(Qian Renxue)
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[Heaven Dou Imperial City, Moon Pavilion.]
[This building, hailed as the most elegant place in the Empire, is located in the Eastern District of the Imperial City.]
[The three-story main building is quite antique, with exquisite musical runes carved between the eaves and brackets; whenever a breeze brushes past, it emits a pleasant chime like bells.]
[In the square before the building, flower beds are filled with rare flowers and exotic herbs, and there is even a spring of living water, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, exuding tranquility and elegance everywhere.]
[Tang Chuan has been studying at the Moon Pavilion for over a month.]
[At the beginning of every Chen hour, he practices etiquette in the main hall along with other students.]
[Sitting, standing, walking, stopping—every move and gesture follows strict rules.]
[Tang Yuehua teaches personally and is especially strict with this nephew of hers.]
[Tang Chuan was quite unaccustomed to it at first.]
[He was used to the decisiveness and ruthlessness of the Slaughter City and the split-second adaptations on the battlefield, but now he had to learn how to walk slowly, how to lift a cup elegantly, how to keep his sleeves from fluttering when turning, and how to keep his gaze warm while smiling.]
[But he soon discovered that this extreme 'control' actually had a miraculous effect on suppressing the hostility in his heart.]
[Every deliberate slowing down and every adjustment of breath invisibly smoothed the restlessness born of killing deep within his Soul.]
[As his movements gradually merged with the rhythm of the Moon Pavilion, that lingering sense of violence actually began to dissipate bit by bit.]
[The afternoon is for music theory class.]
[The Moon Pavilion collects musical instruments from all over the world, from the guqin and jade flute to the kongs Hou and chime bells; it has everything.]
[Tang Chuan chose the guqin.]
[The sound of the zither is clear and transcendent; between the plucking of the seven strings, one's mind and spirit must be completely still.]
[At first, his fingering was jerky and the music was stilted, but as his understanding of melody deepened, the notes flowing from his fingertips gradually gained a sense of spirituality.]
[He was surprised to find that when playing the zither, his mind was empty and clear, and his mental force naturally cleansed itself within the music.]
[Those fragments of slaughter hidden deep in his Sea of Consciousness seemed to be gently wrapped and dissolved by the sound of the zither.]
[The evening is for elegant arts such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy, and painting.]
[Tang Chuan especially loves the tea ceremony.]
[Boiling water, warming the vessels, adding the tea, pouring the water, serving the tea...]
[Every step requires focus on the present, with heart and hand in harmony.]
[When the clear tea enters his throat and the fragrance lingers on his lips and teeth, he feels an incomparable peace of mind.]
[This afternoon, Tang Chuan was playing the zither alone in the music room.]
[A piece titled 'Water Dragon Chant' had just finished, its echoes still lingering.]
[He closed his eyes, savoring the peaceful meaning within the music; the spirit power in his body circulated spontaneously, even more smoothly and gently than usual.]
[The last trace of restlessness remaining from the Slaughter City seemed to have completely settled with the end of this piece.]
[Just then, there was a light knock on the music room door.]
["Please come in."]
[The door opened, and the one who appeared was Dugu Bo.]
["Grandpa?"]
[Tang Chuan stood up, somewhat surprised.]
[Dugu Bo knew he was cultivating at the Moon Pavilion and would never come to disturb him unless there was something important.]
[Dugu Bo didn't speak immediately, but just sized Tang Chuan up, his expression becoming increasingly strange.]
[After a long while, he finally lowered his voice, his tone subtle.]
["Little Chuan, give me the truth... Over in the Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianfeng took Zhu Zhuqing as his adopted daughter and married her to you, and you even agreed, becoming his Star Luo son-in-law."]
["Is this matter true?"]
[Tang Chuan was stunned.]
[It took him a full three breaths to digest the information in those words.]
["So that's how it is! No wonder... No wonder Dai Tianfeng would send people to kidnap Zhuqing, and no wonder he let us leave so easily back then in the Star Luo Imperial Palace."]
["So Zhuqing became his hidden move!"]
[Tang Chuan muttered to himself, looking at Dugu Bo, his expression returning to calm as he shook his head helplessly.]
["Grandpa, I didn't!"]
["That trip to Star Luo was only to rescue Zhuqing; you already knew this."]
["As for Dai Tianfeng..."]
[Tang Chuan then simply recounted the events of the palace banquet that day, where Dai Tianfeng proposed marrying off Princess Dai Yunxi to him and granting him the position of Prince Regent, which he refused on the spot.]
["There were many people present at the time; Bai He, Niu Gao, and Clan Chief Yang Wudi, as well as Huo Xiaotian Huo Xiaotian, Aunt, and Uncle Ling, can all testify!"]
["When I left, although Dai Tianfeng's smile remained unchanged, he never tried to make me stay again. Where did this talk of agreeing to a marriage contract and becoming a son-in-law come from? As for taking Zhu Zhuqing as an adopted daughter..."]
[Tang Chuan frowned: "I don't know if that part is true or false, but when I left, I definitely never agreed to become the Star Luo Empire's son-in-law."]
[After listening, Dugu Bo's expression softened slightly, and he wasn't surprised, but his brow furrowed even tighter.]
["Little Chuan! Grandpa naturally believes you; I'm still clear on your character and Heart-Nature. It's just..."]
["This move of Dai Tianfeng's is played quite underhandedly!"]
["He must have known you refused on the spot and that the marriage alliance failed, so he took a different path, taking that girl Zhu Zhuqing as an adopted daughter and then unilaterally announcing her betrothal to you."]
["In this way, in the eyes of outsiders, the Star Luo Emperor is being magnanimous—not only not pursuing your crime of intruding into the palace but instead returning good for evil, granting you a marriage and promising you wealth."]
["And you, whether you agree or not, in the eyes of the people of the world, you can no longer be detached from this matter."]
[Tang Chuan was very calm about this, sneering as he said: "He wants to force me to comply? Or... is the intent to drive a wedge?"]
["Probably both."]
[Dugu Bo sneered: "If you go along with it, he gains a great assistant, and the Star Luo Imperial Family and your Azure Emperor Sect will have a real marital connection."]
["If you firmly deny it, he will continue all sorts of friendly gestures and use actions to make this matter a reality, using it to provoke your relationship with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."]
["After all, you are now a Count of Heaven Dou, yet you are involved with a Star Luo 'Princess'; it's hard to say what the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will think!"]
White World, Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Inside a magnificent hall.
Seeing Tang Chuan and Dugu Bo's frowning analysis in the comparison video.
Dai Tianfeng couldn't help but squeeze his wine cup and take a shallow sip.
A proud smile appeared on that heroic and majestic face.
"Tang Chuan! Oh, Tang Chuan!"
"In this comparison video, the original future version of me used an overt scheme on you!"
"With this Zhuqing, unless you kick her out of the Azure Emperor Sect."
"Otherwise, with my follow-up methods, you won't be able to clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River!"
"But with your character of valuing emotions and righteousness, and with that Zhuqing being deeply in love with you, I'm afraid you won't dare, nor will you be able to drive her away!"
"What's the point of being a Count of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"A Prodigy like you can completely be both a Heaven Dou Count and my Star Luo son-in-law!"
"Anyway, this Emperor doesn't mind!"
"Haha! Hahaha!"
Dai Tianfeng laughed wantonly.
In his view, although he couldn't pry Tang Chuan away, rather than letting Tang Chuan only be a Count of the Heaven Dou Empire, it was better to add the title of Star Luo son-in-law.
In that case, it would be very difficult for Tang Chuan to favor one side in the future!
As the person who made the hidden move.
This was the optimal solution he could think of!
[After listening to his grandfather Dugu Bo's words, Tang Chuan fell somewhat silent.]
[Dai Tianfeng's calculation was indeed sophisticated.]
[This was no longer a simple recruitment, but placing him in a dilemma.]
[More importantly, Zhuqing... is she aware? And what does she think?]
["I'm afraid this matter has already spread."]
[Dugu Bo said.]
["Since Dai Tianfeng made this move, he must have prepared to publicize it. Heaven Dou will likely have a reaction soon; you need to make plans early."]
["However, with your talent and strength, plus with me, your grandfather, here, the Heaven Dou Empire won't do anything to you, nor would they dare!"]
[Saying this, Dugu Bo lightly stroked his snow-white beard beneath his chin, a hint of pride appearing on his sinisterly handsome face.]
[Tang Chuan nodded: "I understand, thank you for the reminder, Grandpa."]
[Dugu Bo waved his hand, gave a few more instructions, and then turned to leave.]
[As expected!]
[The next day, early morning.]
[Tang Chuan had just finished his morning etiquette class when a Moon Pavilion maidservant came to report.]
["Young Master Tang, His Highness the Crown Prince has prepared tea at the 'Tingxue Pavilion' and invites you over for a chat."]
(End of Chapter)
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