"It won't affect anything," Xuan Ming said.
"Impact," Tang Yuehua said.
"Your mind is constantly on high alert, which is good for cultivation because you are more engaged and focused than others. However, this tension is contradictory to what I'm about to teach."
"What I want to teach you is not those complicated etiquettes, but calmness and relaxation."
"Being calm and relaxed doesn't conflict with being focused."
Xuan Ming hesitated for a moment, and the fluctuations of Soul Power around him slowly dissipated.
Tang Yuehua lit incense. "For the next hour, you don't need to do anything, you don't need to think about anything. Just relax."
"Will it work?" Xuan Ming asked.
"If you listen to me and do as I say, it will work," Tang Yuehua said.
"You can sit, you can lie down, it's up to you, as long as you can relax."
"This incense will last for an hour; I'll be there then."
With that, Tang Yuehua got up and left the room.
"By the way, don't secretly start practicing again. When you attend my class, just do as I say."
"If you disobey, I will tell His Highness the Crown Prince that you don't need to come anymore."
"No matter how skilled a doctor is, it's meaningless if the patient doesn't cooperate."
"..."
Xuan Ming sighed and slumped onto the table.
"Sleep well, I'm here, everything will be alright," said the Ice Dragon King.
You really should take a rest.
Xuan Ming alternates between his two brains, keeping himself constantly in a state of high tension to maximize the efficiency of his meditation. This is good for cultivation, but the problem is that he doesn't actively relax; he puts too much pressure on himself.
He used to be alone, but now he can relax and rest.
Chapter 98 Hard-won
At dawn, the door opened, and Xuan Ming suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
Looks like you slept well.
Tang Yuehua walked in carrying a plate of breakfast.
"Eat something first, my class doesn't start until later."
"I slept all night?" Xuan Ming asked.
"You slept for two days," Tang Yuehua said.
I came to see you a few times, but you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you.
"Two days?" Xuan Ming was taken aback.
"His Highness the Crown Prince said you have a big appetite, so I asked the kitchen to prepare some extra food, which will be delivered soon," Tang Yuehua said.
"By the way, the rest of the time is the same. Don't meditate or cultivate. Once you're inside the Moonlight Pavilion, don't think about anything outside. When I tell you to rest, you rest; when I teach you, you learn."
"Also, don't ask me what use it is."
"If you violate this rule, I will inform His Highness the Crown Prince, and you will no longer need to come here."
After saying this, Tang Yuehua got up and left the room.
Xuan Ming didn't quite understand, but he didn't say anything. He glanced at the things on the table and started eating breakfast.
In the time that followed, Tang Yuehua didn't teach Xuan Ming any complicated music theory or elaborate aristocratic etiquette. She simply corrected his posture, sitting posture, and walking manner.
Although Xuan Ming wasn't interested in these things, he learned them because others taught him.
Soon, three days passed, and Xue Qinghe arrived at the Moonlight Pavilion to pick up the person.
Tang Yuehua observed Xuan Ming's state from the side, seemingly noticing something, but said nothing.
Next, every month at the appointed time, Xue Qinghe would bring Xuan Ming to the Moonlight Pavilion for a three-day study session, which continued for half a year until Tang Yuehua finally confirmed the problem.
The pressure on Xuan Ming comes from Xue Qinghe!
"Your Highness, although Xuan Ming is exceptionally talented, he is still just a child. Aren't you pushing him too hard?" Tang Yuehua said.
"Force him?" Xue Qinghe was taken aback.
"I didn't pressure him."
"Really?" Tang Yuehua frowned slightly.
"But based on my observation, you are the source of his stress."
A doctor needs to understand the patient's specific symptoms in order to prescribe the right medicine; similarly, she needs to understand the root of the child's emotional distress before she can help him resolve his Xuan Ming.
According to Xue Qinghe's description, Xuan Ming is simply a cat reacting to stress!
Anyone who encounters it will get furious, and might even rush up and attack.
But after six months of getting to know him, she discovered that the child was not unapproachable, did not have any stress, and was not as closed off as she had initially thought. He was simply not good at expressing himself.
If it's normal contact and a normal expression of goodwill, this child is no different from any other child!
Xuan Ming was far more sensible and obedient than his peers. Even she rarely saw such a well-behaved child. He wasn't just pretending to be obedient; he was genuinely sensible. If he didn't like something, he would express it directly.
In other words, Xuan Ming does not resist the kindness of others, nor does he exhibit any neurotic resistance.
Xuan Ming does indeed find it difficult to trust others due to his past experiences, but he doesn't easily doubt them either; he's someone who doesn't trust but also doesn't doubt.
She had some of the Moonlight Pavilion's children come into contact with Xuan Ming and also inquired about the situation at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Now, she was 100% certain that what Xue Qinghe said about Xuan Ming's excessive reactions was definitely because the child had been stimulated in a sensitive spot!
For such a sensible, emotionally stable, and even somewhat repressed child to become agitated, resistant, or even irritable and unruly, the other party must have crossed his bottom line!
"But I didn't put any pressure on him," Xue Qinghe said.
"Your Highness, those involved are often blinded by their own perspective," Tang Yuehua said.
"As the crown prince, even if you appear approachable, you will still put pressure on others in many situations and at many times."
"You were my student before, and I have faith in your abilities."
"But this child, perhaps, is under invisible pressure from somewhere else."
Xue Qinghe had also studied at the Moonlight Pavilion for a year, so she knew the Crown Prince's abilities very well. At least in terms of etiquette and image, there would be absolutely no problem with him. Even Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had praised him for this.
However, as the crown prince, and given the unpleasant rumors, she knew that Xue Qinghe was more than just the person she had seen.
Xuan Ming felt pressured, probably because he had seen another side of Xue Qinghe that was unknown to others, so much so that he would feel uncomfortable involuntarily when facing Xue Qinghe.
"These are not things I should be worrying about, but since His Highness the Crown Prince hopes I can help solve his problems, I hope I can try my best to change the problems that are on your end," Tang Yuehua said.
Xue Qinghe fell silent. He understood Tang Yuehua's meaning and realized the root of the problem.
Ultimately, it all comes down to Qian Renxue and what happened in Spirit City.
Xuan Ming was wary of her from the start, so the closer she got, the more vigilant Xuan Ming, and everything she did was seen as having ulterior motives.
But defenses were already in place. Xuan Ming was a stubborn man; once he made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it. In this situation, what could she do?
"Your Highness, sometimes maintaining distance is a way to ease tensions," Tang Yuehua said.
Xue Qinghe slightly raised his eyes, a hint of helplessness and contemplation flashing in them, and said softly, "Maintaining distance... that might be a solution, but I'm worried that doing so would completely destroy the opportunity to build trust with him."
Tang Yuehua gently shook her head. "Your Highness, trust is not built overnight. Being impatient will only backfire. Xuan Ming is currently very wary of you. Keeping your distance will allow him to lower his guard and stop seeing you as a threat. Once he calms down a bit, it is the best strategy to slowly approach him when the time is right."
Xue Qinghe sighed deeply, slowly walked to the window, and looked at the bustling street outside, feeling a mix of emotions.
He knew Tang Yuehua was right, but his feelings for Xuan Ming made it difficult for him to easily give up the urge to get closer.
The Snake Lance Douluo had tried to persuade him, but seeing Xuan Ming's indifferent attitude, he couldn't help himself every time.
Throughout his life, he has accomplished so much, and almost everything has been under his control, with no major deviations whatsoever, let alone someone going against him like this.
He was so angry that even though he knew he should take a gradual, indirect approach, he couldn't resist the urge to force his way in!
He knew this approach was wrong, but he was simply unwilling to compromise!
"..."
"Your Highness, if you are unwilling to change, I think there is no need for Xuan Ming to continue studying here," Tang Yuehua said earnestly.
Xue Qinghe turned around, "Aunt Yuehua, I..."
"I'm not trying to refuse, it's just that it's pointless," Tang Yuehua said.
"Even if I can help relieve Xuan Ming's pressure, if you add to it, not only will it not solve the child's problem, but this comparison will also make the conflict between you two even more acute!"
"..."
Chapter 99 Fourth Soul Ring
"Alright." Xue Qinghe sighed.
"However, if I deliberately keep my distance, will Xuan Ming feel that I am neglecting him, and thus become even more distant from me? Moreover, some misunderstandings, if left unaddressed, may only deepen."
She was initially eager to achieve quick results because she was worried that Xuan Ming had been indoctrinated with something detrimental to her by the Pope while in the Pope's Palace.
However, Xuan Ming consistently denied it, which made her wonder if Xuan Ming had begun to support the Pope.
That's why she kept pursuing him relentlessly, but she didn't expect that this eagerness would make Xuan Ming feel disgusted with Xue Qinghe.
She had considered changing her approach, but thinking about changing it meant admitting her mistake, so she preferred to stick to the old ways!
"Your Highness, there are priorities. What you should be focusing on right now is his wariness of you. If you don't address that first, everything else will be useless," Tang Yuehua said.
"I know some of what I said wasn't appropriate, but... aren't you being too harsh on this child?"
Xue Qinghe is not the kind of person who is eager for quick success. He is very particular about his actions, especially after establishing contact with Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He has become more profound than before and will not easily let people see through his thoughts.
But now, regarding this child, she could clearly see Xue Qinghe's anxiety, even anger!
"Your Highness, if you consider this child a precious treasure, you don't expect to obtain him through simple means," Tang Yuehua said.
"If you can get it so easily, so can others."
"Precious things are never easy to come by."
"You know that this treasure isn't something he can obtain so easily. If he suddenly got it so easily, wouldn't you be suspicious?"
"And..." Tang Yuehua's expression was somewhat unnatural.
"Your Highness, that child is very intelligent. He knows everything. He may seem suspicious at times, but he is definitely not blind to the situation."
"If you think he doesn't understand, it's probably because you haven't seen his situation."
"If one is stupid, one cannot be considered sensible; if one is sensible, one would never fail to see the situation clearly."
"The so-called 'knowingly committing a crime' is perhaps not without its own reasons."
"..."
Xue Qinghe remained silent for a long time, his expression shifting several times.
"I see."
Five years later.
Star Dou Great Forest.
"Young Master, it's one thing for him to act recklessly, but why didn't you stop him!"
After driving away several ten- Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, he returned to find that Xuan Ming was actually absorbing the Soul Ring of the twenty-thousand-year-old Ghost Shadow Leopard. The Snake Lance Douluo was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
Fourth Soul Ring! Twenty thousand years!