: Ning Fengzhi Tests Xue Qinghe

Just as Fang Yuan finished checking the last batch of supplies and was preparing to head to the Blue Silver Forest, a tense atmosphere had already enveloped the noble district of Tiandou City, a hundred miles away.

No one expected that the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe, who had been missing for more than half a year and whose fate was almost universally acknowledged as "most likely to perish," would quietly return without any warning.

The news spread like wildfire, instantly engulfing the entire imperial city.

Those nobles and forces who had secretly placed their bets on the eldest prince were overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief.

But after the initial elation, a huge doubt immediately weighed on his mind—where had Xue Qinghe gone after being missing for so long?

What did you do?

Or is there another motive?

If he fails to provide a clear explanation, even those who once supported him will have to reconsider their stance and may even have to withdraw immediately to minimize their losses.

Among all those who are concerned about this matter, Ning Fengzhi, as Xue Qinghe's teacher, is undoubtedly the one who cares the most and needs to find out the truth as soon as possible.

He is not only the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but also a guest of honor of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. Every move Xue Qinghe makes involves the interests of the sect and the empire.

Almost at the same moment he confirmed the news, Ning Fengzhi put aside all his affairs and personally went to Xue Qinghe's residence.

····························

In the eldest prince's palace.

After Ning Fengzhi respectfully announced his arrival at the gatehouse, he was led by a servant through layers of courtyards and into the main hall.

As soon as he stepped into the living room, Ning Fengzhi's gaze fell directly on the head seat.

There sat a blond young man, tall and straight, his appearance still as handsome and gentle as I remembered. He was lowering his eyes, slowly and methodically preparing and pouring tea, his movements fluid and graceful, exuding an innate elegance and nobility.

That was indeed Xue Qinghe's appearance, unchanged.

However, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank slightly the moment she saw the other person.

He knew his apprentice all too well.

Xue Qinghe, the former eldest prince of the Tiandou Empire, used his refined manners and humility to conceal his inner ambition.

He was always respectful and humble towards him, the sect leader and teacher of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and his manners were impeccable.

In the past, whenever he came to visit, Xue Qinghe would always get up to greet him personally. After entering the hall, he would take the initiative to stand up and offer him a seat. His words were humble and his posture was respectful. He would never be negligent in the slightest.

It's not just about him.

In front of outsiders, Xue Qinghe has always been a model prince who is respectful to the virtuous and wise. Even when facing ordinary soul masters of low status, he is always humble and polite.

This is the reputation that Xue Qinghe has cultivated over many years, and it is also his powerful tool for winning people's hearts.

But now...

Ning Fengzhi stood in the center of the living room, gazing at the blond figure in the main seat.

Xue Qinghe simply raised her eyes slowly to look at him, a gentle and humble smile curving her lips, her gaze warm and harmless as always.

But he remained seated calmly in the main seat throughout, without getting up, stepping forward, or even showing the slightest respect.

He sat there leisurely and calmly, looking down at his teacher.

Ning Fengzhi's fingers, which were hanging in his sleeves, clenched almost imperceptibly, and his brows furrowed slightly at that moment.

not right...

After a round of polite, perfunctory greetings, the atmosphere in the living room gradually became tense, and the two tacitly got down to business.

Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a small sip. He looked up at Xue Qinghe, who was seated at the head of the table. His tone was gentle, but his words were incisive: "Qinghe, you have been missing for several months without a trace. What has happened during this time? If you have any difficulties, please feel free to ask. Perhaps your teacher can help you in some way."

He asked with concern, his gaze fixed on Xue Qinghe's face, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, naturally couldn't reveal the truth. She sighed softly, a hint of helplessness and gloom on her face, and slowly fabricated a prepared explanation: "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Master. To tell you the truth, I encountered a mishap during my cultivation and had to go into seclusion to heal my injuries. That's why I've cut off all contact with the outside world and haven't been able to show myself until now."

His words were sincere and heartfelt, and his expression perfectly captured the weariness of someone who had survived a disaster.

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly upon hearing this, his face immediately showing concern, and his voice softened even more: "I see. So, are your injuries completely healed now? Are there any side effects?"

Whether Ning Fengzhi truly believed it or not, no one knew.

The two chatted for a while about matters of state and cultivation, their conversations were so smooth and airtight that they left no room for error.

When Ning Fengzhi got up to take his leave, he suddenly stopped at the hall entrance, turned back to look at Xue Qinghe, and said in a more serious tone: "Qinghe, you must be careful in everything you do now that you're back. Especially... beware of your fourth brother, Xue Beng."

Seeing Xue Qinghe's puzzled look, Ning Fengzhi continued, "In the years you were away, he was extremely active in the court, trying to win over ministers and befriend nobles, making no attempt to hide his ambition. However, he is still impetuous and clumsy in his actions. In terms of intelligence and methods, he is far inferior to you and cannot cause any major trouble. But we should still be wary of his underhanded tricks."

Qian Renxue, playing Xue Qinghe, immediately showed a receptive expression, smiled gently, and cupped her hands, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, teacher. This disciple has remembered it."

·············

After Ning Fengzhi left, two figures appeared silently from the shadows like ghosts.

Serpent Spear Douluo and Poison Pig Douluo landed in the living room one after the other, their gazes immediately falling on Xue Qinghe, who was still sitting in the main seat, their expressions filled with undisguised concern and solemnity.

Previously, the young master had an accident and his condition was extremely unstable. Even the Grand Elder had secretly ordered that the plan to infiltrate the Heavenly Dou Empire be abandoned in order to protect the young master first.

But no one expected that the young master, having barely managed to stabilize his condition, would insist on returning to Tiandou City and continuing to assume the identity of Xue Qinghe.

The situation is very different now. Xue Qinghe has been missing for a long time, and his sudden return is full of suspicion. This identity is no longer as safe as it used to be.

The two of them took turns trying to persuade him, but they couldn't stop the young master's determination.

Considering that she had just recovered, and not daring to overstimulate her, the two Title Douluos had no choice but to comply.

"Young Master." Serpent Spear Douluo stepped forward, his brows furrowed, his tone full of worry, "I was quite concerned about Ning Fengzhi being here. He's a deep and cunning man. Will he really believe what you just said? Could he have already seen through my ruse?"

Since it concerned the young master's safety, he dared not be careless in the slightest.

Qian Renxue picked up the slightly cool tea on the table, took a small sip, and her golden hair fell down, obscuring the cold light that flashed in her eyes.

She slowly set down her teacup, her tone calm: "So what if you see through my disguise?"

"Ning Fengzhi, that old fox, has always prioritized self-interest. His support for Xue Qinghe has never been based on teacher-student affection, but rather on the fact that I can bring enough benefits to his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and solidify his position in the Heaven Dou Empire. As long as my chances of winning the throne are high enough, he will continue to stand by my side."

She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Unless... he can see through my true identity."

However, this possibility is extremely slim.

She replaced the real Xue Qinghe when she was ten years old, and has lived, studied, and managed her power in the Heaven Dou Empire under this identity for six years now.

In other words, from the very first day Ning Fengzhi met Xue Qinghe, he knew her as Qian Renxue.

Even if her temperament and demeanor are slightly different from before, the other party will only think that Xue Qinghe has experienced changes and hardships during the time he was missing, and that his personality has changed drastically.

They would never have imagined that the eldest prince in front of them had been replaced long ago.