Heaven Dou Empire,
The morning sun rose gently over Heaven Dou Imperial City, its golden rays spilling across the rooftops and mist-draped towers.
The streets thrummed with energy as vendors set up their stalls, their cheerful calls blending with the distant echo of drums.
Banners fluttered from every archway, painted in rich blues and silvers, proclaiming the upcoming imperial celebration.
The air smelled of roasted chestnuts, fresh ink, and excitement. Crowds gathered near the shops, waiting for the special discounted sales of the day.
Even the palace guards, usually stoic and unmoved, couldn't hide the spark of anticipation in their eyes.
For the first time in years, Heaven Dou City truly felt alive—its people united in joy, eager to welcome the return of the honored warrior princess—Xue Li.
…
At the city gates, the guards became more vigilant, examining every person entering with sharp eyes.
Just then, a carriage bearing the insignia of the Marquis arrived, drawing everyone's attention.
As whispers spread among the crowd, one guard recognized the emblem and rode forward on horseback to check the authenticity of the insignia, halting the carriage in the process.
Inside the carriage, Wu Tian had been speaking animatedly with his wife when the sudden stop made him pause.
Parting the curtain, he took one quick look outside and instantly grasped what was going on.
A guard rode forward, drawn by the crest on the carriage, and caught a brief glimpse of the warrior princess inside.
She sat quietly, glasses resting on her nose, reading a book with a faint, peaceful smile.
The sight stunned the guard for a moment—until Wu Tian leaned slightly forward, blocking his view. With measured calm, Wu Tian gave a small, firm nod of acknowledgment.
Moments later, the coachman announced in a steady voice, "The Marquis Wu Tian of the Tianlong River has arrived."
The senior guard on horseback quickly moved aside to clear the path for the carriage, riding ahead with excitement and instructing the other guards to relay the news to the palace.
Wu Tian withdrew from behind the curtain, a gentle smile lighting his face. "Your admirers are eager to see you, Mother."
A childlike excitement bubbled within him, proud that after all this time, his mother was celebrated by so many.
Han Mei nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Mother. The people truly welcome your return."
While both of them felt happy for her, they didn't want to mention the past and reopen the old wounds. So they fell silent shortly after as Xue Li kept reading and didn't respond to them.
They looked at each other laughing awkwardly and turned to their pouting son at the side, who was looking away from them in helplessness.
While Gu Yuena who tagged along looked at her fiance in amusement.
Wu Tian glanced at the dragon curled up on his son's hand and gently woke it with a treat, hoping to bribe it into speaking on his behalf.
The little dragon, initially disdainful of the father of its master, and angry at being woken up,sighed, looking at his pitiful expression and refused the treats but still tried to help by nudging its master's neck..
Hanrui just kept to himself and didn't respond despite the tickling sensation he was feeling because of his Azure dragon nuzzling his neck.
Seeing his son not respond even though xiao long (his Martial Soul Azure Dragon) kept nudging him for his sake he could only look to his wife for help.
Han Mei stifled a laugh at her husband's expense and turned to her son and ruffled his vibrant red hair gently and said in a coaxing tone.
"Rui'er it's been almost a week already, you still don't forgive your father?"
Hearing her mother speak, Hanrui reluctantly turned to her, still pouting.
"Sorry, Mother. It's like my heart was born with a sin of wrath. Once it flares up, it's hard to calm down," he said, casting a sharp glance at his father that made him flinch.
"Besides, he made me misunderstand you for years. Now, after only a week of silence, he already asks for your help. Hmph," Hanrui continued
Han Mei gently squeezed his cheek with affection. "Well, you did beat him up for it. Your father's depressed that he couldn't even contend with his son, despite his soul sage strength."
"Um, I awakened my Sword Intent thanks to him making me angry," Hanrui said cheerfully, recalling the day he picked up the sword to fight his father.
Han Mei and Gu Yuena burst into laughter. Xue Li quietly closed her book, glanced at her son and grandson to make sure they weren't looking, then covered her mouth to stifle her laughter before composing herself.
Meanwhile, Wu Tian felt the world collapse around him, remembering the fight and the injuries he still felt from that day.
Wu Tian couldn't help but think it was truly a miracle that even his mother, Xue Li, newly minted as a Titled Douluo with a healing skill, found it difficult to heal him completely.
Noticing her husband's mood, Han Mei gradually stopped laughing and gently said, "Rui'er, don't you think you should forgive him? Your father looks like he's about to collapse."
Hanrui looked at his father's crestfallen expression and said, "Hmm, it's not impossible to forgive."
Wu Tian perked up instantly. "Say it, Rui'er. Father will do anything for your forgiveness."
Gu Yuena and Han Mei exchanged surprised glances, while Xue Li shook her head in exasperation at her son's gullibility, fully aware that her grandson had her son trapped.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Hanrui's lips, noticed by Xue Li before he quickly withdrew it, confirming her suspicion.
"You said it—no take backs," Hanrui said before his father could realize his mistake.
Wu Tian sensed something was amiss but nodded anyway. 'What could possibly go wrong?' he wondered.
Hanrui gave his most 'harmless' smile to his father and said, "Since you deprived Mother of her shopping hobby, you must take her shopping whenever she wants."
Xue Li looked puzzled hearing that, while Han Mei teared up, waiting, knowing her son wasn't finished yet.
That's it? I can do that. Although dealing with territory issues is hard sometimes, I can manage,' Wu Tian thought, just about to relax when Hanrui dropped the bomb.
"You must go alone with her and carry the shopping bags without using any assistance or storage soul tool," Hanrui continued.
Gu Yuena, not understanding the punishment's implication, just stared at him, confused.
Han Mei teared up at her son's thoughtful punishment and hugged him tightly. "Oh, my Rui'er is so sweet," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
'And there it is. Beautifully done, my grandson,' Xue Li thought as she laughed, covering her mouth.
Wu Tian suddenly felt as if a freezing soul skill had been cast on him. His body stiffened upon hearing his son's words.
He gulped, thinking of the hard days ahead, yet he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll do it," feeling the expectant stares from his wife and son.
Both mother and son beamed at his reply and hugged him from either side, making him sigh in relief and helplessness.
"Lǎogōng/Father is the best," Han Mei and Hanrui said in unison, causing him to smile.
Just then, the hurried sound of horse hooves caught their attention, once they approached the carriage the horses kept pacing alongside the carriage.
"Welcome back, Princess," came an aged voice from Xue Li's side, making her smile.
"Old Man Lu, you're still working? And I'm no longer a princess," she replied as the curtain covering her side lifted on its own, giving the old man surnamed Lu a clear view of his former leader.
"No matter when, no matter where, you will always be our leader and princesses, Miss Xue." The old man said with laughter.
"And this old bag of bones still had some fight left in it, and i was right to persist and stay,I got to see the warrior Princess again." He continued.
As they were talking, the other royal guests who followed the old man started guiding the carriage to the former residence of Princess Xue Li in the city.
Shortly after the old man took his leave and started guarding the carriage.
. . .
Imperial Palace, Throne hall.
In the grand Throne Hall of the Immortal palace, a vibrant celebratory mood was unfolding beneath soaring ceilings painted with swirling clouds and radiant dragons.
Golden lanterns hung from the beams, casting a warm glow over the polished jade floor that reflected the colorful banners fluttering in the light.
The emperor's throne, carved from ancient spirit wood and adorned with shimmering spirit gems, sat at the far end on a raised dais.
Around it, the hall buzzed with nobles, who came early.
A royal guard approached the crown prince who was entertaining the nobles and whispered something and left.
Xue Qinghe quickly stood up from his seat and notified Emperor Xue Ye about the message and with his approval left the hall.
. . .
Back to Hanrui.
The Royal Guards stopped in front of a grand mansion teeming with life, forcing the carriage to stop.
One by one Hanrui's group disembarked the carriage, Hanrui and Xue Li being the last.
"We're Home" Wu Tian said as he breathed in the fresh air making the old man Lu chuckle.
Han Mei's mother opened in disbelief as she started at the mansion that is bigger than the one they were living in. Not only that the mansion doesn't feel like an abandoned one.
Something took meticulous care over the years, its true owner was not at home.
While everyone was looking around, a voice grabbed their attention.
"Welcome Home, aunt Li and everyone." Xue Qinghe greeted.
Xue Li looked at him with a half smile,Wu Tian and Han Mei looked at him and nodded, Gu Yuena who was looking away turned around and looked at him.
Instantly she saw through the disguise and was about to speak when Hanrui shook his head, signalling her not to speak.
Xue Qinghe/Qian Renxue who saw Gu Yuena and how incredibly beautiful she is, lost her senses for a second, just like the others around her.
'This woman is really beautiful,even more beautiful than that woman and even me' she thought feeling inferior for the first time. But then she noticed their interaction and her heart tightened.
'Did they notice something? No that's IMPOSSIBLE,' she screamed inside her mind as she tried her best to calm down.
"Let's go inside and talk," Xue Qinghe said as he looked at them and walked toward the mansion.
Except for Hanrui and Gu Yuena the others looked at each other and followed her in.
Hanrui dismissed the guards while everyone took a seat on the luxurious chairs.
Xue Qinghe then told them about the arrangements, except for the part about Hanrui which Xue Li specifically asked to keep secret until the announcement.
"Although the celebration has already started, we still have time before the announcement, you can freshen up here and contact me if you need anything." Xue Qinghe said.
Wu Tian, Han Mei and Xue Li left to get ready while Hanrui and Gu Yuena stayed in place.
"Are you two not going to get ready?" Xue Qinghe asks them, confused.
"We have something to talk about, I'm just wondering, if we should do it now, or later" Hanrui replied to her.
Qian Renxue looks at them bewildered then thinking of her previous guess gets nervous but still asks calmly. "Please feel free to tell me if you have anything to say."
Hanrui, noticing her nervousness,smiles critically and says "don't worry about it, I'm on your side. We can talk about this later."
After saying that he takes Gu Yuena's hand and leaves to get ready while Qian Renxue's brain shuts down as she tries to process what he meant by that.
'Did they really notice something? If so why not say anything? And what does he mean he is on my side? What is he talking about?' the more she thought the more her thoughts spiralled, so in the end she gave up thinking.
'In the worst case I'll abandon the mission and leave, I have 2 title douluo protecting me, no need to be afraid' she calmed herself.
2 hours passed and everyone got ready and dressed up to the occasion.
Xue Qinghe put on a warm smile as he looked at them again and praised each of them. Then he led everyone to the palace.
As they entered the palace a young man in his early teens wearing a blue robe with dragon and lightning patterns on them looked at them and instantly smitten with Gu Yuena who was holding Hanrui's hand.
The young man then notices a boy holding her hand intimately and instantly gets jealous and strides over to him.
Noticing the commotion everyone looks at them. The young man looks condescendingly at Hanrui and sneers before switching his attention to the woman beside him.
"Miss, what could a bit like him do for you, why not come with me" he says, making everyone there fall silent.
Unlike the young man everyone there recognized the Marquis Wu Tian and the Warrior Princess Xue Li and felt pity looking at the young man.
Gu Yuena who was addressed frowned as she looked at the clown infront of her exuding a faint breath of Dragon Aura.
Hanrui who was badmouthed and even his date is being stealed smiled at the young man.
The smile is so serene and peaceful you will have nightmares of it for the rest of your life.
Hanrui just looked at his Xiao Long. The little thing whipped the young man with its tail to the ground in one swift motion stunning the crowd.