You're Strong But Now You're Mine

"What! Teacher Yan likes Teacher Qin!?"

"Shh! Shh!"

Outside the Imperial Academy's guard teaching building, under the sunset glow, Ming Shuiyun quickly looked around, raised her finger to signal silence: "Don't be so loud!"

Li Ying immediately covered her mouth, and after hesitating for a second or two, Kui Nianruo finally asked weakly: "Which Teacher Yan? Teacher Yan Yi?"

Ming Shuiyun nodded, pulling them aside into a tree-lined path, and told them what she had seen on the sixth floor at noon, with a reminder: "You must not spread this out! Absolutely not!"

It's not that Ming Shuiyun cared much about privacy; if she really did, she wouldn't have told her girlfriends about it. But having personally experienced the power of public opinion reversal, Ming Shuiyun had begun to understand the power of hearsay — she was certain that if other students found out about this, it would definitely lead to two outcomes:

First, there would be a commotion, people would be pleased to see it happen, and might even actively matchmake Qin Leyin and Yan Yi;

Second, targeting, Yan Yi's admirers would challenge Qin Leyin, but this would only give Qin Leyin a chance to demonstrate his skills to Yan Yi!

That means the leaking of this matter would almost invariably make the public perceive the two's relationship as closer!

That's why Ming Shuiyun held onto this information until the evening after class before telling them, to avoid the crowded classroom with its loose tongues.

"Teacher Yan, huh..." Lin Xue thought for a moment and said, "She and Teacher Qin do make a good match, equally matched in looks and achievements."

"Indeed." Qian Yuya nodded: "She's worthy of Brother Hongle. Their children might even have the same qualifications and bear the same fate as Brother Hongle."

"Ah, are we already considering having kids?" Kui Nianruo was shocked.

"Aren't Brother and Teacher Yan both not young anymore?" Qin Yueshi also said seriously: "They're both powerful martial artists; their age for childbearing is really these few years. Too early or too late wouldn't work. If they truly are in love, they might get married this year and have children next year... Even if Brother is unwilling, Second Brother and I would definitely urge them. The Qin Family does need an heir."

"Especially since Teacher Yan is also quite formidable, their suitable age range is even narrower, so this matter can't be delayed."

Kui Nianruo exclaimed, "Sister Shi, you know a lot!"

"I previously researched related knowledge on preparing for pregnancy." Qin Yueshi's expression dimmed a little: "The prime of a martial artist's life is actually very short."

Although Luminous Stone has activated the spiritual power of the Radiant, making them virtually immune to disease, physically strong, and with a rapid metabolic rate, the consequence is a significant reduction in fertility. Ordinary people are unlikely to conceive before twenty and have no chance past forty, whereas for martial artists it's reduced to between twenty-five and thirty-five — the stronger the spiritual power, the deeper the imprint on reproductive cells. Only martial artists in peak physical condition can mitigate the negative effects of spiritual power.

This scarcity of families with lineage in Radiant is for this very reason: the probability of sterility is too high. Even the Imperial Family's direct line has changed eight times, and the bloodline connection between the Radiant Celestial Maidens and the Radiant Grand Ancestor is only slightly stronger than that of ordinary people.

Especially among martial artists, most skilled ones in ancient times generally thought of 'love and such' as a hindrance when young, and by the time they looked back, they were often past the appropriate age for having children. Reluctant to let their martial skills be lost, they naturally started sects to pass on their teachings.

Throughout history, such people were not uncommon. When everyone sought mutual comfort, they didn't mind exchanging combat technique knowledge — after all, there was no need to pass it on to children; whether passing it to a disciple or a friend, there was no blood connection, and who says a disciple is dearer than a friend?

This is the realistic foundation for the open exchange of combat techniques: too many perpetually single individuals with no descendants.

Once martial artists realize their sterility, they naturally become more devoted to combat techniques, the more they train, the more sterile they become, and in this virtuous cycle, they push combat techniques to their current state of rare and perfect advancement.

Do you really think a combat technique that can be trained to the 'Peak of Perfection' level is a cheap street item? Over a thousand years ago, every one of the eighteen combat techniques would have been considered 'Heavenly-level martial art,' 'Divine Secret Manual,' or 'Immortal Atlas'; each one that appeared would provoke a bloody storm in the Radiant martial world!

"Wait a minute!" Ming Shuiyun quickly stopped them: "I told you this not to get your approval!"

"So, do you mean you want us to oppose it?" Lin Xue raised her eyebrows: "But — why should we oppose it? They're both single and their conditions match; do we have any reason to oppose it?"

Ming Shuiyun was momentarily speechless but quickly found an excuse: "Teacher Qin is currently my sword sheath! How do we know if Yan Yi isn't a beauty trap sent by others to enchant Teacher Qin, with the intention of stealing information or even turning him against us in the battle for the throne?"

Ming Shuiyun's reasoning was simply flawless; since it was related to the sword-seeking battle for ascension, no amount of caution was excessive. Whether or not someone is a spy is undeterminable, even if you claim not to be, as long as I suspect, then you're not trustworthy.

"What if Brother Hongle really likes her?" Qian Yuya asked.

"No way!" Ming Shuiyun immediately retorted: "He wouldn't like that flir... Teacher Yan!"

"But what if?" Li Ying mischievously asked: "What if he just likes Teacher Yan's type and insists on being with her, what will you do Shuiyun?"

"Even if that's the case, it should be postponed for half a year!" Ming Shuiyun declared righteously: "In half a year, the dust will settle, and the battle for the throne will be over. Can't they discuss such lifelong matters afterward? Can't they wait for such a short time?"

Li Ying, Qian Yuya, Qin Yueshi, Lin Xue, and the others exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

Ming Shuiyun had grown.

Unlike the timid, outwardly strong but inwardly insecure girl when they first met, the current Ming Shuiyun was confident, proud, ambitious, and had learned some tactics.

Except for Kui Nianruo, they aren't blind. How could they not see Ming Shuiyun's attachment to Qin Leyin? Yet, Ming Shuiyun's words were airtight, using public interest to wrap her private desires, using noble aspirations to conceal her desires, and most importantly, she showed her attitude —

She only needed half a year!

Half a year later, even if she's up against the academy's public goddess and dream lover, Radiant series mentor, the youngest permanent teacher at the Imperial Academy, Yan Yi, she wouldn't be afraid at all!

Because by then, she would be the Emperor of Radiant!

This was the most surprising point for Lin Xue and the others — Ming Shuiyun was no longer just an ordinary candidate for Emperor; she already saw herself as the Emperor. She no longer felt fear or anxiety about that position, only impatience and longing!

Even if it's just out of a simple desire for men, for Ming Shuiyun, it's a significant progress.

Lin Xue and Li Ying even thought in a negative way—could it be that Qin Le Yin did it on purpose? He used himself as bait just to lure out such an empress?

"If you really think so, then it's easy to solve the problem," Qian Yuya said. "You can just directly tell your brother Hongle. You are his master, and if you have a reasonable request, he'll surely agree."

"Well..." Ming Shuiyun instantly lost her dominante aura, stammering, "I think it's better if you guys talk to him..."

"Why?" Li Ying asked. "Is it inconvenient for you?"

As the highest-ranked in romance strategies, Qin Yueshi quickly understood Ming Shuiyun's hesitation: she didn't want to actively make such an excessive request.

All the way, Qin Le Yin had helped her so much! Yet Qin Le Yin had never asked for anything in return from her. In fact, he gave her the greatest freedom, and even when Ming Shuiyun interacted with people like Long Xiaoyuan, Qin Le Yin remained silent, only offering help when Ming Shuiyun truly needed it.

If Ming Shuiyun were ungrateful and treated Qin Le Yin like a servant, it wouldn't matter. But the problem is, she knows gratitude and harbors unspoken desires for Qin Le Yin.

Just like women pay attention to their appearance when meeting important people, Ming Shuiyun now also knows how to maintain her image in Qin Le Yin's mind, so she doesn't want to take any risk and tells her friends.

Ming Shuiyun's plan is for Qian Yuya and her friends to play the villain and suggest it to Qin Le Yin; while she, on the surface, acts with 'generous confidence' 'I trust you' 'I don't care' royal demeanor to improve Qin Le Yin's favorability toward her.

Qin Yueshi understands so well because she has done similar things—there were many admirers buzzing around Jing Zhengwu before, but if she actively pushes them away, it would be too degrading, so she sends other sisters to deal with it. In front of Jing Zhengwu, she never mentions a word and always maintains his face, making her fiancé even more affectionate towards her.

Such means are not particularly clever, but Qin Yueshi learned it from her circle of friends. Ming Shuiyun has been at the Imperial Academy all these days, and no one taught her these social maneuvers, so could it be something she realized on her own?

"No problem," Qin Yueshi voluntarily took on the task. "We'll go talk to him tomorrow."

Ming Shuiyun sighed in relief and said with a smile, "Then I'll leave it to you guys, thank you. Ah, I've got a dinner appointment with Professor Qin tonight, I need to go find him, see you tomorrow!"

Watching Ming Shuiyun's light-footed back, Qin Yueshi suddenly felt a bit regretful—compared to an empress who understands manipulation, having a female teacher at the Imperial Academy as a sister-in-law might be much more comfortable...

Suddenly a light tap was felt on her shoulder, Qin Yueshi turned and saw it was Li Ying.

"No matter how you say it, Shuiyun is our friend." Li Ying winked. "Helping her is never wrong."

"True..."

Qin Yueshi, the pessimist.

Li Ying, the optimist.

"Hmm?" Kui Nianruo scratched his head. "What's really going on?"

"Time to go home for dinner!" Li Ying tapped Kui Nianruo on the head, and the group started walking towards the school gate.

When they reached the gate, they happened to see a bus stopping at the entrance, immediately drawing students' gazes - the bus stop was at the nearby junction, not the main gate.

"I said you don't need to send me off, it's not like I can't walk."

"It's what juniors should do."

Cha Huan, dressed in festive red, stepped off the bus and turned to the long-haired man in the purple-green uniform inside the bus. "Would you like to come to my place for a cup of tea?"

He lifted the tea pack in his hand. "Blackhorn Green from Canglan District, quite tasty, wanna try?"

"Busy with work, next time I'll certainly send an invitation," the long-haired man smiled, and the automatic doors quickly closed. The bus immediately drove down the avenue without stopping at the Announcement Pavilion—there were only Cha Huan and the long-haired man as passengers on the whole bus!

"Hello, Principal!" Nearby students immediately greeted, Cha Huan nodded twice, answering with a thunderous voice: "Hello, students!"

His reverberating sound lingered for three seconds, Cha Huan looked around. "Nobody greeted, right? Then I'm leaving."

With quick steps that measured like a journey across horizons, he vanished from their sight and returned directly to the Platinum Tower.

"Today the principal looks so awful," Li Ying couldn't help but say. "Red as roasted chicken."

Kui Nianruo noticed Lin Xue and Qian Yuya was staring at the departing bus direction, curious. "What are you looking at?"

"Is it him?"

"It's him."

Lin Xue and Qian Yuya answered, leaving others puzzled. Qin Yueshi asked, "Do you know the person returning with the principal?"

"You don't know him?" Lin Xue countered. "The Qin Family collaborates with the Statistical Department, I thought you'd have met him."

Qin Yueshi paused, "Are you saying..."

"Yanjing Statistical Department's Director, Xie Chenyuan."