Disguised as a Man?

Under everyone's gaze, a graceful, refined man slowly stepped out from the crowd. His features were seventy percent similar to the one who had just triggered the avalanche, but his temperament was entirely different.

When Xue Xing saw this man, his face immediately darkened. He was clearly very displeased by this person's appearance, especially right after he had just been publicly rebuffed. Xue Xing scowled and questioned bluntly, without any courtesy, "Xue Qinghe, what is the meaning of this?"

Xue Xing's interrogation instantly tensed the atmosphere on the scene, yet Xue Qinghe seemed completely unaffected. He wore a smile, unhurriedly turning his gaze to Xue Xing, and said softly, "Imperial Uncle, please calm your temper."

This scene made Lang Lei, standing off to the side, click his tongue in wonder. He thought to himself, power really does make people lose their reason at times and become foolish. However, Xue Qinghe did not immediately answer Xue Xing's question; instead, he first turned his attention to Lang Lei.

Xue Qinghe smiled at the corners of his mouth and politely asked Lang Lei, "This young friend, may I ask your name?"

Seeing the other party's friendly attitude, Lang Lei didn't want to be too cold, so he replied with a smile, "Lang Lei. And you are?"

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly and introduced himself, "This Humble One is Xue Qinghe, the current Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

The moment Xue Qinghe's words fell, Lang Lei suddenly sensed a message arriving in his mind. This message came from Elysia in his heart, and its content was—this gentle and refined Crown Prince was actually a woman!

Lang Lei had no doubt about Elysia's claim, after all, as long as he didn't actively isolate her, she could perceive the world through his five senses. And Elysia's beautiful-girl radar...

Even Lang Lei, who had roamed the stars, found it remarkable.

Lang Lei's expression turned quite strange, and he muttered to himself, "Could it be that this Crown Prince intends to follow the example of a female emperor, pulling off a scheme of a woman inheriting the throne?"

Thinking this, Lang Lei couldn't help but doubt Xue Qinghe's true identity. Wasn't this probably some princess or something? The emperor must know, right? After all, whether his own offspring was male or female, the emperor should be fully aware. But if even so, this person could become Crown Prince, and considering her methods, it seemed the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire was quite open-minded...

"No wonder his temperament is so effeminate. It's not because of prolonged illness, but because he is actually a woman!" Lang Lei suddenly realized, though it didn't affect him much. After all, as long as Xue Qinghe didn't provoke him, he had no intention of exposing this secret.

"I've already heard about my younger brother's matter," Xue Qinghe said earnestly. "Qinghe hereby apologizes to you, young friend, and hopes you can be magnanimous and let him off this once. In the future, Qinghe will surely repay you handsomely."

Lang Lei's lips curled slightly into a faint smile. He waved his hand generously and said, "No matter, let it be. He's already gotten the lesson he deserved."

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe silently admired Lang Lei's magnanimity. He cupped his hands in a bow and said, "Young friend's broad-mindedness truly impresses Qinghe."

Lang Lei nodded, accepting Xue Qinghe's praise. He turned to leave, since this Crown Prince's status was clearly far above that of a spoiled Imperial Prince. His purpose for coming here had already been achieved, and continuing to linger would only risk the other party overstepping.

However, just as Lang Lei was about to step away, Xue Xing suddenly started making a fuss again.

"Xue Qinghe, what exactly do you mean!"

Lang Lei looked at the two with curiosity, his gossip fire instantly ignited. His eyes darted around, as if he had already caught a whiff of something unusual.

These two seemed to have something subtle going on...

Lang Lei mused to himself, a mischievous smile creeping onto his lips. Since it wouldn't hurt to stay a little longer, he even felt like grabbing some melon seeds and sitting comfortably on the side to watch the drama unfold.

"Imperial Uncle, what do you mean by that?" Facing Xue Xing's accusation, Xue Qinghe remained exceptionally calm. There was no trace of panic on his face, not even the slightest change in expression.

"You!" Xue Xing trembled with rage. He raised a finger and pointed it shakily at Xue Qinghe, but in front of the crowd, he couldn't manage to form a complete sentence. After all, this wasn't a place where he could do as he pleased. Some things could only be said in private, never openly!

He certainly suspected that the Second and Third Imperial Princes had been harmed by Xue Qinghe, but many people knew this, and since the emperor hadn't said anything, they naturally couldn't speak out. Although Xue Xing was a Prince, he also had to protect the royal family's dignity. If he exposed Xue Qinghe's benevolent facade in public, it would do him no good.

After all, the other party's status as Crown Prince was personally granted by Emperor Xue Ye. If he refuted the other's character now, wouldn't that be slapping his imperial brother in the face?

"Imperial Uncle, since this young friend has come to our Heaven Dou City, he is a friend of the Heaven Dou Empire. As the saying goes, 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' Isn't it a bit too much for you and my younger brother to treat him like this?" Seeing this, Xue Qinghe not only didn't back down but began to press forward, his words filled with implications that invited speculation.

Xue Xing's face grew even uglier. How could he not understand what the two people following this young man meant? But now, he was caught in a dilemma, truly at a loss for how to respond to Xue Qinghe's words.

In fact, the other party himself represented a major force. If he wished, with a single call, supporters would flock from all directions.

He certainly knew he should build a good relationship with the other party, but the awkward part was that Xue Beng had already clashed with him. Given his personality, how could he now turn around and fawn over someone who had just been offended? He had planned to wait until the dust settled and the other party had cooled down before making contact, but he hadn't expected Xue Qinghe to show up now.

After all, a ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo and a ninety-eighth-level Super Douluo outweighed any political support, far surpassing it.

Due to Xue Ye's imperial balancing act, with his support, the Prince faction led by Prince Xue Xing could at least contend with the Crown Prince faction led by Xue Qinghe. But if Xue Qinghe gained such backing, the balance would be completely shattered. Even now, with his current supporters, Xue Qinghe could directly stage a coup!