Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

"What happened?" Eva asked.

Qian Renxue looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke: "The court officials are forcing me to hold a selection of candidates."

Upon hearing this, Eva paused for a moment, then laughed.

The laughter was soft, yet it carried an indescribable joy.

“A talent show?” she repeated the word, a hint of amusement flashing in her emerald eyes.

"That's true. The furnishings in your harem are indeed rather shabby. It's no wonder the ministers are anxious."

Chapter 468 Son Inherits Father's Business

Qian Renxue ignored her teasing and continued, "I need a way to shut them up without causing myself any trouble."

Eva leaned back on the soft couch, her fingers gently twirling a strand of dark hair that fell over her shoulder, her emerald eyes quietly watching Qian Renxue.

"So, what came to mind?"

Qian Renxue looked at Eva, her lips moved slightly, then closed again.

She had an idea, but was a little embarrassed to say it.

It was precisely because of this thought that he came to Eva's bedroom alone late at night.

But when she actually faced Eva's emerald green eyes, which seemed to be both smiling and not smiling, she found it difficult to speak.

Qian Renxue has never been embarrassed in her life.

In the Spirit Hall, she was a high-ranking, privileged prodigy. In the Heaven Dou Empire, she was a reserved and patient crown prince. She was used to controlling situations and having everything under her control.

But now, sitting across from Eva, she felt as if something was blocking her throat.

Eva watched her hesitate, a hint of amusement flashing in her emerald eyes.

She had known Qian Renxue for so many years and had never seen this woman show such an expression.

Hesitation, indecisiveness, and even... a hint of guilt.

interesting.

That's so interesting.

Eva slowly sat up straight, her dark green silk robe slipping down her shoulders to reveal a section of her fair, jade-like collarbone.

She tilted her head, a half-smile curving her lips, her voice languid as if teasing a cat with its fur standing on end.

"What?" she asked softly, her voice rising slightly at the end, "Could it be... that you've taken a liking to me?"

She said this in a light, casual tone, with an obvious hint of mockery.

She thought Qian Renxue would roll her eyes, give her a cold look and tell her to be serious, and look at her with that "I'm talking about serious matters, don't mess around" look as usual.

But Qian Renxue didn't.

Qian Renxue looked at her and remained silent.

Eva's smile faltered slightly.

Then, Qian Renxue spoke.

"Yes."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was as clear as if she were announcing an imperial decree in the imperial court.

"In my opinion, you are the best choice."

Eva's fingers paused slightly.

Qian Renxue continued, speaking at a moderate pace, as if stating a well-thought-out conclusion: "The son inherits the father's position. The late emperor has passed away, the crown prince has succeeded to the throne, and the position of empress is vacant. The court officials are pressuring me to select candidates, but they just want to put people around me to consolidate their own power."

If I were to truly select women from those powerful and aristocratic families, the infighting within the harem would never cease, and the balance of power in the court would be disrupted.

She paused, her gaze fixed on Eva.

"But you are different. You are the late emperor's queen, the mother of Snow White, and the rightful queen of the Heavenly Dou Empire."

Besides, you know every blade of grass and tree in this palace better than I do, and you know the ministers' backgrounds and weaknesses better than I do. With you here, I don't need to spend time getting along, testing each other, or being on guard.

As Qian Renxue spoke, a very faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Besides, this was made by Xue Qinghe, not by me, Qian Renxue."

Eva looked at her, a smile flashing in her emerald eyes.

Qian Renxue met her gaze, her voice calm to the point of being cold: "People's bottom line will gradually decrease. Today they can accept the new emperor marrying the former emperor's queen, tomorrow they can accept something even more outrageous."

"I will gradually lower these people's bottom line until one day, when the Heavenly Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall truly merge, they won't even have the strength to oppose it."

The candlelight flickered gently in the night breeze, casting the two figures long and short shadows.

Eva leaned back on the soft couch, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic tapping sound. She looked at Qian Renxue, her gaze holding something indescribable.

It's like getting to know this person all over again.

After a long while, Eva chuckled softly.

The laughter was soft, yet it carried a genuine joy.

"That's a good idea."

She slowly stood up, her bare feet stepping onto the soft carpet.

Her dark green silk nightgown swayed gently with her steps, the neckline lowered further, revealing a dazzling expanse of snow-white skin.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, gleaming softly in the dim light, making her resemble a lazy yet dangerous cat.

She walked up to Qian Renxue and stopped.

Qian Renxue sat in the chair, tilting her head slightly to see her face clearly.

This angle made her feel uncomfortable, as if she were being looked down upon.

Eva reached out, her long, slender, cool fingers gently lifting Qian Renxue's chin, forcing her to look up at her.

Those emerald green eyes were so close, reflecting Qian Renxue's aloof face.

"You've come to ask for my opinion?"

Her voice was very soft, as if she were talking about something trivial.

Qian Renxue neither dodged her fingers nor brushed her hand away.

She simply gazed calmly back into those emerald eyes, her voice equally soft:

"Yes."

Eva looked at her, her smile growing wider.

She leaned down and whispered in Qian Renxue's ear.

A warm breath brushed against Qian Renxue's earlobe, carrying a faint, cool fragrance.

Eva's red lips almost touched her earlobe, her voice so low it sounded like she was telling a secret that belonged only to the two of them.

"of course can."

Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly.

Eva sensed it, and her smile deepened.

Instead of backing away, she moved her lips to Qian Renxue's cheek, her warm breath brushing against her skin, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

“But…” Eva’s voice was languid, as if she were savoring a fine vintage wine, “how do you plan to repay me?”

Qian Renxue paused slightly in her breathing.

She could feel Eva's red lips moving across her cheek, lightly brushing against her skin.

The touch was very light, as light as a feather brushing against her skin, yet it made her feel a little itchy, a little...uncomfortable.

Her face began to burn.

Starting from the base of the ears, the color gradually spread to the cheeks, and finally even the neck was tinged with a light pink.

But her expression remained calm.

At least she tried to appear calm.

Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, creating a small distance between them, and looked directly into Eva's emerald green eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

Her voice was a little hoarse, but she tried her best to keep it steady.

What do you want?

Eva looked at her trying to remain calm, and the smile in her eyes almost overflowed.

Instead of backing away, she moved closer, their noses almost touching.

Eva's red lips parted slightly, her voice as low as a murmur escaping from the depths of her throat.

"I want you."

Qian Renxue's pupils suddenly contracted.

She froze in her chair, her mind blank.

Those usually cool and sharp eyes were wide open now, filled with shock and bewilderment.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she found that she couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing her like this, Eva finally couldn't help but laugh.

The laughter was soft, yet it carried a sense of triumphant satisfaction at having pulled off a prank.

She took a step back, released Qian Renxue's chin, crossed her arms, and tilted her head to look at the woman in front of her who rarely showed a flustered expression.

"What's the panic?"

Eva raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress the smile on her lips. "It was just a joke, why are you so scared?"

Qian Renxue's chest heaved violently a few times, as if she was trying to calm her frightened heart.

She stared at Eva's face, which was filled with joy, and her lips moved several times before she finally managed to squeeze out a few words through clenched teeth.

"...You did it on purpose."