Chapter 78

When Qin Wentian saw Chu Tianjiao for the first time, he felt that this person was a dragon among men, never expecting that the third son of the current emperor would be such a young and handsome figure.

"Everyone, please take your seats, there's no need to be拘束." Chu Tianjiao strolled over and smiled at the crowd, first inviting Qin Yao and others to sit in the main guest seats, then he himself took his seat, and the others also followed suit.

"Today, all the people I have invited are young talents of the same generation, so there will be more topics to discuss." Chu Tianjiao laughed heartily. "Let me introduce everyone. This is Qin Yao from Xueyun Kingdom, and the person on my left is my good friend, Luo Qianqiu, whom many of you have probably heard of."

Mu Rou's seat was some distance from the main seat, and Qin Wentian sat next to her. He gazed at Qin Yao, who clearly saw him, but he noticed that Qin Yao looked at him with a resentful gaze, as if blaming him.

The last time, Qin Yao deliberately avoided meeting Qin Wentian to prevent him from being involved in the Qin Family's affairs, but she never expected him to come on his own.

Qin Wentian seemed to understand Qin Yao's intentions and sighed inwardly. "Sister Yao doesn't want to involve me, which was also the intention of Uncle Er and Uncle San. I understand this, but seeing her come to Chu Kingdom, how could I just sit by and not find out what's going on?"

"Who doesn't know the genius of the Imperial Star Academy, Luo Qianqiu?" A hearty voice came from afar, and a few figures strolled over. The leader bowed to Chu Tianjiao and smiled, "Yan Yuhan is late, please forgive me, Your Highness."

"Astyanax, come and take your seat." Chu Tianjiao had no airs of a high-ranking official and seemed very approachable. He said to Yan Yuhan, "You and Qianqiu are both geniuses of the Imperial Star Academy, you can exchange more."

"The Imperial Star Academy has many geniuses, and now one of them is extremely prominent, having privately swallowed Luo Shao's Blood Flame Fruit, acting arrogantly and without regard for others." Yan Yuhan smiled slightly, stopped next to Qin Wentian, and looked at him with a faint smile. "Qin Wentian, am I right?"

Luo Qianqiu also looked at Qin Wentian but quickly turned away, showing no particular interest.

In his eyes, Qin Wentian didn't seem worth much attention.

Qin Wentian and he were from different worlds. He remembered that if it weren't for the intervention of Qingyun Alliance's leader Ling Hua last time, he would have killed Qin Wentian.

But now, since the matter was over, and he had let Qin Wentian go, he no longer cared about Qin Wentian's life or death.

Qin Wentian looked at Yan Yuhan, and it seemed that, as Ruo Huan had guessed, he had encountered some people he didn't want to see here. But since he had chosen to come, he had no complaints.

"It seems you shouldn't be here at all." Yan Yuhan, seeing that Qin Wentian didn't speak, said again in a faint voice.

"He came with Chu Ling as a servant." Ye Zhan smiled and said, making Yan Yuhan nod slightly. He then looked at Mu Rou next to Qin Wentian and smiled, "Mu Rou, why are you sitting with him?"

"He is my friend." Mu Rou smiled at Yan Yuhan and said, "My friend naturally sits with me."

"Friend? This person killed Ye Lang and Ou Feng, Mu Rou, are you sure he is your friend?" Yan Yuhan's smile was gentle, but it made Mu Rou's face turn extremely pale. Yan Yuhan's words were too harsh. If she insisted, she would inadvertently offend the Ye Family and Ou Family.

Mu Rou's expression fluctuated intensely, and then she said, "A friend is a friend, regardless of his identity. This is my personal matter."

"If I tell you that Mu Ye was also killed by him?" Ye Zhan sneered, making Mu Rou's eyes tremble as she looked at Qin Wentian.

"In the Dark Forest, Ou Feng once led a beast tamer to chase and kill me, and I killed him." Qin Wentian nodded slightly when he saw Mu Rou looking at him. Mu Ye was killed by Fan Le, so it was no different from him killing him. Since he did it, he would take responsibility, but he sighed inwardly that the only woman willing to speak up for him was from the same family as Mu Ye.

"Since that's the case, it can only be blamed on Mu Ye's lack of skill." Mu Rou sighed inwardly. Although her relationship with Mu Ye wasn't very harmonious, they were still from the same family, and she felt a bit uncomfortable about this matter.

"But even so, what does this have to do with me making friends?" Suddenly, Mu Rou smiled. "This is my personal choice in making friends, and it has nothing to do with my family."

"Ha ha." Yan Yuhan sneered and then found a seat to sit down.

Qin Wentian clenched his fists slightly. He was almost seventeen, and after the past half year, he had become less impulsive. However, the current situation still made him feel a bit depressed. He smiled and poured himself a cup of wine, then raised it to Mu Rou.

"If there's a chance, I will repay your kindness one day." Qin Wentian drank the wine in one gulp and then scanned the crowd. Everyone here was from the nobility, who could have any connection with him?

His gaze involuntarily fell on Liu Yan, but Qin Wentian noticed that Liu Yan avoided his gaze, seemingly trying to avoid him.

In this situation, how could Qin Wentian not be moved? However, when he saw this, he just smiled.

"Qin Wentian." Liu Yan suddenly spoke, then raised her wine glass and said to Qin Wentian, "Thank you very much for your help in the Dark Forest last time. If you need any help in the future..."

"There's no need to say more." Qin Wentian interrupted her, raised his glass, and drank it in one gulp. "Everyone has their own aspirations. I have no right to meddle in your life, and I won't expect your help. From now on, we will be strangers."

Liu Yan wanted to speak, but Liu Yue preempted her, saying, "That's best."

Qin Wentian glanced at Liu Yue, a sharp look in his eyes. He had long known that Liu Yue was a despicable person, but he didn't bother to argue. They might not have any more interactions in the future.

Standing up, Qin Wentian walked to the center of the crowd and looked at Chu Tianjiao.

He knew very well that, besides the Ye Family, the young man in front of him might also be one of those who were against the Qin Family.

"Your Highness, I came today to see my sister. Can I have a word with her?" Qin Wentian said straightforwardly.

Chu Tianjiao's expression didn't change, and he smiled and nodded. "If she has no objections, I won't interfere."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qin Wentian walked toward Qin Yao, went directly outside the crowd, and then turned to look at her. "Come with me."

Qin Yao, hearing Qin Wentian's stern voice, showed a hint of委屈, then stood up and followed him. This scene made people feel a bit amused, as if Qin Wentian were an elder.

Qin Wentian walked to a secluded place, then turned and looked at Qin Yao, his face tense. "What's going on?"

"You, I am your sister." Qin Yao glared at Qin Wentian indignantly.

"Do you still remember that?" Qin Wentian took a step forward, cupped Qin Yao's face in his hands, and his eyes softened.

"Sister, what's going on? Why are you a candidate for the Crown Princess of Xueyun Kingdom? Was it your choice, or were you forced by the Crown Prince of Xueyun Kingdom?"

"Wentian, don't get involved. Just focus on improving your strength at the Imperial Star Academy. Don't worry about external matters, okay?" Qin Yao, seeing Qin Wentian's gentle gaze, felt her heart soften, and her voice carried a hint of pleading. She didn't want Qin Wentian to get involved in the Qin Family's affairs.

She had been probing for information about Qin Wentian in Xueyun Kingdom and knew that he was valued at the Imperial Star Academy. He had a bright future, and Qin Yao didn't want him to be implicated.

"Your matters, how can I not care? If it's your choice, I will see if I am qualified to be the Crown Prince's choice. If it's not your choice, as long as I, Qin Wentian, am alive, I won't let anyone force you."

Qin Wentian's gaze was resolute. This was his promise to Qin Yao. After years of relying on each other, their bond was stronger than that of siblings. In many ways, he felt more like a brother, and he couldn't bear to see Qin Yao suffer.

Qin Yao looked at Qin Wentian and then said softly, "I am cultivating at the Xueyun Kingdom Academy and met the Crown Prince of Xueyun Kingdom. He has been very good to me, and he sent people to protect my safety and is willing to help me rescue Grandfather and Father. So I agreed to him, and if he really rescues Grandfather and Father, I will be his woman."

"Sister, how can you be so foolish?" Qin Wentian sighed. It seemed that Qin Yao was making sacrifices for her father and grandfather, hoping to leverage the power of Xueyun Kingdom.

"Uncle Er is in a stalemate. If Chu Kingdom sends troops to suppress, it's only a matter of time before they fail. I can't wait any longer." Qin Yao felt a bit uneasy.

"Then why did you come to Chu Kingdom this time?" Qin Wentian asked.

"I want to see Grandfather and Father and see if I can negotiate with them, but Chu Kingdom's attitude is ambiguous, and this is the first time I've met the third prince." Qin Yao said.

"Miss Qin." At this moment, a few figures walked over, the guards protecting Qin Yao's safety. They looked at this side with sharp expressions, making Qin Wentian frown.

"Wentian, let's go back first. Don't get involved in this matter." Qin Yao lowered her head, making Qin Wentian feel a heavy heart.

"This matter is not that simple," Qin Wentian thought to himself. The two of them returned to their seats and found that many people were discussing them openly.

However, Qin Wentian didn't care and was about to leave when, at that moment, two figures walked over. Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn to them.

Because there was a stunning figure there, too dazzling.

When she appeared, it seemed that everything around her lost its luster, and she was the only one who stood out. The young nobles seemed to forget their manners, their eyes fixed on her, as if every step she took tugged at their hearts.

"Where is she going?" Everyone's hearts pounded as they saw Mo Qingcheng walk toward the crowd.

"So beautiful." Liu Yan felt a hint of disappointment when she saw Ye Zhan and Liu Yue lose themselves.