"I see..."
Hearing Ah Rou's explanation, Tang Yuehua felt embarrassed. She seemed to have really misunderstood the relationship between the two.
But after the initial embarrassment, she became even more worried.
"What's wrong?" Ah Rou couldn't help but ask.
Tang Yuehua sighed, "You don't know, he never gets close to girls who take the initiative. When I saw you, I thought he had a special attachment to older women, which is why he acted that way. But if you two don't have that, perhaps he..."
Tang Yuehua hesitated, looking quite conflicted.
"Don't you like women?" Ah Rou subconsciously asked, recalling what Ning Rongrong had mentioned about the strange relationship between Xuan Ming and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
But she regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.
Tang Yuehua looked at Ah Rou with a complicated expression and nodded, "I am indeed a little worried."
The strange atmosphere between Xuan Ming and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe made her unable to help but suspect something!
Although such things do happen, and she had heard of some, she simply couldn't accept that Xuan Ming's mind could be so twisted!
Even if he were interested in older women, that would be fine, but why would he be interested in men!
Meanwhile, Xuan Ming had already arrived at the Crown Prince's residence.
"Are you calm now?"
Qian Renxue sat in the pavilion, two cups of tea on the table still steaming.
"Is there something you need?" Xuan Ming walked over and sat down.
"I apologize for what happened before. I didn't know you were injured in Spirit City," Qian Renxue said.
Xuan Ming frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. He stared intently at Qian Renxue, paused for a moment, and then slowly said, "It's nothing. I wasn't in a good mood at the time. I'm sorry."
Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised that Xuan Ming did not refute her in a sarcastic manner.
His easygoing nature ironically shut down all the lines she had prepared.
"Is there something you need?" Xuan Ming asked.
"There's a problem." Qian Renxue picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
"The next Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy is less than two years away. You were too young last time, so I need you to participate this time."
"Yes, is there any more?" Xuan Ming asked.
Qian Renxue's expression was somewhat unnatural. "Also, the rumors about you and Xue Qinghe are getting a little out of control."
"Rumors?" Xuan Ming looked puzzled.
What rumor?
Qian Renxue, holding her teacup, turned her head away. "Just some gossip between two men."
The bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. Xuan Ming's reputation in the Great Soul Arena brought him great prestige, but it also magnified many of his problems.
For such influential figures, what people are most interested in is always the gossip.
Xuan Ming spends most of his time focused on cultivation and has virtually no social life or outings, so even if people wanted to find something to talk about, they really couldn't.
It's like nitpicking; the somewhat awkward relationship between Xuan Ming and Xue Qinghe has been blown out of proportion by everyone.
At first, everyone took it as a joke, but now, due to the lack of a clear "clarification" for a long time, Heaven Dou Imperial Family has begun to worry.
If it were just an ordinary member of the royal family, this wouldn't be a big deal, but Xue Qinghe is the crown prince, the heir apparent of the country, and he cannot afford to have such a scandal!
Especially now that Xuan Ming has grown up in the last two years, his Bingbing and domineering image has become deeply ingrained in people's minds. In comparison, Xue Qinghe seems rather petite and dependent.
Even Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi sought out Xue Qinghe one after another; this wasn't a hint, it was an explicit statement!
Ning Fengzhi said that if Xue Qinghe really liked men, she could do it privately, but not openly like this!
Xue Ye said that as the crown prince of a country, even if Xue Qinghe liked men, he could only take the initiative, not be passive!
"So?" Xuan Ming's expression remained unchanged, as if these rumors had nothing to do with him.
Qian Renxue put down her teacup with a wry smile. "I know this is all nonsense, but the rumors are rampant and have already affected the reputation of the royal family and Xue Qinghe's position as crown prince. If it is not handled properly, it may cause even greater trouble."
"I think you need to maintain an appropriate distance from Xue Qinghe in public. More importantly, you need to show your interactions with other women to dispel people's speculations."
"Aren't Dugu Yan and the others enough?" Xuan Ming asked.
"What do you think?" Qian Renxue's eyes twitched slightly.
If Xuan Ming had shown even the slightest initiative or willingness to comply, given his reputation for attracting women, there would have been absolutely no way such a thing could have been rumored!
The problem is, no matter how proactive Dugu Yan and the others are, Xuan Ming remains completely unmoved!
If it weren't for the fact that she was Xue Qinghe, she would have questioned Xuan Ming's sexual orientation!
"But wouldn't that just make it seem like an attempt to cover something up?" Xuan Ming said.
"Everyone knows what kind of person I am."
"Besides, why don't you let Xue Qinghe showcase his talents? Wouldn't it be simpler to just arrange a Crown Princess for him?"
"He... isn't feeling well," Qian Renxue said.
The choice of the Crown Princess is either the successor of a powerful Soul Master faction or a princess from one of the other major kingdoms. Ultimately, however, it must be in accordance with the arrangements of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. It cannot be decided by Xue Qinghe's words alone. Moreover, if a Crown Princess were to be chosen, the trouble would be immense.
"It's not convenient for me either," Xuan Ming said.
"Why?" Qian Renxue couldn't help but ask.
"You're not interested in any of them?"
"I'm barely able to take care of myself, I really don't have the mood for this." Xuan Ming picked up the hot tea on the table and took a sip.
"Furthermore, I don't want to create weaknesses for myself, lest I become a target for certain individuals."
Maintaining a proper distance is good for everyone.
Qian Renxue's expression froze, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes. "Do you think I would use them to threaten you?"
Xuan Ming took another sip of tea. "I didn't say it was you, why are you getting so worked up? Maybe it was someone else?"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath to calm her fluctuating emotions and said, "Even if it wasn't my intention, the current situation, with the rumors still circulating, is ultimately a hidden danger. Even if you don't consider the royal family, you should think about yourself. Being entangled in these rumors will cause you a lot of inconvenience in your future actions."
"I don't care." Xuan Ming calmly looked at the flower branches swaying in the wind outside the pavilion.
"That's perfect, this misunderstanding will save us a lot of trouble."
"You!" Qian Renxue was speechless for a moment.
"Fine, if you don't want to, I won't force you. But this matter can't be allowed to escalate any further. Since you don't care about these rumors, I suppose you wouldn't mind if I used other rumors instead?"
"Other rumors? What rumors?" Xuan Ming asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," Qian Renxue said.
Xue Qinghe wasn't the only one whose relationship with the Bingbing and Xuan Ming seemed strange!
Moonlight Pavilion, Tang Yuehua!
Such rumors did exist, but Tang Yuehua rarely went out, and she had a high reputation in aristocratic circles, especially among the young nobles. Even if they had doubts, they would not spread such things that would have a negative impact on Tang Yuehua.
However, for now, she could only rely on Tang Yuehua to divert attention.
If these rumors continue to circulate, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, under pressure, might actually have to arrange a crown princess for Xue Qinghe.
She'll be in trouble then.
"Whatever you want." Xuan Ming put down his teacup.
Is there anything else?
" The Pope is coming to Heaven Dou City," Qian Renxue said.
Xuan Ming was taken aback. "What's she doing here?"
"How would I know? But it's most likely because of you," Qian Renxue said.
"Moreover, she came here under the pretext of visiting the Martial Soul Holy Temple of Heaven Dou City, so she'll probably stay for quite a while, possibly until the Soul Master Tournament begins."
"How did you end up fighting with her?"
Xuan Ming frowned slightly, Qian Renxue quickly spoke up, "I was just asking casually, I didn't force you. You don't have to say if you don't want to."
Xuan Ming glanced at Qian Renxue, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "It's nothing, just because of a rumor."
"You should know, right? It's related to her, like these rumors I'm hearing now."
"Her?" Qian Renxue frowned.
What rumors are circulating about her?
"Just ask around; everyone in the Spirit Hall who's a bit older knows." Xuan Ming stood up.
Goodbye.
Chapter 155 Within the Forbidden Zone
Over the next few days, Xuan Ming spent some time helping Ah Rou settle in, and then resumed his usual cultivation.
However, now he has Ah Rou as his sparring partner.
"Aunt Yuehua, I hope you can consider this matter. I know it's not good for you, but... the royal family simply cannot bear such rumors, and it's not good for Xuan Ming either."
Because of the rumors between the two men, Moonlight Pavilion Xue Qinghe approached Tang Yuehua while Xuan Ming was away and told him his method.
"But I..." Tang Yuehua frowned slightly, a troubled look on her face. She gently bit her lip, her eyes revealing hesitation.
"Aunt Yuehua, if there were other options, I wouldn't want you to bear this pressure, but right now, only you have the ability to do so," Xue Qinghe said helplessly.
On the surface, besides Xue Qinghe, the only person Xuan Ming had the most contact with was Tang Yuehua.
The only way to shift everyone's attention and conversation away from Xue Qinghe is to have Tang Yuehua take over the topic!
Only in this way will it seem reasonable.
After all, everyone knows that Xue Qinghe sent Xuan Ming to the Moonlight Pavilion. If you have to say, he can only be considered an intermediary matchmaker. Therefore, it's not so strange that Xuan Ming had too much contact with him.
Moreover, the topic of Xuan Ming and Tang Yuehua is definitely no less popular than the topic of Xuan Ming and Xue Qinghe!
This is the most important thing!
"Alright." Tang Yuehua sighed softly.
"I can help with this, but... do you two really not have those things?"
Xue Qinghe's eye twitched slightly, and he said in a serious tone, "Absolutely not! I assure you!"
Tang Yuehua stared intently into Xue Qinghe's eyes. "Don't you really have any strange thoughts about him?"
"No!" Xue Qinghe said solemnly.
"..."
"And what about him towards you?" Tang Yuehua asked again, her eyes revealing worry.
"Have you two had any... inappropriate contact?"
Xue Qinghe's expression froze, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face. "Aunt Yuehua, even you don't believe me anymore?"
Tang Yuehua sighed softly, "I don't want to doubt him, but he's just acting strangely."
Xuan Ming generally maintained a distant and aloof demeanor towards other men, showing no intimacy whatsoever.
Because of the two dragons on Xuan Ming's back, anyone who enters within a ten-foot radius of him will be targeted!
Ordinary people wouldn't dare get too close to him; as for within three feet, that's practically a no-go zone!
Only Xue Qinghe could enter within three feet of Xuan Ming and remain there for an extended period of time! And only he dared to!
After discussing a few more matters, Xue Qinghe got up and left Moonlight Pavilion.
Watching Xue Qinghe's departing figure, Tang Yuehua's eyes grew increasingly worried.