Chapter 571: Understanding Qin Jian

"Does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intend to create a Seven Treasure Judgment Hall just like the Spirit Hall?"

Inside the government affairs hall, Xue Qinghe's words caused the officials' discussions to cease immediately.

Everyone's gaze toward Ning Rongrong carried a hint of scrutiny.

Ning Rongrong remained calm and composed, smiling as she said: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has never had the same intentions as the Spirit Hall, nor do we wish to use this to expand our influence or seize the hearts of the people. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has long been tied to the Heaven Dou Empire, so we can establish a Heaven Dou Judgment Hall under an official name, and the arrest missions that offend the nobility can be undertaken by my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Upon hearing this, the crowd's expressions relaxed.

As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not using Ning Rongrong's status to control the Heaven Dou Empire in the name of the Judgment Hall, then letting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect clash with the Spirit Hall was in the best interest of the Heaven Dou Royal family.

Xue Qinghe's tightly furrowed brows, however, did not relax at all.

She knew things were not that simple; once the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stepped into the open to interfere in imperial affairs, there would be a great deal of room for maneuvering, and she could not predict or control what it would turn into by then...

But under the current circumstances, the empire could not directly take action to deal with the nobles, and letting the Spirit Judgment Hall kill chickens to scare monkeys and accumulate prestige was also not an option; only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the most suitable.

If she could provoke an opposition between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Judgment Hall, then the relationship between Qin Jian and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...

"Young Master, Qin Jian has returned, and he is listening to your conversation in secret."

Suddenly, a faint voice entered Xue Qinghe's ears.

Her gaze flickered, and she immediately looked at Ning Rongrong, saying: "Rongrong, the Spirit Judgment Hall belongs to Qin Jian, and he is your fiancé. Do you really intend to openly oppose him?"

Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment, then replied without hesitation: "I represent the Heaven Dou Empire now, not myself. So even if he is my fiancé, when our positions are hostile, I will still stand by my own position."

The officials' gazes toward her suddenly became filled with a bit more trust.

Xue Qinghe also smiled: "Since that is the case, then do as you say. Let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take the lead in contending with the Spirit Judgment Hall."

In the current situation, as long as she did not make any major mistakes, even if her reputation was ruined, she would not lose her qualification to inherit.

And it would not be easy for Ning Rongrong to turn the tables by relying on the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; let her go and confront Qin Jian.

The deeper the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hurt Qin Jian, the more certain she would be of pulling Qin Jian completely to her side...

The subsequent discussion was nothing special, and Ning Rongrong did not deliberately oppose Xue Qinghe again. Shortly after, the officials dispersed.

"Rongrong, Xue Ke, stay and have a meal before you go."

Xue Qinghe stood up and looked at the two of them gently.

Xue Ke nodded.

Ning Rongrong, however, said: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the matter of the Judgment Hall is imminent. I must return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to discuss it with my father, so I will not stay for dinner."

Watching her slender back gradually move away, Xue Qinghe's eyes slowly became indifferent.

"She really is cautious... not giving me any opportunity..."

She whispered to herself, not letting Xue Ke hear.

"Young Master, Qin Jian has left following behind Ning Rongrong." Pufferfish Douluo's voice entered her ears once again.

The corners of Xue Qinghe's mouth slowly curled up: "Going to settle scores, are they... Very good..."

In fact, what she thought and what actually happened were poles apart.

When Ning Rongrong stepped out of the Imperial Palace and boarded her own princess carriage, she was pleasantly surprised to find Qin Jian sitting inside the carriage looking at her.

"Brother Jian!"

She called out in surprise, and was then pulled onto Qin Jian's lap and held tightly, her delicate and smooth face quickly covered in his saliva.

"Stop it, stop it..."

Ning Rongrong pressed against Qin Jian's face and chided: "My face has been washed clean by you."

Qin Jian chuckled, sat her on his lap, and said with a smile: "Did you miss me, Rongrong?"

Ning Rongrong gently rubbed his cheeks with both hands, her gaze like water: "I did."

That simple word made Qin Jian's heart feel soft.

He tightened his hold on the delicate body in his arms, letting her lean against him, quietly listening to each other's breathing and synchronized heartbeats.

"Brother Jian, did you hear everything I said in the government affairs hall today?"

After a long while, Ning Rongrong finally broke the silence.

"Mm."

Qin Jian nodded but did not ask anything.

Ning Rongrong raised her eyes, a smile appearing in them: "I proposed that the sect should oppose the Spirit Judgment Hall to seize the power of judgment and compete for public opinion. Is Brother Jian not unhappy?"

Qin Jian slowly stroked her smooth long hair and shook his head: "It doesn't matter. As long as Rongrong thinks it is beneficial to the sect, just go ahead and do it."

Ning Rongrong's upturned eyes were soft and gentle: "But you have been trying to expand the influence of the Spirit Judgment Hall. Wouldn't doing this make your hard work go to waste?"

Qin Jian kissed her smooth forehead: "I don't believe this was your own idea; it must have been Father-in-law's, right? With his personality, in such a delicate situation, he wouldn't let me suffer too much, otherwise, it would just create a rift for no reason."

Ning Rongrong's expression was somewhat subtle: "How do you and Father have such a tacit understanding?"

"What do you mean?" Qin Jian asked.

Ning Rongrong said: "When Father asked me to bring up this proposal, I asked him, but Father told me it didn't matter, that you wouldn't mind."

She glanced at Qin Jian: "I find that in these kinds of things, you and Father always have a great tacit understanding, deeper than the one between us."

Qin Jian: "..."

"So, this plan that appears to be in opposition to the Spirit Judgment Hall actually has a deeper meaning, right?" he asked.

Ning Rongrong nodded: "Mm, Father just needs a legitimate excuse to eliminate those nobles he cannot control, and now is a very good opportunity."

"Why not just tell me? I could have directly let the Spirit Judgment Hall do it," Qin Jian asked.

Ning Rongrong shook her head and said: "Father said he could only let you handle some neutral nobles; once it involves the Crown Prince's sphere of influence, it is not suitable for you to take action."

Qin Jian's expression shifted: "That is true. Although the Spirit Judgment Hall is nominally responsible for reviewing all Evil Soul Masters, if it involves the Crown Prince's influence, it is indeed inconvenient for me to take action. At most, I could have him restrain his subordinates, but if I insisted on a purge, the losses would outweigh the gains."

"Mm, so for matters involving the encroachment of both sides' forces, only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can do it itself."

Ning Rongrong laughed: "It's a pity Xue Qinghe won't understand the tacit understanding and trust between you and Father, and thinks you will become estranged from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because of this, which is why she agreed to this matter."

Qin Jian shook his head helplessly: "This game of chess isn't about comparing intelligence, but about how well you all understand me. Qinghe... sigh... what a pity..."

(End of chapter)