...
The next morning.
As the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, several doors in the quiet guest room corridor of the Crown Prince's residence creaked softly almost simultaneously.
Qian Renxue, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, and even the usually quiet Ye Lingling all slipped out of their rooms, wearing only thin outer garments.
The girls, feeling guilty, peeked out and all turned their eyes to the guest room at the end of the corridor that belonged to Xuan Hao.
Although they said they would "treat each other with respect" last night, they were actually both incredibly curious, like cats scratching their tails.
Whose room did that guy, who had been in seclusion for over a year and was as energetic as a monster, sneak into to sleep last night?
As a result, when they stood awkwardly staring at each other in the middle of the corridor, they suddenly realized an embarrassing fact.
Xuan Hao was not in his own room, nor in any of their rooms!
Ning Rongrong looked around, her gaze quickly locking onto the blind spot: "Wait, where's Na'er?"
Everyone then realized that Na'er was the only one missing.
Qian Renxue walked quickly to Na'er's guest room, gently pushed open the door, and saw that it was empty, the bed was neatly made, and there was no warmth at all.
It's obvious that Xuanhao spent last night with Na'er.
But if they're not in the room, where could these two have gone?
Just as everyone was filled with doubt, Ye Lingling, who had been standing quietly at the back of the line, suddenly spoke up in a low voice.
"Maybe... in the lawn of the backyard garden."
Upon hearing this, the air in the corridor instantly fell into a deathly silence.
Qian Renxue's lips twitched violently twice, and Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu's faces turned red instantly.
"No...no way?" Xiao Wu stammered, covering her mouth.
"Are they really that promiscuous? Doing it in the open like that?
This...this is such a bad influence!"
To do *that* kind of thing in the heavily guarded backyard of the Crown Prince's residence, with sentries everywhere?
That's incredibly audacious!
"Stop guessing, it's unlikely."
Amidst the surrounding surprise and uncertainty, Ning Rongrong shook her head, firmly denying this "wild" guess:
"I think they were just looking at the stars and sleeping under the covers."
Seeing the skeptical looks from everyone, Ning Rongrong sighed and transformed into a relationship analysis expert, explaining logically and with evidence:
"Haven't you ever noticed? When Xuanhao and Na'er are alone together, the atmosphere is actually very serious."
"Although we all know that these two like to play dirty little games in private, the kind of dirty play between them is something that both of them have clear bottom lines and restraint."
Ning Rongrong shrugged, her analysis sound and logical:
"Most of the time, Hyunho truly doted on Na'er as if she were his own younger sister who needed his care.
Only in rare cases, such as when Na'er felt that Hyunho was bullying us too much and couldn't stand it anymore, would she take the initiative to step forward, pull Hyunho away, and comfort him herself."
"Think back carefully, what kind of person was Xuanhao when he played games with us?
He was always pushing his luck and had no scruples!
Except for sticking to that last line and not going any further, he never restrained himself. Often, when he was touching someone and the atmosphere was right, he would just do whatever he wanted without any explanation."
Ning Rongrong's words made the girls present blush in unison, clearly recalling certain scenes that made them feel weak all over.
"But Xuanhao treats Na'er completely differently!"
Ning Rongrong said firmly, "Xuanhao's protective instincts towards Na'er far outweigh any possessiveness between men and women.
Most of the time, his budding feelings are actually brought out by Na'er herself!
It's Na'er who takes the initiative to approach him, and that's why Xuanhao goes along with her.
If Na'er doesn't take the initiative, Xuanhao would never be able to bear touching her; he would only treat her as the purest little sister."
At this point, Ning Rongrong's gaze suddenly shifted, landing squarely on Dugu Yan, who had been watching the show with her arms crossed.
"So, you guys should use your brains and think about it carefully."
Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "That guy has been cultivating in the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for more than a year, and he has a lot of violent blood and energy.
If he really wanted to have some fun last night and wanted to find someone to release his pressure... the most likely thing is that he didn't go to Na'er."
"The person he should be looking for is Sister Yan Yan!"
Dugu Yan, who was suddenly called out, was taken aback at first. Then, a rare blush flashed across her beautiful face.
But instead of refuting, she proudly puffed out her chest and let out a soft hum without any hesitation.
Seeing her reaction, Ning Rongrong chuckled, "Because Sister Yanyan is... the most fun-loving one here!"
"When we play games with Xuanhao, we're basically in a passive position, being led by the nose by him.
But Sister Yanyan is different. Not only can she keep up physically, but when she gets angry, she can even turn the tables and bully Xuanhao!"
Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Since Xuan Hao didn't go to Sister Yan Yan, who allows him to completely relax, last night, but instead went to see Na'er, the conclusion is already quite obvious.
He must have just been there because he hadn't seen Na'er in a long time, so he went to chat with her, look at the stars, and simply catch up on some sleep.
There's absolutely no way he was doing anything inappropriate!"
After listening to Ning Rongrong's reasoned analysis, the girls in the corridor all breathed a sigh of relief, and their previously anxious hearts were put at ease.
But at the same time, a strange and inexplicable sense of loss welled up in everyone's hearts.
Ning Rongrong's words inadvertently revealed a fact that everyone usually kept quiet about, yet could not avoid:
In Xuan Hao's heart, Na'er's weight and importance absolutely surpassed all of them.
This is an indisputable fact.
This is no longer a question of vying for favor; it's a deep-seated, interdependent bond.
Xuanhao's care and pampering for Na'er almost reached a point of no bottom line, and could even be described as blind and indiscriminate in his pursuit of right and wrong.
Conversely, Na'er's love and dependence on Xuan Hao are the same.
Among this group of people, if we're talking about the ultimate purity of being willing to disregard everything for Xuan Hao, even abandoning one's life and the world, the only one who can truly compare to Na'er is actually Xiao Wu, who usually seems carefree and whose mind is always filled with carrots.
Everyone else, whether it was Qian Renxue, Ning Rongrong, or Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan... knew very well what was going on.
If one day they encounter an extreme event that goes against common sense or seriously conflicts with the interests of their powerful families, even if they ultimately grit their teeth and decide to stand on Xuan Hao's side...
But at the moment of making the decision, there must have been a moment of hesitation, struggle, and weighing of options in their hearts.
Because they have too many things to worry about.
But Na'er wouldn't. Neither would Xiao Wu.
For these two innocent girls, there was absolutely no need for thought or weighing of options.
Whatever decision Xuan Hao makes, even if it's to destroy the world, their subconscious will immediately and unreservedly gravitate towards him.
Regardless of right or wrong, without any ulterior motives.
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