As soon as Qiao Xuan finished speaking, he lowered his head and took on an ostrich-like pose, not daring to look at Jiang Weiqing.

Jiang Weiqing’s aura turned cold as he spoke slowly, “Are you sure you want to stay?”

Hualan immediately stepped forward with a calm smile, interrupting Jiang Weiqing, “Since the young friend wishes to stay, why force the issue, Sword Lord? You needn’t worry. It’s just a brief stay, and I assure you, I will personally send him back to Guiyuan Sword Sect unharmed.”

Jiang Weiqing pursed his thin lips, glaring coldly at the boy who had his head down.

As expected, all that reflection and apology from before had just been lip service. Given a chance, he’d already thrown caution to the wind. Did Qiao Xuan not realize that Hualan’s place wasn’t somewhere he could act recklessly?

Such an ungrateful junior—why should Jiang Weiqing care about him? If he wanted to stay, then let him stay. It had nothing to do with him…

It shouldn’t have mattered to him…

Jiang Weiqing’s gaze lingered on Qiao Xuan for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he turned to Hualan and said, “Since the Emperor insists, I won’t stand in the way. However, there’s no need to trouble the Emperor with the task of returning him. I’ll wait here for ten days, and afterward, I’ll take him back myself.”

Turning to Qiao Xuan, Jiang Weiqing added coolly, “Although the Emperor is magnanimous and won’t hold your mistakes against you, remember not to act recklessly once you’re there. Know your place.”

Qiao Xuan was taken aback. He had thought that with his defiant attitude, Jiang Weiqing would no longer care about him and would let him fend for himself. He hadn’t expected Jiang Weiqing to wait for him for ten days just to take him back personally. This only strengthened Qiao Xuan’s resolve to stay!

I’m not going with you!

Hualan smiled, easing the tension, “Sword Lord, you’re too strict. The young friend just ascended; it’s only natural for everything to feel new and for his curiosity to be piqued. He’ll settle down after some time.”

Jiang Weiqing responded coldly, “I certainly hope so.”

Hualan turned to Qiao Xuan with a gentle smile. “Shall we go?”

Qiao Xuan respectfully bowed to Jiang Weiqing. “I will remember Sword Lord’s teachings.”

Then, he carefully walked past Jiang Weiqing. Although Jiang Weiqing said nothing, Qiao Xuan felt tense the entire time, every nerve in his body on edge.

Only when he had left without incident did Qiao Xuan let out a quiet sigh of relief.

What a close call!

He hadn’t expected Hualan to be so helpful…

Falling half a step behind, Qiao Xuan sneaked a glance at Hualan’s profile.

The man was different from Xiao Lu, but there were similarities—both were regal, dignified, and elegant… As Qiao Xuan’s gaze lowered, he suddenly paused.

Hualan had a jade pendant hanging from his waist.

It was an ordinary, worn, spiritless pendant with dull colors and a chipped corner.

So you still have it.

That night before you left, you gave me your jade pendant, telling me to wait for you a little longer. Once everything was over, you would take me out of there, openly, and we would travel the world together…

You said you wouldn’t let me down.

But I didn’t get to wait for you.

On that night, when fire engulfed Fengwu Palace, the pendant fell to the ground and was buried in the flames with me. I thought it was long gone.

Qiao Xuan fell silent for a moment.

If everything had been a guess before, now, with this confirmation, there was no longer any doubt in his mind. Hualan was indeed Xiao Lu.

Hualan turned to check on him, noticing that the boy had stopped in his tracks, looking somewhat downcast. Worried that Qiao Xuan might be scared of him, Hualan softened his voice and smiled gently, “What’s wrong? If you’re still worried about what happened before, don’t be. I’ve already said I won’t hold it against you, and I always keep my word.”

Qiao Xuan snapped out of his thoughts, quickly lowering his gaze and masking his emotions with a shy smile. “It’s not that. Of course, I trust you. I’m just worried that Sword Lord might be displeased with me for leaving like this…”

Hualan chuckled, relieved. “No need to worry. If he blames you, I’ll explain it for you.”

Qiao Xuan thanked him profusely.

Who knows what’s going on in Jiang Weiqing’s head anyway? It’s not like your explanation would help, but I wasn’t really worried about him.

Qiao Xuan looked at Hualan’s refined, handsome face—here was the Emperor of the Heavenly Realm, lowering himself to accommodate a small immortal like him. That wasn’t easy… But sorry, I might have to use you for a bit. Qiao Xuan felt a rare twinge of guilt.

But then again, Hualan had promised him so much back then and never fulfilled any of it… Now, all Qiao Xuan wanted was a small favor, and it was already a thousand years late. He figured Hualan still owed him.

Besides, it wasn’t like he was asking for the Empress’s throne. He just needed to borrow a divine artifact for a bit, and then they’d be even. In fact, Hualan would be getting the better end of the deal!

With that thought, Qiao Xuan’s guilt faded away. He smiled brightly and hurried to catch up with Hualan.

…

Following Hualan, Qiao Xuan passed through bustling pavilions and towers before arriving at a magnificent palace.

The palace was entirely built from white jade, exquisitely crafted, with luxurious furnishings and a rich aura of immortal energy. Even walking through the place, Qiao Xuan could feel the abundance of spiritual power surrounding him, making it a perfect place for cultivation. Truly, it was an incredibly opulent space. Hualan had been a god for over a hundred thousand years, and being a dragon god, his foundation was incomparable to that of other deities.

Two immortal attendants were waiting respectfully inside.

Hualan smiled at Qiao Xuan. “You can stay here. If you need anything or want to explore, just let them know.”

Qiao Xuan bowed gratefully. “Thank you, Emperor.”

Hualan shook his head with a smile. “No need to be so formal.”

Formality is absolutely necessary, Qiao Xuan thought, smiling until his eyes crinkled. Even though Hualan was Xiao Lu, that didn’t mean Qiao Xuan could let his guard down.

Hualan didn’t know Qiao Xuan’s true identity yet. The only reason he had let him stay was that he was suspicious… Anyone would be—only a fool would believe the excuse Qiao Xuan had given. It was perfectly normal for Hualan to have doubts.

Qiao Xuan had acted vulnerable to temporarily quell Hualan’s killing intent, but there was no way Hualan would let him leave so easily without understanding what was really going on.

Qiao Xuan wasn’t naive enough to think that past life connections would make Hualan fall in love with him at first sight.

They were both just testing the waters for now.

Qiao Xuan had to navigate this carefully, ensuring he achieved his goal without revealing his identity to Hualan.

After a brief exchange, Hualan didn’t stay long and soon left.

Feeling more at ease, Qiao Xuan wasted no time in displaying his curiosity, openly marveling at the surroundings. After all, he was just a clueless young immortal who had never seen the world.

He was completely in character!

After touring the palace, Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but admire the lavishness of it all. Truly, Hualan was someone who understood how to enjoy life—being both a mortal emperor and a heavenly one, he lived far differently from the usual ascetic gods.

Qiao Xuan respected that.

Though he was eager to start his treasure hunt, the two immortal attendants were still there, so he couldn’t act too hastily. There were ten days—plenty of time!

Grinning, Qiao Xuan turned to the attendants and said cheerfully, “I’m a bit hungry. Is there anything to eat?”

He had been eyeing Heavenly Realm cuisine for a while! He had sampled some at the banquet before, but it wasn’t enough. Now, with this perfect opportunity, there was no way he was passing up on it!

I’m Hualan’s esteemed guest now!

Despite Qiao Xuan’s appearance of being a simple, wide-eyed boy, the two attendants showed no hint of disdain. Instead, they smiled respectfully and said, “Please wait a moment, young master.”

Qiao Xuan relaxed in the courtyard. There were flowers, birds, fish, and a giant celestial tree entwined with immortal vines, the vines adorned with small white flowers. Sitting beneath the tree was cool and pleasant, and the scenery was beautiful.

Soon, the attendants returned, each carrying a jade plate, followed by a line of immortal cranes. Each crane held a jade plate in its beak, carrying a variety of dishes and celestial brews. The cranes carefully placed the plates on the stone table.

Qiao Xuan’s eyes swept over the group of cranes, and suddenly, his movements paused. Then, without missing a beat, he calmly looked away, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

One of the cranes also froze for a moment, nearly knocking over its plate, but it quickly recovered.

Lowering its head, the crane shot Qiao Xuan a resentful glance. Seeing him lounging around so leisurely made the crane want to smash the plate over his head! Ever since it had been caught by the Emperor, it had been forced to give up all its gains and sentenced to a year of hard labor—carrying food, cleaning weeds, living a miserable crane life… All thanks to this loathsome guy! If not for him, the crane would still be carefree and happy!

Yet, here he was, not only escaping punishment but becoming the Emperor’s esteemed guest, dining with such high status. How unfair!

The Emperor must have been tricked by this shameless fellow!

Qiao Xuan sipped his celestial brew and cleared his throat. He had almost slipped up just now, but as much as that dumb crane had screwed him over, starting something now would only expose him. Besides, it didn’t seem like the crane was doing too well at the moment…

Good. That put Qiao Xuan at ease.

Happily, he was about to dig into the feast before him when his gaze landed on an unassuming dish. The corners of his mouth slowly curled up as he unhesitatingly reached for it with his chopsticks, taking a bite.

Ah, yes, it tastes just like it did in the mortal realm.

Not bad at all.

Hualan really went the extra mile…

…

Meanwhile.

In an empty room, Hualan sat quietly. After an hour, an attendant approached him respectfully.

Hualan looked up, his expression unreadable. “What did he do?”

The attendant bowed low to the ground. “The young master first toured the palace, marveling at its splendor, seemingly quite surprised. Then, he said he was hungry, and we served him according to your orders. He seemed very pleased and ate a dish of wine-soaked sesame dumplings first…”

Hualan’s gaze flickered sharply, but he quickly returned to his usual calm. “You may go.”

The attendant fell silent and retreated.

Hualan’s eyes rested on the jade pendant on the table.

The pendant was dull, chipped, and without any spiritual power—it was just an ordinary piece of jade from the mortal realm… But it was the only thing Hualan had brought back from there.

When had he fallen for him?

Perhaps it began the day he wandered into the peach grove.

That day, he had gone to the Grand Preceptor’s residence as usual.

Although he had kept up the pretense of distancing himself from the Grand Preceptor to avoid suspicion from General Zhen Guo, he had maintained close ties with the family in secret, often disguising himself to visit and discuss important matters.

As a powerless puppet emperor, he had to tread carefully in the palace and pretend not to know why his mother had died. He had to act submissive and weak, without any will of his own… He was used to wearing a mask. Only by showing the brother and sister pair that he posed no threat—and even had some use—could he survive and have a chance at avenging his mother.

Enduring humiliation had become second nature to him.

There were so many things he couldn’t say to anyone, so much that he had to bury deep inside. Only at the Grand Preceptor’s home could he find a brief moment of respite.

The Grand Preceptor wasn’t just his teacher—he was like a father figure to him, and the Grand Preceptor’s son was like an elder brother.

That day, he had arrived early.

His teacher and the son were out handling some matters and had not yet returned. Bored, he wandered through the garden, following the scent of fragrant wine. As he meandered along a winding path through a peach grove, he stumbled upon a secluded courtyard.

He had never been to this part of the estate before, and just as he was about to turn back, worried he had strayed into the women’s quarters, he heard a loud thump followed by a boy’s muffled groan.

Out of concern, Xiao Lu rushed in, only to find a boy clutching a wine jar, face down on the ground, covered in dust. The boy struggled to get up but couldn’t.

It turned out the boy couldn’t walk.

Xiao Lu immediately stepped forward, lifting the boy and placing him back in his wheelchair. The boy quickly wiped his face and looked up, flashing a bright, carefree smile as he thanked him.

That smile was so pure, so clean, like a soft breeze rippling across a clear lake. Those eyes, so dark and clear, sparkled like pearls hanging on a flawless jade disk.

In that moment, Xiao Lu was spellbound.

Perhaps it was this instant of infatuation that kept him from leaving. Instead, he asked the boy, “What were you doing?”

The boy, who seemed unused to seeing strangers, looked at him curiously but without a trace of wariness. He seemed delighted to have someone to talk to and excitedly explained that he was making peach blossom wine. The peach trees here bloomed beautifully every year, and he had recently found a recipe in an old book for peach blossom wine. He had just finished brewing a batch and was looking for a spot to bury it, so it could age until next year. Unfortunately, he had tripped and fallen while trying to bury it, he said, blinking apologetically…

Xiao Lu couldn’t help but laugh. He rolled up his sleeves, picked up a shovel, and said, “Let me help.”

The boy immediately protested, saying it wasn’t right to trouble him…

But Xiao Lu pressed a hand gently on his shoulder and smiled warmly, “I won’t do it for free. When the wine is ready next year, I’ll take half. You won’t mind, right?”

The boy paused, then smiled brightly and agreed.

With that, the boy quietly sat there, resting his chin on his hand, watching with a smile as Xiao Lu dug the pit.

Xiao Lu had never done such menial work before… but today, for some reason, it felt strangely satisfying. Though sweat dotted his forehead, his heart was at ease in a way it had never been.

In the palace, every word and action was carefully calculated. Even when lying in bed at night, the slightest sound would wake him, alert and ready for danger.

But here, in this peaceful courtyard, with the boy’s pure, innocent smile, it felt like a haven—a place where he didn’t have to worry about threats or plots, where he didn’t have to think about his identity or the burden he carried. He could just be a simple, ordinary person doing something he normally wouldn’t.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

And it was wonderful.

Xiao Lu had already guessed the boy’s identity.

He knew that the Grand Preceptor had a younger son who was physically frail and unable to walk. The boy had never left the estate, nor had he met outsiders.

He had never been curious about the boy before, but now that they had met, he found himself strangely reluctant to leave.

The boy’s world was so simple, so pure, and so different from his own. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, it drew him in, making him want to stay just a little longer.

But with the wine buried, Xiao Lu knew it was time to go. He smiled at the boy, about to take his leave when the boy spoke first.

Looking at him with sparkling eyes, the boy asked, “Do you want to stay for some tea? Maybe play a game of chess?”

The boy’s eyes gleamed with expectation. It wasn’t so much an invitation as a plea for company. He must have been terribly lonely.

Xiao Lu chuckled softly and readily agreed, “Sure.”

In truth, he didn’t want to leave either.

As they played chess and chatted, Xiao Lu discovered that despite never leaving home, the boy had read widely and was surprisingly insightful and clever. He even managed to win half a game against Xiao Lu.

The boy was smug, proud like a little peacock, saying, “Don’t feel bad! My dad can’t beat me either—I’m really good at this.”

He truly was impressive. Though Xiao Lu had lost the game, he didn’t mind in the slightest. If it made the boy happy, he’d be more than willing to lose a few more rounds.

The boy’s laughter filled the air, mingling with the lingering scent of wine.

The afternoon passed in a blink, the hours slipping by faster than Xiao Lu had ever thought possible.

By the time the Grand Preceptor’s son came looking for them, the sky had already darkened.

The moment he saw Xiao Lu, the Grand Preceptor’s son was terrified that his younger brother had offended him, and he was about to scold the boy when Xiao Lu quickly intervened, insisting that it wasn’t the boy’s fault and that he had wandered in by mistake.

Seeing that Xiao Lu wasn’t upset, the older brother only gave the boy a reproachful look before letting it go.

Xiao Lu knew that it was truly time to leave now. As he turned to go, just as he reached the gate, the boy called out in a clear voice, “Will you come back?”

Xiao Lu turned and met the boy’s gaze. For a split second, his heart seemed to stop, and his eyes softened as he replied, “Of course. That book you mentioned, the one by Bai Shan Jushi—you couldn’t find it, right? Well, I happen to have a copy. I’ll bring it for you next time.”

The boy’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy.

Xiao Lu found himself smiling as well, infected by the boy’s happiness.

Though he was reluctant to leave, he and the Grand Preceptor’s son finally departed.

Xiao Lu had come that day on official business. Zhen Guo’s faction had committed numerous heinous crimes, and recently, Xiao Lu had captured one of their underlings, hoping to follow the trail to bring Zhen Guo down. But it wouldn’t be easy—it required careful planning, which was why he had to discuss it with the Grand Preceptor and his son.

They deliberated through the night, and before leaving, Xiao Lu made a special request of the Grand Preceptor’s son, asking him to keep his visits a secret from the boy, so he wouldn’t feel burdened by Xiao Lu’s true identity.

The older brother agreed with a smile.

When Xiao Lu returned to the palace, it was already deep into the night. The sky was heavy, like a suffocating black curtain. Yet that night, as he closed his eyes, all he could see was the boy’s bright smile, like sunlight breaking through the gloom.

It was the first peaceful night he had in a long time.

A few days later, Xiao Lu returned to the Grand Preceptor’s residence, but this time, he brought with him the rare book the boy had long sought.

The boy was overjoyed, his eyes sparkling like stars, and Xiao Lu found himself staring, captivated.

For a moment, he thought, Even if it’s just for this smile, everything I’ve done is worth it.

He wanted to protect the boy’s smile, to keep him happy and carefree.

From that day forward, Xiao Lu’s visits became more frequent. Under the pretense of discussing important matters with the Grand Preceptor, he would always make time to visit the boy, bringing him rare books, snacks, and little trinkets—anything to bring a smile to his face. Xiao Lu would search far and wide, putting great effort into choosing things he thought the boy would enjoy, and every time the boy smiled, Xiao Lu felt it was worth the trouble.

It was like the boy’s home had become a sanctuary, a place of peace and joy where Xiao Lu could escape from the harsh realities of his life.

It was his own private paradise.

At first, the boy’s older brother had been worried that Xiao Lu might be offended by the boy’s behavior, but seeing how well they got along—and how much happiness it brought the boy—he didn’t interfere. However, he did gently remind Xiao Lu not to come too often, lest someone discover their connection.

Xiao Lu reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’m always careful.”

Besides, their plan was progressing smoothly. They had managed to gather enough evidence against Zhen Guo’s faction, and soon, the time would come to bring the traitor down. When that day came, Xiao Lu wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore—he would be able to visit the boy openly.

That thought filled him with hope.

Another month passed.

One evening, Xiao Lu was preparing to leave the palace. He had found some charming little trinkets among the tributes and thought they would make perfect gifts for the boy. He could already imagine how happy the boy would be…

The thought made him smile.

But just as he was about to leave, his trusted servant rushed in, pale with panic, bringing terrible news.

One of the Grand Preceptor’s disciples had been caught for embezzling bribes and causing the death of an innocent family. After being captured by Zhen Guo’s men, the disciple was tortured into confessing that the Grand Preceptor himself was behind it all. The disciple claimed that the Grand Preceptor was corrupt, pretending to be upright while secretly accepting bribes. He even wrote a thousand-word blood letter, accusing the Grand Preceptor of being the mastermind behind numerous crimes!

Xiao Lu was furious. He knew his teacher’s character better than anyone—there was no way the Grand Preceptor was guilty of such things.

It was obvious what had happened. Their plan had been discovered, and Zhen Guo had struck first, framing the Grand Preceptor for his own misdeeds!

Xiao Lu was filled with anxiety, but with his position still weak, he was powerless to help. He could only watch as his beloved teacher was dragged into the mire, unable to intervene.

Zhen Guo held overwhelming power, ignoring the protests of the court and imprisoning the Grand Preceptor. The next day, Zhen Guo brazenly marched into the palace.

Xiao Lu swallowed his anger, feigning indifference. But then, Zhen Guo turned his sharp gaze on him and said, with a mocking smile, “Your Majesty has been visiting the Grand Preceptor quite often lately, haven’t you? I thought you and the Grand Preceptor were close. Shouldn’t you be asking about him now?”

As Xiao Lu met Zhen Guo’s icy, snake-like eyes, a chill ran down his spine.

His visits to the Grand Preceptor’s residence had been discovered.

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