Gu Xuan traveled unobstructed through the palace until he reached the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe was in his study reading. Upon learning of Gu Xuan's arrival, he immediately set down his book and waited for him in the main hall.
Regardless of how Qian Renxue truly felt about Gu Xuan, on the surface, they were the best of friends, a fact that seemed indisputable to any observer.
Even Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo shared this belief; as for what the two actually thought of each other, only they knew for sure.
As soon as Gu Xuan entered the hall, he saw Xue Qinghe standing there with an air of eager anticipation. Gu Xuan's face instantly broke into a warm, affectionate smile.
"Big Brother Xue, why are you still waiting here? You are the Crown Prince now, burdened with heavy official duties. It would have been enough for me to just catch a distant glimpse of you. Seeing you like this makes me feel terribly guilty."
"If those memorials go unread, won't the common people living in misery find it even harder to receive proper help?"
As Gu Xuan spoke, he stepped up to Xue Qinghe, pulled him into a hug, and affectionately patted his back.
Unable to dodge, Xue Qinghe's brow twitched. He helplessly patted Gu Xuan's back in return and said softly, "Xiao Xuan, while the memorials must be read, there is no need to rush them this very second. You've come all this way with great difficulty; why didn't you notify me in advance so I could make proper arrangements for you?"
Hearing this, Gu Xuan released Xue Qinghe. Taking a bit of an advantage was fine, but he couldn't actually cause resentment. Besides, the current Qian Renxue was perfectly flat-chested and looked exactly like a man; there wasn't much to it.
"Big Brother, with those words, this trip hasn't been in vain. I am already content," Gu Xuan replied with a satisfied expression.
Giving Gu Xuan a sidelong glance, Xue Qinghe said, "Alright, let's go sit in the study. You can have some tea to quench your thirst."
"Hehe..." Gu Xuan gave a mischievous laugh. "Big Brother truly knows me best. I happen to be thirsty."
Xue Qinghe then led Gu Xuan toward the study. Gu Xuan walked the path with familiar ease; after all, this wasn't his first time here.
On the way, Xue Qinghe suddenly asked, "You've been enrolled for two days and only now come to see me. Are the girls at the academy making you so happy that you've forgotten your way home?"
Gu Xuan's face immediately soured like he had swallowed something foul. He knew it; Ning Fengzhi must have written a letter to Xue Qinghe the moment he left. It was just that Gu Xuan had been genuinely busy these past two days and had forgotten...
However, Gu Xuan's skin was thicker than the corner of a city wall. He wouldn't be stumped by a question like this.
His expression shifted instantly as if he had climbed onto the moral high ground, and he said with righteous indignation, "Big Brother... how can you even say that? My letter went out at the same time as Uncle Ning's. I've been here for two days and haven't seen you come to visit me once! I was waiting day and night, hoping for a miracle, only to be left in loneliness. In the end, I had to come find you myself."
Looking at Gu Xuan's act, Qian Renxue couldn't help but wonder for a moment if she was actually in the wrong.
Then she heard Gu Xuan add, "Seriously, are you really that busy?"
"Cough, cough, cough!" Xue Qinghe coughed a few times and swatted away the finger Gu Xuan was pointing at him.
Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment. She knew that if she tried to argue this point with Gu Xuan, even with her wisdom as the Imperial Crown Prince, she would be no match for him. This brat was far too good at seizing every opening and throwing a tantrum.
Finally, Xue Qinghe replied calmly, "Mm... these past two days have indeed been quite busy."
"Hmph! I'll forgive you, only because you're my good Big Brother!" Gu Xuan put on a childish, petulant look.
If an outsider saw this, they would wonder where Gu Xuan's usual steadiness and sagacity had gone. He looked like nothing more than a bratty kid. This was a persona Gu Xuan had carefully crafted over years of trial and error; he had found that only this behavior allowed him to banter with Qian Renxue without making her angry or resentful.
In fact, in the darkness where no one else could see, two hulking figures were suppressing their laughter as they peeked at the duo.
"Snake Lance, what kind of charm do you think this little thing has? Aside from him, the Young Master has never been this indulgent with anyone else," a round, black-robed figure transmitted to the thin, gaunt black-robed figure beside him.
"You're asking me? For all these years, hasn't the Young Master always been like this with this brat?" the thin figure replied.
Though they looked like two little mice hiding in the dark, their identities were terrifying. They were Elders of the Spirit Hall with soul power ranks of 93 and 92, respectively.
The thin one was the Snake Lance Douluo, Martial Soul: Snake Lance, Rank 93.
The plump, round one was the Porcupinefish Douluo, Martial Soul: Porcupinefish, Rank 92.
The Porcupinefish Douluo replied, "Sigh, honestly, every time this brat comes over, the Young Master is happy for a while. Even though this boy is only twelve, could it be that the Young Master actually has feelings for him?"
Snake Lance stroked his chin thoughtfully and replied, "Hard to say. My wife is ten years younger than me. I never thought about marrying her at first; I just raised her like a younger sister. But later, when I wanted to find a woman to marry, I realized she had unknowingly filled my heart. She gives me a feeling no other woman can."
At this point, Snake Lance emphasized, "I'm not saying this to brag about 'robbing the cradle,' but to say that age sometimes doesn't mean everything. Looking at the Young Master and this brat, I can't help but think of the youth I spent with my wife."
Hearing Snake Lance's analysis, Porcupinefish nodded thoughtfully and replied, "The problem is, this brat still doesn't know the Young Master is a girl. I really can't imagine how this story will develop in the future."
Snake Lance replied with a look of helplessness, "Sigh, let nature take its course. But the boy's background is good. If he could truly unite with the Young Master, Spirit Hall, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would become in-laws. With their support, the Young Master's plan would go even more smoothly."
Porcupinefish couldn't help but nudge Snake Lance and replied, "What are you thinking? Right now, the Young Master's identity is Xue Qinghe! If the Young Master is ever exposed, won't this brat be shocked to death? The 'Big Brother' he's been calling for years turned out to be a woman."
Snake Lance curled his lip dismissively and replied, "What do you know? With the Young Master's beauty and talent, this frivolous brat will definitely be the one rushing to cling to her!"
Hearing this, Porcupinefish recalled the peerless figure of their Young Master, who had inherited the perfect fusion of genes from that woman and that man, and he nodded solemnly.
"That makes sense!"
...
Qian Renxue and Gu Xuan naturally couldn't hear the secret transmissions of those two gossip-mongers. By now, Gu Xuan had followed Xue Qinghe into the study.
After drinking a cup of tea, Gu Xuan finally stated his purpose and took out the gifts Ning Fengzhi had carefully selected.
A piece of thousand-year whale glue, a thousand-year tiger whip, a bull whip, and even two ten-thousand-year sheep kidneys. These all came from soul beasts; in the outside world, any one of them would make a man who was 'lacking' in that department very excited.
However, when Xue Qinghe saw these items, his brow couldn't help but twitch again. He felt an almost irresistible urge to scream that he was actually a woman.
Helplessly, Xue Qinghe forced a bitter smile and immediately swept them into his soul tool, out of sight and out of mind.
Xue Qinghe said, "That's thoughtful of you. However, I know my own situation. It's not that I'm lacking; it's likely a genetic issue."
Gu Xuan chuckled and replied, "Big Brother, it's just the two of us here; it doesn't matter. I won't laugh at you. I just feel sorry for my sisters-in-law. They've stayed with you for so many years just to conceive a dragon-seed and soar to the heavens. Sigh... better not to mention it."
As he spoke, Gu Xuan put on a fake sigh and peeked at Qian Renxue's expression, only to receive a direct kick to the rear.
"Big Brother, I was wrong! I'll stop talking!" Gu Xuan immediately begged for mercy.
Xue Qinghe retracted his foot and said plainly, "Speak. What is the reason for your visit this time?"
Gu Xuan's smile grew even wider, almost uncontrollable, but he still said, "Big Brother, I really just came to see you. No other motive."
Xue Qinghe silently held up one finger, followed by a second, counting under his breath, "One... two..."
Gu Xuan stopped laughing and grabbed his fingers. "Aieee... Big Brother, I just remembered. There is indeed a small matter I need your help with."
Xue Qinghe calmly pulled his fingers from Gu Xuan's grasp and said flatly, "I knew you wouldn't visit without a reason. Out with it!"
(End of Chapter)
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