"In your studies from here on, Moonlight Pavilion will teach you various forms of noble etiquette and music..."
Unlike in the original story, Tang Yuehua did not personally step in and teach him hands-on as she had Tang San.
Lin Qian was not upset. After all, he was not her actual nephew, and he had no connection to Tang Hao, not even one eight poles could reach. Her accepting him was already a major exception.
With some curiosity, he asked, "Madam, why did you agree to accept me? I'm only a distant nephew of the Minister of Internal Affairs, without any noble title. You could have simply ignored me."
If I ignored you, wouldn't you tear Moonlight Pavilion down?
Tang Yuehua would not say that outright; it was not her style. She smiled gracefully. "Even my humble Moonlight Pavilion has heard something of the Ice Jade Scorpion King's illustrious reputation."
Her seemingly casual words had both answered his question and flattered him, killing two birds with one stone.
Lin Qian's motives had been impure to begin with. He had only wanted to come and idle away his days, but after hearing that, he genuinely became interested in Moonlight Pavilion. Etiquette was secondary; what he mainly wanted to learn was the art of speaking.
Tang Yuehua's actual Soul Power was low, only level nine. By rights, she was inferior even to the Soul Emperor who had blocked his way and picked a fight earlier, yet he was willing to talk to her. Neither side had come to blows, and things were harmonious instead.
Through their conversation, Tang Yuehua could also sense how he differed from other Soul Masters: young, powerful, reasonable, gentle, and composed.
With her special status and the convenience afforded by her position, she knew everything that happened within Heaven Dou Imperial City. Lin Qian had won a hundred consecutive matches and was an ice-attribute Soul Master, a rarity on the continent. It was no surprise that he had caught her eye.
She had originally wanted to find an opportunity to meet him, but unexpectedly, he had delivered himself right to her door.
After getting to know him just now, she decided to win him over. Perhaps he would one day help the Clear Sky Sect return to the world.
"I heard that a Martial Soul Mutation has left you unable to break through level ten, Madam?"
After they had chatted for a while, Lin Qian suddenly revealed her secret.
Not expecting him to be so direct, Tang Yuehua froze, but still maintained her fine noble manners. "Yes."
She did not conceal it. After all, he was the nephew of an important imperial minister, so it was no surprise that he knew these things.
Lin Qian put on a moved expression. "To thank you for your sincerity in accepting me as a student, Madam, I also have something to give you. Perhaps it can make up for your regret at being unable to cultivate."
"What?"
At his words, Tang Yuehua visibly lost her composure, nearly unable to maintain even her poise.
Because of the flaw in her Martial Soul, she had suffered countless scornful looks and been left with countless regrets over the years. If she could have become a powerful Soul Master, perhaps many things would never have happened, and she would not have had to hole up in Heaven Dou City teaching court etiquette!
She knew very well that no matter how much respect she received in noble circles, she was still a small fry in the outside world.
In the world of Soul Masters, the strong reigned supreme. Having come from the Clear Sky Sect, she too yearned for strength.
She had once asked many knowledgeable and well-traveled people, but without exception, nothing had come of it. Now that Lin Qian said there was a way to repair her flaw, how could she not become so excited that she lost her composure?
Fortunately, her years of self-discipline meant she lost her composure for only a moment before calming down. "Student Li, you're not joking, are you?"
To make his words more credible, Lin Qian cited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as an example. "I know Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I know about the flaw in their Martial Soul, and I've also promised to let them break through Level 80 and rename their sect the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Tang Yuehua was somewhat disappointed. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can at least have seven Soul Rings, but I can't even break through level ten..."
There was something else she left unsaid: You're only making verbal promises. Who knows whether you're trying to catch a white wolf with your bare hands!
Reading her expression, Lin Qian roughly understood what she meant and said unhurriedly, "I know of something that can correct flaws in a Martial Soul while also raising one's Innate Soul Power level."
Tang Yuehua grew excited again, then quickly calmed down.
She knew that if he could offer such a precious thing as a gift, he must have some purpose in mind.
To thank me for my sincerity in accepting you? It would be easier to believe you were coveting my beauty!
Was there really such a thing as a free lunch?
As it turned out, she had guessed correctly.
Lin Qian's motives were indeed impure, and he did harbor thoughts of winning the beauty and taking her home. There was no such thing as a free lunch, either. If there was, it only meant the other party wanted more. But there was no hurry yet, so he presented himself as thoroughly upright.
"I've long heard of your fine reputation, Madam. Among the nobility, you are highly praised; among Soul Masters, you are noble and pure. If I can successfully graduate from Moonlight Pavilion, I would like you to introduce me to the imperial family."
He wanted her to act as an intermediary? That was possible. At least it counted as a reason.
With that, Tang Yuehua dispelled her doubts.
After all, she had been removed from society for a long time and still could not see through people's true nature. With a reason to convince herself, she would not overthink it.
She readily agreed. "All right."
A year later.
Commerce flourished in the Heaven Dou Empire, and even after nightfall, vehicles still flowed in an endless stream. Across the entire continent, only the Star Luo Empire could barely compare.
Moonlight Pavilion.
Elegant, tranquil light shone from within as an endless stream of people presented their invitations and entered this most prestigious hall in the empire.
As the Heaven Dou Empire's Court Etiquette Academy, it required anyone who came to study here to hold at least a noble title and be no older than thirty. Clearly, it had been established specifically to educate the nobility.
Rumor had it that Xue Ye had some special relationship with the pavilion's mistress. Otherwise, why would no faction dare extend its hand here when Moonlight Pavilion itself amounted to nothing and its mistress had such low Soul Power?
Of course, these were only rumors, born from people's gossip-fueled fantasies of chasing the wind and clutching at shadows. So far, only a handful of people knew the real reason.
Despite sealing its mountain and withdrawing from the world, the Clear Sky Sect had never for a moment abandoned the idea of returning. Not only did the sect have numerous Titled Douluos, but it had also planted Tang Yuehua as a chess piece in the Heaven Dou Empire while sending people to make contact with the Star Luo Empire, playing both ends.
Otherwise, Lin Qian would not have thought of winning Tang Yuehua over to connect with the Clear Sky Sect through this hidden thread. Whether it would prove useful was uncertain; he would establish the connection first.
Besides, Tang Yuehua's bearing and looks were outstanding enough in their own right. Apart from her being a little older, he would not be losing out.
After reaching an agreement with Tang Yuehua a year earlier, he had admitted that the item was not currently in his possession and that he needed time to retrieve it.
Tang Yuehua had not been angry. Instead, she had first let him enroll to study etiquette and music, treating him like everyone else.
With nothing else to do anyway, he had studied court etiquette while waiting for word from Qian Renxue.
Before he knew it, a year had passed. Contact with the palace remained cut off throughout. Even when Li Yan personally inquired, the response from that side was ambiguous. In short, there was no hurry.
Even by the time Lin Qian's outstanding academic performance had made him Moonlight Pavilion's student representative for the year, taking the stage to perform, there was still no word from Qian Renxue.
Yet Lin Qian was not the least bit anxious.
Because Tang Yuehua had sent word that tonight...
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe would come.