Inside the carriage.
Big Fat Dragon eyed Ren Ye with amusement and said softly, "Benefits? Don't you want to know who set up such an elaborate game, scheming against the Southern Border and your Qingliang Prefecture? Don't you want to find those bastards, chop them into pulp, and bury them in the dirt?"
"Oh, of course I want all that." Ren Ye spread his hands, looking innocent. "But I'd rather know my limits. The border affairs run so deep that even Mang Tianjun would shake his head. What can a little prince like me do? I'll investigate what I can and kill whoever I can, but I mustn't push it. If I'm not capable enough, I'll swallow the loss in silence. A gentleman can wait a hundred years for revenge. If need be, a thousand years isn't too late either. I'll leave a will... and have my son carry on."
He made no attempt to hide his cowardice, looking every bit a castrated man.
"...!"
Big Fat Dragon frowned. "With the Southern Border behind you, you'll be capable enough."
"Uh... you're right. That might give me enough power. But the problem is, to get that power, I have to become a sharp blade." Ren Ye pulled a mournful face and pouted. "You know me. I can play around with a soft spear in bed, but forget being a blade. I'm too blunt. Besides, what if I uncover someone in the Southern Border Court whom I shouldn't investigate, and end up tossed into the furnace?"
"With my imperial father supporting you, who would dare throw you into the furnace?" Big Fat Dragon countered.
Ren Ye looked at him. "What if the person throwing me into the furnace... is your imperial father?"
"You're worrying too much. If Father wants to use you,