"Crush me?"
Wei Zhizhou laughed in fury.
He hadn't wanted to completely offend Yang Xiu. Even though the Wei clan had now sided with Splendid Radiance Hall, there was no need to burn bridges with the Zhuang clan.
But Yang Xiu had pushed him too far.
A three-year-old kid had just said in front of everyone that he could crush him.
If he didn't fight back, not just in Fengtian City—even back in Guanzhong, he'd never be able to show his face again.
"I'll let you strike first. If I can't crush you, I, Yang Xiu, will apologize to you right here."
Yang Xiu said proudly.
The moment he spoke, it was already considered a formal spar under martial rules.
Even with Yang Xiu's royal status, Wei Zhizhou striking back wouldn't be seen as an offense against the imperial family.
Wei Zhizhou couldn't hold back anymore.
"Suanni Palm!"
He lunged like a suanni beast, slamming a palm toward Yang Xiu.
The pressure of a third-level Martial Master surged out violently.
Many people around them shook their heads.
Wei Zhizhou was that strong.
How could a three-year-old like Yang Xiu possibly go up against him?
"That's all?"
Yang Xiu didn't panic at all, his gaze full of contempt.
He didn't even move his feet. Instead, he stepped straight in and threw a punch.
The two clashed, fist against palm.
Just when everyone thought Yang Xiu was being reckless—
A thunderous boom erupted.
Wei Zhizhou's body shook and staggered backward, taking several steps.
But Yang Xiu stood in place, calm and proud.
"Did I see that right?"
"My god, the sixth prince not only blocked Wei Zhizhou's attack, he even knocked him back!"
The crowd stared with wide eyes.
Some people's views on Yang Xiu began to shift.
"Did you notice? The sixth prince's aura is really strong."
"I noticed. That's definitely a Martial Master's aura."
"Hiss… He's only three, and already a Martial Master?"
More and more people were stunned.
Even Madam Pei was visibly surprised, her expression shifting.
She realized she might've underestimated Yang Xiu.
Out of everyone present, only Yang Cheng remained calm.
He had seen this coming.
Yang Xiu was the Heaven's Mandate Emperor.
He was born to do the impossible, to create miracles that shook the world.
Just then, Yang Cheng seemed to sense something. He looked down at Wei Roujia.
Wei Roujia was also looking at Yang Cheng, curiosity in her dreamy eyes.
She'd noticed that while everyone else was amazed by Yang Xiu, only the Crown Prince stayed composed.
Yang Xiu had just defeated Wei Zhizhou and was feeling smug.
He thought Wei Roujia would now see him in a new light, so he looked her way.
But what he saw was Yang Cheng and Wei Roujia exchanging glances.
Their look was innocent.
Especially Wei Roujia—she had no concept of love.
But Yang Xiu's mind was already like a teenager's. He immediately overthought it and exploded with rage.
"Yang Cheng! Do you dare face me in battle—"
He glared at Yang Cheng furiously.
"Insolent!"
Yang Cheng's tone was calm, but his voice cracked like spring thunder. "Sixth Brother, who gave you the courage to call me by name?"
He raised his right hand, gathering true qi into a massive palm that pressed down toward Yang Xiu.
Boom!
A terrifying pressure burst out.
That qi-formed hand felt like a towering mountain.
Its force could break rivers and crush the earth.
A terrifying storm swept outward.
If Yun Liyue hadn't waved a hand to dispel it, the entire palace might have been destroyed.
"What?"
"This qi pressure—it's even scarier than the sixth prince's!"
The surrounding crowd was shocked.
They had already been amazed by Yang Xiu's strength.
But Yang Cheng… was on a whole different level.
"What kind of monster is this? My decision was definitely right."
Madam Pei, stunned at first, now felt completely reassured.
When she saw Yang Xiu's performance earlier, she'd had some second thoughts about the Wei family's choice.
But the moment Yang Cheng struck, every shred of doubt shattered.
"No!"
Yang Xiu's face twisted. He refused to be crushed like this.
He frantically circulated his true qi to resist Yang Cheng.
But it was useless.
His qi collapsed in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, that mountain-like palm pressed down on him.
Bang!
Yang Xiu's knees slammed into the floor. He dropped straight to his knees.
At the same time, all the color drained from his face.
He felt like his dignity as a man had just collapsed too.
He was forced to kneel in front of his future empress.
There was nothing more humiliating than this.
"How could this happen?"
He looked up, eyes locked on the ethereal figure before him.
Why was Yang Cheng this strong?
He had become Lin Xinglan's disciple and received full support.
In just ten months, his strength had skyrocketed, and he had even broken into the Martial Master realm.
But why was he still so powerless against Yang Cheng?
"Remember what I told you—you're supposed to call me Crown Prince Brother when you see me."
Yang Cheng said lightly, "Calling me by name shows no respect for your elder brother. As your elder, I have to teach you a lesson."
As he spoke, he withdrew the qi hand.
In that moment—
Yang Cheng and Yang Xiu stood in stark contrast.
One stood calm and aloof, like an otherworldly fairy child.
The other knelt in misery, pitiful and wretched like a snarling imp.
Under such a contrast, no one sympathized with Yang Xiu.
They only marveled at Yang Cheng.
No one knew that inside, Yang Cheng was calculating: 'Even after I humiliated Yang Xiu like this, Lin Xinglan hasn't stepped in. Looks like as long as I don't threaten Yang Xiu's life, she won't interfere.'
He had thought about killing Yang Xiu.
But Yang Xiu was the Heaven's Mandate Emperor. Killing him wasn't that simple.
Leaving aside everything else—just Lin Xinglan alone made it impossible to take his life.
Luckily, Yang Cheng wasn't in a rush at all.
This life, the advantage was on his side. The more time passed, the wider the gap between him and Yang Xiu would become.
So really, Yang Xiu was the one who should be panicking.
"Xiuer!"
Noble Consort Zhuang was furious and anxious, quickly stepping forward to help Yang Xiu up.
"The sixth prince has violated royal etiquette. He's to be confined for one month."
Yun Liyue spoke coldly, "Noble Consort Zhuang, your failure to properly discipline the sixth prince will be punished as well. The same penalty applies to you."
Noble Consort Zhuang was filled with resentment, but she knew staying would only bring more humiliation. She could only take Yang Xiu and leave.
Before they left, Yang Xiu looked unwillingly at Wei Roujia. "Roujia, the Crown Prince isn't as noble and bright as he looks. Don't be fooled by him…"
Wei Roujia finally raised her head to look at him and said slowly, "Sixth Prince, speaking ill of others is hardly the behavior of a true gentleman."
"And besides, we are not close. I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me 'Roujia.'"
Yang Xiu felt like he'd been struck by lightning. His heart almost shattered.
Madam Pei's gaze toward Yang Xiu immediately turned cold.
Why did it sound like Yang Xiu was trying to pour his heart out to her daughter?
How old was he, really?
If he truly meant what she thought he did, then Yang Xiu was way too precocious. A complete little monster.
Madam Pei felt a chill and made up her mind—she must keep her daughter far away from Yang Xiu.
Noble Consort Zhuang had always been proud of Yang Xiu. But today, she felt like he'd completely embarrassed her.
She quickly signaled the palace maids to drag him away.
Once they were gone, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed instantly.
"Crown Prince, if not for you, I'd have lost all face today."
Wei Zhizhou was full of both shame and gratitude.
Yang Cheng smiled faintly. "Wei Zhizhou, your strength isn't weak. You just underestimated my sixth brother and paid the price."
His words clearly helped Wei Zhizhou save face, making him even more grateful.
Everyone around was full of admiration too.
The Crown Prince was so young, yet already carried himself with such grace.
"Cheng'er, Roujia rarely visits the palace. Take her out for a stroll."
Yun Liyue said.
Yang Cheng understood—this was when the adults would talk business.
Perfect. He needed to complete his mission anyway. So he led Wei Roujia out.
While they walked, Yang Cheng chatted with Wei Roujia about the Zither Dao, casually complimenting her talent now and then.
Even though Wei Roujia was a noble daughter from a prestigious clan, she was still only four years old.
Though she kept a composed demeanor, the way her lips curled and her eyes shimmered with joy clearly showed she was in a great mood—and that her fondness for Yang Cheng was growing.
Once he felt the time was right, Yang Cheng smiled and asked, "Wei Roujia, if you had to choose between my sixth brother and me, who would you support?"
Wei Roujia looked surprised, not sure why he was asking that.
But she answered sweetly, "Your Highness is powerful, skilled in the Zither Dao, and noble and kind. The sixth prince has a strange, obsessive personality. He's really unpleasant."
"If I had to choose, of course I'd choose Your Highness."
Ding!
[Empress An Yi actually praised the host and even criticized the Heaven's Mandate Emperor right to the host's face. Unbelievable.]
[Though Empress An Yi lost affection for the Heaven's Mandate Emperor long ago, she always upheld imperial decorum and treated him with respect. She would never compliment another man.]
[Yet the host has used unimaginable means to completely drive a wedge between Empress An Yi and the Heaven's Mandate Emperor, gaining her support. A peerless charm demon, indeed.]
[Congratulations to the host for achieving an Epic-tier accomplishment. Reward: Ninefold Void Great Hand Seal.]
Yang Cheng quietly let out a breath of relief.
Half an hour later.
Madam Pei prepared to leave with Wei Roujia.
In the carriage, Madam Pei asked, "Roujia, how did things go between you and the Crown Prince?"
Wei Roujia smiled gently. "Mother, we got along very well."
"And what do you think he feels about you?" Madam Pei asked.
"His Highness said I have great talent in the Zither Dao, but…" Wei Roujia hesitated.
"But what?" Madam Pei asked again.
"It's just… I think the Crown Prince is too perfect. Like the sun in the sky," Wei Roujia said worriedly. "Someone like him will surely be surrounded by countless heavenly maidens in the future."
Hearing this, Madam Pei also felt a little uneasy.
The Crown Prince was indeed too exceptional.
Before arriving, she hadn't expected to meet a child this outstanding.
She might not know the rest of the Wasteland Realm well, but she knew the Guanzhong region like the back of her hand—and there was absolutely no one there who could compare to the Crown Prince.
"Roujia, don't belittle yourself. If the Crown Prince praised you, that means you're extraordinary too."
Madam Pei still encouraged her.
"Mother, I'll work even harder in the future," Wei Roujia said seriously.
As she spoke, she gently touched the bracelet on her wrist inside her sleeve.
It was called the "Fortune-Link Bracelet," passed down to her by Old Madam Wei before her death.
The bracelet held supreme law—she could use it to bind herself to one person's fortune.
Once bound, if she invested in that person's future, she'd receive fortune feedback in return.
The higher the person's fortune, the more fortune she would gain.
This fortune could be used to boost talent, cultivation, and even appearance.
The bracelet also allowed her to detect others' fortune.
Among everyone she'd met, the one with the highest fortune was the sixth prince, Yang Xiu.
If nothing unexpected happened, even though she disliked Yang Xiu, she would eventually choose to bind herself to him.
But something unexpected had happened.
When she saw Yang Cheng, the Crown Prince, the bracelet failed to detect any fortune at all.
Clearly, with his talent and power, there was no way he had zero fortune.
That left only one explanation—his destiny was too noble.
So noble that even the bracelet couldn't read it.
That was Wei Roujia's guess, at least.
So she decided to keep quietly observing Yang Cheng.