Xie Xiyi paused, his tone softening a little. "Relying on yourself is better than relying on others. If you had been born into an ordinary family, it would not matter if you lacked ambition. But you were unfortunately born into the imperial family, so you ought to apply yourself and do your utmost for your family."
Xiaoqiu sighed. "All right, Your Highness, I know."
He hung his head and started to leave, but just as he turned around, something else occurred to him. Looking at Xie Xiyi, he asked cautiously, "Your Highness, that demonic heart of yours hasn't come out, has it?"
Xie Xiyi said, "That is not something you need to worry about."
Xiaoqiu said, "Oh."
Did that answer mean it had?
Xiaoqiu buried his unease deep inside, not daring to think any further, and left with the demon in his arms.
Chi Yu stood by the river, skipping flat stones across the water. He had a knack for it, able to make a stone bounce dozens of times.
After throwing one and watching it skip all the way along before finally sinking, Chi Yu bent down to choose another.
The Crown Prince's voice came from behind him. "What are you doing?"
Chi Yu picked up a stone and glanced back, determined to ignore him.
Xie Xiyi walked up beside him and watched him take his stance and throw the stone in his hand. The flat stone skimmed across the water, falling just short of reaching the opposite bank.
Xie Xiyi remarked, "Childish."
Chi Yu said sarcastically, "Senior Brother Xuanji is as refined as an immortal. Of course you'd look down on these little mortal games."
Long Aotian had never treated Xie Xiyi like this before, and he found it a little unfamiliar. His brows furrowed slightly as