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The moment Feng Xiao stepped out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's mountain gate, his figure instantly transformed into a streak of light. Under the blazing sun, his dark robes fluttered in the wind, tracing a sharp trajectory against the clear blue sky. Tapping his toes lightly on the glazed tiles, he covered several miles in a few leaps, speeding towards Heaven Dou City.
The trees along the way blurred past him, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his body. The Fuxi Zither in his arms vibrated slightly with his speed, its strings emitting clear, ringing sounds in the wind. The blood-red hundred-thousand-year spirit ring shone brightly under the scorching sun, startling countless birds in the forest as he passed.
Feng Xiao's figure swept past Heaven Dou City's towering walls like a phantom. The guards at the gate only felt a gentle breeze, and when they looked up, he was already gone without a trace. He flew along the eaves, passing through the bustling streets in a few bounds, finally landing steadily on the glazed tiles outside the East Palace. The clamor of Heaven Dou City's market gradually faded beneath his feet. Feng Xiao straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, his gaze fixed on the magnificent Crown Prince's palace nearby.
Feng Xiao's figure was as swift as lightning. He skillfully used the cover of trees and buildings to completely conceal his aura, shaking off the sight of all hidden sentries in a few twists and turns.
Before long, a dark shadow swept over the palace wall. Feng Xiao lightly tapped his toes on the glazed tiles, using the momentum to flip into the East Palace courtyard. His clothes didn't stir any dust upon landing, as light and silent as a falling leaf. He looked up towards the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Qian Renxue was in the study, reviewing memorials. Sunlight filtered through the carved window, casting dappled light on her desk. Suddenly, the palace door was pushed open by a gentle breeze, and Feng Xiao's figure hurried in, carrying the fresh scent of morning dew.
"Little Feng?" The vermilion brush in her hand blurred a spot of crimson on the memorial. When she looked up, a hint of surprise flashed in her golden eyes. After knowing him for many years, this was the first time she had seen the usually composed Feng Xiao in such a hurry.
Feng Xiao's clothes still carried the scent of pine from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but his brows were furrowed with an unshakeable seriousness: "Xue'er, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School... has already detected clues about the Star Dou trip."
She Long and Ci Xue silently appeared from behind a corridor pillar. The two exchanged glances, then tacitly bowed and withdrew. With the soft click of the closing palace door, the incense smoke on the desk trembled slightly.
Qian Renxue's expression changed dramatically upon hearing this, her gaze suddenly becoming extremely serious: "What exactly happened?"
Feng Xiao flicked his sleeve and sat down, recounting in detail his confrontation with Ning Fengzhi and the other two in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. When he spoke of Ning Fengzhi discovering the clues, his fingertips lightly tapped the desk, making a crisp sound.
"I didn't expect Ning Fengzhi, that old fox, to have such a keen sense of smell." Feng Xiao shook his head with a light chuckle, a hint of playfulness in his eyes, "However... this happens to be exactly what the Supreme Pontiff desires."
"You still have the heart to joke?" Qian Renxue glared at him in annoyance, unable to hide the hint of exasperation in her brows, "It's come to this, and you're still speaking up for her."
Feng Xiao casually toyed with the gilded paperweight on the desk, a faint smile on his lips: "After all, stealing the spirit ring and Spirit Bone that the Supreme Pontiff had her eye on, some price must be paid." He looked up at Qian Renxue, a hint of cunning in his eyes, "But what's worth celebrating is that, judging from Ning Fengzhi's reaction, Xue'er's disguise is flawless."
"No wonder you rushed here so quickly." Qian Renxue gently patted her chest. Only then did she understand that Feng Xiao's uncharacteristic concealment of his whereabouts was to avoid any ears and eyes that might expose her identity.
Outside the window, a gentle breeze swept through the crabapple tree in the courtyard, scattering pink and white petals. Feng Xiao reached out to catch a petal that floated into the window, gently crushing it between his fingers: "This play is getting more and more interesting."
Feng Xiao leaned lazily against the carved chair back, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest: "Xue'er, what do you think... should I demand from that old fox?"
Qian Renxue gave him a sidelong glance, her arm leaving a faint mark on the memorial: "Aren't you planning to let Ning Fengzhi negotiate with her directly?"
"That old fox really saw through my thoughts." Feng Xiao chuckled lightly, sunlight dancing between his brows, "Although he doesn't know our relationship, he clearly understands that if this matter goes through me..." He paused meaningfully, "Given the Supreme Pontiff's temper, if she were to truly face Ning Fengzhi..."
Before he could finish, Qian Renxue had already shot him a sharp look. The green smoke from the incense on the desk suddenly swirled—clearly, someone was planning to use the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as a 'pledge of allegiance' to curry favor with his 'mother-in-law.'
Qian Renxue heavily placed the vermilion brush on the inkstone, splashing a few drops of crimson ink. She turned her face away, her golden eyes gleaming with a cold light in the sun: "Since you already have a plan, why bother asking me?"
For some reason, whenever Bibi Dong interfered with her affairs, a strange sense of resistance would always well up in her heart. Even though logic told her that these arrangements were beneficial to Feng Xiao, and even... might not be a bad thing for herself.
Seeing this, Feng Xiao's figure blurred and he moved close to Qian Renxue's side. His long arm gently wrapped around her slender waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, his warm breath subtly brushing against the delicate skin of her neck.
"What's wrong?" His low voice held a hint of laughter, his lips almost touching her faintly flushed earlobe, "My Xue'er... is unhappy?"
Qian Renxue felt a tingle in her neck, and her pretty face instantly flushed red. She lightly bit her lower lip, pouting as she rested her forehead on Feng Xiao's shoulder, yet unable to hide the slight upturn of her lips.
"You only know how to use these crooked methods..." Her voice gradually faded, but her fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip on Feng Xiao's sleeve. Sunlight filtered through the window, bathing the embracing couple in a gentle golden glow.
Feng Xiao chuckled softly, the vibration in his chest transmitting through their touching bodies. His fingertips gently lifted Qian Renxue's chin, and he looked into her shimmering golden eyes: "How can this be considered crooked methods?" In the intertwining of their warm breaths, he deliberately lowered his voice: "It's clearly uncontrollable passion."
"Smooth talker..." Qian Renxue lightly spat, but a hint of sweetness leaked from her shifting gaze. She made to push him away, but Feng Xiao took the opportunity to steal a kiss on her palm. Startled sparrows outside the window fluttered past, much like her now irregular heartbeat.
Feng Xiao slowly released his embrace, but his hands still gently held Qian Renxue's shoulders. He stepped back half a pace, creating just the right distance between them, allowing their eyes to meet.
Daylight filtered through the carved window, scattering tiny specks of light between them. Feng Xiao gazed at Qian Renxue's golden eyes, which shone like morning stars, his expression more serious than ever: "Xue'er, have you ever considered..." His fingertips gently brushed the golden hair that fell over her shoulder, "Why has the faith of the Angels gradually declined over time?"
Qian Renxue's pupils trembled slightly, and a puzzled expression appeared on her face. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Feng Xiao's sleeve, but saw that his eyes seemed to hold countless stars, concealing profound meaning.
Feng Xiao cupped Qian Renxue's face in his hands, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. Sunlight filtered through the window screen, casting tiny halos on her golden eyelashes.
"Because..." His voice was gentle and firm, "Successive Angel inheritors have failed to truly learn to 'love others' like your ancestors did." His fingertips slid down, taking her slightly cool soft hand, "Your love, for now, is only given to me and Grandpa Qian. But to restore the glory of the Angels..."
He guided her hand to his chest, letting her feel his strong heartbeat: "You need to make everyone on this continent feel the warmth of the Angels." His gaze burned into her eyes, "With your talent, surpassing your ancestors... is only a matter of time."
The confusion in Qian Renxue's eyes gradually turned into bewilderment, her golden eyes misting over. She lowered her head, looking at their clasped hands, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Little Feng... am I useless? You now... have far surpassed me..."
Feng Xiao gently pulled Qian Renxue into his embrace, his long fingers running through her cascading golden hair, gently stroking her back. He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her hair, his voice like the gentlest breeze of spring: "Xue'er, do you remember a few years ago? Did you ever think then..." His fingertips gently traced the outline of her cheek, "That one day you would set aside your pride for me, even tolerating Yan Yan and Ling Ling?"
The delicate body in his arms trembled slightly, and Feng Xiao tightened his embrace: "You have never lost the ability to love, it's just that..." His voice deepened, "The shackles of hatred, the burden of power, the fog of desire—these have wrapped your heart in layers."
Qian Renxue looked up, her pretty face glowing faintly in the sunlight, yet unable to hide the confusion flickering in her eyes: "Little Feng..." Her voice was a soft whisper, "What exactly is love?"
Feng Xiao's gaze was gentle and firm: "Xue'er, for me..." His voice flowed like a clear spring, "I allow you to be the gentlest critic in my life, the closest accomplice, the most resilient companion."
Sunlight danced in his deep-set eyes through the carved window: "And I..." He took her hand and placed it on his chest, "am willing to enter your World in the same way."
Qian Renxue's pupils trembled slightly, these words piercing through the wall she had built around her heart like sharp arrows. If anyone else dared to criticize her, they would have long been reduced to dust; if they dared to conspire with her, it would be a fool's dream. In this World, who was worthy of standing beside her?
But at this moment, the person before her had done it, pointing out her mistakes, planning everything together, and walking hand in hand with him...
Her vermilion lips parted, but no sound came out. She could only rest her forehead on his shoulder, quietly calming her emotions.
After a long while, Qian Renxue secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her face regaining its usual composure. She leaned back slightly, pulling a little distance from Feng Xiao, a hint of cunning glinting in her golden eyes.
"So, you're saying..." Her fingertips lightly tapped Feng Xiao's chest, her red lips curving into a playful arc, "You have quite a few 'companions,' don't you?"
Feng Xiao chuckled softly, taking her mischievous fingers and kissing her palm: "But someone who can conspire with me..." He looked into her eyes, his voice deep and certain, "There's only you."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's pretty face bloomed like spring flowers in March, and a cunning light danced in her golden eyes: "Then... my dear accomplice, how do you need me to cooperate with you..." She lightly tapped her vermilion lips, "To deal with that old fox, Ning Fengzhi?"
Feng Xiao took her soft hand, placing a light kiss on her fingertips: "Why scheme?" A wise light flashed in his eyes, "Just wait for the right time, and that old fox will find a way to curry favor. During this time..." He paused meaningfully, "Xue'er can prepare for your succession. When he comes looking for you, you only need to..."
"I understand." Qian Renxue suddenly pulled her hand back, a hint of mischievousness flashing in her golden eyes, "Since that's the case..." She elegantly turned, her skirt swirling in a graceful arc in the sunlight, "During this period, you should visit the East Palace less..." She looked back with a smile that captivated, "How about spending more time with your confidantes?"
Feng Xiao gave a soft "tsk," his eyes full of amusement as he surveyed Qian Renxue: "Xue'er, it seems you're already beginning to embody the warm and radiant image of an Angel." He deliberately drew out his words, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
Qian Renxue's golden eyes narrowed slightly, her delicate brows arching on her pretty face: "You talk to me about these things all day..." She slowly approached, her fingertips lightly tapping Feng Xiao's chest, "Don't tell me..." Her voice suddenly turned cold, "It's just to make me accept your confidantes?"
Feng Xiao took her soft hand, the smile in his eyes deepening: "If I said yes..." He suddenly lowered his voice, "What would Xue'er do?"
Golden light flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes. She gave a soft hum, but didn't pull her hand away, only turning her face: "Smooth talker..."
Feng Xiao chuckled, shaking his head, his fingertips brushing Qian Renxue's falling golden hair: "Grandpa Qian entrusted me with an important mission." A deep light flashed in his eyes, "As for what I said... one day, you will understand its profound meaning."
"One day?" Qian Renxue frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a probing light, as if trying to see through the mystery in his words.
Feng Xiao, however, had already taken a step back, winking at her slyly: "I'll take my leave now. Remember what I said." Before his words finished, his figure had already drifted towards the palace door like a gentle breeze.
"I know!" Qian Renxue drew out her words, but a smile unconsciously played on her lips. She casually picked up the memorial on the desk, but her fingertips paused slightly the moment Feng Xiao's figure disappeared.
Qian Renxue gazed in the direction Feng Xiao had left. Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the golden seal on the desk, her thoughts swirling: "Grandpa's arrangement... could Little Feng's words be related to the Angelic inheritance?"
A gentle breeze swept in through the window, stirring a few strands of golden hair on her shoulder. The light and shadow filtering through the leaves danced on her delicate profile. Qian Renxue gently pressed down on the documents that were being blown by the wind, and suddenly remembered the profound light in Feng Xiao's eyes when he said, "One day, you will understand."
As soon as Feng Xiao stepped out of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace and returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he saw a familiar figure in the distance.
Ning Rongrong, dressed in a light green long dress, was standing on the stone steps in front of the academy gate, seemingly waiting for someone. Sunlight filtered through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows on her. Her delicate face held a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.