Exorbitant Price

After casually tossing Xue Beng aside, Ling Yuan came to stand beside Ye Xi.

"Second Young Lady, the matter has been dealt with."

Ling Yuan spoke from Ye Xi's side.

"Mm, now we just wait for Xue Xing to come."

Ye Xi tapped her fingers against the table one by one, considering how to maximize her gains and obtain more benefits from Xue Xing.

"Cough, cough."

"Um, what happened just now was all a misunderstanding."

"How about this? I'll apologize to you, and we'll let what happened just now go."

Xue Beng lay on the ground, looking toward Ye Xi in the seat of honor.

"You don't have that much face."

"Even if Prince Xue Xing comes, it'll still be useless here."

Ye Xi glanced at Xue Beng from the corner of her eye, then turned her gaze to Tian Yao.

"Sister Tian Yao, it seems you haven't fought in a while."

"Use Xue Beng to warm up. As long as he dares to speak, beat him up. Just don't kill him."

As Ye Xi spoke, she pointed at Xue Beng.

Upon hearing Ye Xi's words, Tian Yao's eyes immediately lit up. Rubbing her fists together, she walked toward Xue Beng.

"Y-You... don't come over here."

"I'm the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Watching Tian Yao approach, Xue Beng instinctively backed away.

Tian Yao had no intention of paying him any attention. Golden Soul Power appeared in her hand as her fair fingers clenched into a fist and struck Xue Beng.

Tian Yao was incredibly strong. With every punch, Xue Beng's screams could be heard.

For a time, miserable cries rang endlessly through the mansion.

Meanwhile.

A guard hurried back to the Prince's Residence.

"Your Highness, this is bad, this is bad..."

The guard's voice rang through the Great Hall.

With a slap, Prince Xue Xing slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"I'm perfectly fine!"

"What is it? Why are you panicking like this? Have you no sense of decorum?"

Prince Xue Xing looked at the guard who had rushed in, his tone somewhat impatient.

"Your Highness, it's like this..."

The guard recounted what had just happened to Prince Xue Xing exactly as it occurred, without embellishing anything.

After listening to the guard, Prince Xue Xing's face darkened involuntarily. He furiously slammed the table.

"That Xue Beng..."

Prince Xue Xing seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held it back.

After all, he had been the one to teach Xue Beng to pretend to be a wastrel. What Prince Xue Xing had not expected was that Xue Beng's act was so convincing that it did not seem fake at all. Instead, he seemed like a genuine wastrel.

For a moment, Prince Xue Xing could not tell whether Xue Beng's acting was simply that realistic or whether he was showing his true colors.

"Go invite the Poison Douluo."

"Prepare some gifts as well. I'll personally go and apologize."

Prince Xue Xing rubbed his brow with a headache, then waved for the guard to make the preparations.

Preparing gifts and visiting to apologize was sincere enough, since the one who had acted was a Titled Douluo.

Not to mention him, Prince Xue Xing—even Xue Ye would have to show a Titled Douluo some respect.

As for inviting the Poison Douluo, that was simply an added safeguard. If negotiations fell through, Dugu Bo would ensure he could leave safely.

About thirty minutes later, Dugu Bo, dressed in a simple gray robe, entered the Great Hall with his hands behind his back.

"What trouble has that brat Xue Beng caused this time?"

Dugu Bo looked at Prince Xue Xing before him, his voice carrying a trace of helplessness.

Whenever Prince Xue Xing summoned him, it was usually because Xue Beng had caused some trouble and Prince Xue Xing found it inconvenient to handle personally, so he called Dugu Bo over.

"Brother Dugu, it's like this..."

Prince Xue Xing briefly explained the matter to Dugu Bo.

"This matter may not be easy to handle."

Dugu Bo's brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

After all, someone who could command a Titled Douluo to act must have no simple force behind them.

"That's why I need Brother Dugu to accompany me."

"Since they let someone return to inform us, doesn't that mean this matter can be negotiated?"

Prince Xue Xing sighed as well. He and Dugu Bo thought alike; they both feared this matter would be difficult to resolve.

"Fine. Then this old man will make the trip with you."

Dugu Bo nodded lightly and agreed.

After Dugu Bo agreed, Prince Xue Xing had two guards carry the prepared gifts and head for Ye Xi and the others' mansion.

Upon arriving before the mansion, Prince Xue Xing personally knocked on the door.

As the door opened, Ling Yuan appeared before them.

Dugu Bo's gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at Ling Yuan. He had seen her only that morning, so how could he fail to recognize her?

Dugu Bo reached out and patted Prince Xue Xing's shoulder, signaling that she was the Titled Douluo.

After receiving Dugu Bo's signal, Prince Xue Xing smiled.

"Your Eminence, my nephew's recklessness has caused you trouble."

"May I ask what your title is, Your Eminence?"

Prince Xue Xing bowed to Ling Yuan, his tone exceedingly respectful.

"Title: Ling Yuan."

"As for your nephew, you should speak to my young lady yourself."

After giving Prince Xue Xing an indifferent glance, Ling Yuan turned her gaze to Dugu Bo. She said nothing, merely leading them into the mansion.

After entering the mansion, Ling Yuan led them before Ye Xi, then sat down beside Ye Xi.

"Miss, my nephew is reckless."

"I have prepared some gifts to offer compensation for that disappointing nephew of mine."

Prince Xue Xing looked at Ye Xi in the seat of honor and waved for the guards to set down the gifts.

"Your Highness, let's sit down and discuss this first."

Ye Xi glanced at the gifts, then withdrew her gaze and made an inviting gesture, signaling Prince Xue Xing to sit.

At this, Prince Xue Xing's heart sank slightly. The thing he had feared most had still happened.

Ye Xi's meaning was clear: she was dissatisfied and wanted to sit down to renegotiate.

"Miss, Xue Beng was in the wrong in this matter. Whatever conditions you have, state them. I will do my best to meet them."

Prince Xue Xing sat before Ye Xi and asked tentatively.

"Since Your Highness already knows the full story, I won't say more."

"Please tell me first what terms you can offer."

"If I'm not satisfied, you won't be taking Xue Beng away. Even if Xue Ye invites Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the result will be the same."

Ye Xi propped her head up with one hand, her Sapphire Blue eyes quietly watching Prince Xue Xing before her.

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue Xing remained silent for a time, falling into deep thought.

Ye Xi's words revealed many things.

First: she was making Prince Xue Xing name his own price. If she was dissatisfied with it, he would not be able to take Xue Beng away.

Second: she was telling Prince Xue Xing that Ye Xi had backing as well. If she was dissatisfied with the price, then even if Xue Ye and people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were invited, Ye Xi still would not give them face.