The next day, early dawn light began to seep in. Golden rays filtered through the window, spreading warmth across the room.
On the bed, Qin Changqing’s eyelids twitched before slowly opening. He stretched lazily, as if trying to shake off the exhaustion that had weighed on him for days.
“So it’s finally morning?” Qin Changqing muttered, his voice still carrying a trace of fatigue.
Too much had happened over the past two days, leaving both his body and mind drained.
Today was the day of the Royal Martial Examination.
In the Qin Empire, strength was revered above all. Every member of the royal family was required to cultivate and train, even someone like the original Qin Changqing, a notorious playboy who frequented pleasure houses, had never truly neglected his cultivation.
Today, the training grounds would gather outstanding talents. All the young members of the royal family, along with the younger generation of court officials, had been invited to compete.
This was not only a chance to display one’s strength, but also the perfect opportunity to earn the emperor’s favor.
The one who claimed first place would even gain entry to the royal treasury, where they could freely choose a rare treasure.
In the original story, this was Ling Feng’s chance to rise in a single leap. Yet for Qin Changqing, it marked the turning point of his fate… the beginning of his fall from the clouds into the abyss.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on the ethereal figure standing by the window.
Luo Qingyi stood there quietly, like a painting. The morning light brushed against her profile, giving her a faint, almost sacred glow.
No matter when, she was always this breathtaking, impossible to look away from.
Qin Changqing couldn’t help recalling the moment yesterday when they had reached their agreement.
Back then, when she had been coaxed into linking pinkies with him, she had looked like a fairy newly descended into the mortal world. Compared to her current cold and distant demeanor, that version of her had stirred his heart far more.
“Miss Qingyi,” he said as he rose and adjusted his robe, his tone gentle. “I have matters to attend to outside today. Once everything is settled, we can leave the Royal Palace.”
He paused briefly before adding, “Stay here and rest properly. Don’t move around carelessly. The Royal Feather Guard is still on high alert, so it’s best to be cautious.”
Luo Qingyi only gave a faint “Mm,” her gaze still fixed outside the window, offering no further response.
Seeing this, Qin Changqing felt a flicker of irritation.
This woman… she wouldn’t even spare him a single extra word? After all, he had saved her life.
He clenched his jaw slightly, let out a cold snort, and flicked his sleeve as he walked away.
She murmured quietly, “My heart… is indeed in turmoil.”
As soon as Qin Changqing stepped into the training grounds, he caught sight of a familiar figure speaking softly with a palace maid.
“Isn’t that Li Qing’er, the second daughter of Minister Li?” he thought, a spark of inspiration flashing through his mind as he walked over.
The palace maid, noticing his approach, quickly greeted him before hurrying away.
“Greetings, Heir Apparent,” Li Qing’er said with a gentle smile as she spoke first.
“So it’s Miss Qing’er. It’s been a while. Have you been well?” Qin Changqing replied warmly, his gaze clear and composed.
Li Qing’er lifted her eyes. The young man before her was strikingly handsome, his features refined like a painting. Every movement carried a calm confidence, completely different from the rumored wastrel.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks, a ripple stirring in her heart.
“They say he indulges in the pleasures of the flesh, but looking at him now… he’s incredibly handsome. Even more so than Brother Ling Feng,” she thought to herself.
At her age, her heart had just begun to awaken. Seeing Qin Changqing’s elegant speech and extraordinary bearing, she couldn’t help but feel a growing fondness.
“Your Highness seems… a bit different from before,” she said softly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Qin Changqing simply smiled without answering, his expression gentle.
The two stood side by side, chatting and laughing, drawing the attention of those around them.
Not far away, Ling Feng finally appeared.
With a sweep of his gaze, he immediately spotted Li Qing’er and Qin Changqing talking happily together. Instantly, an inexplicable fire rose within him.
The two daughters of Minister Li, Li Muxue and Li Qing’er, had grown up with Ling Feng since childhood.
Li Muxue was exceptionally talented and had been taken in as a disciple by the Jade Pool Holy Land at a young age. Li Qing’er, on the other hand, possessed both beauty and talent, renowned as a gifted young lady in the capital.
When Ling Feng had been ridiculed as “trash,” only they had stayed by his side, offering comfort and encouragement.
“How could Qing’er be so close to that wastrel?” Ling Feng thought, his fists clenching tightly.
Just as he was about to step forward, the ring on his left hand suddenly flickered with a faint light. A distant, ethereal voice echoed in his mind:
“Ling Feng, your heart is unsettled. Today is the critical day for your rise. Do not ruin everything because of a moment of impulse.”
The voice was calm and profound.
Ling Feng took a deep breath and responded softly, “Thank you for the reminder, Master. I understand.”
He suppressed the unwillingness in his heart, his gaze turning firm once more as he walked toward the center of the training grounds.
From afar, Li Qing’er spotted Ling Feng. Joy immediately flashed in her eyes as she waved her hand and called out brightly, “Brother Ling Feng, over here!” The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Hearing her call, Ling Feng looked up. Seeing her smiling brightly at him, warmth filled his heart, and he quickened his steps.
“Brother Ling Feng, are you here to watch the competition as well?” Li Qing’er asked excitedly.
Ling Feng smiled slightly, about to respond, but Qin Changqing spoke first.
“Oh? Isn’t this the… ah, no, the son of General Ling?” Qin Changqing said with a teasing tone, a hint of mockery curling at the corners of his lips. “Why didn’t you come over to greet me when you saw me?”
Hearing this, Ling Feng’s fists tightened instantly, his nails digging deep into his palms. The pain barely helped him suppress the fury surging inside him.
“For the bigger picture… endure for now. He’ll pay for this soon enough,” he told himself.
Forcing out a stiff smile, he slightly bowed and said respectfully, though his tone carried a trace of rigidity, “Greetings, Heir Apparent.”
Qin Changqing nodded in satisfaction and said in an affectedly mature tone, “Good, you’re teachable.”
The anger in Ling Feng’s chest churned violently, nearly breaking free.
Though cunning, he was still just an eighteen-year-old youth. Having strength yet being forced to lower himself and endure humiliation filled him with an unbearable sense of shame.
Sensing the tension between them, Li Qing’er quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
“Your Highness, Brother Ling Feng, it seems the competition is about to begin. Why don’t we head over to the training grounds to take a look?” she said lightly, her tone cheerful, though her eyes flickered between the two with a hint of unease.
Qin Changqing glanced at Ling Feng. Seeing his dark expression, yet his forced restraint, Qin Changqing sneered inwardly.
“He really can endure. What is he, a reincarnated old turtle? Looks like I’ll need to add more fuel to the fire.”
He knew very well that someone like Ling Feng, a child of destiny, could not be killed outright with his current strength.
Acting rashly would only backfire. After all, protagonists of destiny… he had read plenty of such stories in his previous life.
“To deal with someone like him, you can’t rush. It has to be done slowly,” Qin Changqing calculated.
“I’ll peel away his protective layers one by one, wear down his destiny. Otherwise, he’ll just keep bouncing back like an unkillable cockroach, growing stronger each time.”
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as his resolve hardened.
“The current me is no longer that insignificant villain who can be toyed with by a child of destiny.”
“Ling Feng, your opportunities, your treasures, everything you have… I will take it all.”