The morning sun had just risen.
Dawn's light streamed through the window, casting its glow upon Qin Xiao's face.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing was curled up against him, like a kitten snuggling in his embrace.
At this moment, her jet-black hair was messily spread over her body, her perfect figure fully revealed in front of Qin Xiao.
Yet, marred by beauty were the dark red and deep purple bruises.
It was evident just how wild and frenzied the previous night had been.
Seven times, eight times, or ten?
Qin Xiao couldn't remember.
Only when utterly exhausted did he finally fall into a deep sleep.
He had thought about stopping, but he just couldn't control himself.
"Zhu Qing, you've suffered..."
Qin Xiao looked at her with a touch more pity in his eyes.
Gently kissing the girl's forehead, Qin Xiao covered her with a lightweight silk quilt before getting out of bed.
After a simple wash, he tiptoed out of the room,
careful not to disturb Zhu Zhuqing's sweet dreams.
"Your Highness."
Outside the door, Meng Yiran had evidently been waiting for a while.
No.
To be precise, she hadn't left since yesterday.
What if she left and Your Highness's good time was interrupted by someone else?
Wouldn't that be a grave sin...?
"You haven't slept all night?"
Seeing the large dark circles under the girl's eyes, Qin Xiao could guess something.
"Yes."
Meng Yiran answered without hesitation.
In fact, even if she had wanted to sleep, she wouldn't have been able to.
How could a girl unversed in worldly affairs not be stirred by those incessant sounds?
"Your Highness, there is also a letter here, delivered early in the morning by Dean Liu Erlong."
At this moment, Meng Yiran handed a sealed letter to Qin Xiao.
"Hm? Who else would send me a letter?"
Curiosity crossed Qin Xiao's face, but when he saw the signature on the letter,
he was stunned.
All because of the boldly written words "Hao Tian Clan"!
"A letter from the Hao Tian Clan, I suppose I have to see what trouble they want to stir up now."
Qin Xiao murmured softly, taking the letter out and reading the contents.
Meng Yiran carefully glanced at Qin Xiao, noticing his expression slowly turned grave.
But, very soon, Qin Xiao laughed out loud: "Ha-ha, what a move Hao Tian Clan, do they want to go down fighting with me?"
"What?" Meng Yiran's face suddenly revealed shock, "Your Highness, are they boldly demanding you hand over the third elder of Hao Tian Clan?"
"Would they dare?" Qin Xiao's voice betrayed no attempt to hide his disdain for the people of the Hao Tian Clan.
"In the letter, they mention they want to have negotiations with me. As long as I am willing to release Tang Lao San, they are ready to pay any price. The time is set for noon today, at a location outside Tiandou City."
"Your Highness, then do you plan to...?"
"Of course, I'm going to attend the appointment."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran's pupils constricted: "Your Highness, I feel this is not good news. I'm afraid they might come prepared."
"Of course, I'm aware of that."
Qin Xiao nodded, "It seems like they're ready to break the pot if it's cracked. Even if they have to give up on Tang Lao San, they still want to put me in a deadly situation."
"So, you still plan to meet them?"
Meng Yiran had heard that there were three or four Titled Douluo Level elders in the Hao Tian Clan, not to mention the numerous other strong members...
She was deeply worried about potential danger to Qin Xiao.
"Of course, I will attend. If I don't, how can I catch them all in one net?"
Qin Xiao didn't wait for Meng Yiran to ask and continued: "Originally, I wanted them to deal with Tang Hao, a case of dogs biting dogs, and when they were done, I would take advantage of the fisherman. Now it seems I've overestimated them.
Since they are of no value anymore, naturally, I cannot let them stir up trouble. Besides, don't you also wish to eliminate the Hao Tian Clan?"
"Yes..." Meng Yiran, after hearing Qin Xiao's words, showed a hint of reverie in her eyes.
However, it quickly turned back to deep concern, "But still, I don't want anything untoward to happen to you."
"Sigh..."
Seeing her state, Qin Xiao shook his head slightly, stepped forward, and gently tousled the girl's hair, "Don't worry, it'll be fine. Besides, I won't be exposing myself to danger. I can find some helpers."
"Really?" Meng Yiran's eyes brightened.
Qin Xiao nodded, "The Seven Treasures Glaze Sect has been eyeing the Hao Tian Clan for a long time, I'm going to seek out Ning Fengzhi."
"But I heard that Ning Fengzhi is a person who..."
"Is cunning as a fox, right?" Qin Xiao saw through Meng Yiran's concerns, then shook his head, "Don't worry, in the end, Ning Fengzhi is a businessman. I will only talk business with him, not feelings."
"I was overthinking it."
Meng Yiran, reassured by Qin Xiao's words, completely put her mind at ease.
At the same time, she couldn't help but berate herself for being meddlesome.
With Your Highness's intelligence, how could he not see through the essence of the matter?
"All right, go and rest."
Qin Xiao gently patted the girl's cheek and headed towards the gate of the Blue Tyrant Academy.
"Your Highness, I will wait for your triumphant return."
Meng Yiran called softly from behind Qin Xiao.
...
Some time later.
As Qin Xiao was about to leave the Blue Tyrant Academy, Liu Erlong came to meet him head-on.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment."
"Is there a problem?"
Qin Xiao was somewhat surprised.
"Just now, another letter arrived; I was going to bring it to you."
Without further ado, Liu Erlong took out a letter and handed it to Qin Xiao.
"What's going on today? So many people sending me letters?"
Qin Xiao couldn't help but mutter to himself, only this time the signature on the letter was no longer the Hao Tian Clan, but... Xue Qinghe?