"Why?"
Xue Qinghe's thousand words condensed into these three simple characters.
"Because it's troublesome! I just don't like it. It feels like Your Highness is stealing Father's affection from me."
"Every time he comes to the Heaven Dou Empire, he has to socialize with the nobility."
"Then when he returns, he makes me learn etiquette and manners. What's the point of learning these things when soul masters should just focus on cultivation?"
"Uh..." Xue Qinghe blinked, somewhat unable to follow Ning Rongrong's train of thought.
By becoming his teacher, had Ning Fengzhi really robbed Ning Rongrong of her father's love?
What a spoiled little girl!
Xue Qinghe sighed inwardly. Should she consider Ning Rongrong fortunate, or lament her own comparatively difficult circumstances?
After a brief pause, Xue Qinghe spoke: "Rongrong, these are necessary considerations. When you become the sect leader in the future, you'll also need to consider the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's interests."
"Teacher... I should say these are things that must be done."
"I just think it's hypocritical!" Ning Rongrong retorted. "Compared to this, I prefer how Spirit Hall operates."
"Huh?" Three question marks appeared above Xue Qinghe's head. If not for Ning Rongrong's gritted teeth while speaking, she might have suspected Ning Fengzhi had scripted this conversation.
"Rongrong, I'm the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Isn't it inappropriate to say such things to me?"
"What does it matter? Is Your Highness going to report me?"
"Or is Your Highness just that kind of hypocritical person who can't distinguish between what they like and dislike?"
After passing through the bustling district, the surroundings grew sparse, and Ning Rongrong's voice dropped to a level inaudible to passersby.
"Spirit Hall provides free martial soul awakenings for commoners and even offers financial support to help them through their weakest period."
"Regardless of anything else, isn't this beneficial for humanity's development?"
"Your Highness, isn't everything I've said true? If not for Spirit Hall, would the Heaven Dou Empire actually do this?"
"No, in this regard, the Empire has indeed fallen short." Xue Qinghe sighed deeply, his expression one of concern for the nation and its people.
"What is Your Highness's ideal?"
"To make the people of this nation live happier lives." Xue Qinghe spoke emotionally.
"I also wish to reform the Heaven Dou Empire's aristocratic system."
"But the forces involved are simply too immense. I'm merely the Crown Prince. Ah~"
Had Ning Rongrong not known the truth, she might have genuinely believed Xue Qinghe was an admirable prince.
However, the core of Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue.
How much of these words were sincere remained debatable.
"Your Highness truly is a benevolent Crown Prince. In that case, Rongrong won't dislike you anymore." Ning Rongrong nodded solemnly.
"That makes me very happy!" Xue Qinghe felt like he was humoring a child, but if it made his teacher's daughter stop disliking him, that was a decent outcome.
"Your Highness, could you take me to see the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"
"Though my health prevents me from studying there, I'm still quite curious."
Ning Rongrong abruptly changed topics. Her earlier words had been probing Xue Qinghe's emotions.
"Very well." Xue Qinghe collected his thoughts and pointed toward a turning ahead.
"Past this point into the suburbs lies the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
The academy wasn't located within the capital but outside its walls.
With Xue Qinghe leading the way, Ning Rongrong soon arrived at the scenic Heaven Dou Imperial Academy nestled between mountains and rivers.
This marked Ning Rongrong's first visit—after all, she wasn't the original story's mischievous girl who ran about everywhere.
Most of her time had been spent cultivating or studying this world's knowledge.
"Hmm? Someone's here?"
Shortly after entering, Ning Rongrong sensed a wave of hostility.
Not directed at her, but at Xue Qinghe.
Thanks to her Five Aperture Dispersed Heart and the sensory fusion of zhenqi and spiritual power, her perception surpassed ordinary soul masters, allowing her to clearly detect malicious gazes.
However, Ning Rongrong paid it no mind.
As long as they didn't trouble her, they could glare at Xue Qinghe to death for all she cared.
After several turns, Xue Qinghe finally brought her to an opulent building.
Inside, they encountered the three academy deans from the original story, who appeared slightly younger than their later depictions.
Xue Qinghe informed them that Ning Rongrong would be staying for a few days and requested proper hospitality.
The three Soul Douluo deans readily agreed.
If Xue Qinghe could secure ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School while maintaining good relations with its young mistress, this girl would naturally be an honored guest.
Should Xue Qinghe ascend further, he might even fully secure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's allegiance.
Of course, such thoughts merely passed through the deans' minds before being dismissed.
None were fools—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's young mistress would never marry into the imperial family, not even for a future emperor.
The sect leader being a support-type soul master meant their spouse must be a powerful battle-type soul master, a rule upheld for generations.
Unless Xue Qinghe could become a Title Douluo, such hopes were impossible.
But was that even feasible?
Still, fostering good relations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School wasn't a bad idea.
After all, the academy already hosted the Poison Douluo's granddaughter and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's eldest grandson.
Adding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's young mistress seemed perfectly normal.
Through subtle probing, the deans learned of Ning Rongrong's poor health preventing long-term enrollment, which they found regrettable.
Xue Qinghe didn't linger long at the academy.
Having previously instructed his agents to relay news of Ning Rongrong's temporary stay to the palace, he had no further concerns here.
With three Soul Douluo deans present, Ning Rongrong's safety was assured.
Additionally, she likely had hidden protectors shadowing her.
As Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe had many duties awaiting him. After a brief stay, he departed for the capital.
The apprenticeship ceremony would feature him as the protagonist, requiring extensive preparations.
Today's visit had simply been to understand this girl whom his teacher viewed as the next sect leader.
The results satisfied him—her praise for Spirit Hall strengthened Xue Qinghe's resolve to recruit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
After Xue Qinghe's departure, Ning Rongrong followed directions to the VIP accommodations, as she couldn't stay in student dormitories.
"Finally inside. Tomorrow I'll see if I can locate Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan."
She had no intention of attending the tedious, formalistic ceremony.
She'd rather use that time for her own purposes.
"Qian Renxue's emotions could be exploited, but it's dangerous. A misstep might backfire."
The love-starved Qian Renxue, if shown genuine care, might throw herself into it like a moth to flame.
The suppressed yearnings for familial love, friendship, and romance could erupt uncontrollably once unleashed.
"I suddenly feel so evil."
Ning Rongrong mocked herself internally before recalling the hateful gaze from earlier.
"Xue Beng probably won't cause trouble for me, right?"
If he did, that might actually be better!
With proper planning, she might even save herself a soul bone.
Dugu Bo owed Prince Xue Xing a significant favor. To recruit Dugu Bo, she first needed to settle that debt.
"Well, everything can wait until tomorrow."
Tomorrow would be another hopeful day.