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Before long, a familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
Qian Renxue had shed her disguise as "Xue Qinghe"; a plain white gown trailed on the floor, and her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.
She pushed open the carved hall door and saw Feng Xiao leaning lazily on the soft couch, showing no surprise.
"I knew you'd be waiting here," she said, a faint smile on her lips, as she casually tossed the jade pendant from her waist onto the table, producing a crisp sound.
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on her exquisite face.
Feng Xiao looked up and saw the lingering fatigue on her brow from dealing with Ning Fengzhi.
He couldn't help but reach out and pour her a cup of hot tea: "How did your talk with that old fox go?"
Qian Renxue took the teacup, her fingertips brushing against his by accident.
The warm mist rose, blurring the fleeting sharpness in her eyes: "That old fox certainly won't be so honest."
Feng Xiao looked at Qian Renxue's slightly weary expression, a knowing smile appearing on his lips: "It seems that old fox finally couldn't hold back?"
His slender fingers gently tapped the table, making a rhythmic light sound.
She stretched her graceful body and naturally settled into Feng Xiao's embrace, her golden hair cascading down like flowing water.
"Mhm," she leaned lazily against Feng Xiao's shoulder, her fingertips twirling a strand of his hair, "Ning Fengzhi invited me to personally visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School tomorrow."
At this, she suddenly sneered, "He hopes the Heaven Dou Empire can secretly support Tang San, saying something about 'when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.'"
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao's eyes gleamed.
He gently stroked Qian Renxue's long hair: "What a brilliant scheme of getting something for nothing.
This old fox certainly plays his cards well—he can maintain neutrality in front of His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff, and he can also extract Hidden Weapons blueprints from Tang San."
He chuckled softly, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery, "On the surface, it truly seems like a beautiful arrangement where all three parties benefit."
Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her gilded eyelashes casting fragmented shadows in the candlelight: "He promised that Tang San's Hidden Weapons, once mass-produced, would be prioritized for the Empire's elite."
Her red lips curved into a cold smile, "To gain his trust, I naturally had to feign delight and agree."
Feng Xiao's eyes flickered: "Since Ning Fengzhi wants to be this middleman, we might as well turn his scheme against him."
His voice was deep and magnetic, "You can demand to obtain the complete Hidden Weapons blueprints and manufacturing process, citing Empire military secrets, but absolutely no external sales."
Qian Renxue turned her head slightly, her gilded long hair slipping from her shoulder, shimmering beautifully in the candlelight: "But for special weapons like Hidden Weapons, only major powers like the Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School need large quantities for equipment."
Her fingertips lightly tapped the table, "If he loses these two major buyers, what's the point of Tang San manufacturing Hidden Weapons, no matter how exquisite they are?"
"Will he really agree to such terms?"
Feng Xiao chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck her golden hair behind her ear: "He will definitely agree."
His fingertips accidentally brushed her jade-like earlobe, "I can see the ambition in that boy's eyes—what he wants is more than just monetary gain; for a genius like him, the significance of achievement far outweighs money."
"In Heaven Dou City, without your approval as the Crown Prince, and without the channels of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..." Feng Xiao's voice grew colder, "His Hidden Weapons, no matter how good, won't make any waves.
Someone as intelligent as Tang Yuehua and Tang San wouldn't fail to understand this principle."
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled, and she suddenly broke into a smile: "So he can only choose to cooperate with us, even if..." She paused meaningfully, "he has to pay with some core technology as the price."
"This way, the hall can also receive this unexpected pleasant surprise," Feng Xiao continued, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
Qian Renxue nodded gently, her fingertips caressing the rim of the teacup, and continued: "However, what surprised me is that Ning Fengzhi specifically instructed me to bring you along tomorrow."
Feng Xiao's expression paused upon hearing this, then he chuckled and shook his head: "This old fox certainly plays his cards well."
A hint of playfulness flashed in his eyes, "He's trying to use me as a target."
"A target?" Qian Renxue frowned slightly, her gilded eyelashes casting fragmented shadows in the candlelight.
Feng Xiao unhurriedly explained: "Ning Fengzhi is using me to drive down the price; this isn't a fair trade.
Since he wants to use your power to support Tang San, there naturally needs to be a suitable person to suppress him."
His fingertips lightly tapped the table, "Even better, this move will also make Tang San direct all his resentment towards us, while Ning Fengzhi himself becomes the good guy mediating."
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened, then she realized: "So that's it... He wants us to play the villain and himself the hero."
Her red lips pursed slightly, revealing a cold smile.
Feng Xiao reached out and smoothed her furrowed brow, saying warmly: "It's fine.
Since he wants to put on this show, we'll humor him."
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile, "After all... the ultimate winner will definitely be us."
Feng Xiao's eyebrows raised slightly, a mischievous smile flashing in his eyes.
He leaned in close to Qian Renxue's ear, his warm breath caressing her sensitive earlobe: "Xue'er, should we skip cultivation tonight?"
Qian Renxue's gilded eyes immediately brightened, and a charmingly spoiled curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
She grabbed Feng Xiao's collar and pulled him closer: "Of course you have to compensate me."
Her red lips almost touched his chin, "You had dinner with those two little beauties tonight, you know."
Feng Xiao chuckled, and naturally wrapped his arm around her slender waist: "Then what compensation does my Crown Prince want?"
His fingertips subtly pressed a sensitive spot on her waist.
Qian Renxue hummed softly, her gilded long hair cascading like a waterfall, shimmering dazzlingly in the candlelight.
Her fingertips slowly moved up Feng Xiao's chest, finally resting on his lips: "Tonight..." Her voice gradually lowered, turning into a lingering kiss.
Outside the hall, a bright moon quietly hid behind the clouds, as if ashamed to witness the enchanting scene.
The next morning, the morning mist had not yet dispersed.
After Feng Xiao and Qian Renxue had a delicate breakfast, they boarded the gilded carriage bound for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Four snow-white steeds stepped in unison, and the wheels rolled over the smooth flagstone roads of Heaven Dou City, making a crisp sound.
As the carriage drove out of the city gates, the scenery along the way gradually changed from bustling to serene.
About half an hour later, a dazzling light suddenly appeared among the distant mountains—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Sect buildings shone brightly in the morning sun.
"This is..." Feng Xiao lifted the carriage curtain, and couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
He saw seven glazed pagodas built against the mountainside on the distant foothills, shimmering with colorful halos in the morning light.
The white jade staircase in front of the main hall wound like a dragon, flanked by intricately carved Spirit Beast stone statues.
The entire Sect, nestled against the mountains and by the water, was grand in scale and exquisite in layout, second only to the nearby Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Qian Renxue chuckled at the sight: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is as rich as a nation; this Sect was expanded over three generations."
Her fingertips lightly tapped the window.
Feng Xiao gazed deeply at the approaching Sect, a slight smile on his lips.
Qian Renxue leaned on the soft brocade cushion, watching Feng Xiao's rare display of curiosity with interest.
Seeing him constantly peeking out through the carved carriage window, she couldn't help but smile: "What's wrong?"
Feng Xiao withdrew his gaze and turned to her with a bright smile: "Although it's very close to Heaven Dou City, this is my first visit to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
His fingertips lightly tapped the window lattice, looking at the shimmering glazed palaces in the distant sunlight, "It truly lives up to its reputation, this aura of wealth..."
Before he finished speaking, the carriage happened to drive over a crystal bridge spanning a mountain stream.
Sunlight penetrated the bridge, refracting colorful halos inside the carriage, enveloping the two in a dreamlike play of light and shadow.
Qian Renxue's gilded eyelashes trembled slightly in the rainbow light, and she teased: "Doesn't it feel very shocking?"
Feng Xiao chuckled, simply reaching out to catch a wisp of rainbow light projected onto her golden hair.
The light swirled in his palm: "I was thinking Ning Fengzhi really should thank me properly; if such beautiful glaze were to shatter, how regrettable it would be."
Qian Renxue also couldn't help but smile and nod upon hearing this.
The carriage slowly ascended the winding mountain road and soon reached the magnificent mountain gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The archway, carved from white marble, glowed with a warm luster in the sunlight, and the five gilded characters "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School" shone brightly above it.
Feng Xiao looked out through the carriage window and saw Ning Rongrong, dressed in a light green gauze dress, standing gracefully on the glazed steps at the mountain gate.
The morning breeze blew, stirring the wisps of hair by her temples, making her small face appear even more delicate and lovely.
Inside the carriage, a soft golden light emanated from Qian Renxue.
When the light dissipated, she had already returned to Xue Qinghe's gentle and jade-like appearance.
She—or rather, he, at this moment—tidied his attire and gave Feng Xiao a knowing look: "Let's go, we mustn't keep our Little Sister Rongrong waiting too long."
Feng Xiao smiled and nodded understandingly, raising his hand to lift the carriage curtain for "Xue Qinghe."
Sunlight poured in, enveloping the two in a golden halo.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong lifted her skirt and quickly came forward, the glazed steps making a crisp sound under her feet.
"Brother Qinghe~" Ning Rongrong called out sweetly, her light green skirt swaying slightly with her quick steps.
When her gaze turned to Feng Xiao, her small mouth unconsciously pouted: "Why did you come along too?"
Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes: "Miss Rongrong, what a thing to say.
I came specifically to help."
He deliberately emphasized the word "help."
Ning Rongrong gave a light snort, her glazed hair ornament gently swaying as she tilted her head, clearly not very satisfied with the answer.
But she quickly brightened her smile again and intimately linked her arm with "Xue Qinghe": "Brother Qinghe, Father has been waiting in the deliberation hall for a long time, let's go quickly."
She pulled Qian Renxue forward, but couldn't help but glance back at Feng Xiao.
Sunlight filtered through the thin mountain mist, casting fragmented shadows in those lively eyes, revealing a few traces of unconcealable curiosity and scrutiny.
The three passed through the glittering glazed corridor and arrived at the heart of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—the Grand Deliberation Hall.
Inside, the dome was high, and the colorful glazed tiles refracted the sunlight into a dreamlike halo, scattering onto the jewel-encrusted floor.
"Dad, Brother Qinghe is here," Ning Rongrong's cheerful voice echoed through the hall.
She skipped to Ning Fengzhi's side, her pink skirt blooming like petals.
Ning Fengzhi slowly raised his head from the gilded table, a perfectly appropriate smile appearing on his gentle, jade-like face.
His fingertips moved slightly, and the maids standing on either side immediately understood, quietly placing the prepared fragrant tea and exquisite pastries.
When Ning Fengzhi gently raised his hand, the maids uniformly curtsied and silently exited the hall like flowing water.
After the soft click of the hall doors closing, Ning Fengzhi finally stood up to greet them.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile patterns on his purple robe shimmered in the light as he walked, each step carrying the dignified bearing of a Sect Master of the Upper Three Sects: "Qinghe, Little Feng, you've arrived."
As his gaze swept over Feng Xiao, a meaningful expression flashed in his eyes.
Ning Fengzhi wore a gentle smile, his gaze subtly shifting between Qian Renxue and Feng Xiao.
His fingers, hidden within the sleeves of his purple robe, lightly caressed the patterns on his staff, as he pondered inwardly.
Originally, he had anticipated that someone as clever as Feng Xiao would avoid today's turbulent meeting.
But the sight of the two standing side-by-side, the unspoken understanding in their every gesture, all indicated that their relationship was far closer than it appeared on the surface.
"It seems my disciple..." Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup, using the rising steam to conceal the deep thoughts in his eyes, "...has a deeper friendship with Little Feng than I imagined."
After some polite pleasantries, the hall was filled with the fragrance of tea.
Ning Fengzhi was about to get to the point when a rhythmic sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
"Sect Master, Lady Yuehua has arrived," the attendant's respectful voice sounded from outside the door.
Tang Yuehua entered gracefully in a moon-white gown, her gilded step-shake gently swaying with her steps.
Behind her, Tang San, today, showed his true face directly, but his overall demeanor was completely different from the banquet yesterday—there was a more restrained sharpness about him.
"Sect Master Ning, I apologize for the intrusion," Tang Yuehua bowed elegantly, her purple eyes subtly narrowing when she caught sight of Feng Xiao.
Tang San followed closely, his gaze pausing slightly as it swept over Feng Xiao and "Xue Qinghe."
His cupped-fist salute was clean and precise, yet carried the restraint characteristic of a Hidden Weapons master: "Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi rose to greet them: "Lady Yuehua, Little San, please take a seat."
Feng Xiao watched with interest as Tang San deliberately avoided his gaze, his fingertips gently tapping the rim of his teacup, producing a crisp sound.
Qian Renxue maintained the gentle smile befitting a Crown Prince, but the golden light in her eyes flickered slightly.
The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the wisps of smoke rising from the gilded censer slowly swirling among everyone.
Ning Fengzhi calmly rose, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile robe shimmering with luxurious light as he moved.
"Lady Yuehua, this Sect Master has pondered for a long time, and there are some matters that must be discussed with Qinghe.
I hope Lady will not take offense."
His gentle voice broke the silence as he slowly raised his hand to invite Tang Yuehua to take a seat.
The intricately carved Seven Treasure patterns on the purple sandalwood chair backs reflected brilliant colors in the sunlight.
Tang Yuehua sat down gracefully, her skirt spreading out like petals: "No offense, Sect Master Ning's consideration is thorough."
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted, "The grandeur of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School always impresses me every time I visit."
At this moment, Tang San's gaze swept over Feng Xiao, who was seated, and their eyes briefly met in the air.
Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, and he raised his cup in a gesture; Tang San's expression remained normal, but the knuckles clutching his teacup turned slightly white.
The attendants silently presented exquisite pastries and then quietly withdrew.
Qian Renxue took all of this in, perfectly concealing the smile on her lips: "Lady Yuehua, this Prince came uninvited, I hope you will forgive me."
Tang Yuehua's purple eyes flickered, but a bad premonition arose in her heart, and she shook her head slightly: "No offense, Lady Yuehua originally had a request for Sect Master Ning today.
If His Highness the Crown Prince can be of any help, I hope His Highness the Crown Prince will lend a hand."
Qian Renxue nodded and smiled: "That is natural."