Yuan Qi's origins were mysterious. He was very likely a member of the God Clan, and he bore the Sun God Trial. More than ten years ago, he had been able to stop Bibi Dong when she went berserk. Now, after all this time, his strength must have grown even greater.
Last night, in the alley, Yuan Qi's Sun Martial Soul had only one 100,000-Year Soul Ring. Qian Renxue didn't know why.
But unlike anything ordinary, that only proved how powerful he was!
Yes, as the character Yuan Qi became more and more real, Qian Renxue gradually "remembered" scenes of her time with him. In her eyes, Yuan Qi was unquestionably one of her own. And since he was one of her own, she had complete faith in him.
That Xue Hen had nothing more than Twin Martial Souls and innate Level 10 Soul Power. Yet he had become a Super Douluo in his early twenties. Yuan Qi had innate Level 20 Soul Power and was older than him, so he was surely even stronger.
Perhaps he was already a Level 99 Peerless Douluo, just like her grandfather!
"I'll go see Emperor Xue Ye. As for writing to my grandfather, let me think about it some more. Uncles, please search the city for Yuan Qi. If we can find him, our mission will become much easier," Qian Renxue said to Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo.
She still needed to think it over. The young mistress still cared that Bibi Dong was her birth mother.
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo exchanged glances. They could both read the other's thoughts in his eyes. Though somewhat helpless, they understood. Then they said to Qian Renxue, "Yes, Young Mistress."
"Mm, I know... This puts you both in a difficult position, but please rest assured, Uncles. I'll give you both an answer, and I absolutely won't let what happened on the Sky Screen come to pass," Qian Renxue promised them.
Hearing this, the two men smiled. "There's no need for that, Young Mistress. We understand."
"Mm." Qian Renxue gave them a knowing smile, then steadied her emotions and left the study to meet the attendant sent by Emperor Xue Ye. She followed him to the Imperial Palace.
Not long afterward, in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace,
Emperor Xue Ye's furious roar rang through the hall.
"Useless! I thought you were different from Xue Beng, but it turns out you're just as hopeless! I'd already paved the way for you. All you had to do was follow it, win Hen'er's favor, and then persuade him to return to the family. But what did you do? Not only did you fail to get along with him, you made him despise you! How could I have such a stupid son?!"
Qian Renxue was berated as Emperor Xue Ye pointed right at her nose. Though her proud nature left her deeply displeased, she endured it for the greater good. Lowering her head, she admitted her fault to Emperor Xue Ye. "It was all my incompetence. Please forgive me, Father."
"Forgive you? How am I supposed to forgive you? At long last, someone in the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has awakened the Emerald Swan Martial Soul. He's also extraordinarily talented, becoming a Super Douluo at such a young age. He should have been a pillar holding up our imperial house, but because of you, he's become even more hostile toward us! How can I possibly spare you?" Emperor Xue Ye roared.
Qian Renxue: "..."
He'd abandoned him long ago, along with Kundera. Even without me, he might not have returned to the Xue Family. Why are you acting as if this is all my fault? Have you no shame? Can't you reflect on your own actions?
"You—you've disappointed me so much. Get out! Get out! Go back to your Crown Prince's Mansion and reflect behind closed doors. Go!"
"This son will take her leave. Please take care of your health, Father," Qian Renxue said, hastily bowing.
"Get out!" Emperor Xue Ye shouted, waving his hand in fury.
"Yes." Qian Renxue answered, feigning panic, then slowly withdrew.
After she left, Emperor Xue Ye was still fuming. He smashed every vase, table, and chair in the hall, cursing as he did. "I've been wise all my life! How could I have two such hopeless sons? Heavens, why do you treat me this way?"
After a long while, once he had vented his anger, he walked to the steps and sat down heavily. Gazing toward the Fourth Prince's Mansion, he murmured, "Xue Beng... I hope Xue Xing can take him along and win Hen'er's favor."
That said, Xue Beng was unruly. When he'd bullied the common people before, Xue Hen had stepped in and taught him a lesson. Could Xue Hen possibly feel any fondness for him?
Xue Ye thought it was virtually impossible.
"Alas, vast heavens, why are you so harsh to me?" Emperor Xue Ye lamented.
The Fourth Prince's Mansion.
Xue Beng, his body wrapped in bandages, sat on the sofa. Prince Xue Xing sat across from him, telling him what had happened at the Martial Soul Holy Temple that day, so he would understand just how powerful Xue Hen was—and how important he was to the imperial family.
Then Xue Xing began explaining what Xue Beng should say and do when he met Xue Hen, and how he could dispel Xue Hen's aversion to him.
Actually, the method was simple: sincerity!
"Sincerity?" Xue Beng was stunned.
"Exactly. Sincerity. Xue Hen was driven out of the palace by Kundera when he was still a child. Alone, he weathered every storm and tasted the full range of human warmth and coldness before growing into the Super Douluo he is today. What trick hasn't he seen? The best way to get along with him is to be sincere!"
Prince Xue Xing instructed Xue Beng, "He hurt you back then because he saw you bullying the common people. You need to explain to him why you did that."
"Wait, Uncle. Wouldn't that mean telling him that Xue Qinghe..."
"Exactly. You have to tell him you did it to numb Xue Qinghe to the threat you posed, so he'd think you were just a useless, profligate prince who wouldn't threaten his position as crown prince. You did it all to protect yourself. Xue Hen was born into the Balaque Royal Family. As a boy, he was bullied by Kundera's favored consort and young son, and in the end he was even driven out of the palace. He's been through the same sort of thing and knows the dark side of royal families, so he'll understand you."
"What's more, once Xue Hen learns that Xue Qinghe may have harmed his brothers to seize the crown prince's position, he'll feel disgusted with him. After all, Xue Hen himself was harmed by his brother, so he'll also feel sympathy for you. After that, visit him often and get closer to him. Whenever there's something you don't understand, ask him for advice. You don't have to ask him to do anything for you—just ask questions and talk more. Over time, he'll naturally feel closer to you."
"After all, you are cousins by blood."
Prince Xue Xing patiently showed Xue Beng the way.
After hearing Xue Xing's advice, Xue Beng suddenly understood. He quickly said, "I understand. Don't worry, Uncle. I'll do as you say."
"Mm. First, build a closer relationship. If you can eventually persuade Xue Hen to return to the imperial family, then not only will the imperial family gain a Super Douluo, but you'll also be able to rely on him to escape Xue Qinghe's threat. You might even... have a chance to reclaim the crown prince's throne!" Prince Xue Xing said with a nod.
"I'll do my best, Uncle!" Xue Beng replied with a solemn expression.
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