“Were you bored staying at home all day?”
Qian Renxue took off her coat, and the maid tactfully withdrew.
She walked to Meng Chen’s side and reached out to rub the pair of fluffy rabbit ears that she liked no matter how she looked at them.
“Brother Xue… I actually secretly went to Cixin Pharmacy today.”
While letting her touch his ear, Meng Chen took a bite of the spiritual fruit and confessed vaguely.
“I met Madam Ye in the pharmacy, and also a young lady named Dugu Yan.
She insisted on pulling me along and told me to come visit her at the Dugu residence sometime.”
“Dugu Yan?”
Qian Renxue paused slightly, a faint strange light flashing in her phoenix eyes.
A playful smile appeared on her lips, and then she pretended to be angry and said…
“Who let you sneak out?
Looks like it’s time for these people to…”
Seeing this, Meng Chen quickly explained.
“It has nothing to do with anyone else, I wanted to sneak out on my own…
Please don’t…”
Qian Renxue coughed lightly, reverting to her usual doting expression.
“Alright, I’m not teasing you anymore.
Remember to have someone follow you if you go out in the future.”
Then, without waiting for Meng Chen’s reply, she continued.
“By the way, you said you ran into the granddaughter of that old poisoner Dugu Bo?
His granddaughter usually relies on Dugu Bo’s protection and is always very arrogant and shrewish.
I didn’t expect that you, little guy, would actually win her over?”
Dugu Bo is aloof and has always maintained neutrality towards the Tiandou royal family and other major powers.
Even when she tried to win him over under the guise of Xue Qinghe, she failed.
If Meng Chen can use his status as a child to build a good relationship with Dugu Yan, it would be an unexpected strategic move in her future infiltration plan.
“You’re still young, and it’s boring to stay cooped up in the manor.
It would be good to make more friends, but remember to bring them along.”
Qian Renxue affectionately pinched Meng Chen’s little nose and smiled mysteriously.
“Perfect timing.
An elder will be visiting the Crown Prince’s residence tomorrow morning.
I will introduce you to him.
This elder is top-notch in terms of character, vision, and power in the Heaven Dou Empire.
You must not be impolite when you meet him.”
“elder?”
Meng Chen blinked, already understanding.
There is only one person who can be addressed as “elder” with such solemn respect by Qian Renxue, who is now impersonating Xue Qinghe.
……
The next morning.
A magnificent carriage stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s residence.
The carriage was made entirely of sandalwood, and the curtains were inlaid with exquisite jade tassels, exuding understated luxury.
Xue Qinghe, dressed in an elegant white robe, led Meng Chen to wait in front of the main gate stone steps early in the morning.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged scholar stepped out of the carriage first.
He had a handsome face and a gentle, refined demeanor.
He wore a pair of gold-rimmed monocles and a spotless moon-white robe.
In his hand, he held an exquisite chalcedony folding fan.
Simply by standing there casually, he exudes the subtle and profound aura of a master.
Beside him was a little girl who looked about five or six years old.
The little girl wore a pale yellow pleated dress with gold thread.
Her pretty face, sculpted like jade, had a pair of bright, intelligent eyes, and her skin was so tender it looked like you could squeeze water out of it.
Her petite appearance and haughty little eyes made her look exactly like a pampered, willful, and spoiled little peacock.
So this must be Ning Rongrong, the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!
“Student Qinghe respectfully welcomes teacher.”
Xue Qinghe stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully.
“Qinghe, there’s no need for such formalities between us, master and disciple.”
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, helped Xue Qinghe up, and joked.
“The court assembly ended early today, and Rongrong was making a fuss in the sect wanting to come to Tiandou City, so I brought her to your Crown Prince’s residence to ask for some hot tea.”
“It is a great honor for Qinghe to have the teacher bring Rongrong to our home.”
Xue Qinghe smiled.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi’s gaze naturally fell on Meng Chen, who was standing beside Xue Qinghe.
When Ning Fengzhi saw the pair of slightly trembling rabbit ears on Meng Chen’s head, gleaming with a soft golden light, even with his vast experience in dealing with people, a hint of amazement and surprise flashed in his eyes.
“Qinghe, who is this young master…?”
Xue Qinghe casually put his arm around Meng Chen’s shoulder and said in a serious yet heartfelt and affectionate tone.
“Teacher, this is Qinghe’s newly adopted sworn brother, named Meng Chen.
This boy is exceptionally talented and has a pure heart.
Qinghe treats him like family.”
“Meng Chen greets Sect Leader Ning.
May the Sect Leader enjoy boundless blessings.”
Following aristocratic etiquette, Meng Chen bowed respectfully in a childish voice, his demeanor graceful and poised.
“Good, what a bright and talented child.”
Ning Fengzhi’s admiration deepened.
He could tell at a glance that Meng Chen’s divine light was restrained and that there was an extremely mysterious aura flowing around him, indicating that he was no ordinary person.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and lowered his head, touching his youngest daughter’s pigtails.
“Rongrong, this is Meng Chen.
You always feel that you don’t have any peers to keep you company in the sect.
Today is a good day for you to get closer to Meng Chen.”
Ning Rongrong was kicking her little embroidered shoes out of boredom when she heard her father’s words, and she reluctantly raised her spoiled little face.
However, when her gaze fell on Meng Chen’s delicate, jade-like face, which resembled a golden boy in a painting, and the pair of soft, fluffy golden rabbit ears on his head, her proud big eyes suddenly lit up!
Wow…what adorable ears!
Ning Rongrong felt as if she had been scratched hard in the heart.
But as the little devil who was pampered by the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, her inherent pride made her quickly suppress her joy.
She deliberately raised her pointed chin and gave a soft hum.
“Hey kid!
Are your ears real or fake?
You look like a silly rabbit spirit, all dumb and dim-witted.”
Meng Chen’s lips twitched slightly as he looked at the young version of Ning the Witch, who stood with her hands on her hips and whose face seemed to say, “Come and flatter me!” He sighed inwardly.
Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a knowing smile, their understanding unspoken.
“Teacher, the side hall has prepared this year’s newly picked pre-rain Lingwu tea.
There are some court affairs that I would like to ask you about.”
Xue Qinghe spoke at the opportune moment.
“Very good.”
Ning Fengzhi closed his folding fan and looked down at Ning Rongrong, saying, “Rongrong and Meng Chen are playing in the yard.
Don’t bully them, okay?”
“I know, Daddy, you’re so nagging!”
Ning Rongrong waved her little hand impatiently.
As Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi walked side by side into the main hall of the inner courtyard, only Meng Chen and Ning Rongrong remained in the vast Crown Prince’s residence.
The wind blew through the wisteria trellis, carrying with it a delicate fragrance.
With her hands behind her back, Ning Rongrong took a slightly domineering step and circled Meng Chen twice.
Her gaze lingered on the rabbit ears on his head, and she could no longer hide the affection in her eyes.
She stopped in front of Meng Chen, stretched out her small hand, raised her chin slightly, and said in a commanding tone with an air of arrogance.
“Hey!
You, Meng Chen, I’ll allow you to play with me!
First, lower your head and let me touch your bunny ears.
If it feels good…”