A joyous celebration had turned sour due to the family matters of Prince Ping.
However, nobody seemed disappointed by this turn of events; on the contrary, they were quite excited. As soon as the Emperor had called Prince Ping and Xiao Yeyang away, people began to gather in small groups, discussing the matter as they left the palace.
"Xiao Yeyang wants to be adopted out? Is that true or false?"
"It must be true, after all, it’s not been a day or two that Prince Ping has favored Ma Family and her child."
"But that’s a prince’s title we’re talking about, I can’t believe Xiao Yeyang doesn’t care at all."
"What’s the use of him caring? If Prince Ping isn’t willing, it’s all for naught."
"If you ask me, Prince Ping is ruthless enough. His son comes back after many years and causes trouble right away, no wonder Xiao Yeyang is so angry that he wants to be adopted out."
"As a son, he disgraced his father in public. Regardless of the reason, Xiao Yeyang is in the wrong. Could they not have settled the matter in private? Did they have to make it so ugly?"
"It’s just youthful arrogance after all. Gained some achievement, and now he’s become haughty."
"Haha, Xiao Yeyang’s arrogance isn’t because of his recent achievements; he’s been like this since childhood."
"I actually thought Xiao Yeyang had changed before, but it seems that while his abilities have somewhat improved, his temperament remains the same."
A few princes and Xiao Yechen lagged a few steps behind, each with a different expression as they listened to the intermittent discussions floating in the air.
The third prince chuckled: "Xiao Yeyang is still Xiao Yeyang, eh? Right after returning to Beijing, he provided everyone with such an explosive topic. People in the capital will have no shortage of things to talk about now."
The Crown Prince and others didn’t join the conversation, but the fifth prince glanced at Xiao Yechen, who was silent, and a hint of mockery flitted across his eyes.
It was then that Xiao Yeyang, accompanied by Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai, walked out of the hall.
Seeing that Prince Ping had not come out with them, everybody knew that he must have been kept back for a talk by the Emperor.
Watching Xiao Yeyang walk by with an expressionless face, the third prince’s eyes flickered, and he quickly glanced at Xiao Yechen.
Xiao Yechen, catching the faint glances directed toward them, contemplated for a moment. As Xiao Yeyang approached, he spoke up: "Second brother, no matter what misunderstandings there are between us, you shouldn’t have mentioned adoption in front of our father. Wasn’t that rather unfilial of you..."
"Whiz!"
A token shot across the view of the crowd, and in the next moment, as everyone watched in shock, Xiao Yechen was sent flying nearly ten meters before crashing to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Ignoring the stunned looks around him, Xiao Yeyang walked over to Xiao Yechen, who was still struggling on the ground, and looked down on him with sheer contempt.
"What are you, to presume to lecture me?"
Seeing disbelief in Xiao Yechen’s eyes, Xiao Yeyang let out a sneer: "What, surprised? Isn’t this what you wanted, to provoke me?"
As he spoke, his face bore a mocking smile.
"When we were young, you’d always use despicable means to provoke me. After so many years, you really haven’t changed at all. But be aware, I’m not who I used to be."
"Xiao Yechen..."
Xiao Yeyang took another step forward, but at that moment, a figure swiftly approached, intending to stop Xiao Yeyang.
Seeing this, Yan Wentao quickly stepped forward to block the newcomer.
Confronted with the arm before him, Luo Honghao frowned slightly, curious to test the martial skills of this new Commander of the Jinling Guard, and thus launched a counter-attack.
Neither wanting to overcommit, they exchanged a few blows before each threw a punch at the other.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Wei Qi frowned, "Publicly offending the Prince, besides worsening his reputation a bit more and distancing himself further from the Princely Heir’s position, what use could it be?"
Wu Jingyi’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the officials in the square instinctively making way for the passing Xiao Yeyang and said in a low voice, "Maybe... he wants a bad reputation."
There’s a saying, isn’t there, that if a person is shameless, they are invincible. Perhaps that’s exactly the strategy this kid is playing at.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang took Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai out of the palace gates.
Xiao Yeyang looked at Yan Wentao, "Are you alright?"
Yan Wentao moved his arm a bit and replied with a light smile, "That man’s internal strength was not bad, but if it truly came to using all my strength, he might not be my match."
Xiao Yeyang said, "That man is the Princely Heir of the Duke Residence, Luo Honghao, and also a Commander of the Capital Garrison."
Yan Wenkai asked in confusion, "Why did that guy jump out like that, anyway?"
Xiao Yeyang chuckled, "Xiao Yechen is his brother-in-law. Seeing his brother-in-law being beaten, how could he, the brother-in-law, sit by and do nothing?"
Realization dawned on both Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai.
Xiao Yeyang looked at them, "Now that we’re in Beijing, there are a lot of eyes on us. There are some things you should be more mindful of. Don’t let others take advantage of you. Here, there might not be the clear swords and guns of the Northern Frontier, but there are hidden arrows everywhere."
Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai nodded solemnly.
Xiao Yeyang added, "Alright, you haven’t seen your family in a long time, so you should hurry back. Once Yiyi arrives, I’ll come over to visit."
Yan Wentao asked, "What about you?"
Xiao Yeyang smiled, "Don’t worry, I have my own place to go."
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