The steps leading up to the waiting chamber were carved from rare golden sandalwood. Each tread was so soft that not a sound echoed when stepped upon, muffling all footfalls as though the very palace itself demanded silence.
Rare treasures lined the hall above—ancient porcelain glimmered like crystal, meticulously groomed rare blooms filled the air with fragrance, and elegant zithers and guqin stood polished, as though poised to sing at a moment's notice.
Before an ornate dragon-shaped mirror, a golden-haired youth sat upright. He wore the ceremonial garb of Tiandou's crown prince, the jade crown atop his head gleaming faintly in the candlelight. At only sixteen or seventeen, his bearing was already cultivated, his gaze calm and deep as still water.
Maids fluttered delicately around him, adjusting folds of silk, straightening his sleeves, ensuring every detail was flawless for the grand investiture awaiting him. Yet in the reflection of the mirror, something new appeared—a child, beautiful almost beyond belief, standing at the chamber's entrance.
The prince's golden eyes lingered, caught. And in that same moment, the child's clear, bright gaze met his through the dragon mirror.
The two stared, through mirrored glass, through silence—an unseen spark exchanged.
One breath… two breaths… three.
Finally, the crown prince lifted his hand and lightly waved. His voice was tranquil, yet carried undeniable authority.
"You may leave us."
The maids bowed dutifully before retreating with soft steps. Still, not one of them could resist stealing a glance back.
Who is that child? To meet His Highness personally, right before the most important ceremony of his life…
And so beautiful… too beautiful. Could it be—His Highness actually has such a… preference?
Their whispered thoughts drifted away as the door closed firmly behind them.
Only two remained.
The youth before the mirror—Tiandou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. And the seven-year-old peerless child—Subei.
—
"Little brother," Xue Qinghe said warmly, turning to fully face him at last. His lips curved in a smile that lingered, as though savoring a long-awaited flavor. "How striking you look."
It was the first greeting, yet it carried the weight of countless rehearsals.
At that same moment, a voice surged within Subei's mind.
[System prompt: Target identified – Qian Renxue (disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe). Daughter of Bibi Dong, Saintess of the Spirit Hall, heir of angelic lineage. Strategy initialization…]
[Starting favorability: 20.]
[Available Rewards: Choose one A-level boon]
① Angel Wing External Soul Bone
② 50% Affinity with Angel God
③ Celestial Aura Bonus – enhanced holy temperament
[Executable tasks: Aid Qian Renxue in securing the crown prince position. Aid Qian Renxue in the imperial succession.]
Subei's lips curved inwardly. So… it really is you, Xue'er baby.
His choice came swiftly.
Option two? Worthless. Why cling to some underwhelming Angel God's affinity? Option three? Ha. My charm is already a burden. More beauty, more trouble. I'll be hunted by the entire continent at this rate.
No. Option one—the angel's external soul bone. That's the edge I'll need.
The decision locked in.
A searing heat shot up Subei's back, spreading into his arms, like molten flame carving wings of light into his bones. He clenched his jaw against the tearing sensation until it softened, turning into a strange warm pulse, as if something divine had nested itself into his being.
[Angel Wing Soul Bone Embedded Successfully. Current manifestation – two-winged angel. Evolves with soul power.]
A silent grin tugged at his lips. At only level 15, yet empowered with such an external soul bone, his combat prowess now rivaled high-level great soul masters. At seven years old. Unthinkable.
From across, Xue Qinghe tilted his head slightly, curious. "What's the matter, little brother? You suddenly looked as though in pain."
"It's nothing." Subei smiled mischievously, leaning closer, inhaling softly. "I just realized… Your Highness smells very fragrant."
"…Fragrant?" The prince's brows rose. "Perhaps because of the incense baths lately."
"No, no." Subei shook his head and laughed innocently. "Not incense. More like… the natural fragrance of a girl's body."
Silence. For a rare instant, the unshakable Crown Prince was caught off guard, golden eyes flickering.
Had it been the Emperor himself who dared utter such a thing, or some foolish minister, Xue Qinghe would have drawn her dagger then and there. But from a child's lips—tong yan wu ji, innocence free from reproach—it only made her lips curl in an unexpected smile.
Her laugh was soft, like frost melting in the sun. "You truly have a strange tongue, little one. But no. I am your Imperial Brother, not a sister."
"Why?" Subei folded his arms, eyes blazing with mock-seriousness. "Are you saying girls can't be Crown Princes? What's so wrong with that? Girls are cute. I won't accept this discrimination!"
He balled his little fists dramatically and gave an exaggerated punch in protest.
Xue Qinghe blinked—and then burst out laughing. Genuine laughter, warm and unfeigned, spilled into the air. How long had it been since she had laughed this freely in her disguise?
"Yes… you're right," she conceded, still smiling, her eyes brighter. "It's only the rotten chains of tradition. Were it possible, things might indeed be different."
Inwardly, Qian Renxue's heart clenched. If she were free, she wouldn't spend half her life hidden under this suffocating mask. If women truly could rule openly, she would not need to fear every small detail giving her secret away.
But that dream was too fragile to admit aloud.
"Come." She led him toward a low tea table set with warm cups of ginseng tea. Her voice was soft, coaxing. "They say your name is Subei. The boy cherished by Liu Erlong, the President of Lanba Academy. Is that so?"
"Yes."
Xue Qinghe's gaze glimmered. "Then let's be closer. How about… you call me Imperial Brother from now on? I like you very much."
Her heart almost whispered otherwise. Not brother. Sister. A sister desperate for you to see the real me. But she bound the thought back, smile unbroken.
Subei's brows arched. Again with this "dry" kinship stuff… godmother, godbrother, imperial brother. Always these titles. What's next?
"So… what exactly do I gain from being your brother, hmm?" he teased slyly.
Xue Qinghe rose, approaching the great window overlooking Tiandou Palace itself. He stood tall, his white-gold robes glinting like a halo as he declared with cool pride:
"No one below the Emperor may touch you if you are mine. Should anyone dare, you need only tell me—and I will make the entire court bow."
The confidence was intoxicating, her aura that of a true heir apparent.
Subei's eyes softened. Behind this bold declaration, he remembered who she truly was—a saintess cloaked in a boy's facade. A peerless soul master born with divine angelic martial spirit, her true strength suppressed so as not to expose herself.
And in this moment, watching her framed by sunlight, his lips curved.
"Imperial Brother, you're so handsome."
Before she could even react, Subei darted forward and threw himself into her arms.
Because of his small height, his face pressed just below her waist—three inches lower than her abdomen.
All at once, a faint forest-sweet fragrance enveloped him.
Qian Renxue's heart jolted. Heat rushed up her cheeks, hidden beneath her masculine illusion. Her limbs stiffened—this was the first time she had ever been held so closely by someone of the opposite sex. The first time someone had touched her, without artifice, without guard.
Her arms fluttered upward involuntarily, one pale hand brushing against his soft hair, falling awkwardly… to her thigh. A guilty, trembling stroke.
Her pulse quickened, panic clashing with desire. "L-Little brother… d-don't…"
"Not little brother." Subei's muffled voice came with mischievous warmth. "Call me Imperial Brother. That sounds much better."
—