Want the Heir Apparent Title? Let's See Your Martial Soul

She Long walked towards Lin Luo, while Qian Renxue picked Lin Luo up from the bedside, but couldn't help gritting her teeth and saying, "You brat, you've really gotten heavier!"

She lifted Lin Luo's trouser leg and let She Long hold Lin Luo's ankle, which was the location for measuring bone age.

"How is it?" Qian Renxue quickly looked up and asked.

She Long frowned. "Six and a half years old... It's simply unbelievable. How could someone grow six years older overnight?"

"How should I know!" Qian Renxue clutched her head, feeling like she was about to collapse.

At this moment, she turned her head and stared at Lin Luo, her scrutinizing gaze like that of a fierce beast.

Qian Renxue immediately stepped forward and pried open Lin Luo's mouth, bringing her pretty face close as if she wanted to shove her own head into her son's mouth.

She was searching Lin Luo's throat for anything hidden... like strange food or medicine residue.

"You brat, tell me honestly, did you secretly eat some weird stuff while carrying me on your back?!"

"Ah--No! Mommy~ It hurts--"

Lin Luo thrashed violently, but there was nothing he could do. Qian Renxue had stuffed both of her hands into his mouth and was trying to pry them out. This overwhelming maternal love and care made him feel flattered and overwhelmed.

A moment later, Qian Renxue sat helplessly on the edge of the bed.

She turned her head and looked helplessly at her son, who had now turned six years old.

Although he has turned six, he still has a lot of baby fat on his cheeks, but his eyes have become much clearer and sharper than when he was a baby.

At this moment, Qian Renxue suddenly looked at She Long and the other person, and asked worriedly, "Could it be that they've gotten older, but their intelligence is still at the infant stage?"

The Pufferfish pouted and whispered, "Why don't you try it?"

Qian Renxue cleared her throat, sat up straight, and turned her head to ask, "What is one plus one?"

Lin Luo: "...2."

Qian Renxue looked up in surprise. "You've become smarter too!"

Lin Luo was speechless. "Do you think your son's IQ was that low before?"

That's understandable, though; how could a baby possibly do math?

She Long reminded him, "Young Master, it's too late. Don't worry about this now. Xue Ye is still waiting."

Qian Renxue nodded and said seriously, "Give me a few minutes. Now that Luo'er can speak, we must let him know our current situation."

She knelt down in front of Lin Luo, looked up at her son, and said, "Mom has something I must tell you..."

Qian Renxue truthfully explained to Lin Luo the whole story of how she infiltrated Heaven Dou.

While explaining, they took the opportunity to remove Lin Luo's clothes and changed him into some simple boys' clothes that the Pufferfish had found.

However, when Qian Renxue finished combing Lin Luo's hair and styled it into a handsome hairstyle, she blinked her beautiful eyes in surprise, moved her head back, and carefully observed Lin Luo's entire body.

"He's actually kind of handsome."

"When you come back today, Mom will prepare some nice clothes for you. You'll look even more handsome then!"

She glanced at Lin Luo a few more times with considerable pride.

"Don't be so conceited, young master. We know it's your son. The eunuchs over there are already urging us to hurry up!" the Pufferfish at the door reminded him anxiously.

"Yes, yes, yes."

After Qian Renxue finished speaking, she touched her forehead a few times and instantly transformed into the appearance of a handsome young man.

She took Lin Luo's small hand and smiled, saying, "Don't be afraid, it's still Mommy."

Lin Luo raised an eyebrow. "I know, I'm not a six-month-old baby anymore."

Qian Renxue looked at her son with some surprise.

"You little rascal, it's a bit strange to see you speak so clearly all of a sudden..."

Heavenly Longevity Palace, the emperor's sleeping quarters.

An old eunuch outside the palace relayed the message.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—"

Qian Renxue led Lin Luo, who was up to her hips, outside the hall and whispered, "Remember, don't say anything carelessly later."

Lin Luo pursed her lips and didn't respond.

Qian Renxue: "..."

That brat.

Without saying anything more, she followed the old eunuch and led Lin Luo into the palace.

Lin Luo glanced around briefly; there were only four people waiting inside the palace: one man and three women.

The man, with his white hair, sat in the main seat, exuding a noble air and an imposing presence, even on Xue Ye.

The elegantly dressed woman sitting beside the Xue Ye was the Empress, while the other two imperial concubines sat below, on the left and right sides respectively.

Qian Renxue had just introduced him to things that should and shouldn't have been introduced.

Xue Qinghe's biological mother died early.

The Empress was the mother of the fourth prince, Xue Beng.

Sitting on the right is Noble Consort Liu, the mother of the deceased Second Prince (the first prince Qian Renxue killed).

The woman on the left is Consort Tan, Xue Ke's mother.

At first glance, only Consort Tan looked familiar.

The Empress and Noble Consort Liu both looked displeased, while Xue Ye stared at them with a scrutinizing expression.

But when they saw who it was, they were all stunned.

Xue Ye asked in confusion, "Isn't it an abandoned baby? This... is a bit bigger than I expected."

Noble Consort Liu asked sarcastically, "Is this more than just a little bit bigger?"

Consort Tan laughed and said, "Quick, quick, child, come here and let me see you!"

Qian Renxue then quietly patted Lin Luo on the back.

Lin Luo remained motionless, exuding an aloofness.

Qian Renxue gritted her teeth silently. So the child has grown up and started to rebel, hasn't he?

She smiled and said, "Please forgive him, Consort Tan; he's shy around strangers."

Consort Tan was very easy to talk to. "I understand, but from a distance, this child's appearance and demeanor really don't seem like that of a commoner."

Xue Ye asked, "Qinghe, I heard you have something to ask of me today because of this child?"

Qian Renxue bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to request a title of Heir Apparent for this child. I do not need the fiefdom, mansion, or money; I only ask that he have some say in the future in the Heaven Dou Empire."

The Empress sneered, "If he were of the Crown Prince's blood, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to be the heir apparent. But he's just an adopted child; what merit does he have to deserve this title?"

Lin Luo noticed that Qian Renxue's fists clenched slightly.

This Empress dares to offend my mother; you won't live much longer!

Xue Ye: "What the Empress said makes sense. Qinghe, you can't just give him the title of heir apparent just because he's your adopted son. Even though you're the Crown Prince, this backdoor is too blatant. I'm afraid there will be a lot of criticism later."

Seeing the atmosphere was getting tense, Consort Tan tried to smooth things over, saying, "Hey, we're all family, why so serious? Little one, what's your name? How old are you?"

Lin Luo shook Qian Renxue's hand and said in a cute tone, "My name is Lin Luo, and I'm six and a half years old."

Consort Tan: "Oh? Then you must have just awakened your Martial Soul?"

Upon hearing the words "Martial Soul," Qian Renxue's hand tightened suddenly, and she quickly said, "It hasn't been awakened yet."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye suddenly curled the corners of her mouth.

"Qinghe, I know your temperament. I'm sure you won't give up until you achieve your goal today. How about we make a bet?"

Qian Renxue suddenly had a bad feeling.

She asked tentatively, "What kind of bet?"

Xue Ye leaned back and said in a loud voice, "As I just said, it would be difficult to convince the public to give a child of unknown origin the title of heir apparent. However, if he awakens a powerful Martial Soul in front of everyone in the palace today, then there will be a reason."