When Zhang Lexuan slowly stepped out of the study, she remained immersed in Xu Tianran's words, unable to calm down for a long time.
That sentence, "What I want is your willingness," struck her heartstrings repeatedly like a heavy hammer.
It caused her originally iron-clad mental defenses to quietly crack, leaving a tiny fissure.
She walked back to her residence in silence, her mind replaying every detail and every look exchanged during her conversation with Xu Tianran in the study.
She had to admit that this Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire was far more profound, more terrifying, and more... irresistible than she had imagined.
Xu Tianran did not use force to oppress her, nor did he use words to coerce her; he simply gently cleared away the fog and placed the most authentic choice before her.
Yet, it was precisely this that made it harder for her to choose than facing any threats or inducements.
Returning to the main hall, Kong Deming was still sitting in his original spot.
Seeing her return in a daze, Kong Deming merely raised his eyes to look at her, a hint of understanding in his gaze, yet he still said nothing.
Kong Deming closed his eyes again, continuing to rest, leaving all the space and time to this struggling junior.
Zhang Lexuan sat back on the armchair alone, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the teacup again.
The sweet fragrance of the fruit tea lingered at the tip of her nose, causing her thoughts to become even more chaotic.
The plan of using retreat as a means of advancement by Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao had clearly worked.
Zhang Lexuan could no longer face Xu Tianran with the pure caution and resistance she had initially held.
The defenses in her heart were loosening without her realizing it.
...
A week had passed since Zhang Lexuan moved into the palace of the Eastern Palace.
Over these past few days, Xu Tianran, Xu Tianhao, and Meng Hongchen would come to check on her and keep her company.
But Xu Tianran had not appeared once, though the fruit tea that suited her taste had never ceased to be served.
She had asked the maid, who said that these fruit teas were personally prepared by the Crown Prince, and they went to collect them every day...
This meant that Xu Tianran had actually been paying attention to her all along, yet he simply would not come to see her.
Nor would he ask about her choice...
Just as Zhang Lexuan was immersed in her own thoughts, unable to extricate herself, light and steady footsteps were heard from outside the main hall again.
In just a moment, the figure of Xu Tianhao walked slowly into the main hall.
Xu Tianhao was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe today, his posture upright, his features gentle.
At this moment, Xu Tianhao had shed the sharpness of a royal descendant, gaining a touch of the clean purity of a boy next door.
Yet in those pitch-black eyes, there remained a wisdom and clarity inconsistent with his age.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan sitting in the chair, a gentle smile immediately appeared on Xu Tianhao's face.
Xu Tianhao's tone was kind and natural, without a shred of detachment or polite formality:
"Sister Le Xuan, did you sleep well last night? I came to check on you as soon as I finished my cultivation."
Zhang Lexuan hurriedly snapped out of her chaotic thoughts, gathered all the complex emotions in her eyes, stood up, and bowed slightly to Xu Tianhao, her etiquette remaining impeccable:
"Thank you for your concern, Sixth Highness, I am doing well."
"Sister Le Xuan, no need for such formalities." Xu Tianhao waved his hand casually and sat down on the chair directly opposite her.
Xu Tianhao's posture was relaxed, bearing no airs of a royal prince; instead, he seemed like a long-lost friend, kind and natural.
Through these days of interaction, Zhang Lexuan had also accepted the way Xu Tianhao and the others addressed her.
She also understood that these little ones were here to comfort her, but this attitude of only comforting without asking made her feel very uncomfortable.
Xu Tianhao first quietly observed Zhang Lexuan's expression. Seeing the lingering bewilderment and gravity between her brows, he understood in his heart.
It seemed that this tactic of using retreat as a means of advancement had clearly taken effect.
This seemingly cold and resilient talented woman had already had her heartstrings manipulated, and she was currently in a state of utter confusion.
Xu Tianhao smiled inwardly, but on the surface, he maintained a gentle and harmless appearance.
He first chatted casually with Zhang Lexuan about irrelevant topics, from the customs of the Sun Moon Empire to cultivation insights, and then to daily dietary preferences.
But he steadfastly avoided sensitive words like stance, choice, or submission.
Xu Tianhao's tone was relaxed and casual, bit by bit easing the awkwardness and caution in Zhang Lexuan's heart.
Zhang Lexuan's originally tense heartstrings gradually relaxed amidst Xu Tianhao's gentle and harmless conversation.
She could clearly feel that this ten-year-old Sixth Prince had no malice in him at all.
Xu Tianhao's speech was appropriate, his thoughts delicate, and he was far more mature and steady than his peers.
Conversing with him, Zhang Lexuan did not feel oppressed or uncomfortable.
The two chatted for a while, and the atmosphere gradually became much more harmonious.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Xu Tianhao quietly and slowly steered the conversation toward his older brother, Xu Tianran.
He first sighed softly, his tone carrying a touch of heartache and admiration, and slowly began to speak: "Actually, my big brother is really very tired in his daily life."
"As the Crown Prince, ever since he was old enough to understand, he has had to shoulder the future of the entire country."
"The deceit and treachery in the imperial court, the disputes and turmoil at the borders, and the balancing and checking of various forces—every single matter requires his personal attention."
"Others only see the nobility and glory of his position as Crown Prince, but they do not see him getting up before dawn every day to handle state affairs."
"In the dead of night, he is still in the study, researching spirit tool blueprints and cultivating spirit power. Year after year, he has almost never had a moment of true rest."
Speaking of this, Xu Tianhao raised his eyes to look at Zhang Lexuan, a hint of sincerity in his eyes, and continued:
"The fruit tea you drink, big brother actually started preparing it a long time ago."
"He specifically sent people to inquire about your preferences. Knowing that you dislike bitter traditional teas and prefer a sweet and mellow taste, he personally flipped through ancient texts, formulated recipes, and tried again and again until he brewed the flavor that best suited your taste, only then was he satisfied."
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly, and waves stirred in her heart once more.
She had originally thought that the cup of fruit tea was just a trivial matter done in passing, but she never imagined there was such a complicated process behind it.
The noble Crown Prince, busy with a thousand tasks, would actually spend so much thought and time for someone like her from the "opposing camp."
This level of dedication had long since exceeded simple solicitation and utilization.
Xu Tianhao took in her subtle reaction, but kept his words calm and composed, continuing to speak softly:
"Big brother is someone who has never been good at expressing his feelings. He likes to keep everything in his heart. Even when he is full of concern, he never speaks it out loud."
"He hasn't asked you any questions these past few days, not because he doesn't care, but because he can't bear to force you and doesn't want you to feel any pressure."
"He truly hopes that you can rest here in peace, and truly hopes that you can have a better destination, rather than being bound by stance and the past for a lifetime."
Xu Tianhao's words were gentle, yet every single word struck the softest part of Zhang Lexuan's heart.
She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, hiding all the emotions in her gaze.
Yet the defenses in her heart, which had already loosened, were now teetering on the brink of collapse at this moment.
She had to admit that Xu Tianhao's forbearance, attentiveness, and respect were things she had never felt from anyone else.
Even within Shrek Academy, as a genius of the Shrek Inner Court, she was highly respected.
But even so, no one had ever been this careful in considering her preferences, understanding her difficulties, and respecting her choices.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan silent, Xu Tianhao knew the timing was just about right; if he continued, it would seem deliberate.
He slightly shifted the topic, with a touch of youthful cunning, and laughed softly:
"Sister Le Xuan, actually I can tell that you are very smart, it's just that you have attachments and concerns in your heart."
"If you want revenge, if you want to confirm the truth within your heart, you certainly cannot do it alone."
Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's gaze instantly became grave.
She had thought a lot these days; the massacre of her family was related to Shrek...
The pride she felt for Shrek in her heart had slowly turned into hatred.
She wished she could run to Mu En right now and question him about the truth of all this.
But she also understood that if these things were all true,
If she went back now, with her current strength, let alone revenge, she wouldn't even be able to stir up a ripple.
Because she was too weak.
And it was precisely because she had previously been the number one genius of the Shrek Inner Court that she understood how powerful Shrek's foundation truly was.
That was definitely not something she, a mere Quasi Soul Douluo who didn't even have an eighth soul ring, could contend with.