Half an hour.
That's all it took for Subei and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to become strangely close.
They had spoken of the Tiandou Empire's fragile balance, of the Martial Spirit Hall's growing power, of distant strategies and vague alliances. What began with polite introductions quickly turned into teasing jabs, warm laughter, and even a few moments so close that Qinghe couldn't stop the faint blush coloring his cheeks.
From cautious distance to intimate banter… from stiff tea sips to heartbeats racing.
And now, time pressed forward relentlessly.
Xue Qinghe glanced toward the sun, his tone reluctant. "Imperial Brother… at first I only thought you were remarkable for your looks. But I never imagined you'd also have such insight. You leave me… impressed."
He exhaled softly, regret brimming in his gaze. "But good things never last. I cannot tarry. The investiture ceremony calls me."
His golden eyes flickered with something unspoken. "Why don't you stay here tonight, Brother Yu? Keep me company."
"Stay the night?"
Subei's fingers trembled slightly against his teacup. If he didn't return, Xiao Wu would be half-mad with worry back at Lake Island. Yet…
For her future—for this strange, inevitable bond beginning to knot itself between them—shouldn't he stay?
He tilted his head, feigning casual curiosity. "If I stayed… would I get to sleep in the prince's bed?"
His innocent eyes made the words sound harmless, a child's whim. But beneath, Subei's slyness flashed.
Xue Qinghe's chest tightened. "Sleep… in my bed?"
Her lips parted, almost saying yes—yet her disguise screamed danger. If Subei slept too near, if by some accident in the night her secret as a woman was exposed… this entire façade would shatter.
Reason quickly overtook her longing. She forced herself to smile calmly. "If you decide to remain, then my bed is yours. You are my Imperial Brother. There's no need for formality."
But what she did not say was clear. She could not risk sharing the bed.
Behind his serene face, Subei checked the Goddess System's task log.
[Side Quest: Spend one night in Qian Renxue's bed.]
He nearly spat out his tea. Figures. Of course they'd set a trap like this.
"Forget it," he sighed. "I was just joking. If word spread of me sharing the Crown Prince's bed… it would only cause trouble."
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, relief hidden behind his lashes. Still, she drew a golden token from her robes and pressed it into his palm.
"Then take this instead. With this pass, you may enter the Imperial Palace freely—any hall save for the Inner Harem. Wherever you wish to go, no one will stop you."
Majesty returned to her aura, iron under silk.
Her guards bowed instantly when she called them to escort Subei.
"This boy is my most honored guest. Safely return him to President Liu's side. If there is even one misstep—your lives will pay for it."
The soldiers trembled under the weight of her words.
When she turned back to Subei, though, her smile was luminous once more. "Imperial Brother… I'll visit Lanba Academy often. When I'm free, expect me."
Subei tucked the token away, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief. "It's a deal. But don't think you'll get away with skipping out."
She laughed softly.
—
Later that morning, in the great Royal Hall, the ceremony began.
Subei had wanted to sneak about the palace, perhaps "check-in" with new goddesses hidden among the noble entourage. But both Xue Qinghe and Liu Erlong feared too many eyes might fall upon him. For now, it was best to stay low-profile.
Thus, he donned a mask to conceal his breathtaking face—lest it steal the spotlight, disrupt the coronation, and bring unwanted storms upon Xue Qinghe's rise.
People are too handsome… they bear too much.
He stifled a laugh at the thought.
Yet as he scanned the rows of seats, he almost choked on his drink.
Yu Yuanzhen, patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—the man who had loudly declared his disdain for this "royal charade"—was here after all.
The Super Douluo sat stiff and grim-faced, but his eyes occasionally flicked sideways toward… Subei.
Each glance prickled his skin with goosebumps.
Please no… He's not some old pervert, is he? A top-ranked battle freak like him, looking at me like that—Heavens, the thought alone is terrifying!
Trying to shake that image out of his head, Subei instead sought out the figure he had half-hoped to see—the one crowned Pope of the Spirit Hall. But Bibi Dong had not come. Another pang of half-disappointment, half-relief passed through him.
Seated gracefully beside him, Liu Erlong leaned in, her crimson hair brushing his cheek. "What did you say to Xue Qinghe?" she whispered suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing important," Subei said lightly, waving a hand. "Just when the Tiandou Empire will destroy Xingluo and unite the continent. Not worth mentioning."
He poured wine into his cup and took a sip, grimacing slightly. Douluo's liquor lacked the bite of Earth's Jiang Xiaobai. Nostalgia tugged at him. He remembered pouring his last bottle out for the Titan Giant Ape. Drunk, that colossal beast had rampaged through the forest, an unstoppable juggernaut. Even Emperor Tian himself might have thought twice that night.
"Nonsense." Erlong flicked a finger against his forehead. "The Crown Prince wouldn't discuss matters beyond your age."
"Why not?" Subei rubbed his forehead with mock indignation. "I know plenty—astronomy, geography, national affairs. Just because I'm seven doesn't mean I'm stupid."
"You rascal." Erlong smirked, though her gaze was warm.
He puffed his chest proudly. "You can doubt my beauty, Godmother, but you can't question my late father's wisdom. He was unrivaled—Douluo's own Baixiaosheng of knowledge!"
"Baixiaosheng?" Erlong's brows rose. She had never heard the name.
"That's right. My father, Su Xiaosheng."
The boy's expression was solemn, but her instincts told her it was fabricated nonsense. She said nothing. Instead, she let it go, shaking her head fondly. This little ghost can lie with a straight face…
At that moment, the solemn voice of the chief eunuch filled the hall, echoing with gravity.
"By the Mandate of Heaven! Since the dawn of history the Empire has required a Crown Prince, to steady the foundation of the realm and bear its destiny. Today, under Heaven's blessing, His Majesty declares: Xue Qinghe, born of noble virtue, talent rare and supreme, shall ascend as Heir to the throne!"
The long decree droned with great pomp, praising ancestors, thanking Heaven and earth, extolling Emperors past. The words tumbled like a mighty scroll of destiny.
Finally, the climax rang:
"From this day, the Great Prince Xue Qinghe is established Crown Prince of the Tiandou Empire, ruler of the East Palace, bearer of Ten Provinces and Four Armies!"
The chamber thundered with ritual bows.
Rows of officials prostrated themselves, foreheads to the marble floor. Only the high-seated patriarchs of great sects merely inclined their heads in half-respect, too lofty for full obeisance.
Behind the curtains, Xue Qinghe emerged, clad in resplendent robes of gold. His crown caught light like a blazing torch, his youth distributed into majestic air. Every eye was forced to acknowledge his presence.
The Crown Prince now stood in glory.
But just as the eunuchs moved to present the Imperial Seal, an abrupt shout split the ceremony—
"Wait a moment!"
The booming voice carried across the marble hall, shaking the grand procession to its core.
Whispers rippled. The seal ceremony halted mid-breath.
And every gaze turned toward the few figures daring to step forth against the tide.
--
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