Three days later, a thunderous royal carriage arrived outside the quiet forest that concealed Lake Island.
Inside the fairy-tale house, Xiao Wu pouted miserably, her pink lips drawn into a sulky curve. She tugged at Subei's sleeve, her bright rabbit eyes glistening.
"Brother, I want to go too. Do you really have the heart to leave me here alone?"
Subei squeezed her small hand, voice soft but steady. "Don't worry, Xiao Wu. We'll be back before nightfall. Who knows, maybe we'll even get to have dinner together."
Liu Erlong reached out and stroked Xiao Wu's silky hair, speaking gently. "Yes, listen to your brother. We won't be long. And if things go well—if I establish proper ties with the crown prince—then no one in the Tiandou Empire will ever dare bully you again."
Xiao Wu blinked, comforted, while Subei chuckled. "That's right. If I befriend the Crown Prince, who would dare trouble Xiao Wu?"
Erlong snorted lightly. "Don't let your imagination run wild. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is sixteen, nearly seventeen. He's calm, cautious, and deeply embedded in imperial politics. He won't waste his time conversing with a seven-year-old child."
Yet beneath her stern tone, unease lingered.
As they boarded the carriage and made for Tiandou Palace, Erlong drew Subei close and spoke in a low, urgent voice. Her words were half instructions, half warnings.
"Xiaobei, listen carefully. Within the Tiandou royal family, several princes have died under suspicious circumstances. Most believe Xue Qinghe orchestrated their ends, but no one has ever found proof. Regardless, the survivor benefits most, does he not? That alone makes people wary. Do not get too close to him."
She paused, her voice heavy with maternal weight.
"Your talent is frightening. Born with full soul power, wielding a unique martial spirit… of course Xue Qinghe will covet you. He'll try to win you over. But the palace is a whirlpool of schemes. You're clever, yes, but you're still so young. You must not underestimate them."
She drew in a breath, her eyes flashing crimson steel. "But if you want no part of such struggles, then don't be afraid. You have your godmother here. You have the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as your shield. You don't need to bend to their so-called royal power."
For a moment, Subei was quiet. Then he smiled faintly, touched by the fire in her words. "I understand, godmother."
In truth, though, his heart leapt with anticipation. Where Liu Erlong saw danger, he saw something else—opportunity, perhaps even destiny.
Xue'er… little snow treasure. If I didn't go to you, you'd have come for me anyway. And now, here you are. Delivered right to me.
Through the gilded gates of Tiandou Palace, they were ushered forward. The procession carried them along sweeping avenues lined with stately statues and monumental stone lions. Rows of royal guards saluted, their armor gleaming beneath the early sun.
At a side chamber, attendants presented Erlong with a carved ivory placard that marked her seat for the coronation.
"The imperial ceremony begins at noon, Headmaster Liu. We recommend you rest in the guest hall until then."
The attendant's gaze then slid toward Subei, pausing in open admiration. His tone carried a mix of awe and envy.
"His Highness has been eager to meet this young lord. Before the ceremony begins, might the little master accompany me to the prince's waiting chamber?"
"No." Liu Erlong's refusal cut sharp, before Subei could open his mouth. Her crimson eyes glared cold enough to freeze steel.
The attendant stiffened, caught off guard. "This… Headmaster Liu…"
Subei tilted his head, his lips curving in a smile as gentle as spring sunshine. "It's fine, godmother. I'll be alright. I want to see him."
That smile staggered the attendant. For a fleeting moment, staring at the boy's radiance, he almost forgot his duty. If I didn't know he was under both Erlong's protection and the crown prince's favor, I'd be tempted to steal him away myself, he thought deliriously.
Erlong's breath quickened, her grip on Subei's shoulder tightening. "You silly boy… Do you really think I'm worried Xue Qinghe will harm you?"
She shook her head, her face betraying rare fragility. "No. With looks like yours, the true danger is the opposite—that everyone will want to hold onto you. Too many eyes are already on you. Too many would try to snatch you away."
She whispered the words like a confession. "I nearly lost you once in Notting. I won't ever risk losing you again."
Her possessiveness sharpened in her gaze, stronger than any motherly love she had ever felt in her life. Not even with Yu Xiaogang had she ever cared so desperately. But for Subei… she could never be generous. He was hers.
Subei gave her hand a squeeze, his tone teasing yet steady. "Hey… don't worry, godmother. I can't hide under your wing forever. One day, I'll grow up. If you tie me down too much now, people will laugh and call me a mama's boy."
"Ma… Baonan?" Erlong furrowed her brows. She clearly didn't understand the phrase.
Subei chuckled lightly. "Never mind. Just… trust me. Going to the crown prince now is better. If the Pope from the Spirit Hall also shows up at today's ceremony, and notices me… Well, I'd rather Xue Qinghe look first than her."
Erlong clenched her fists. She knew he was right. His beauty, his aura—it would be impossible to hide forever. If the Spirit Hall discovered him by chance, the consequences would be far worse.
Her reluctant sigh gave way to a resigned nod. "Fine. Go to him. But you must come back straightaway. Xiaobei, I beg you—protect yourself."
Subei smiled, soft but certain. "I will."
He was led down a golden corridor, where blazing chandeliers framed a floor patterned with dragons and clouds. Towering pillars carved with twisting serpents seemed alive with motion. Guards in ornate armor patrolled relentlessly, their soul power faintly pulsing through the air.
From the balconies above, soul masters of the agility department soared lightly, stringing golden curtains across the towering beams of the palace. Their movements were silent and swift, like cranes crossing a snowfield.
Elsewhere, burly palace laborers carried massive dragon—headed sculptures into their ceremonial placements, sweat glistening on their bronzed skin.
Long tables of silver goblets and crystalline platters had been laid out, rich with steaming delicacies of rare soul beasts—each dish exuding scents so intoxicating that one might mistake the feast for an ambrosia higher than heaven.
Maidens in flowing dresses glided gracefully in rows, silver cuffs rattling as they poured fragrant teas and wines. Their skirts of pale silk shimmered as they moved.
Everywhere the eye fell, luxury pressed down like a golden weight.
And yet, beneath the glittering veneer, Subei's young lips curved in irony. No wonder the Spirit Hall thrives among the people, while the Tiandou imperial court weakens. So much extravagance, while the people toil. How fragile power built on glitter truly is.
They descended hallway after hallway, the heavy atmosphere tugging at Subei like an invisible tide. Every guard's eyes flickered with curiosity when they passed the radiant boy, whispers trailing in his wake.
Finally, the usher halted before towering golden doors carved with phoenixes and dragons entwined.
"Little Lord." The attendant bowed deeply, his voice reverent. "Here we must part ways. Beyond these doors lies His Highness' waiting palace. None may enter without his command. Even I dare not step further."
He straightened, lips curling into a nervous smile. "Please… do not let His Highness wait too long."
The massive doors loomed before Subei, their gilded frames glowing faintly under the streaking shafts of dawn light.
He inhaled slowly, steadying his spirit.
Behind those doors waited not Xue Qinghe… but the one he knew better than anyone.
Qian Renxue.
With an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips, Subei pushed the doors open and stepped inside.