Facing Zhang Lexuan's surprised gaze, Xu Tianran only smiled faintly, his expression calm and natural, not taking this small matter to heart at all.
He did not take the opportunity to show off his attentiveness either, but instead took the initiative to change the subject, asking in a calm tone:
"How do you feel now? Have your injuries and spirit power recovered?"
His question was straightforward, yet carried just the right amount of concern, without any hint of prying or coercion, making Zhang Lexuan feel a warmth in her heart.
She immediately composed herself and replied earnestly: "Very well, my injuries have completely recovered, and I have no discomfort."
Her words were sincere, and everything she said was true.
If not for Kong Deming's intervention to save her, she would still be in a state of extreme weakness at this moment.
She kept this kindness in her heart.
Xu Tianran nodded gently upon hearing this, saying in a detached tone: "That is good. Since Elder Kong personally took action to treat you, I imagine there won't be any problems."
His words revealed absolute trust and respect for Kong Deming.
In the entire Sun Moon Empire, only a top expert like Kong Deming had the foundation and strength to fully restore her body in such a short time.
As soon as Xu Tianran finished speaking, Zhang Lexuan's gaze involuntarily turned to Kong Deming, who was sitting quietly to the side.
The old man, who had been closing his eyes to rest as if he were one with the surroundings, seemed to have sensed it; he opened his eyes slowly at that very moment. Their eyes met, and their gazes intersected gently in the air.
Kong Deming looked at this descendant who had been lost and found again, a kind and benevolent smile appearing on his face. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes softened a bit, but he didn't say anything, only using his eyes to convey silent comfort and approval.
That gaze was gentle and generous, like the warm sun in winter, without the slightest sense of oppression, yet it made Zhang Lexuan's heart feel a mix of emotions.
She also gave Kong Deming a gentle smile, full of genuine gratitude, yet mixed with an indescribable, complex emotion.
Kong Deming was clearly her maternal great-grandfather, one of the few blood relatives she had in this world.
Yet the two had never had any interaction before; they had never appeared in each other's lives for over twenty years.
The sudden arrival of familial affection made her feel both warm and strangely at a loss.
Even though Kong Deming had expended great effort to save her and restore her to her original state from weakness, she understood the weight of this blood connection.
However, in such a short time, it was still difficult for her to fully accept this sudden kinship, let alone be as close and natural as true grandparents and grandchildren.
Withdrawing her gaze, Zhang Lexuan turned her head back to look steadily at Xu Tianran, her fingertips curling slightly; she was fully prepared in her heart.
She knew that Xu Tianran would inevitably ask for her decision next, and would bring up the words that put her in a dilemma.
She had repeatedly weighed things in her heart and was prepared to respond and choose, waiting only for Xu Tianran to speak so she could give her answer.
However, what Zhang Lexuan never expected—and was completely caught off guard by—was that Xu Tianran had no intention of asking her or forcing her to make a decision at all.
Xu Tianran curled the corners of his lips into a faint smile and said peacefully: "Since that's the case, you should rest well here."
"Everything inside and outside this palace has been arranged properly, with all necessities provided. If you need anything, you can command the servants at any time, or you can go directly to Elder Kong. Do not be constrained."
He paused and continued: "As the Crown Prince, I still have many matters to deal with in the court, so I will not disturb your rest any further."
After speaking, Xu Tianran left without the slightest hesitation, stood up straight, straightened his luxurious robes, turned around, and walked out of the hall.
Xu Tianran's steps were steady, his attitude natural, without any dragging of feet.
Seeing this, Xu Tianhao also gave Zhang Lexuan a gentle smile and said in a light tone:
"I also need to go back and cultivate diligently, striving to improve my cultivation as soon as possible, so I won't keep you company for now. I'll come to see you when I have time."
As soon as he finished, Xu Tianhao followed Xu Tianran's footsteps and left the hall together, leaving behind only the sound of light footsteps that gradually disappeared outside the door.
Watching the backs of the two leaving without hesitation, Zhang Lexuan was completely stunned, her whole person frozen on the seat.
Her eyes were filled with bewilderment, the expression on her face frozen, unable to react for a long time.
She had already done countless psychological preparations in her heart, repeatedly pondering every response.
She had even prepared to accept all outcomes, fully expecting Xu Tianran to strike while the iron was hot, press for her final choice, and force her to give a clear answer.
But what was the result?
That was it?
Just letting her rest well, and then leaving without a word?
Zhang Lexuan shouted in her heart, feeling completely confused and unable to grasp the situation.
This plot development didn't follow the routine she expected at all.
It made all her preparations fall through; her full entanglement and firmness instantly turned into a sense of nowhere-to-place bewilderment.
She turned her head to look at Kong Deming on the side, somewhat at a loss, wanting to get an answer from this maternal great-grandfather.
But looking up, she found that Kong Deming had long since closed his eyes again, returning to his state of resting.
It was as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him, with no intention of clearing up her confusion at all.
Zhang Lexuan, full of confusion and chaotic thoughts, subconsciously picked up the fruit tea cup on the table and drank the remaining sweet tea in one gulp, trying to calm her mood with this gentle taste.
But as the tea went down her throat, instead of calming down, she fell into an even deeper and thicker confusion.
Zhang Lexuan sat in place, staring blankly at the empty doorway, unable to recover for a long time.
Meanwhile, the brothers Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao, who had left the hall, walked quickly back to Xu Tianran's exclusive Crown Prince study.
Closing the heavy door of the study, isolating all outside gazes and sounds, the two could no longer hold back; they looked at each other and chuckled at the same time.
The composure and dignity maintained in front of Zhang Lexuan were completely removed, replaced by a bit of relaxation and tacit understanding between brothers.
Xu Tianran laughed and patted Xu Tianhao on the shoulder, his tone mixed with a bit of teasing and a bit of uncertainty:
"Tianhao, this trick of yours, 'playing hard to get' and 'retreating to advance', won't it backfire?"
"She is already cautious by nature. If you keep her guessing and she develops resistance, wouldn't that be counterproductive?"
Hearing this, Xu Tianhao showed a confident smile on his face. Although he was young, his eyes revealed wisdom and certainty that surpassed ordinary people.
He shook his head and said with certainty: "Big brother, rest assured, there will absolutely be no mistakes."
"This is what we call 'retreating to advance'. We deliberately don't ask or force her, let her be confused for a while, and let her repeatedly ponder and overthink in her heart."
"When her doubts accumulate to a certain degree, you won't need to ask; she will lose her composure and come to you to ask the reason and seek an answer."
"By then, as long as you grasp the measure and seize the most suitable opportunity, proceeding step by step, not to mention making Zhang Lexuan sincerely submit and work for you..."
"Even if you make her completely lower her defenses and win her heart, it is not impossible."
Xu Tianran nodded repeatedly at the analysis of power and human nature, his eyes full of approval and praise, feeling that Xu Tianhao was young but deeply understood human nature, which was truly rare.
But when he heard the last sentence, "win her heart", Xu Tianran stumbled, almost losing his footing, and the calm and composure on his face instantly vanished.