"Creak… creak…"
A grand procession moved steadily along the wide streets of the imperial capital, drawing the attention of countless onlookers.
"Rongrong, it's been a year since we last met, hasn't it?"
Xue Qinghe turned toward Ning Rongrong, who was seated beside Qin Jian, and smiled. "I heard from your teacher that you just came out of the Simulation Training Ground?"
"Mm…"
Ning Rongrong nodded but didn't say much more. She didn't seem particularly fond of conversing with the empire's crown prince.
However, Xue Qinghe wasn't one to let a topic die so easily. "Spending an entire year there must have been tough, right?"
Ning Rongrong nodded again but then shook her head.
Looking toward Qin Jian beside her, she said, "It was a bit tough, but with him by my side, it was bearable."
"Oh? Qin Jian, were you Rongrong's partner for this synchronization training?"
Xue Qinghe seemed to lack knowledge of the finer details.
"Exactly! We even broke the sect's record!"
Before Qin Jian could respond, Ning Rongrong's excitement bubbled over.
She glanced at Qin Jian's profile and added with a hint of pride, "Not only were we partners this time, but we're partners forever."
"Hmm?"
For some reason, Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed slightly.
Qin Jian noticed this subtle reaction, and his heart tightened.
He doubted this was the result of his Bewitching Sword; Xue Qinghe was no ordinary disciple with weak soul power. If the ability had truly taken effect, it would require significant effort.
[TL/N: Changed Enchanting Blade to Bewitching Sword for better alignment with his Emotion Sword martial soul.]
This frown wasn't directed at Ning Rongrong but at him. It seemed Xue Qinghe was somewhat bothered by her closeness to him.
Does she have plans for Ning Rongrong?
Qin Jian quietly heightened his vigilance.
At last, they arrived at the palace complex.
In the grand hall, Emperor Xue Ye personally welcomed Ning Fengzhi and his entourage with great ceremony.
"Haha! With the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the personal disciple of the Sword Douluo joining in, this year's etiquette training class is bound to be lively!"
Emperor Xue Ye laughed heartily. "Rongrong and Qin Jian, you'll both stay at the palace for the next six months. No need to tire yourselves traveling back and forth."
Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly. "Then I'll trouble Your Majesty."
Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand dismissively.
"It's no trouble at all. Anything less would reflect poorly on the royal family. Qinghe, ensure they're each given comfortable accommodations," he instructed Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe nodded immediately. "Yes, Father."
"Well… um…"
Just then, Ning Rongrong hesitantly raised her hand, her cheeks tinged pink.
"What is it, little Rongrong?" Emperor Xue Ye asked gently.
"Uh… I think… there's no need to arrange separate rooms…"
Her small face flushed redder as she stammered, "I'll stay with Qin Jian. That's fine."
Emperor Xue Ye froze, and Xue Qinghe's frown deepened imperceptibly.
Ning Fengzhi was momentarily dumbfounded, but seeing the awkward atmosphere, he quickly tried to smooth things over. "Your Majesty, Rongrong and Qin Jian have been training together in seclusion for the past year. They're simply accustomed to sharing a living space."
"Oh…"
Emperor Xue Ye quickly recovered and replied, "Then let it be as Rongrong wishes."
Subtly, he exchanged a glance with Xue Qinghe, both appearing somewhat surprised.
"Oh, by the way, there will be a graduation assessment for the etiquette class in six months, complete with rankings. Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, if your schedule permits, feel free to visit the palace and observe," Emperor Xue Ye added.
Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with Sword Douluo before replying, "Very well. I'll come to see how they've progressed in six months."
After much discussion, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong were finally settled by evening.
"Qin Jian, tell me a story!"
Inside a quiet palace bedroom, Ning Rongrong lay on the bed, tugging at Qin Jian to coax a story out of him.
"You haven't finished Zhang Xiaofan's tale yet! Back in the training grounds, we were too exhausted for bedtime stories for so long."
Ning Rongrong's pouting expression made Qin Jian utterly defenseless.
He pulled her petite figure into his arms. "Alright, let's continue…"
"…"
"Linglong asked him what his wish was. The Beast God replied that he wanted to stay by her side forever. But Linglong only shook her head…"
"The Beast God asked her why, and she said…"
"Because you are not human…"
"And so, the Beast God said to her…"
"Then make me human! Make me human—"
"…"
Qin Jian's voice gradually faded, while Ning Rongrong remained immersed in the poignant tale.
"The Beast God and Linglong… they're so pitiful…"
She murmured, "One is human, the other a monster born of malevolence. Their love could never be accepted…"
Qin Jian gently stroked her head, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes.
In truth, their feelings were just as hard to gain acceptance.
What's more, he would eventually have to leave her deliberately…
"Qin Jian…"
Ning Rongrong tugged at his sleeve and asked, "Why do all the characters in your stories with genuine love never have happy endings?"
Qin Jian shook his head. "Because only tragedies evoke the deepest resonance, leaving a lasting impression that makes people cherish the beauty of reality."
"Then… will we have a happy ending?" Ning Rongrong whispered.
Qin Jian's heart clenched, but he nodded firmly. "We will. Absolutely."
"If one day things don't seem good, don't be sad or upset. That just means it's not the end yet."
Turning to her, he said earnestly, "Rongrong, promise me you'll remember these words, okay?"
Caught off guard by his seriousness, Ning Rongrong hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Alright…"
"If one day I feel unhappy, it's just because it's not the end yet."
"I'll always remember this, Qin Jian," she vowed.
Seeing her solemn expression, Qin Jian couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her.
The light gradually dimmed…
Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing the bed in its cool radiance.
Its gentle glow embraced the quilt but couldn't quench the warmth and sweet happiness within.
The next morning, as Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong stepped outside, they saw Xue Qinghe's tall figure waiting in the courtyard.
She waved with a smile. "Good morning, you two. Did you sleep well last night?"
Her smile carried a teasing edge.
Ning Rongrong blushed and moved slightly behind Qin Jian, using him as a shield.
"We slept very well. Thank you for the arrangements, Your Highness," Qin Jian replied calmly.
Quietly, he released another Bewitching Sword.
Xue Qinghe's vision momentarily blurred, and she found the youth before her even more strikingly handsome.
She shook her head sharply, as if trying to dispel the thought, before smiling again. "It's my duty. Now, let's head to the etiquette class. Today's lesson is dance training…"
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