In his previous life, while representing the Tang Sect in the Soul Master Competition, Huo Yuhao had witnessed the match between his own Qiu'er and Xu Tianzhen.
Back then, Xu Tianzhen's quirky and eccentric temperament had already been on full display.
He had thought that the current Xu Tianzhen might not yet be as "unsettled" as her future self. Who would have guessed that the future Xu Tianzhen was actually the version of herself after she had learned some restraint!
"Boss, boss, do you want some tea? This is the special tribute tea sent from the local provinces to my Royal Father! He can't even bear to drink it himself; I snuck it out!"
"Boss, boss, do you want some small cakes? This is the pastry chef Royal Father specially assigned to me—top-tier skills, the cakes are super delicious."
"Boss, boss, do you want something fun to play with? Royal Father and my Imperial Brothers gave me so many fun things; I'm giving them all to you!"
Looking at the girl in front of him—purple eyes wide and round, wearing a completely fawning expression—even Huo Yuhao, who could perfectly control his emotions, found the situation a bit absurd.
His teacher had already bailed. After leaving a casual "You two get along well," Kong Deming had clutched the manufacturing method of the Soul Armor and rushed off to do research.
He fled so quickly it was as if he were deathly afraid of interrupting them...
After a moment's hesitation, Huo Yuhao spoke:
"Princess Tian Zhen... don't you think acting like this... is a bit damaging to the dignity of the Imperial Family?"
"Dignity?" Xu Tianzhen paused, then waved her hand dismissively. "How much is dignity worth? Learning real skills is what's important!"
Huo Yuhao paused slightly; he hadn't expected Xu Tianzhen to be so unexpectedly transparent.
However, in the next breath, her tone shifted: "So, will you take me in, Boss! My talent is great! I guarantee I'll learn everything the moment you teach it!"
Xu Tianzhen spoke earnestly. Seeing Huo Yuhao fall into contemplation and feeling the situation wasn't secure yet, she leaned in closer and blinked:
"Boss, if you take me in, that 'warming the bed' thing I mentioned earlier is totally on the table~"
"No... why is your head so full of warming beds!"
Huo Yuhao's expression was strange, especially since Xu Tianzhen's tone carried a hint of seriousness. It seemed as if he really agreed, she would actually go and warm his bed regularly!
This eccentricity was a bit over the top!
"Hmm? You don't like it? Didn't I hear that you're a scumbag who keeps two boats afloat, Boss? Don't tell me you don't like having one on each arm? Besides, I'm a Princess; having one on each arm would be even more exciting, wouldn't it?"
Xu Tianzhen blinked again, and Huo Yuhao's expression shifted slightly.
Wait, since when did the title of 'scumbag' start spreading through the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Engineer Academy?!
Sighing, Huo Yuhao took two steps back to maintain a safe distance before speaking:
"Princess Tian Zhen, I'd first like to explain that rumor about me 'rejecting' you..."
"No need for an explanation. Grandpa Kong already explained it to me. I only stayed here to see if you were really as good-looking as the rumors said and if you actually had real skills."
Xu Tianzhen interrupted him.
"Now it seems you're quite amazing, Boss! If Royal Father really wants to betroth me to you... it's not out of the question~"
Xu Tianzhen said nonchalantly, seemingly not caring about her own life's major milestones at all.
His emotional perception allowed Huo Yuhao to detect a slight anomaly, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he changed the subject:
"I know quite a few things. What does Princess Tian Zhen want to learn?"
As soon as he said this, Xu Tianzhen froze for a second. The next moment, a look of genuine, heartfelt joy appeared on her face.
"You're really going to teach me?!"
"Yes."
Xu Tianzhen's expression was ecstatic:
"Then that 'bling-bling' glove on your hand, and... and your technique for controlling soul power! And the method for controlling so many hovering soul tool cannons at once—can I learn all of those?!"
"I am only responsible for teaching. As for learning..."
"Don't worry! My talent is super high!"
Xu Tianzhen patted her chest—which could certainly hold its own against a certain Ice Silkworm—and wore a rare expression of pride.
Seeing her so full of vitality, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
He suddenly felt that this Princess Tian Zhen was quite interesting.
...
A few days later, in the library's self-study room.
Ju Zi was buried in Huo Yuhao's embrace like a giant cat, greedily sniffing his scent as if trying to make up for several months of absence all at once.
A hint of blurred haze flashed through her yellowish-brown eyes, which hid a trace of dark red. While holding him, Ju Zi reported in a soft voice:
"...Xu Tianran hasn't contacted me much these past few months. He only asked me to keep an eye on whether you'd left the lab. So, I've mostly spent these months researching soul tools. I'm now a Level 4 soul tool engineer.
"Last month, Xu Tianran said he wanted to find me a mentor, but I refused on the grounds that not having one would give me a better excuse to get close to you.
"But a few days ago, right after you came out of the lab, Yuhao, Xu Tianran asked me to indirectly probe your attitude toward the Sun Moon Imperial Family and the various princes.
"Also, according to Xu Tianran... it seems the Emperor has thoughts of playing matchmaker for you and Princess Tian Zhen."
"Matchmaking... as expected."
Huo Yuhao nodded, not particularly surprised.
He had no doubt that the Sun Moon Empire wanted a second "Kong Deming"—or rather, a "Kong Deming" whose talent far surpassed the original.
The value Huo Yuhao had displayed as a soul tool engineer had already surpassed Kong Deming. Faced with such a genius, the Sun Moon Imperial Family was naturally thinking of how to secure his loyalty.
Marriage—or rather, using emotions as a shackle—was an excellent method.
Just as Xu Tianran had discovered that Ju Zi had "accidentally" gotten close to him and shared a good relationship, Xu Tianran had decisively chosen to use Ju Zi as a bargaining chip to win Huo Yuhao over.
To Xu Tianran, as long as Ju Zi and Huo Yuhao were together—even if she was just a mistress—that would be enough.
And that was merely Xu Tianran's move; after all, he had been warned by Kong Deming and didn't dare do too much.
The Emperor, however, was clearly much more direct.
Kong Deming had rejected the proposal on his behalf, so the Emperor naturally wouldn't force it. But what if the two youngsters spent time together and developed feelings? Surely that wouldn't count as him forcing it!
Besides, even if there were no romantic feelings, having a friendship would still be good! It was a casual move on the chessboard either way; they stood to lose nothing, so why not do it?
"A Princess... truly quite a temptation..."
Though it was a calculation, it also showed how much the Sun Moon Empire valued him. They felt that a single chain like Meng Hongchen couldn't hold Huo Yuhao, so they planned to add another...
Giving money, status, power, resources, connections, and even a wife...
Tsk, Huo Yuhao truly didn't know how the Sun Moon Empire could lose, or how the three nations of the Douluo Continent could win.
On one side: "This man is a great talent! We must keep him!" On the other side: "This man is a great talent and poses a threat. He has found a way to court death and must not be allowed to remain!"
The difference was truly night and day.