Meanwhile, Xue Ke, who had been sent to Heaven Dou Royal Academy...
looked around at the familiar surroundings and said with puzzled eyes, "How strange, why did Father want to send all my brothers to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
She thought nobody would respond to her. Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly drew close...
"My little sister, do you even need to ask? It's definitely because of Fourth Brother's death!"
Xue Ke instantly turned her head to look, and the figure that came into view was none other than Xue Beng!
"Brother... Brother, what... what are you doing here?"
She hadn't seen this brother for several months!
Of course, a bigger reason was his notorious reputation!
Xue Beng rolled his eyes and replied irritably, "What are you thinking about? I am studying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where else would I be if not here?"
"Besides, hasn't Father already ordered all the Imperial Clansmen to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Xue Ke shrank back a few centimeters before replying timidly, "That's... that's true, I forgot!"
Xue Beng narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer again. "What's the matter, Xue Ke? Do you seem to be very afraid of me?"
Xue Ke's face went deathly pale all at once...
"Because, Brother, your reputation is not very good, and even Father told me... to stay away from you!"
If she hadn't been careless, she would not have engaged in conversation with him!
Upon hearing these words, Xue Beng's face visibly darkened a lot...
But it soon faded quickly...
"I see, no wonder you have such a strong aversion to me, little sister!"
All this was done deliberately by himself to save his own life!
Now, what reason was there to feel angry?
Soon after, he slowly turned around, "Since Father doesn't want you near me, let it be so."
However, Xue Ke suddenly interrupted, "Wait... Although Father doesn't want me near you, Brother, you don't seem to be as bad as the rumors say!"
Despite the terrible reputation of Xue Beng, the conversation that just took place obviously seemed exaggerated!
Xue Beng's steps halted, and he swallowed hard before saying, "Xue Ke, you..."
Xue Ke showed a gentle smile, "Brother, if you don't mind, I can still be with you..."
Xue Beng instinctively wanted to reach out and grab her hand but restrained himself...
His tone suddenly became much colder, "There's no need for that. You should heed Father's words and stay away from me!"
For her safety, he could not get close to her!
Having said that, without waiting for a response, he quickly walked away...
Leaving only Xue Ke looking at his retreating figure, "Brother..."
Just now, Brother clearly wanted to come closer, so why did he reply with such cold words?
Was there some secret reason?
But unable to comprehend, he still shook his head and chose not to think about it any further!
However, the voices of other students in the surroundings began to rise...
"Even the Crown Prince has come, what on earth has happened outside the imperial palace?"
"Exactly, not long ago, Her Royal Highness the Princess and other Princes entered the academy too; something important must have happened!"
"It couldn't be possible. How strictly guarded is the imperial palace? What could happen? I think it's just that these princes have come to study at the academy!"
"Indeed, even as a prince, one must definitely attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy for studies, as has always been the custom!"
"But I heard that these princes entered the academy because Fourth Prince His Highness suffered an attack that led to his demise. I just hope it doesn't affect us!!"
Upon hearing these words, Xue Ke instantly snapped awake and immediately moved toward the direction they came from...
She immediately spotted the very noticeable Xue Qinghe, along with the students thronging around him...
"Crown Prince, look over here, look over here!!"
"Though I have always heard that the Crown Prince is extremely handsome, today is the first time I've actually seen him, and it's simply wonderful!"
"Crown Prince is truly my knight in shining armor, it's just a pity he's a bit young, otherwise, I would definitely pursue him no matter what!"
"So handsome, truly too handsome, it makes even a man like me a bit envious!"
Xue Qinghe could only respond with a smile, "Everyone is really enthusiastic, but please don't gather here and disturb the other students!"
This action naturally made the admiration in these students' eyes grow even deeper...
Nevertheless, they dispersed as he commanded...
Almost instantaneously, Xue Qinghe's gaze locked onto Xue Ke, who was standing at a distance, and he walked over to her without delay...
"Xue Ke, why are you standing here alone? I've been looking for you!"
Xue Ke expressed her astonishment, "Bro… Brother, you… you were looking for me? I'm so sorry!"
Xue Qinghe asked with feigned concern, "Xue Ke, you seem a bit distracted, did something happen just now?"
Xue Ke, feeling guilty, bowed her head, "No... nothing happened!"
This action made Xue Qinghe even more curious, he reached out and lifted her chin, "Xue Ke, you don't have to hide anything from me, your expression just now doesn't look like nothing happened!"
The person in question blushed intensely and muttered, "It's not that nothing happened…"
Xue Qinghe released her, "Then can you whisper it to your brother? I promise not to tell anyone else."
Xue Ke hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Just… just now, Xue Beng spoke to me!"
Xue Qinghe's brows furrowed slightly, "Xue Beng? What did he want with you?"
As for Xue Beng, he had already disregarded him, he hadn't expected to hear that name again!
Xue Ke shook her head, "He didn't do anything much, just talked to me for a bit!"
Xue Qinghe's expression became more serious, "Talked for a bit? What did he say?"
Xue Ke took a deep breath, "Xue Beng said that I should obey Father's orders and not get close to him!"
Xue Qinghe frowned, "Is that all he said?"
Seeing his reaction, she added another sentence, "Well, I don't think Xue Beng is as unreasonable and overbearing as the rumors suggest, he even seemed to show concern for me!"
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, then asked again, "Is that so? Xue Ke, what kind of person is Xue Beng in your heart?"
Xue Ke pondered for a moment, then responded, "Well, this was the first time I met him, so I'm not sure, but I think he's not a bad person!"
After a pause, she continued with a touch of confusion, "But why does Father want me to stay away from Xue Beng?"
Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered, "Father must have his reasons for doing this. No matter what your perspective of Xue Beng is, it's best not to get too close to him. Do you understand?"
The latter nodded, "I understand, Brother. From now on, I'll try not to have any contact with Xue Beng!!"
Since the latter said so, she might as well do as advised!
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