"Your Highness is most considerate." Prince Xue Xing forced the words out, his voice a little hoarse. "The Fourth Prince's injuries are serious. He needs to rest, and mustn't become too agitated."
"Uncle is right." Ye Yang readily withdrew his hand, as though that little movement really had been an innocent mistake.
He motioned for the attendant to set the brocade box aside. His face still wore that flawless expression of concern. "Fourth Brother, focus on recovering. Don't let your thoughts run wild."
"Father ordered you confined and made you copy books so you could reflect on your mistakes. Your elder brother believes that after this incident, you'll understand the deeper meaning behind his decision and mend your ways."
He leaned forward slightly, moving close to Xue Beng's ear, and spoke slowly in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"After all... a 'useless piece of trash' should act like one. Keep your head down and know your place, and you'll live longer. Isn't that right, my dear... Fourth Brother?"
[ Ding! Intimidation deepened, Dignity +1 ]
Xue Beng's body tensed to the limit. Fear flooded his heart, leaving him unable even to remember how to tremble.
Ye Yang straightened up with satisfaction, a springlike smile returning to his face.
He turned to Prince Xue Xing, his tone once again gentle and refined. "Uncle, I'll leave Fourth Brother in your care. I still have some state affairs to attend to, so I won't disturb his recovery any longer."
"We respectfully see Your Highness off." Prince Xue Xing bowed, his voice low.
Ye Yang gave a slight nod. He didn't spare Xue Beng, who lay on the bed like a dead fish, another glance. Then he turned and left at an unhurried pace.
Only after the palace doors closed again and the suffocating pressure had completely vanished did Xue Beng collapse onto the bed as though every last bit of strength had been drained from him, gasping for breath.
All that remained in his eyes was boundless fear, along with... the twisted resentment born from having his dignity utterly crushed.
Prince Xue Xing looked at his nephew and let out a heavy sigh, his expression inscrutable.
He knew that after this, the last spark of resentment in Xue Beng's heart had been thoroughly extinguished. At least for a long while, he wouldn't dare provoke that seemingly benevolent Crown Prince, whose methods were as ruthless as a devil's.
"Ah, it's only the second day. Eight more days to go. I'm so bored."
Ye Yang wandered aimlessly across the palace's stone paving. What state affairs could he possibly have? What did Qian Renxue's business have to do with him?
If Xue Xing hadn't been there, he would've wanted to farm a few more attributes from Xue Beng. Now that the fun was over, Ye Yang had nothing to do.
He'd nearly finished touring the palace yesterday. Aside from the imperial harem, he'd seen just about everywhere. The first glance had been impressive, but after that, he hadn't felt much of anything.
"Maybe I should go out for a stroll? I've never been to Heaven Dou City in this life." Ye Yang mused, his eyes growing brighter by the moment.
"Heaven Dou City... the grand stage from the original story." The corner of Ye Yang's mouth curled into a playful smile.
With his noble status, he had no need to sneak out of the palace.
He changed into plain clothes that were unremarkable but made from excellent fabric, then left the palace at a leisurely pace with only one personal guard in tow—a taciturn man whose aura was well concealed.
The bustle of Heaven Dou City washed over him.
The wide streets teemed with traffic, shops lined both sides in neat rows, and cries of merchants, chatter, and the rumble of wheels blended into a lively symphony of everyday life.
It was utterly different from the solemn, oppressive palace. Ye Yang felt as though even the air had grown freer.
He had no particular destination and simply wandered with the crowds.
He looked at the strange little trinkets sold by roadside vendors, listened to the gossip of ordinary townsfolk, and occasionally stopped to watch street performers. He was just like a real tourist, enjoying the novelty of it all.
[ Ding! Observed the myriad aspects of city life, Experience +1, State of Mind +1 ]
Before long, he reached a wider street lined with more imposing shops.
The passersby here were clearly dressed more elegantly, and even the air seemed to carry the scent of gold coins.
Ye Yang's gaze was drawn to a magnificent building on the corner, its entrance guarded by a line of stern-faced sentries. He recognized the enormous shield-shaped emblem: this was an enterprise under the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House.
"An auction house? That sounds interesting." Ye Yang wondered whether he should go in and broaden his horizons, and perhaps see if there were any "little trinkets" worth his attention.
Just then, a small commotion rose from nearby.
The crowd instinctively parted to make a path. A handsome young man in a moon-white outfit strode toward them, his figure upright and his face tinged with arrogance. He shoved aside anyone in his way, looking thoroughly impatient.
Several companions in the same clothes followed behind him. Each wore a badge on their chest bearing a symbol of their status: a tower made of seven gemstones.
They were direct disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
Ye Yang raised an eyebrow, the playful smile on his lips deepening.
Bored? Here was some fun delivered right to his doorstep. A direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Judging by his attitude, he was used to throwing his weight around in Heaven Dou City.
Just as the young man was about to reach Ye Yang, an old farmer carrying a shoulder pole happened to be in his way. The crowd was packed, slowing the old man down.
The young man's brows knitted together, and a trace of disgust flashed through his eyes. He didn't slow down at all; instead, he casually swung out a hand, intending to shove the old man and his load roughly to the side.
"Hm?" Ye Yang's gaze turned cold.
He shifted as though at random, moving with the easy grace of a leisurely stroll, and "accidentally" placed himself between them.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young disciple was forced to stop. He stared at the stranger in plain clothes, who had a gentle bearing yet dared to block his way, and his impatience instantly turned to anger.
Ye Yang acted as though he hadn't noticed anything amiss. Instead, he smiled warmly at the old farmer, who had stumbled from the shove and nearly dropped his load, and reached out to steady him. "Take care, old sir. Watch your step."
Still shaken, the old farmer gave Ye Yang a grateful look, then hurriedly carried his load to the side.
"Get out of the way! Are you blind? Can't you see we're coming through?!" the young man barked.
His companions immediately crowded around as well, glaring at Ye Yang with hostile eyes, ready to attack at any moment.
The crowd fell silent and scattered far away, afraid of being caught in the middle.
The warm smile on Ye Yang's face didn't change in the slightest, as though the man hadn't insulted him at all.
He even took his time smoothing his sleeve before raising his eyes to meet the young man's fiery gaze.
"The way?" Ye Yang's voice was clear and calm, yet carried distinctly to everyone's ears. "Since when did the streets beneath the imperial capital become your private property?"
"Or has the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect grown so mighty that its disciples can drive pedestrians away and berate them at will in Heaven Dou Imperial City?"
The young man was momentarily at a loss for words, then flew into an even greater rage. He was a direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, after all. No one had ever dared talk back to him like this—especially not someone who appeared to be an ordinary person without the slightest trace of Soul Power.
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