As dusk approached, Ye Tian leisurely fed firewood into the alchemy furnace.
As a prince, Xue Xing was occupied with political affairs.
Upon learning that the pill refinement would take a day and a half, he hastily departed.
Naturally, the guards at the door followed suit.
The entire courtyard was left to Ye Tian alone, enveloped in serene quiet.
Knock, knock.
Amid the tranquility, the gate suddenly rattled with knocks.
"It's unlocked. Come in."
Ye Tian didn't even glance up as he spoke. At this hour, it was likely Xiao Wu returning from her gathering.
The gate creaked open.
A figure clad in a black robe entered, head bowed low.
This caused Ye Tian's brows to furrow almost imperceptibly. "Qian Renxue?"
Though the figure's face was obscured, her striking curves were unmistakable—he had seen them before.
"Ha, didn't expect to be recognized."
Qian Renxue reluctantly lifted her head and removed her hood.
Shaking out her cascading golden hair, she sauntered toward Ye Tian with cat-like grace, curiosity lacing her voice:
"How did you know?"
"My memory is excellent." Ye Tian's gaze inadvertently dipped toward her prominent chest.
Qian Renxue rolled her eyes, shooting him a glare as the tips of her ears tinged pink.
"You're the first man in this world to have seen my true form."
"Anyone else would've died a thousand times over by now."
Ye Tian chuckled. "Should I consider myself lucky, then?"
"That's not necessary." Qian Renxue seated herself gracefully at the stone table, crossing her legs with a smile.
"You already visited this morning. Why come again now?"
Ye Tian tossed another bundle of firewood into the furnace before settling opposite her, his gaze steady.
"...And in your true form, no less."
"Do you dislike it?"
Qian Renxue flicked her golden tresses, a coy smile playing on her lips.
"I came, of course, for you."
"My words this morning were merely to mislead Xue Xing. I didn't want to wait for you to seek me out."
"That would only leave me tormented for days."
"Now that's something I like hearing." Ye Tian grinned. "Your real appearance is far more pleasing to the eye."
Qian Renxue's beauty perfectly inherited Bibi Dong's.
Yet compared to Bibi Dong, her features carried an added frosty pride.
This was likely due to their differing upbringings.
Bibi Dong hailed from a remote village, rising from obscurity to dominate the continent.
Qian Renxue, however, was born with a silver spoon, coddled in luxury since childhood.
Even during her undercover mission in the Heaven Dou Empire, her status remained exalted.
Having never truly suffered hardship, her temperament was inevitably aloof—a trait that subtly shaped her demeanor.
In short, Qian Renxue's looks ranked among the finest in Douluo.
Hearing Ye Tian's praise, Qian Renxue smiled faintly, her heart fluttering.
"Your approval makes the risk of shedding my disguise worthwhile."
"What risk?" Ye Tian smirked, resting his hand on the table. "Even if you stood before the Heaven Dou Emperor like this, he might not recognize you as Qian Renxue."
Due to her long-term infiltration mission, few on the continent knew the Angel clan had a young mistress.
"True enough." Qian Renxue stretched lazily, her chest straining against her robes, nearly spilling free.
Ye Tian's gaze wavered slightly as he teased, "Did you come here just to flaunt your figure?"
"Am I that shallow?" Qian Renxue feigned nonchalance, tapping the table with her jade-like fingers.
"More importantly, why are you in Heaven Dou City?"
Though shedding her disguise partly aimed to showcase her beauty, she'd never admit it.
"It's a long story."
Ye Tian recounted recent events, including the exile of the Elder Hall's six elders.
Given Qian Renxue's status, she'd learn of these matters eventually.
There was no point in hiding them.
Besides, her mental fortitude could handle the truth.
Sure enough—
Qian Renxue's pupils constricted sharply, her chest heaving twice before steadying.
Yet her expression darkened, her fist slamming the table.
"Elder Sister has gone too far! The Elder Hall represents the Spirit Hall's peak combat power. This is sheer self-sabotage!"
She couldn't fathom why internal conflicts had to escalate to this point.
Without the Elder Hall, the Spirit Hall's strength would halve overnight.
Even halved, it'd remain the continent's mightiest force—but weakened nonetheless.
Ye Tian stayed silent.
Arguing was pointless. The deed was done; after venting, she'd have to accept it.
"My grandfather…" Qian Renxue's fists clenched, her expression flickering.
"I tricked him into going to Sea God Island," Ye Tian admitted bluntly.
Qian Renxue's face frosted over. "So you were part of the coup?!"
"Correct."
This was undeniable.
Hearing his candor, Qian Renxue's chest heaved violently again.
Her knuckles whitened, her glare icy enough to freeze hell.
Yet the next moment—
Her fists unclenched abruptly.
Her expression normalized as she exhaled sharply.
"...Why?"
"The Spirit Hall will soon march against the Clear Sky Sect," Ye Tian stated solemnly.
Since the coup's blame had been pinned on Tang Hao, it'd be wasteful not to capitalize on it.
This aligned with Bibi Dong's strategy.
"After crushing the Clear Sky Sect, the next target is the Heaven Dou Empire's vassal kingdoms."
"The gears of war are already turning."
"To achieve continental unification, one thing is essential—"
"The Spirit Hall must speak with a single voice."
Ye Tian met Qian Renxue's golden eyes.
"Who should that voice belong to? The Pope—or your grandfather?"
Qian Renxue didn't answer.
The choice tormented her.
One was her mother; the other, her grandfather.
Though that woman had never raised her, she was still her birth mother!
As for her grandfather—he'd practically raised her.
Qian Renxue clutched her head, shaking it fiercely. "I refuse to choose!"
"You don't have to. Reality already has." Ye Tian's tone was firm.
Qian Renxue froze momentarily before laughing bitterly.
Indeed—she'd never had a choice.
"It seems Elder Sister will fulfill her lifelong dream."
Flicking a fallen leaf away, she muttered, "She'll finally control the Spirit Hall completely."
Ye Tian sighed. "If your mother had a choice, she'd never have become Pope—or even joined the Spirit Hall."
"I'm an unwanted accident, aren't I?"
Qian Renxue's expression hardened abruptly.
Though no one had ever spoken of that incident—no one dared—she'd pieced together clues over the years.
For her mother to shun her so utterly for over two decades, only one explanation fit…
Her father, whom she'd never met, had committed an unforgivable sin.
"Yes." Ye Tian nodded lightly, offering no elaboration.
Silence engulfed the courtyard.
Their eyes met briefly before each retreated into contemplation.
Finally, Qian Renxue exhaled shakily.
"All these years… perhaps my resentment was misplaced."
"Maybe I should've tried understanding her sooner."
Ye Tian patted the hand she'd left on the table.
"There's time yet. No need for regrets now."
"...Mmm." Qian Renxue nodded slowly before forcing a smile.
"Almost forgot—I didn't come to dwell on the past."
"The Heaven Dou Emperor's health worsens by the day. He hasn't held court in months."
"All state affairs are handled by Prince Xue Xing."
Ye Tian arched a brow. "Didn't you compete for regency powers?"
Qian Renxue grimaced. "The Emperor trusts his brother implicitly. I'm too young and lack achievements, so Xue Xing seized control."
"Worse, my spies report he's been badmouthing me to the Emperor—calling me two-faced and unfit to rule."
Her palm smacked the table.
"That man is nothing but a stumbling block!"
"Still, no need for panic. The Emperor has only two heirs left—me and that good-for-nothing Xue Beng."
"As long as my identity holds, the throne is inevitable."
To the Emperor, "Xue Qinghe" might lack ideal qualifications—but compared to Xue Beng's debauchery, the difference was like firefly versus moonlight.
Not that she excelled—Xue Beng was just that pathetic.
"Wastrel" was too kind; his days were spent carousing and harassing ministers' female relatives.
His reputation in Heaven Dou was abysmal.
Petitions condemning him flooded the court monthly.
Were it not for the Emperor's pity (having only two sons left), Xue Beng would've been exiled long ago.
Seeing Qian Renxue's confidence, Ye Tian leaned forward with a smirk.
"What if Xue Beng's entire persona is an act?"
"That's… impossible—"
She caught herself mid-sentence, stunned.
Her knowledge of Xue Beng came solely from reports.
She'd tested him before—yet detected no anomalies.
He seemed genuinely worthless.
But then she recalled—when she first infiltrated Heaven Dou, Xue Beng had been studious, even diligent.
"If you're right, his acting skills are terrifying," she murmured, dazed.
"Drop the 'if.' It's true," Ye Tian declared, leaning back.
"How can you be so sure, having just arrived?" Qian Renxue gaped.
She'd been here a decade without noticing anything amiss.
Before this, Ye Tian had never even left East Sea City!
Was he some omniscient genius?
Baffled, she protested, "Besides, if he's faking, he's overdoing it!"
"He's constantly drowning in vice. How could such a man rule?"
Governing required study and wisdom—not just talent.
Xue Beng had no time for books between his revelries.
Ye Tian snorted. "Where's the most well-informed place in Heaven Dou?"
"The palace?"
She reconsidered immediately, frowning.
"Pleasure districts?"
"...Yes, undoubtedly."
In this era, entertainment options were few—women, music, and dance.
Pleasure houses offered all three, making them nobles' favorite haunts.
Even Qian Renxue had visited (strictly for political networking).
Realization dawned.
"Meaning Xue Beng's been networking as much as I have!"
"Worse—his ties with noble families through their daughters might surpass mine!"
Her eyes widened in horror.
"To think the deepest schemer in Heaven Dou was the one I despised most!"
"You're incredible, Ye Tian! I'd never have guessed without you!" She gazed at his handsome face admiringly.
Then, sotto voce:
"...How do you know pleasure houses are information hubs? Frequent visitor?"
Ye Tian: "..."
"Is my reputation that bad?"
"Who knows?" She stuck out her tongue.
"Any advice?" she asked seriously.
"Don't touch Xue Beng. Any mishap—even unrelated—would stain your image," Ye Tian cautioned.
"Assassination is off the table."
"Focus on winning the Emperor's trust to secure power lawfully."
"That's obvious!" She pouted. "I've tried for ten years with little progress."
"Any faster methods?" She batted her lashes.
"There are—but they require payment." Ye Tian teased, drumming the table.
"Oh?" Qian Renxue leaned forward, her gaze smoldering. "Would I suffice as payment?"
Ye Tian recoiled. "Stealing your little sister Hu Liena's man? That's low!"
(End of Chapter)