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Xue Qinghe forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, quickly adopting a solemn expression that carried just the right amount of apology and authority...
He quickly checked Xue Beng's injuries. He then shouted sternly at the guards behind him:
"What are you all standing there for! Quickly! Carefully lift the Fourth Prince and immediately send him back to the palace to have the best healing-type Soul Master treat him! Hurry!"
The guards, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly stepped forward and carefully lifted Xue Beng, who had already fainted and whose lower body was a mess. They carried him as if he were a fragile porcelain doll and ran towards the palace in a panic.
After dealing with the Xue Beng, Xue Qinghe took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart caused by Jiang Zhen's terrifying strength.
He turned around to face Jiang Zhen and Bing Di , who were about to leave, his face now bearing a solemn expression filled with sincere apology.
He clasped his hands together, bowed solemnly to Jiang Zhen, and spoke in a steady and powerful tone:
"Your Excellency, I am Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire."
He first revealed his identity, which not only indicated his importance but also implied a subtle, invisible pressure.
"My younger brother, Xue Beng, has been unruly since childhood and has been neglected in his upbringing. Today, he offended Your Excellency and this young lady, which is a grave offense. Now, he has come to this state entirely of his own making, and he has no one else to blame but himself. I hereby sincerely apologize to you both on his behalf, and I hope Your Excellency will forgive him."
These words were perfectly worded, acknowledging Xue Beng's mistake, stating the royal family's stance, and separating Xue Beng's personal actions from the empire, attempting to ease the tension.
However, he immediately changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Zhen, his tone carrying undisguised admiration and a desire to recruit him:
"Your Excellency's strength is extraordinary, so incredibly... truly breathtaking. Would you do me the honor of visiting my Eastern Palace for a chat? I could extend my hospitality and take this opportunity to completely resolve this misunderstanding. Besides..."
He paused briefly, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of embarrassment and a reminder.
"Although my younger brother has made mistakes, he is still a prince of the empire, a sensitive position. If this matter is not handled properly, and it alarms the Emperor, or is exploited by some people with ulterior motives, it could cause unnecessary trouble, which would not be good for you either. Why don't we discuss a safe approach privately?"
These words combined soft and hard tactics, extending an olive branch while pointing out potential troubles, attempting to persuade Jiang Zhen to accept his "good intentions".
However, Jiang Zhen's reaction made Xue Qinghe's heart sink.
Jiang Zhen didn't even glance at him, as if he, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou and the future ruler of the empire, were no different from a pebble on the roadside.
He simply turned his head slightly and said softly to the Bing Di beside him, "Bing'er, the flies are dealt with, let's go back."
Bing Di nodded, her emerald eyes coldly glancing at Xue Qinghe. The icy indifference in her gaze sent a chill down Xue Qinghe's spine, who had long held a high position.
After saying that, Jiang Zhen took Bing Di 's hand, turned around as if no one else was around, and walked leisurely towards the Dugu Mansion, completely ignoring Xue Qinghe and his words.
Xue Qinghe's smile froze instantly, and his fist clenched involuntarily in his sleeve, his knuckles turning slightly white.
As the young master of the Spirit Hall, he had been secretly working in the Heavenly Dou realm for many years, strategizing and planning. How could he have ever been so ignored and humiliated? A surge of anger mixed with a strong sense of defeat welled up in his heart.
He gritted his teeth, took a few quick steps forward, and blocked Jiang Zhen's path again, but this time he adopted an even more humble posture.
He had somehow acquired a palm-sized, pure white, and warm-to-the-touch token in his hand. The front of the token was engraved with a flamboyant "Snow" character, while the back was engraved with a golden sword. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and it faintly emitted a special soul power fluctuation.
"Please wait a moment, sir!"
Xue Qinghe presented the token with both hands, his tone sincere, "Indeed, our royal family was at fault today. I understand that you do not wish to discuss this further. However, please accept this token as a gesture of friendship on behalf of the Heavenly Dou Empire."
"Although this token is not a great treasure, within the Heaven Dou Empire, it may save you some unnecessary troubles and provide some convenience. It is a small token of my appreciation and a way to express my apologies."
His gesture was quite gracious, describing the gift of the token as "making friends" and "expressing apologies."
Jiang Zhen then stopped, his gaze sweeping lightly over the token before glancing at Xue Qinghe, whose face was full of smiles.
With a slight thought, an invisible soul force extended out like a tentacle, gently enveloping the token and "drawing" it from Xue Qinghe's hand.
Upon closer inspection, the token's material appears quite unique, neither gold nor jade, subtly exuding a sense of resilience. The craftsmanship seems…
A hint of amusement flashed through Jiang Zhen's mind.
He didn't say anything more, not even thank you. He just took the token, held Bing Di 's hand, and walked away. This time, Xue Qinghe didn't stop him.
Watching Jiang Zhen and Bing Di disappear around the street corner, Xue Qinghe's humble smile vanished instantly, replaced by an icy and profound expression. His eyes flickered, as if he were deep in thought.
...
On the way back to the Dugu residence, Bing Di looked at the token Jiang Zhen was playing with with some curiosity and asked, "Ah Zhen, what's the use of that token? That prince seems hypocritical."
Jiang Zhen smiled and casually toyed with it: "Just a stepping stone, or rather, a test. As for its use..."
He weighed the token in his hand, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Perhaps, having this might not be very convenient for doing things in the Heaven Dou Empire, but in another place... it might have some unexpected effects."
He was referring to the Spirit Hall, of course.
At the same time, Xue Qinghe did not return to the East Palace, but went straight towards the depths of the palace, towards the sleeping quarters of Emperor Xue Ye.
As he walked into a secluded corridor, the space around him slightly distorted, and a middle-aged man dressed in ordinary court servant clothes with an unremarkable appearance appeared beside him. His aura was restrained, but his eyes were sharp. He was none other than the disguised Porcupine Douluo.
Xue Qinghe continued walking, his voice low but carrying an undeniable command: "Go and find out the origins, whereabouts, and all relevant information about that man and woman. Remember, observe them from a distance, never approach them, and absolutely do not provoke them! Report any findings to me immediately."
"Yes, young master," the Porcupine Douluo replied in a low voice, then strolled away.
Xue Qinghe straightened his robes, his face once again displaying the standard worried expression of a crown prince concerned for the affairs of state, and strode towards Emperor Xue Ye's palace.
He needs to act out a scene where "the younger brother gets into trouble and the older brother cleans up the mess," and at the same time, he needs to take this opportunity to further consolidate his own position.