When the young man saw Zuzong approaching, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
After inheriting the bloodline of the Blue Silver Emperor, Zuzong's appearance was outstanding, adding quite a bit to his charm. After the initial surprise passed, the young man smiled and gestured for Zuzong to sit down.
As the saying goes, one should not strike a smiling face. Zuzong, being a kind person himself, naturally responded kindly. He nodded in acknowledgement, greeting the young man before the two fell into silence.
After a while, Zuzong started to grow a little impatient.
He glanced at the tea set, tea leaves, and a soul-powered kettle on the wooden table, pondering briefly.
Infusing his soul power into the kettle, the water inside quickly boiled.
In his previous life on Earth, Zuzong had worked in tea-making.
With a series of fluid motions, he quickly brewed a pot of steaming tea, filling the room with its fragrance.
Glancing at the young man who was reviewing some documents, Zuzong handed him a teacup and poured him some tea.
Zuzong smiled faintly and said, "Please."
The young man hesitated for a moment but then nodded, lifted the teacup, and took a light sip.
"The tea may taste a bit bitter, but if you drink it the right way, it will taste much better. Don't swallow it right away; let the tea swirl on your tongue two or three times, savor it, and you'll find it's actually sweet," Zuzong said with a smile, demonstrating as he took a sip of tea and closed his eyes in enjoyment.
Seeing Zuzong's content expression, the young man followed suit, taking a sip. Instantly, a sweetness unlike anything he'd tasted before stimulated his taste buds.
The young man's eyes lit up. "Indeed, the aftertaste is wonderful."
"Naturally," Zuzong responded.
The young man, clearly intrigued by Zuzong, smiled and said, "I didn't expect someone so young to know so much about tea."
"Know? Not really," Zuzong waved his hand. "I just worked as an apprentice for a few years when I was struggling to make ends meet."
The young man seemed surprised. "I sensed soul power in you. Why did you become an apprentice?"
Zuzong paused, realising he had let something slip. However, he decided to roll with it, relying on his natural charm.
"Well, not everyone is born into wealth. On the Douluo Continent, many like me are born into poverty and must start making a living as early as three or four years old. I was just lucky to awaken my soul power. Without someone helping me awaken my martial spirit, I might still be working in a teahouse today."
Zuzong's words were half true, half false. He had indeed come from a poor background, but Old Tom had taken good care of him, never letting him do farm work, let alone work in a teahouse.
As for his martial spirit awakening, that was also true. If he had been born in an era without free awakenings, he would likely still be poor.
The young man was surprised. It was rare for anyone to enter Yue Xuan, who wasn't from the nobility of the Heaven Dou Empire, so it was pretty unexpected that someone of humble origins like Zuzong was here.
The young man smiled calmly and asked, "What's your name, little brother?"
Just as Zuzong was about to respond, there was a knock on the door.
The young man calmly said, "Come in."
The maid who had earlier guided Zuzong entered. Upon seeing the young man, she hesitated before bowing respectfully. "Apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This gentleman is a guest invited by the lady. I did not realise you were here and have made a mistake. Please forgive me."
The young man waved his hand. "Rise. No blame falls on those unaware. Besides, I find this young man quite interesting."
Hearing this, Zuzong frowned slightly. So, he had been chatting with the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, who was actually Qian Renxue, daughter of the former Pope, Qian Xunji.
Though Zuzong admired Qian Renxue in his previous life, he didn't enjoy being constantly watched by her two Titled Douluo bodyguards. It seemed the best course of action now was to retreat.
Zuzong stood respectfully. "I am Zuzong. I didn't realize it was Your Highness here, please forgive me. Since the host has called for me, I'll take my leave."
With that, Zuzong made to leave.
Sensing the change in his demeanour, a look of suspicion flickered in Xue Qinghe's eyes. "I was just on my way to pick up my sister Xue Ke. We could go together."
Zuzong responded politely, "It would be impolite to refuse."
And so, with the maid leading the way, Zuzong and Xue Qinghe left the reception room together.
Xue Qinghe asked casually, "What brings you to Yue Xuan, Brother Zuzong?"
Shaking his head, Zuzong replied, "Your Highness, I received an invitation from the host, but I don't know why I was called here."
"Oh?" Xue Qinghe's interest piqued, and he stopped to look at Zuzong. "I'm a few years older than you. Just call me Brother Xue."
He knew that Yue Xuan's host wasn't simple, and the fact that Zuzong had been invited was intriguing.
Zuzong was taken aback by how close Xue Qinghe had suddenly gotten. Standing face to face, they were almost too close for comfort. Zuzong instinctively took a few steps back.
Although Xue Qinghe looked like a man on the outside, Zuzong knew she was truly a woman. Despite the effort to hide her femininity, Zuzong's sharp senses could detect it—more mature than Zhu Zhuqing or Xiao Wu, yet lacking their youthful innocence.
With a smile, Zuzong said, "Alright, I'll call you Brother Xue."
When they met Xue Ke, Zuzong took one glance at her and lost interest. He politely greeted her and, with the maid's guidance, entered the fifth-floor area. He saw no reason to interact with this side character from the original story, who struck him as a minor character and a bit of a fangirl.
Watching Zuzong leave, Xue Ke's eyes sparkled. She turned to Xue Qinghe, "Brother, who was that handsome guy? He's so good-looking!"
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, "He's an interesting person."
At the same time, Xue Qinghe thought to herself, "Is this the person that woman is secretly watching? Thirteen years old and already a Soul Ancestor. Quite the talent. However, his name is a bit irksome. If I could recruit him to my side, I bet that woman's reaction would be priceless."
The top floor of Yue Xuan, the fifth floor, was an enormous hall, far more elegant than the second floor. Everything was furnished with sandalwood, and the entire floor was filled with a faint fragrance.
The maid stopped at the entrance to the fifth floor and gestured for Zuzong to continue on his own.
As Zuzong approached the grand hall, he noticed four doors leading to unknown destinations. He sighed inwardly, thinking, "These rich people sure know how to enjoy life, even playing at elegance."
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out, "The top floor is my private space. No one comes up here without my permission. Sit."
Zuzong froze and followed the voice. Before him stood a mature, beautiful woman. "It's you?"
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