After the banquet, Chen Yi and his party returned to the Body Sect's residence in Heaven Dou City.
Massaging his aching temples, Chen Yi muttered. He wasn't so delicate as to get drunk from a few glasses of imperial wine, but the insincerity and shifting undercurrents throughout the feast had left him weary.
Glancing at Chen Zhen—who wore a distinct smirk—he grumbled irritably:
"Father, at a time like this, why didn't you help get things under control instead of letting the emperor lead the conversation off-course?"
At this, Chen Zhen only laughed louder, clapping his son's shoulder teasingly.
"Our young sect master must be quite the charmer! Even the imperial princess is drawn to him. As your father, how could I keep you from all these great fortunes?"
"If anything truly wonderful comes of this, wouldn't we only get even closer ties to the royal clan?"
Chen Yi rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He held no ill will towards Princess Xue Ke, but neither did he feel any fondness. To him, she was a naÏve, sheltered vase—a noble's daughter with no concept of the real world. He preferred to keep his distance from such girls.
Moreover, his true reasons for this trip had nothing to do with her—it was the emperor himself who was the target. Entanglements with the princess would just complicate things.
Grand Elder, who'd been standing quietly, suddenly turned and joined in the banter with rare mischief.
"Xiao Yi, why be so averse? If someday circumstances stabilize, and that young Qian Renxue is uncharacteristically merciful to the princess, perhaps she could be raised in the harem or a secondary manor—after all, she does represent the legitimate royal lineage," he chuckled.
Chen Yi gave a wry smile. "Elder, why are you and father always in cahoots? I have no interest in her at all. Besides…"
He paused, a note of helplessness and seriousness in his tone.
"In terms of talent, temperament, and battles fought together, everyone in my family far outshines her."
"That's certainly true," Chen Zhen admitted, the teasing gone from his face. Then, as if recalling something, he shot Chen Yi a meaningful look and smiled mischievously again.
"And besides, in your current state… even if you wanted to get involved, you couldn't, could you? Hahaha!"
Chen Yi's face darkened, and in a low, threatening tone, he replied:
"Father, you realize I haven't mentioned any of this to mother, right? Should I?"
Chen Zhen's laughter stopped cold, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow instantly. He knew Mu Xi's temper well—if she discovered he'd advocated abstinence and delayed her son's prospects, she'd never forgive him regardless of the reason.
"N-no need, really! Not at all! My son is a fine young man and will surely find a wonderful wife—no, many wonderful matches!" he stammered, waving desperately.
Grand Elder watched the father and son banter in secret, and couldn't help but laugh quietly, lightening the tense atmosphere in the courtyard.
…
At the same time, elsewhere in the palace another warm and luxurious chamber stood.
Xue Ye had dismissed his attendants, keeping only his daughter Xue Ke behind. He reclined into a chair draped in soft pelts, gazing at her with gentle paternal love.
"Ke'er, what did you think of Chen Yi at today's banquet?"
Xue Ke's pale cheeks flushed redder as she bowed her head shyly. Her voice, barely audible, was filled with the sincere reverence of a young maiden.
"Young master Chen… possesses extraordinary talent and astonishing temperament. A true hero, worthy of being called the greatest genius of the continent."
Though she lived deep within the palace, she had heard tales of Chen Yi's legendary feats. After meeting him today, his handsome appearance, calm demeanor, and the way he conversed amiably even with Royal and Title Douluo figures, left a deep impression on her.
Xue Ye smiled even more satisfyingly. Talent, strength, lineage—Chen Yi was superb. If they could cement ties between him and the Heaven Dou Empire via marriage, the empire would surely thrive for the next hundred years. Perhaps, with the Body Sect's support, they could even surpass Star Luo and become the true rulers of the continent.
In his eyes, Xue Ke was his most cherished daughter and a key (and safe) piece in his power game.
With these thoughts, he quietly turned to Xue Qinghe, who quietly stood at his side.
"Qinghe, it's rare for your sister to praise a talented young man so highly. As her brother, and given your close relationship with Chen Yi, shouldn't you do more to bring them together?"
Xue Ke instantly turned an expectant gaze upon her most trusted brother, believing he'd surely help her.
Caught, Xue Qinghe managed a perfectly-timed awkward smile. Stepping forth, he bowed deeply and said,
"Father, I understand your meaning. Ke'er is my dearest little sister. Of course, I will do everything to fulfill her wishes, but…."
"But—what?" Xue Ye's expression darkened; as emperor, he loathed excuses.
Xue Qinghe looked up, helplessness and regret written on his face as he quietly replied,
"However, as far as I know, Brother Chen already… has close companions. Not just one, but many. They are all supremely talented, beautiful, and have deep bonds with him going back to their humble beginnings—ties not easily sundered..."
He deliberately trailed off. The implication was clear—Chen Yi was already surrounded by outstanding women, and Xue Ke would have a hard time joining them.
Xue Ye frowned, finally recalling that intelligence showed Chen Yi's ambiguous relationships with several women—all with backgrounds and talent equal or even superior to the princess. It seemed Xue Ke's only real advantage was her royal title.
Xue Ke's face turned pale, her fingers unconsciously gripping her sleeves, eyes brimming with helplessness as she glanced again at her father.
Xue Ye was silent for a moment, then shot Xue Qinghe a sharp look.
"Even so, as her brother and the Crown Prince, can you not fight harder for your sister's future? Love might seem to be about 'first come, first served,' but so much relies on fate and hard work."
Xue Qinghe's face grew heavier. He shook his head, his silent despair obvious, though deep within his eyes, a cold light shimmered as he sneered inwardly.
'I haven't even found a good chance to deal with that stubborn old fox—how would this little princess get her turn?'
Xue Ye, observing the Crown Prince's response, leaned back deeply into his chair and, as if imparting imperial stratagem, intoned:
"Qinghe, never forget—it is emotions that are the cruellest thing in this world."
"Right now, Chen Yi calls you friend, respects you as Crown Prince, engages in conversation and laughter—all because your interests temporarily align. But in the end, the only ones who stand behind you, who will unconditionally support you, are your blood relatives, like Ke'er."
His gaze bore into Xue Qinghe as he spoke each word slowly:
"If our royal clan cannot forge a tighter bond with the Body Sect—
How could I ever entrust this vast Heaven Dou Empire to your care?
You must have clear plans and decisive action to safeguard the empire's future."
These words were both admonition and warning: if you wish to inherit the throne smoothly, you must first bind the Body Sect to the royal carriage, and marriage was the most direct, effective method.
Xue Qinghe's body trembled minutely, a complex blend of gravity, gratitude, and pressure flickering across his face. He bowed deeply and answered in a low voice:
"Father, your teaching is engraved upon my heart. For the empire, and for Ke'er, I will do my utmost."
But within the shadow cast by his bowed head, a trace of killing intent flickered within Qian Renxue's golden eyes.
…
On the tall observation platform at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you could see Heaven Dou City at a glance.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong and Sect Master Ning Fengzhi stood together. As cold winds whipped their robes, Gu Rong's gaze swept from the palace and flashed coldly as he spoke to Ning Fengzhi.
"It seems our emperor hasn't given up yet!"
Ning Fengzhi quietly stared at the distant palace lights. The warm tea in his hand lent no warmth to his heart; he could only sigh inwardly.
"Even Qinghe refuses to trust and accept my goodwill?"
That faintly self-mocking thought surfaced.
The letter to Xue Qinghe was meant both as a reminder and a gesture of good faith, but judging by Xue Qinghe's rapid return and the experts he brought from the Body Sect, it was clear he preferred to rely on strength rather than mend their bond as master and disciple.
Yet that feeling of loss quickly turned to a deeper calculation. Ning Fengzhi's gaze grew profound, fixated on the palace as if able to peer through all its walls and see the prince himself.
"Qinghe, my disciple… perhaps your choice to turn to the Body Sect is correct—they are strong enough. But one day, you'll understand: in all this world, the only one riding the same boat as you, truly sharing your interests and never betraying you… will be your teacher—me."
"We truly walk the same path."