In Li Chang'an's embrace, Qian Renxue's change was immediate. First, her body began to soften, melting into his arms—and then, against his chest, he felt a gentle softness…
the feminine side of Qian Renxue was back!
"Come on, let me take a good look at my little Xue now," Li Chang'an joked as he pulled her out from his embrace, his hands resting on her shoulders.
Qian Renxue pouted teasingly, "Wait a moment, let me take off the mask."
Although her soul bone allowed her to simulate Xue Qinghe's appearance, it hadn't yet reached the hundred-thousand-year mark, so she couldn't shift appearances at will. The mask helped her complete the disguise more effectively.
Currently, her appearance was already softer and more feminine than Xue Qinghe's, but once that mask was removed—a stunning beauty was revealed.
Her face was delicately shaped, like a classic oval, paired with naturally cool, luminous eyes. Her long, pale-golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, exuding a cold, elegant allure.
Seeing her like this, Li Chang'an couldn't help but sigh with emotion. She's finally grown up.
"Have you stared enough?" Qian Renxue murmured, her cheeks tinged with rare redness as she lowered her head. Her voice, usually so cool and detached, now carried a hint of bashful softness.
"Not even close. My wife is so beautiful—I could stare at you forever," Li Chang'an said sweetly, taking her small hand and clasping it tightly.
"Ugh, you rogue! Who's your wife?!" Qian Renxue shot him a glare, but she didn't pull her hand away. Her face only grew redder.
"Who else could it be but you? Xue'er, do you know—I've been thinking, once all this is over, we'll never be apart again."
"And… and how long is forever?" Qian Renxue felt as if her body wasn't listening to her anymore, and could only let him lead her by the hand.
Li Chang'an paused for a moment, then looked at her with deep emotion. "You ask me how long forever is. I say—forever is when the stars above never stop shining…"
"Y-you…" Just as Qian Renxue was being swept up by his honeyed words, Li Chang'an leaned in and kissed her—without giving her any time to react.
In that instant, Qian Renxue felt as if she had returned to six years ago, to that morning when they parted ways. This scoundrel had done the exact same thing back then…
"Y-you said you had something urgent and confidential to talk about… what was it?" she managed to ask, breathlessly.
"Oh, it was about... a performance. Important stuff, don't you think?"
Before she could answer, he had already kissed her again—and this time, she didn't stop him.
____
The candlelight flickered softly. Clothes lay scattered like fallen petals.
Li Chang'an was slow. Deliberate. He never rushed her. One hand gently held her fingers, the other rested lightly on the small of her back as they sat facing each other on the edge of the bed.
"You're trembling," he said in a low voice, brushing his lips across her temple.
"I am not," Qian Renxue snapped—too fast, too defensive.
But she didn't stop him.
His fingers found the clasp at her collar. She glanced at him sharply, and he froze.
"Don't get any stupid ideas," she said.
"I'd never," he said with mock seriousness. "Well, maybe a few."
And then he kissed her again. Her fingers, once clenched in his robe, moved—up to his chest, then his shoulders. As if unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer.
He answered by gently easing her down onto the bed, never breaking eye contact, never letting go of her hand.
"Li Chang'an…" she whispered, her voice wavering.
"I'm here," he replied, forehead resting against hers.
"You'd better not regret this."
"I've been waiting six years. Why would I ever regret finally holding you again?"
When his hands moved again—slow, reverent—she didn't say another word.
Only her breath, her heartbeat, and the way she pressed against him spoke.
In the quiet room, passion blossomed slowly between them—not wild, not rushed, but full of longing and unsaid promises. The proud phoenix of Spirit Hall let herself be seen not as a prince or a weapon—but as a woman, and as his.
---
An hour later.
Qian Renxue finally stirred, slowly pushing herself up from the bed, limbs tangled in the sheets. She gave Li Chang'an a quick side-eye—equal parts bashful and annoyed.
"Alright, get up. I need to go out today. You're coming with me—we can talk on the road."
She smacked away his wandering hand. "Enough. You've done everything except that last step. You really know how to test someone's patience…"
Li Chang'an stretched, satisfied, before grinning. "Coming, coming. I wouldn't miss it."
---
Half an hour later.
The Eastern Palace's guard squad began preparations for the Crown Prince's departure. Today, His Highness was scheduled to visit and inspect the Heaven Dou Royal Academy—a trip that had been arranged long in advance.
What puzzled the guards, however, was that the Crown Prince once again brought along that eunuch, Xiao Li. Not only that, he even had him ride in the same carriage to deliver a report.
Still, Xiao Li had always been known as a close confidant of the prince, often active outside the palace. That much everyone knew. So this "report" didn't seem entirely out of place.
As for those who truly knew who Xiao Li really was?
Sorry—those people were all hidden agents of Spirit Hall. Everyone else just thought he was a loyal aide close to the prince. That was exactly why Li Chang'an could move about so freely.
In fact, Xiao Li's identity had been arranged by Spirit Hall long ago, prepared for exactly this kind of special infiltration.
---
Inside the carriage, Li Chang'an no longer dared act so casually. Once Qian Renxue stepped out in public, at least one of her two Titled Douluo bodyguards would accompany her. Within the palace, those two stayed hidden to avoid suspicion—but once outside, they would be close by.
So Li Chang'an knew to restrain himself. Still, normal conversation—even sensitive topics—wasn't out of the question.
"So why are we going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy this time?" he asked, changing the subject while pulling out a steaming skewer of grilled meat from his Spatial wristband.
Time inside his storage device, "nullspace," was absolutely frozen. That's why Li Chang'an always stored prepared food inside, just in case. The space was vast, and he could stash anything he wanted. If not for the setting, he might have taken out an entire hot pot.
"I'm going on behalf of Emperor Xue Ye to check on the academy's situation. Huh? Your storage soul tool is that advanced?" Qian Renxue blinked in surprise as she took the skewer from him. She was no fool—she'd instantly guessed its special nature.
"Of course! I specially prepared all of this for you," Li Chang'an bragged shamelessly, not missing a beat.
"…Alright, I believe you," Qian Renxue said with a smile, taking a bite.
Li Chang'an then brought out a cup of mango juice, and even handed her a moist towelette, ready for her to wipe her mouth and take a sip afterward.
After receiving his thoughtful service, Qian Renxue's eyes softened a little more. Li Chang'an's performance today was, indeed, quite pleasing.
"You know, Spirit Hall's really been doing well lately," she said casually. "Its reputation among the commoners keeps improving."
"Of course. Has your side made any moves yet?" Li Chang'an immediately picked up on the key point in her words.
"We have," Qian Renxue replied honestly. "Right now, the Heaven Dou Empire is trying to bypass Spirit Hall to directly distribute gold soul coins to individual spirit masters. Also, they've increased funding for both Clans and academies. The empire is desperate to cultivate power that can stand against Spirit Hall."
Li Chang'an frowned slightly at that. It seemed the Heaven Dou Emperor wasn't to be underestimated. These two initiatives alone would quickly win over a number of spirit masters—maybe even whole factions.
This was where Emperor Xue Ye's intelligence shone. He didn't try to fight Spirit Hall for influence among the commoners. Instead, he turned his gaze to the spirit master world.
A truly shrewd move!
____
🎉 Shoutout to Kennedy Jhonson! 🎉
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