After Qian Renxue left, she never appeared before Ye Tian again.
This left Ye Tian feeling rather helpless.
Glancing at the sky, he noticed it was getting late—time to return to Shrek Academy and rest.
Having been appointed as the Imperial Preceptor, he had also been granted a spacious mansion in Heaven Dou City.
However, the mansion still needed some time before it could be fully prepared for occupancy.
Until then, Ye Tian would continue staying at Shrek Academy temporarily.
On his way out of the palace through the rear hall of the Palace, Ye Tian happened to run into a familiar face—someone he had only recently met.
"Your subject, Ye Tian, pays his respects to Her Highness Princess Xueke."
"You're the newly appointed Imperial Preceptor, aren't you?"
Xueke, her eyes slightly swollen, looked at Ye Tian and nodded faintly in acknowledgment.
"It's all thanks to His Majesty's favor," Ye Tian replied humbly with a smile.
"I heard you saved my cousin?" Xueke brought up another matter.
She and Xue Lanlan were close in age and, both being of royal blood, often interacted.
Upon hearing that Xue Lanlan had been injured, Xueke had been deeply saddened.
But when she later learned that Ye Tian had saved Xue Lanlan, her grief eased somewhat.
"I picked up a bit of medical knowledge when I was younger. It was just a small effort," Ye Tian said, waving his hand dismissively.
*This young man is quite modest,* Xueke thought to herself, nodding inwardly.
As a princess of Heaven Dou, she had met many talented young men.
But few were as refined and amiable as Ye Tian.
*No wonder the imperial court holds him in such high regard, appointing him as Imperial Preceptor. He truly is an exceptional talent.*
"Would Young Master Ye be willing to honor me with his company for dinner?"
Xueke's expression softened as she gazed at the handsome young man before her.
Her cousin was a pitiable soul.
If she could act as a matchmaker and arrange a marriage between Xue Lanlan and Ye Tian, the empire's rising star, it would be a fine match for her cousin.
"Your Highness flatters me. Since you've extended the invitation, how could I refuse?" Ye Tian replied with a warm smile.
But inwardly, he sighed.
Right now, all he wanted was to go back and sleep.
However, Xueke was a princess—her status made it impossible to decline.
Just then, Chief Eunuch Yu approached.
In a soft, effeminate voice, he said, "Imperial Preceptor, so this is where you are. His Majesty has been looking for you!"
"Understood," Ye Tian replied, feigning regret as he turned to Xueke. "My apologies, Your Highness. It seems today isn't convenient. Perhaps another time?"
But Xueke glanced at Chief Eunuch Yu and asked, "What urgent matter does my imperial brother have with Ye Tian at this hour?"
The eunuch smiled apologetically. "Replying to Your Highness, it's nothing too serious. His Majesty merely wishes to invite the Imperial Preceptor to dine with him."
"Perfect," Xueke said, her face lighting up. "I can accompany Ye Tian there."
Her relationship with her imperial brother was still relatively cordial.
Defying his wishes once or twice wouldn't be an issue.
Besides, she had a purpose in going—to persuade her brother to arrange a marriage between Ye Tian and Xue Lanlan.
Hearing Xueke's words, Chief Eunuch Yu's face twitched slightly with discomfort.
But in the end, he said nothing.
After all, Xueke was a princess—far beyond the authority of a mere eunuch to control.
---
Qian Renxue had already prepared a table of exquisite dishes in the Eastern Palace.
At this moment, her long hair flowed freely, and she wore a sleek black dress, having reverted to her true female form.
The palace maids had long been dismissed.
In the courtyard shrouded by night, she stood alone.
Waiting for Ye Tian to arrive.
Before Ye Tian could appear, She Long hurried over.
Leaning close to Qian Renxue, he whispered a few words.
Qian Renxue's brows furrowed slightly. "What is Xueke doing here now?"
Glancing down at her newly tailored dress, she sighed helplessly before returning to her chambers to change.
By the time she reappeared at the dining table in her male disguise, Ye Tian and Xueke had already arrived together.
"Greetings, Imperial Brother." As a princess, Xueke was well-versed in etiquette.
"Sister, there's no need for formalities when it's just us," Qian Renxue replied flatly, gesturing for Xueke to take a seat.
She didn't ask why Xueke had come.
Since she was already here, no reason would justify sending her away.
Ye Tian, meanwhile, didn't notice any oddity in Qian Renxue's demeanor.
He simply bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, what urgent matter requires my presence so late at night?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's heart tightened.
*If we can't have a pleasant chat, then we'll have to discuss business.*
Sitting gracefully in the host's seat, she smiled faintly. "Since I've summoned the Imperial Preceptor, it's naturally for official matters."
With that, she produced a memorial and slid it toward Ye Tian.
"This is a secret report from the imperial spies, accusing Economic Minister Duke Pan Song of corruption."
"During his tenure, Duke Pan Song colluded with his subordinates to embezzle vast sums of imperial assets. The figures are staggering. The late emperor trusted Pan Song implicitly, which is why he was never punished."
"But now that I hold power, I cannot let him remain."
Qian Renxue chuckled lightly. "This will be the first major case you handle as Imperial Preceptor—an excellent opportunity to establish your authority."
Seeing the smile on Qian Renxue's face, Ye Tian couldn't help but grimace internally.
*Yeah, right.*
*Establish my authority?*
*More like make me the scapegoat.*
Ye Tian suspected that Pan Song's downfall had little to do with corruption.
After all, most officials in the empire were corrupt to some degree—it was just a matter of scale.
He had crossed paths with Pan Song earlier in the imperial study.
At the time, Pan Song had been loud and vehement, urging Qian Renxue to revoke the edict appointing Ye Tian as Imperial Preceptor.
Ye Tian guessed that Pan Song had likely been a stumbling block during Qian Renxue's time as crown prince.
Now that she was emperor, such obstacles had to be removed.
With this realization, he felt resigned.
*If I'm already destined to be the scapegoat, what's one more?*
He accepted the memorial calmly and nodded. "After the banquet, I'll review this thoroughly."
"When does Your Majesty believe we should act?"
"Soon," Qian Renxue replied coolly, her beautiful eyes unwavering.
"Pan Song is effectively the leader of Heaven Dou's nobility."
"Once he's arrested, many will come forward to plead for him."
"That would complicate matters."
"Therefore, I order you to uncover concrete evidence of Pan Song's corruption on the spot. Complete the trial within a day and execute him immediately!"
"I understand," Ye Tian acknowledged with a nod.
The icy tone of her words sent a shiver down Xueke's spine.
*Is this really the imperial brother I know?*
Xueke ventured cautiously, "Uncle Pan was one of Father's oldest confidants. Must we be so ruthless?"
But Qian Renxue's expression remained impassive. "If Pan Song doesn't die, then it's *I* who will be in danger."
Xueke pressed her lips together and said no more.
She knew her words wouldn't change her brother's mind.
The somber mood killed Xueke's appetite.
Throughout the meal, she only picked at her food a few times.
As the dinner drew to a close, Xueke leaned closer to Qian Renxue and whispered, "Imperial Brother, I'd like to ask a favor of you."
"Oh? It's rare for you to make requests. Speak—if it's within my power, I'll grant it."
Qian Renxue's expression softened, a faint smile gracing her lips.
When she had first infiltrated Heaven Dou City, Xueke had been just a child.
Over the years of living undercover, she had developed an inexplicable affection for Xueke.
Though mostly, it was guilt.
After all, she was the one who had destroyed the Heaven Dou imperial family.
Xueke glanced at Ye Tian, then took a deep breath.
"I'd like to request an imperial marriage decree."
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned.
She had noticed the way Xueke had looked at Ye Tian earlier.
*Could my sister have fallen for him?*
*Is Ye Tian's charm really that potent?*
She was baffled.
But then, realization dawned.
*Well… I fell for him too, didn't I?*
Suppressing her astonishment, she feigned calmness. "Have you taken a liking to someone?"
"Not me," Xueke shook her head, smiling slightly. "It's for Ye Tian and my cousin, Lanlan."
"Now that Ye Tian has become Heaven Dou's Imperial Preceptor, his status is lofty—all thanks to your favor, Imperial Brother. Since that's the case, why not strengthen the bond further?" Xueke met her brother's gaze earnestly.
She didn't frame it as a plea for Xue Lanlan's pitiable situation.
Instead, she presented it as a political alliance.
Her imperial brother was now emperor.
Compassion had diminished in his heart.
But *interest* was a constant in any ruler's mind.
Appealing to his pragmatism would be far more persuasive.
"It's not a bad idea," Qian Renxue mused, though inwardly, she immediately rejected it.
*Forget Xue Lanlan—even I want to marry Ye Tian.*
But that was impossible.
If there had been a chance, she would've taken it long ago.
Xue Lanlan wouldn't have even been in the picture.
"However, little sister, you don't know Ye Tian well enough yet."
"He's already married."
"Huh?" Xueke was taken aback.
She turned to Ye Tian in surprise. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen—already an adult," Ye Tian replied with a composed smile.
"Hmm… about my age," Xueke murmured, covering her cheeks.
She was sixteen this year.
By law, she was also of age.
But nobles—especially imperial ones—rarely married so young.
Most waited until their mid-twenties.
Her imperial brother, for instance, was already the exalted emperor, yet he still had no concubines.
For Ye Tian to marry so young—didn't he have to attend school?
After some thought, Xueke realized she'd overlooked a key fact.
*Ye Tian was a commoner before this!*
To rise from humble origins straight to Imperial Preceptor—
Even Heaven Dou's founding emperor couldn't compare!
After all, before becoming emperor, the founder had been a duke who'd built upon generations of his family's achievements.
"I never would've imagined… truly never would've imagined that your accomplishments would reach such heights."
Xueke clicked her tongue, genuinely impressed.
"Haha, thank you for your concern and praise, Your Highness," Ye Tian said with a modest wave. "I appreciate your kindness, but the marriage decree won't be necessary."
"Naturally," Xueke nodded gently.
Since Ye Tian was already married, her cousin would have to seek another match.
(End of Chapter)