Acting Too Well, or Just Being Himself

Prince's Manor.

Prince Xue Xing sat in the main hall, holding a cup of clear tea and savoring it slowly.

Just then, a somewhat anxious voice rang out from outside.

"Royal Uncle!"

"Royal Uncle!"

"I got beaten up! You have to help me get revenge!"

Xue Beng jogged into Prince's Manor and went straight to Prince Xue Xing.

"What happened?"

"Which sect or noble family's disciple did you provoke this time?"

Prince Xue Xing unhurriedly set down his teacup, his expression as calm as ever, as though he was long used to such things.

"Not some sect or noble family's disciple."

"It was a little maid by my eldest brother's side. I happened to run into her on the street today, and I originally wanted to go over and tease her..."

"Pah, I meant go over and say hello, but someone picked me up and threw me out. Royal Uncle, you have to help me, or I can't swallow this insult."

Xue Beng complained to Prince Xue Xing.

"If you wanted to molest her, just say so."

"With your reputation in Heaven Dou City, is there even any need to dress it up?"

"And have you forgotten? I told you to play the wastrel so Xue Qinghe would see you as no threat, allowing you to gradually fade from his sight and make him overlook your existence."

"Why do you keep showing up in front of him? Do you think he can't remember you?"

Prince Xue Xing gave Xue Beng a faint glance.

He had been the one to teach Xue Beng how to act like a wastrel. Yet sometimes, even Prince Xue Xing could not tell whether Xue Beng's acting was simply too good, or whether he was showing his true nature. His act as a wastrel was completely flawless.

In just a few short years, Xue Beng's reputation in Heaven Dou City had become utterly notorious.

"Royal Uncle, that little maid really is beautiful."

"By my standards, she's definitely a beauty in the making."

Xue Beng muttered quietly.

Prince Xue Xing's eyes narrowed slightly.

Noticing Prince Xue Xing's gaze, Xue Beng quickly changed his tune. "Royal Uncle, let's put the little maid aside for now."

"What about me getting beaten up?"

Prince Xue Xing lightly tapped the tabletop, a trace of contemplation appearing in his eyes.

"Forget it."

"You know she is your eldest brother's maid."

"Then the person who came out with her must also be one of your eldest brother's people."

"If you could come back and tell me about this, do you think they would not go back and tell Xue Qinghe?"

"Or do you intend to bring people into the imperial palace and reason with your eldest brother?"

"You must remember that your eldest brother is the Crown Prince, the empire's future heir. You are merely a prince. One word apart, yet worlds apart. Besides, we are in the wrong in this matter."

Prince Xue Xing gently shook his head.

"Royal Uncle, are we just letting this go?"

Xue Beng looked at Prince Xue Xing unwillingly.

"What else do you want to do?"

"Take people and teach Xue Qinghe's people a lesson?"

"If you do that, your eldest brother may not make any move openly, but what about in secret?"

"Wouldn't you return to your eldest brother's sight?"

Prince Xue Xing calmly glanced at Xue Beng.

After thinking it over, Xue Beng said nothing more. He sat down beside Prince Xue Xing, though his expression remained somewhat unwilling.

Prince Xue Xing looked at Xue Beng, then turned his gaze toward the imperial palace. A trace of contemplation appeared in his eyes, and no one knew what he was thinking about.

Meanwhile.

Within the tranquil residence.

As She Long taught Chen Xi basic combat techniques, he also considered what Chen Xi had said earlier.

From what he could tell, Chen Xi's idea had no real problems. There was even plenty of room to put it into practice.

Just as Chen Xi had compared it before, having two options gave one room to choose, while having only one left no choice at all.

Although Xue Qinghe was now the Crown Prince and heir apparent, as long as Xue Ye remained alive, Xue Qinghe would ultimately be nothing more than the Crown Prince. Cases of deposing a Crown Prince and appointing another heir had not been unheard of in the past.

The risk was simply rather great.

After a series of considerations, She Long ultimately decided to inform Qian Renxue of the matter and let her make the final decision.

Once he had made up his mind, She Long refocused on Chen Xi. Seeing that Chen Xi's every move was beginning to take shape, he could not help but nod in satisfaction.

"Raise your arm a little higher."

"Put strength into your punches. If they're this soft, are you planning to scratch your opponent when you fight for real?"

"Always leave yourself an opening to respond to your opponent's attacks."

"Though people say the best defense is offense, you are not an assault-type Spirit Master who specializes in attack. Your martial spirit excels at Mental Power, so when an opponent closes in on you, you must leave yourself enough options to ensure your safety."

She Long instructed him seriously.

Chen Xi learned just as seriously. Whenever She Long pointed out a shortcoming, Chen Xi corrected it promptly.

Gradually, the sky darkened.

A faint sheen of sweat appeared on Chen Xi's forehead, and his breathing became somewhat disordered.

"That's enough for today."

"You still have much to learn."

"Sit down and rest for a while. I'll prepare a Medicinal Bath for you to strengthen your body."

As She Long spoke, he headed deeper into the residence.

Chen Xi casually found a place to sit. Feeling the breeze blowing over him, he revealed a faint smile.

Although the basic combat training was tiring, Chen Xi understood one principle: sweat more in ordinary times, and bleed less when fighting others in the future.

Therefore, not only did Chen Xi have no complaints, he was actually very happy.

Before long, She Long returned and led Chen Xi to a room.

A bath barrel stood inside the room, with billowing steam and a rich medicinal fragrance wafting from it.

"The water temperature should be fine."

"Prepare a change of clothes. Once the water is nearly cold, you can get out and return to your room to sleep."

She Long gave his instructions softly.

"I understand, Uncle She Long."

Chen Xi nodded gently, his expression extremely serious.

After Chen Xi agreed, She Long left the room.

Chen Xi prepared a fresh set of clothes, then removed the clothes he was wearing and stepped into the bath barrel. Feeling the steady warmth of the water, he comfortably closed his eyes.

Meanwhile.

After leaving the room, She Long did not return to his own quarters. Instead, he directly left the residence.

Under the cover of night, he headed toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

He intended to truthfully report Chen Xi's proposal to Qian Renxue.

Imperial Palace.

Within Crown Prince Hall.

Xue Qinghe sat before his desk, reading the information in his hands. The words, one careless move, and the whole game is lost, kept surfacing in his mind.

"Where exactly did things go wrong and cause the whole game to be lost?"

"Could it be that my future self made some mistake through negligence?"

Xue Qinghe muttered to himself.