Chapter 29: Following Brother Xue

"The student duo in first place is..."

Tang Yuehua's gaze swept over the restless Ning Rongrong and Xue Ke, a faint, elegant smile slowly appearing at the corners of her mouth.

She then walked forward, arriving between Qin Jian and Xue Qinghe, and said, "First place will be produced from these two groups."

"Oh my..."

The students and audience, who had been held in such suspense that they dared not even breathe, immediately erupted in complaints.

"Teacher Yue, we know first place is definitely between their two groups, the key is which one?"

"Exactly, exactly, Teacher Yue, just say it directly!"

"......"

It wasn't just the students voicing their opinions; even Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and the others were somewhat dumbfounded. Although they wouldn't care too much about such things given their status, their appetites had been completely whetted now...

Seeing the surging crowd, Tang Yuehua chuckled lightly: "This time, the Crown Prince and the Princess performed very well. Whether it was the stage setup or the quality of the backup dancers, both greatly enhanced the performance's effect..."

As soon as she said this, everyone immediately looked at Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke.

Could it be that they were actually in first place?

Many people off-stage frowned.

Although they admitted that Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke's performance was flawless and truly good, when it came to being moved, it was far inferior to the duo of Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong.

A look of surprise and joy had already begun to appear on Xue Ke's face, while only Xue Qinghe remained calm: "Don't be happy too soon..."

Before she finished speaking, Tang Yuehua's tone indeed shifted: "But if we are talking about the emotional impact of the performance, then they are far behind. As a teacher, I appreciate the graduation performance of Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong more. In my heart, they are the well-deserved first place!"

Xue Ke's joyful expression collapsed, yet enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the venue.

Ning Fengzhi and the others also breathed a slight sigh of relief; they really hadn't expected this seemingly noble Tang Yuehua to also be capable of keeping people in suspense.

"Qin Jian, Qin Jian, we won! We won!"

Ning Rongrong, who couldn't be happier, hung her entire body on Qin Jian; she was becoming less and less concerned about the gazes of others now.

Ever since Xue Ke appeared, Ning Rongrong had learned to assert her sovereignty without being taught...

"This little girl is really becoming less and less reserved..."

Ning Fengzhi tapped his cane, then glanced at Jian Douluo beside him and said, "Jian Shu, I think that year of simulated training didn't temper Rongrong's temperament, but rather found her a man..."

"This is also fate, I suppose..."

Jian Douluo could only say this.

Although what he was thinking was: "Even without that year of closed-door training, Rongrong wouldn't have been able to escape it... If you use another word for fate, it's destiny..."

The enthusiastic applause only subsided after a long while.

"Then, from now on, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong will become my official students and may come to Yuexuan to seek my guidance at any time."

Tang Yuehua handed a dark silver nameplate to Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong respectively, once again drawing envious gazes from the other students.

While this status didn't mean much to Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, to these aristocratic children, it was an honor that could be valued by their families.

"Then, this graduation performance ends here. I will now hand the remaining time over to His Majesty."

She bowed slightly toward Emperor Xue Ye and slowly stepped down.

But everyone's gaze still involuntarily fell upon her beautiful, noble, and charming figure, until Emperor Xue Ye stood in the center of the stage.

"Congratulations to the students who won first place. You were truly excellent; even someone of my age was moved."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly to Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, then turned to the crowd below: "It is rare for everyone to gather here, so the royal family has prepared a sumptuous banquet. I hope everyone can attend."

Following this, countless Maids walked in and began guiding the nobles toward the banquet.

"Qin Jian, I will submit your qualification for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Soul Hunting Ground. You can just go in a few days."

At this moment, Xue Qinghe walked up. She didn't show any disappointment; instead, her eyes were fixed tightly on Qin Jian, and a hint of fiery heat seemed to flash in the depths of those eyes...

That moving performance didn't just infect the audience; even she, the opponent, had been touched.

Qin Jian nodded and said, "Then many thanks."

He then looked back at Ning Rongrong, various lights flashing in his eyes: "Let me do a few more things for you at the end..."

At this time, Ning Fengzhi walked up to Emperor Xue Ye: "Your Majesty, there are still matters in the sect to handle, so I will not stay any longer."

Emperor Xue Ye naturally would not stop him.

"Rongrong, Qin Jian, come, it's time to go home..."

Ning Fengzhi revealed a warm smile and waited for his precious daughter to pounce over like she used to...

"Dad, was my performance good today?"

As a result, Ning Rongrong subconsciously took two steps forward, but as soon as her left hand was empty, she paused, turned back to hold Qin Jian's right hand again, and only then walked over.

Ning Fengzhi's eyelid twitched.

He felt that he had raised his precious daughter for ten years, only for her to fall into someone else's arms in a year or two...

"Teacher, are you taking Rongrong and Little Brother Qin back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Xue Qinghe's voice suddenly rang out.

Qin Jian couldn't help but glance at her.

When did the address evolve into 'Little Brother Qin'... You're the little brother... No, wait, you don't even have one...

"It's Qinghe..." Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly.

Xue Qinghe bowed slightly and said, "Teacher, you may be absent from tonight's banquet, but our first-place winners cannot be absent."

She smiled and pointed at Qin Jian.

Ning Fengzhi was startled, then laughed aloud and said, "Then let them stay and go home tomorrow."

On this side, Jian Douluo patted Qin Jian's head and then quietly gave him a thumbs up: "The performance was done well; you didn't lose face for me, your teacher."

Qin Jian rolled his eyes slightly.

After Ning Fengzhi, Jian Douluo, and the others had all left, Xue Qinghe walked up with a smile again and said, "I'm selfishly keeping you for one more night, don't be angry with me."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is joking," Qin Jian said with a straight face.

Xue Qinghe shook his head helplessly and said, "Little Brother Qin, it's been half a year, why are you still so distant with me? Can't you just call me Big Brother Xue?"

It seemed she would also have Tang San call her Big Brother Xue in the future...

Could this guy have some special fetish for being a big brother?

"I dare not address the Crown Prince as a brother."

Qin Jian shook his head and even took two steps back.

Then, he casually cast his First Soul Skill, and as expected, it had no effect...

"Haha, Little Brother Qin is too much of a stranger..."

Xue Qinghe laughed as he walked forward, hooking his arm around Qin Jian's neck and walking toward the outside of the hall without allowing any argument, leaving even Ning Rongrong stunned for a moment and unable to keep up.

"Let's go, let's go, come with Big Brother Xue to attend the banquet; I guarantee it's better than what your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect makes, and it looks better too..."

(End of chapter)