Chapter 56: Political Games and Cold Beds
Under Ye Lingling's guidance,
Qin Chuan finally arrived at the Prince's Mansion before dusk.
After the gatekeeper was informed, a servant respectfully led the two into a well-furnished guest room.
"Please rest here for the time being," the servant said politely.
"His Highness was summoned to the palace by His Majesty. He should return shortly."
Qin Chuan paused slightly, brows knitting.
"The moment she returned, she was summoned into the palace?"
"Yes," the servant nodded.
"She didn't even set foot inside the residence before an eunuch—who had been waiting outside—called her away."
After sending the servant off, Qin Chuan closed the door behind him. A flicker of unease flashed across his face.
'Something's off.'
By logic, Qian Renxue had just come back from a long mission. She should have rested before reporting to the palace the next day.
So why was Emperor Xue Ye in such a hurry?
Had something happened?
His mood inexplicably grew heavier.
Ye Lingling was at the side, silently pouring steaming water into a copper basin.
"Your Majesty," she asked in a low, gentle voice, "do you want Lingling to help you wash?"
Qin Chuan froze for a second before gently refusing,
"No need, Lingling. I can take care of this myself."
He stepped over, took the towel, wrung it out, and washed his face.
The hot water drove away some of the fatigue from the journey, refreshing him slightly.
But when he looked up, Ye Lingling was still standing in place. Her eyes were red, as if she was about to cry.
"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.
"Your Majesty… is it because you dislike Lingling? Is that why you won't let me serve you?"
Her head hung low, voice trembling.
Qin Chuan was at once amused and bewildered.
"No, it's not that." He chuckled softly.
"I'm just used to doing these things myself. Back in the Spirit Hall, I always—"
He suddenly cut himself off.
Yes, even back in Spirit Hall…
He had taken care of everything by himself.
Not only that—he had done everything for her. For Bibi Dong.
Meals. Cleaning. Organizing her schedule. Supporting her in life, in training, in burden.
All quietly, all lovingly.
He had believed that devotion would warm her cold heart.
But in the end…
He was only moved by his own persistence.
His warmth had never melted that icy wall.
Ye Lingling watched as silence fell over him. Her chest tightened, heart aching.
She stepped forward, took the towel from his hand, soaked it again, wrung it dry, and hung it neatly on the rack.
Then she turned back and asked gently,
"Your Majesty… can you tell me about your past?"
"My past?"
Qin Chuan looked at her, then slowly sat down on the nearby stool.
"There's not much to say."
He exhaled lightly.
"These past few years, besides cultivating… I've only done one other thing."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Ye Lingling already understood.
She had caught the hints back when they had spoken with the Pope.
"Your Majesty…" she hesitated, then asked carefully,
"Were you really the Grand Elder of the Pope's Palace?"
In an instant, Qin Chuan's eyes grew cold.
"I don't want to hear that title again. Understand?"
Ye Lingling's body flinched, like a frightened animal.
She lowered her head and replied softly,
"Lingling understands…"
"Get some rest," Qin Chuan said, standing up.
He looked around the room—there was only one bed.
"I'll sleep on the bed. You find somewhere else."
Ye Lingling: "???"
Qin Chuan didn't hesitate. He lay down on the bed, arms folded behind his head.
Ye Lingling pursed her lips, took a deep breath, then muttered under her breath and pushed a few stools together to make a makeshift sleeping spot.
…
That night, none among the common folk knew what had happened in the Tiandou royal family.
Only a vague whisper spread quietly—
The candlelight in the imperial study burned through the entire night.
By the time Crown Prince Xue Qinghe emerged the next morning, her face was as cold as frost, fury radiating from her like an invisible storm.
Emperor Xue Ye was similarly furious.
The next day, Qin Chuan was still sound asleep when someone knocked on the door.
It was Qian Renxue.
She had changed into an elaborate ceremonial dress—elegant, noble, and dignified—but her face was pale and haggard.
"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you?"
Qin Chuan asked after seeing her state.
She ignored the question and frowned as her gaze shifted to Ye Lingling, who looked equally drained.
Dark circles hung under her eyes, her expression dull and weary.
Qian Renxue's mind wandered instantly.
A man and a woman. Alone. All night.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Ahem. So… how was your sleep last night?"
Qin Chuan stretched lazily, smiling,
"Of course I slept on the bed. Where else?"
"I see…" Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
"And Lingling?" she asked with a faint chill.
"I slept on a stool…" Ye Lingling grumbled under her breath, clearly still annoyed.
Qian Renxue blinked.
Only then did she notice the clumsily assembled 'stool bed' in the corner.
Her expression froze for a second. Then it turned odd.
After a moment, she cleared her throat and said seriously,
"Something has happened."
Qin Chuan immediately sat up.
"Does it have to do with why Emperor Xue Ye summoned you yesterday?"
"Yes."
She nodded solemnly.
Ye Lingling understood the mood and quietly left the room.
Qin Chuan looked at Qian Renxue's tired eyes and said,
"Tell me. What happened?"
Instead, she rolled her eyes.
"Did you really make Lingling sleep on a bench last night?"
Qin Chuan poured her half a glass of warm water and answered plainly,
"Of course. What's the problem?"
"You really don't understand romance at all," she muttered, shaking her head.
"Don't change the subject." Qin Chuan sighed. "Spill it."
Qian Renxue finally gave in.
"Do you remember Dai Mubai?"
"The prince of the Xingluo Empire?"
"Yes. After he was captured in the Pope's Palace, that news was relayed back to the Xingluo royal family."
"The emperor there was furious."
"There've been frequent skirmishes along the border ever since. The Spirit Hall tried to mediate multiple times, but nothing worked. The tension has been steadily rising."
Qin Chuan's eyes narrowed.
"So what's Emperor Xue Ye's stance?"
"Tiandou's military strength has grown a lot these past years. They shouldn't fear Xingluo anymore."
"You're right," Qian Renxue nodded.
"Xingluo's prince was the one who crossed into our territory. We have just cause. Many within the court—especially the generals—have been demanding war."
She paused.
"But that's not the real problem."
Her expression grew bitter, and when she raised her eyes again, they were filled with helplessness.
"Someone has arrived from Wuhun City."
Qin Chuan's gaze sharpened.
"They sent someone here? Why?"
Her tone turned sharp, laced with suppressed rage.
"I knew that woman would pull something, but I didn't think she'd stoop this low."
Seeing Qin Chuan's puzzled face, she explained:
"Wuhun Hall is pressuring Emperor Xue Ye directly. They're demanding that we release the Xingluo prince in the name of maintaining peace."
"And to top it off…"
Her voice turned cold as frost.
"They want me—the person who captured Dai Mubai—to personally escort him back to Xingluo City."