian Daoliu.
Her bright, beautiful face still rested against his shoulder.
Qian Daoliu placed the handkerchief on the table.
"Even the Heaven Dou Emperor must eat on time."
Qian Renxue laughed softly.
"Then come supervise me every day from now on, Grandfather."
"All right."
She straightened and pushed the jade platter on the table toward Qian Daoliu.
"Have some too, Grandfather."
Qian Daoliu had only just reached out when Qian Renxue picked up the Silver Pick.
A translucent piece of fruit was brought before him.
"Open your mouth."
Qian Daoliu glanced at her.
"That's what I just said to you."
"Now it's my turn to take care of you, Grandfather."
Qian Renxue did not withdraw her hand.
Qian Daoliu could only eat the fruit.
She nodded in satisfaction and picked up another piece.
Grandfather and granddaughter sat beside the lamplight and soon finished the entire platter of fruit.
Qian Renxue returned to the writing desk.
She picked up her vermilion brush but did not immediately begin reviewing the memorials.
"Where are you staying tonight, Grandfather?"
"The Bedchamber on the eastern side of the palace."
Qian Renxue looked at him.
"That's too far from the imperial study."
"It's only a few hundred paces."
"Even a few hundred paces is far."
She put down her vermilion brush.
"There's another Bedchamber behind the imperial study."
"Stay there, Grandfather."
Qian Daoliu looked at her.
"Are you worried someone in the palace will attack you?"
"No."
Qian Renxue raised a hand to smooth the golden hair beside her ear.
"I just want to be a little closer to you, Grandfather."
"All right."
Only after receiving his answer did she pick up her vermilion brush again.
"Go get some rest first, Grandfather."
"I'll come over once I finish reviewing these memorials."
Qian Daoliu rose and left the imperial study.
The door closed again.
Qian Renxue lowered her head to look at the neatly stacked memorials before her.
She quickened her pace as she reviewed them.
The rear chamber of the imperial study.
Qian Daoliu sat by the window.
A pot of tea stood on the table.
Moonlight spilled into the room, illuminating the Golden Robe he wore.
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
Qian Daoliu raised his eyes.
The person who entered was not Qian Renxue.
Liu Erlong stood at the door.
She had already changed out of the long dress she had worn during the day.
A fitted black dress hugged her full figure, its hem reaching just below her knees.
Two long, fair legs emerged from beneath the skirt.
She wore no shoes, only a pair of thin black stockings.
Through the soft fabric, her rounded toes pressed against the smooth floor.
Liu Erlong closed the door.
"Senior."
Qian Daoliu glanced at her.
"Coming to see me so late-is something the matter?"
Liu Erlong approached the other side of the table.
She did not sit down immediately.
The black dress clung to her waist, outlining her mature, full figure.
A broad expanse of snow-white skin showed above her neckline.
As she leaned forward to pour tea, the fabric across her chest drew slightly taut.
"I wanted to thank you, Senior."
"You've already thanked me many times."
Qian Daoliu lifted his teacup.
Liu Erlong raised her face.
Her black hair slipped from her shoulder and lay against her fair neck.
"In the past, I kept holding on to someone who wasn't worth it."
"If you hadn't appeared, Senior, I might still have kept waiting."
"That was your own choice."
"That makes me all the more obliged to thank you, Senior."
Liu Erlong walked around the table.
She came to Qian Daoliu's side and slowly knelt on the soft rug.
Her black skirt spread along her long legs.
She slipped her delicate feet out of her stockings and placed them neatly beside her.
The tops of her feet were fair and smooth, with a faint sheen beneath the moonlight.
Qian Daoliu set down his teacup.
"What do you want to do?"
Liu Erlong did not avoid his gaze.
"I want to stay by your side, Senior."
"You're already my subordinate."
"That's not the kind of staying I mean."
She reached out and gently clasped Qian Daoliu's hand where it rested on his knee.
Her slender hand was warm.
Liu Erlong lowered her eyes.
"I've thought it through."
"You're willing to give me a chance to choose again."
"I'm willing to give myself to you, too."
Qian Daoliu did not withdraw his hand.
"Is this repayment for my kindness?"
"No."
Liu Erlong lifted her face again.
"I stand in awe of your strength."
"And I like how it feels to be by your side."
"Ever since the Star Dou Great Forest, I've been watching you."
"You never show your enemies mercy."
"But with the Young Master, you comb her hair and prepare her food yourself."
She moved half a step closer.
Her full figure pressed close to Qian Daoliu's arm.
The movement made the neckline of her black dress slip down a little.
Soft, snowy skin came into view.
Liu Erlong did not adjust her neckline.
"I want you to treat me that way, too."
Qian Daoliu raised his hand and cupped her chin.
"Do you understand what you're saying?"
"I do."
Liu Erlong closed her eyes.
Her thick lashes fluttered slightly.
She nestled her face into Qian Daoliu's palm of her own accord.
"When I came here tonight, I had no intention of leaving."
Qian Daoliu looked at the mature woman before him.
Liu Erlong had always been strikingly beautiful.
With her usual fiery temper reined in, her features held an added gentleness.
Her fitted black dress traced the curves of her figure.
Her slender waist tapered inward before flaring into mature curves at her hips.
Her long, shapely legs were pressed together.
Her rounded knees rested against the soft rug.
Qian Daoliu lowered his hand.
His fingertips brushed the side of her fair neck and stopped at her shoulder.
Liu Erlong opened her eyes.
"Sir."
"It's not too late to change your mind."
"I won't regret this."
She lifted her arms and wrapped them around Qian Daoliu's neck.
Her black dress drew snug against her body.
Her soft, full breasts pressed against his chest.
Liu Erlong tilted her head up slightly and took the initiative to kiss him with her red lips.
Qian Daoliu held her by the waist.
Her slender waist felt especially soft in his hands.
Liu Erlong's breathing gradually quickened.
She leaned closer.
Her delicate feet left the soft rug and rested lightly against the hem of Qian Daoliu's robe.
A moment later.
Qian Daoliu scooped her up in his arms.
Liu Erlong kept her hands around his neck.
Her black skirt slipped down along the sides of her legs.
Her two snowy-white legs dangled beyond the crook of his arm.
She looked at the white-haired man so close before her.
A blush had already spread across her cheeks.
"Sir."
"Call me by my name."
Liu Erlong's red lips parted slightly.
"Qian Daoliu."
Qian Daoliu carried her toward the bedchamber.
Golden divine power covered the doors and windows.
The moonlight was shut out of the room.
The bed curtains slowly fell.
The long black dress slipped down beside the bed.
A pair of fair, delicate feet withdrew beneath the brocade quilt.
The lamplight went out.
Morning.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice.
Liu Erlong opened her eyes.
She lay on her side on the bed, her black hair scattered across the soft white pillows.
Only a thin quilt covered her.
Her snowy shoulders and slender arms were exposed.
The thin quilt followed her waist downward, tracing her lush curves.
Liu Erlong glanced down.
Last night's long black dress lay beside the bed.
Her stockings and high heels had been placed neatly on the soft rug.
Her cheeks flushed again.
Qian Daoliu sat by the window.
He was already neatly dressed in his Golden Robe.
His white hair fell behind his shoulders without a strand out of place.
Liu Erlong pulled up the thin quilt to cover her chest.
"When did you wake up?"
"Just now."
Qian Daoliu came to the bedside.
He placed a clean set of clothes beside her.
"Get dressed first."
Liu Erlong did not get up immediately.
She reached out and caught Qian Daoliu's sleeve.
"After last night, am I still only your subordinate?"
Qian Daoliu looked at her.
"What would you like to be?"
Liu Erlong fell silent for a moment.
"I don't need a formal title."
"I just want to stay by your side."
Qian Daoliu raised a hand and smoothed her disheveled black hair.
"Then stay."
A smile appeared on Liu Erlong's face.
She released his sleeve and stepped barefoot onto the floor.
Her snowy soles settled on the soft carpet.
Liu Erlong picked up the clean black dress beside her, but did not turn away from Qian Daoliu.
The thin quilt slipped from her shoulders.
Her mature, fair body was briefly revealed in the morning light.
She calmly put on her undergarments.
The long black dress once again enveloped her full figure.
Liu Erlong bent down and fastened her shoelaces.
Her two long, shapely legs crossed.
Her skirt rose with the movement, revealing a stretch of snowy thigh.
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
Qian Renxue stopped before it.
"Grandpa, are you awake?"
Liu Erlong paused.
She looked up at Qian Daoliu.
"Why is the Young Master here?"
"She comes to see me every day."
Qian Daoliu walked toward the door.
Liu Erlong quickly straightened her skirt, then smoothed her black hair with her hand.
The door opened.
Qian Renxue stood outside.
She wore a long white dress and held the breakfast she had just prepared.
Her golden eyes passed over her grandfather and settled on Liu Erlong inside the room.
Qian Renxue also glanced at the black stockings beside the bed.
She quickly understood what had happened last night.
Liu Erlong came to the door.
"Young Master."
Qian Renxue looked her over.
Her black dress was already neatly in place.
But a crease that had not been smoothed out remained at her neckline.
Her fair cheeks were also rosier than usual.
Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze.
"Let's eat first."
She carried breakfast into the room.
Liu Erlong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Qian Renxue set the food on the table.
She went to her grandfather's side and slipped her hand around his arm.
"Grandpa."
"Did you rest well last night?"
Qian Daoliu nodded.
"Very well."
Qian Renxue looked at Liu Erlong.
"And you?"
Liu Erlong met her gaze.
"Very well, too."
Qian Renxue smiled softly.
"Then let's eat together."
The three sat down at the table.
Liu Erlong sat on Qian Daoliu's left.
Qian Renxue sat on his right.
Sunlight from outside the window spilled into the room.
Steam slowly rose from the table.
Qian Daoliu picked up his chopsticks.
"Let's eat."
Qian Renxue and Liu Erlong nodded at the same time.
"All right."
Chapter 9
The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Early morning.
Qian Renxue set down the jade bowl in her hand.
She was not wearing her imperial robes today, having changed into only a gold-and-white dress.
Her silky golden hair was tied into a long braid behind her head, its tip hanging down to her slender waist.
Liu Erlong sat on the left side of the table.
The fatigue left over from last night had already disappeared.
A fitted black dress hugged her voluptuous figure, and her black hair was pinned up behind her head with a jade hairpin.
Qian Renxue glanced at her and Qian Daoliu.
"Liu Erlong, will you still be living in the palace from now on?"
Liu Erlong's hands stopped moving.
"If you need me, Young Master, I can stay."
"Grandpa is preparing to return to Spirit City."
Qian Renxue picked up a handkerchief and wiped the grains of rice from her fingertips.
"Naturally, you'll be going back with him."
Liu Erlong looked at Qian Daoliu.
"I'll follow your arrangements, Senior."
Qian Renxue nodded gently.
She picked up the last piece of pastry on the table with her chopsticks and placed it on the jade plate in front of Qian Daoliu.
"Grandpa, eat this before you leave."
Qian Daoliu looked at the pastry.
"Aren't you having it?"
"I'm already full."
After answering, Qian Renxue pushed the jade plate a little farther forward.
Qian Daoliu picked up the pastry.
Only then did she smile.
After breakfast ended.
Qian Renxue sat down in front of the bronze mirror again.
She raised her hands and undid her long braid.
A cascade of golden hair fell over her shoulders and back.
Qian Renxue picked up the Jade Comb and turned to look at her grandfather.
"Grandpa."
Qian Daoliu came to stand behind her.
He took the Jade Comb and slowly combed downward from the roots.
Qian Renxue sat very still.
The mirror reflected the grandfather and granddaughter.
Looking at his still-youthful face, she reached up and adjusted her collar.
"Grandpa, aren't you using a spatial passage today?"
"We'll walk out of the palace."
Qian Daoliu divided her golden hair into three strands.
"And take a look around Heaven Dou City while we're at it."
Qian Renxue nodded gently.
"I've only just ascended the throne. I really should take a look at the situation in the city."
Her long golden hair was soon braided again.
Qian Daoliu tied the hair ribbon around the end.
Qian Renxue stood and made a half turn in front of the bronze mirror.
Her neat, long braid swung down in front of her chest with the movement.
"Grandpa still braids it better."
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