Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
"Your son pays his respects to the Imperial Father."
Xue Qinghe reported to Emperor Xue Ye the outcome of the Four Academies Exchange.
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy lost narrowly to Godwind Academy."
"However, the Heaven Dou Spirit Arena's Gold Badge Sword Wine swept Godwind Academy's captain, Feng Xiaotian."
A smile appeared on the pale face of Emperor Xue Ye.
"Excellent."
"Reward Sword Wine with a thousand bolts of brocade and ten thousand gold coins."
"Such talent must be put to use by the royal family."
A trace of helplessness showed on Xue Qinghe's face.
"Reporting to the Imperial Father… That Sword Wine is free-spirited, like a crane drifting among clouds."
"Your son once promised him high position, yet he was unmoved. I fear it will be difficult to summon him into the palace."
Regret was plain in Emperor Xue Ye's expression.
"That is indeed a pity, but let it go."
"Qinghe, you handled the Four Academies Exchange well."
"Since you began acting as regent, you have risen early, rested late, and worked diligently."
"I, and the court, have all seen it. What reward do you desire?"
Xue Qinghe was momentarily taken aback.
Her gaze drifted toward the towering red palace walls beyond the hall.
Yesterday's thought—how should I repay Li Zhexian—surfaced clearly again.
Perhaps…
The most precious gift she could offer him now would be to set aside this disguise and spend a few more days by his side.
Countless thoughts swirled in her mind.
Lowering her head, her voice carried just the right touch of weariness:
"Recently… your son has felt truly exhausted in mind and spirit."
"I boldly beg Imperial Father to grant me a few days' leisure, to step away from documents and duties, and rest my heart."
Emperor Xue Ye laughed heartily.
"Is that all you ask?"
"You have indeed worked hard these past days."
"Since you wish to rest, I grant you ten days' leave."
"For these ten days, no need to pay morning respects, no need to attend court, all affairs are excused."
This time, the smile that bloomed on Xue Qinghe's lips was genuine and bright. "Your son thanks the Imperial Father for his grace."
…
Crown Prince's chambers.
Xue Qinghe was tending to the Dawn-light Glory flowers on the windowsill.
"Young Master..." Snake Lance Douluo finally couldn't hold back and took a step forward, his voice low. "The great plan of the Spirit Hall, and the Angel God's inheritance... The Young Master's identity cannot be compromised. You must not let small matters outweigh important ones!"
Xue Qinghe's hand, watering the flower, paused almost imperceptibly. Without raising her head, she replied calmly:
"Which is the small matter? Which is the important one?"
Snake Lance Douluo's throat bobbed, but his words were stuck.
Xue Qinghe's fingertip brushed against the petals of the Dawn-light Glory. His gaze seemed to pierce through the shimmering light in front of him, looking toward a unforgettable scene.
"When I first met Li Zhexian…"
She murmured softly, as if confiding to the flower, as if sorting out her own heart.
"I simply admired his unrestrained spirit."
"He showed me that, though one lives in this world, it is truly possible to live with such unbound freedom… making one's heart yearn for it."
"I regarded him as a mirror, hoping to learn from him a little of that ease."
"But now…"
In the depths of her tranquil eyes, a faint golden radiance quietly bloomed, like the first light of dawn.
"If Li Zhexian knows me only as Xue Qinghe, then he is my lifelong friend, and the teacher of my heart."
"But if Li Zhexian is willing to share with me…"
"Half the sword intent in his heart, half a cup of his rivers-and-lakes wine, a wisp of his carefree spirit…"
"Then he is my life."
"For that, I could discard the title of Heaven Dou Crown Prince, the identity of Spirit Hall Saintess, even the seat of the Angel God, as if they were worn-out shoes."
Her voice grew softer.
Carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor.
"That day when he disappeared…"
"My heart was filled only with panic and regret—regret that he never saw my true self."
"I do not wish to taste that feeling again."
Porcupinefish and Snake Lance exchanged a silent look.
Their faces were full of gloom and helplessness, and in the end, they bowed their heads in silence.
The heavy air lingered in the hall for a long time.
Xue Qinghe suddenly raised her gaze.
"Where is Li Zhexian?"
Porcupinefish Douluo replied, "Just now, our spies reported that the four teams went to find him.
"At this time, he should be drinking merrily at Shanxiang Pavilion."
The corners of Xue Qinghe's lips curved up. She stood up abruptly, flicked her sleeves, and walked out of the hall.
"Is the Young Master leaving the palace now?"
Her steps did not falter.
"If I don't go, who will pay Li Zhexian's wine bill?"
…
Shanxiang Pavilion.
"Hahahaha—!"
Li Zhexian's cheeks were flushed, and he pointed at Feng Xiaotian, curled up under a bench, laughing so hard he doubled over.
"Feng… Feng Xiaotian… just look at you… hic…"
He hiccupped.
"And you thought you could drink me under the table?"
"Come on, come on! Who's next?"
His drunken gaze swept arrogantly over Yu Tianheng, Huo Wushuang, and Huyan Li in turn.
"You? You? Or… you?"
Yu Tianheng's face was pale, clutching the table edge and gasping for breath, drool still at the corner of his mouth—he had clearly vomited several times already.
Huo Wushuang sat dazed on the floor, his eyes unfocused.
Hu Yanli was the most stubborn—he grabbed a wine pot and staggered toward Li Zhexian, muttering incoherently:
"On… one more round…"
But his steps were unsteady; after two, he collapsed with a crash—
Right on top of the six Elephant Armored Sect team members who were already sprawled across the floor.
Li Zhexian looked at the fallen "casualties" all around him, tilted back his head, and took a long swig.
The wine streamed freely down, soaking the front of his plain white robe.
Truth be told, Shanxiang Pavilion's fine wine was far inferior to the wine of his Martial Soul.
But the true flavor of wine is not just in the drink—
It is in the people.
Today, with friends filling the room, even mortal wine could, through the noise and camaraderie, bring a rare, soul-stirring joy.
"Sword Wine!"
A sharp, feminine voice rang out.
Huo Wu, one arm around Dugu Yan, the other around Ye Lingling, staggered toward him.
"Don't… don't get cocky!"
"We sisters… will drink with you!"
Li Zhexian welcomed them without hesitation.
"Good!"
He snatched up a large bowl, clinked it hard against Huo Wu's, and drained it in one go.
Her already hazy eyes grew more unfocused.
Letting go of Dugu Yan, she hooked her arm around Li Zhexian's neck, her wine-heavy breath warm against his face, bringing up an old grievance.
"The other… the other day… why didn't you admit… you were Sword Wine?"
"Was it… because you liked hearing us praise you… made you feel real good… hmm?"
Li Zhexian pointed at her nose.
"Heh, you… guessed it right."
At that, Huo Wu tightened her arm fiercely around his neck.
"You… Sword Wine!"
"Today… we're putting you down for sure!"
"Dugu… Lingling… let's get him together!"
Just then, the door to the private room was silently pushed open.
Xue Qinghe stepped into the room, which was a mess and filled with the smell of alcohol.
The first thing she saw was Li Zhexian surrounded by Huo Wu, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling, three women of different styles but all stunningly beautiful.
They were laughing and drinking together.
Xue Qinghe's slender hands in his sleeves clenched.
The hint of hesitation that had lingered in his heart after Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo's advice vanished the moment he saw this scene.
A sense of urgency that was hard to describe surged in his heart.
She, too, was quite beautiful...
This thought flashed through his mind.
Just then—
As if sensing her, Li Zhexian turned his bleary gaze toward her, raised his wine bowl, and grinned with dazzling brightness:
"Qinghe! You finally came! Come on—come on!"
Xue Qinghe pushed aside her thoughts, smiling as she stepped forward.
"I'm here."