As night deepened, Qian Renxue shed her disguise as Xue Qinghe, preparing to rest after a long day. Fatigue weighed on her body and mind. For someone in her position, sufficient rest was essential.
Just as she reclined on her bed in a golden lace-trimmed nightgown, brushing out her golden hair, a faint knock came at the door.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Her brow furrowed in irritation. "Who is it? What's so urgent at this hour?"
A shadowy figure outside replied softly, "Ye Hao requests an audience."
"That brat?" Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment. Ye Hao was supposed to be out traveling across the continent. How could he be back so soon?
"Let him in." She paused, then changed her mind. "No, have him wait outside. I'll meet him there."
Receiving her command, the shadow retreated silently.
A short while later, Qian Renxue once again donned her disguise as Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince. Yawning, she stretched lazily before making her way to the palace gate.
"What is that brat up to, showing up at this hour?" she mused, her irritation tempered by curiosity.
The Heavenly Dou Palace was vast, with intricately designed pavilions and halls stretching across the grounds. The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the palace, lending it an ethereal beauty.
At the gate, Ye Hao was pacing in circles, occasionally glancing at the heavy gates. "What's taking her so long? Women and their endless preparations..."
He shuddered, recalling the unspoken dangers of disturbing a woman during her beauty routine.
At last, the massive gates creaked open, revealing a lone figure stepping out under the moonlight. The ethereal glow blurred the edges of the silhouette, but Ye Hao recognized it immediately: Xue Qinghe.
Their eyes met, and they both offered polite, practiced smiles.
"Brother Xue, I must apologize for disturbing your rest at such an hour. Please forgive me," Ye Hao said with a courteous bow.
Xue Qinghe waved his hand dismissively, smiling warmly. "No need for formalities between us. Tell me, Brother Ye, what brings you to the palace so late?"
Without further ado, Ye Hao pulled out a potted plant from his spatial ring. Carefully avoiding the curious gazes of the palace guards, he presented it to Xue Qinghe with both hands.
Xue Qinghe blinked, momentarily stunned. "A... potted plant?"
But as he examined it more closely, his sharp eyes widened. Something about this plant felt extraordinary.
Ye Hao grinned mischievously. "Brother Xue, I came across this Blue Silver Grass during my travels near the Holy Spirit Village outside Nuoding City. Its appearance struck me as unique and noble, much like you. I thought it fitting to bring it as a token of our brotherhood."
Xue Qinghe's initial confusion gave way to a pleased smile. He studied the plant with a newfound appreciation.
"Thank you, Brother Ye. This is indeed a rare gift. I'm deeply honored."
Ye Hao waved dismissively. "No need for such words, Brother Xue. Between brothers, there's no need for formality."
As Xue Qinghe accepted the plant, his keen gaze caught the faint quiver in its leaves, as if it were shrinking away. The once-vibrant foliage seemed to droop and wither under his touch, but he showed no reaction, instead cradling the pot like a cherished treasure.
"It's getting late, and palace rules forbid outsiders from lingering too long. Your gift is too precious for words. Tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere special to repay your kindness. Whatever you desire, consider it yours."
Ye Hao, who had been wondering how to spend the next two days, felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
"Then I'll look forward to it, Brother Xue. Rest well tonight."
The two exchanged parting waves and went their separate ways.
Returning to his chambers, Xue Qinghe clutched the Blue Silver Emperor tightly. His steps quickened, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes.
"Ye Hao truly is my lucky star," he thought. "To stumble upon such a treasure... This is a game-changing card in my hand now."
He recalled the words of a subordinate who had identified the plant for him.
"This is the Blue Silver Emperor—its original form. It's the remains of the soul beast that Tang Hao's wife became after her death. It's something the former Pope, Qian Xunji, sought fervently but never obtained."
Once inside his chambers, Xue Qinghe closed the doors tightly, placed the pot on a windowsill, and carefully watered the plant.
"Brotherhood?" he murmured, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Perhaps..."
For a moment a trace of warmth crossed his face as he thought of Ye Hao's parting words.
The golden sunlight bathed Heaven Dou City, the palace's gilded halls shimmering under its rays. Inside the Crown Prince's chambers, Xue Qinghe—now once again Qian Renxue—donned her golden robes.
Stretching languidly, she approached the Blue Silver Emperor and watered it gently.
The plant remained still, lifeless as before, but she showed no concern, treating it with the utmost care.
"Guard this plant well," she ordered the shadowy figure in the corner. "No one is to enter my chambers without permission."
The shadow nodded silently, its gaze briefly resting on the pot before vanishing into the darkness.