"Big brother, how could you be so foolish!" Tears welled in the Ninth Prince's eyes.
The First Prince could only smile bitterly.
"All right, that's enough reminiscing. Now let's see what surprises our friend from far away has brought me." Goth Sixteen looked at Nie Yun with a smile.
Nie Yun's expression changed.
He looked at the First Prince. "Your Highness, you've seen what happened to your brothers. They were either imprisoned or brainwashed into puppets. Why are you still serving him?
"Look at yourself now. He treats you as nothing more than a tool!"
"Heh! Do you think I have a choice?" The First Prince shook his head with a bitter smile, his gaze drifting involuntarily toward the Ninth Prince.
"Big brother, you..."
The Ninth Prince froze, then realized what he meant.
"He's using me to threaten you?!"
"So that's it. That's another reason you kept the Ninth Prince by your side?" Nie Yun frowned.
How was he supposed to deal with someone this devoted to his little brother?
"Threaten? No, no, no. I'd call it a deal. He serves me, and I protect his only remaining brother. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?
"Without me, how long do you think he could survive in the Imperial Capital, surrounded by wolves?"
Goth Sixteen smiled, then turned to the First Prince.
"Once you finish this task, I promise that your brother will spend the rest of his life in safety and comfort.
"As you've seen, he is of no further value to me. I have no reason to hurt him again."
The First Prince stared at Goth Sixteen for a long time. "You aren't lying, but I want that promise to hold forever."
"Of course!" Goth Sixteen said with a smile.
"Wait! Big brother, what about you?" the Ninth Prince asked anxiously.