Chapter 184 - 183: The Crown Prince is a Great Actor

Chapter 184: Chapter 183: The Crown Prince is a Great Actor

When the gold ingots were presented, Xia Wuyang waved his hands dismissively. "How could such crude things be worthy of such ethereal beauty? Hurry and fetch the Sea Pearls that the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent over."

When a platter of Sea Pearls, each the size of a longan, was brought out, even the lead Shou Liji, Jin Xiuya, looked astonished. The other ladies were equally stunned, and their previously dejected moods suddenly lifted.

They had been sent to serve this elder Crown Prince who was on the verge of death, to be toyed with and profaned at his whim. How could they possibly be happy about it?

But now, with such compensation, they knew that even after the elder Crown Prince passed away, they could rely on these Sea Pearls to live a comfortable life. Naturally, their hearts were filled with joy.

Xia Wuyang, busy "indulging" in the beauties, had no idea that several hundred meters away, a graceful figure was quietly concealed atop the flying eaves of the Imperial Palace walls.

She wore a simple white blouse and skirt, overlaid with a light purple gauze. Her ink-black hair was held up loosely by a single glass hairpin.

Moonlight spilled over her, seemingly draping her in a sacred halo. Yet her beautiful, expressive eyes held an indescribable allure. To say her beauty could topple kingdoms would be no exaggeration.

Especially after stepping into the Super Grade Celestial Human Realm, her beauty and poise far surpassed what they once were.

Gazing from afar at Xia Wuyang carousing in Wenhua Hall, a faint, almost imperceptible smile played on Song Yuyan’s lips.

Ever since that night in the ruined temple when she sensed the faint aura Xia Wuyang had let slip in a moment of emotional turmoil, she had been quite certain that he was the one who had helped her.

This was despite the whole world saying he was decrepit and on the verge of death.

But that familiar aura couldn’t lie. Even though they hadn’t been intimate for many years, Song Yuyan still remembered the trace of his essence he had left on her back then. She had seared it into her memory and would never forget.

That was precisely why she had come here tonight—to see the man she longed for day and night, and to find out what had become of him.

However, the white-haired figure and the wrinkles covering his body really did make him look like an old man on death’s door. Even she could find few flaws in his disguise.

But Song Yuyan remained convinced that it was Xia Wuyang. In all the vastness of White Jade City, only he would ever be so good to her.

’Your Highness, we haven’t seen each other for years, and your acting is truly something else.’

Watching Xia Wuyang bury his head in the bosom of a Shou Liji, Song Yuyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She never imagined that after decades apart, Xia Wuyang would have changed so drastically.

’To think the once wise and mighty Crown Prince would stoop so low just to avoid suspicion.’

At this thought, the smile vanished from her exquisite face, replaced by deep worry and sorrow.

Because of the great distance, Xia Wuyang was unaware that Song Yuyan had secretly approached and was now observing his every move.

He was even more oblivious to the fact that his former lover was grieving for him, believing he was suffering a great injustice by being forced to put on a show for a group of Shou Liji.

But she didn’t know that while Xia Wuyang was indeed acting, he also considered it a form of daily relaxation. He didn’t feel wronged in the slightest; in fact, he sometimes rather enjoyed it.

Wenhua Hall was brightly lit as twelve Shou Liji danced gracefully. Xia Wuyang reclined on a soft couch, a woman in each arm, whispering intimately. He was utterly blissful, completely lost in a sea of feminine charms.

One must enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest; never let the golden cup be empty under the moon.

’Since I have to put on a show, why not get lost in it? Besides, for any man, what’s not to like about a life like this?’

One of the Shou Liji danced her way right onto Xia Wuyang’s lap. Without ceremony, he pulled her into his embrace and poured the fine imported wine into her cherry-red lips.

"Fragrant... so fragrant."

Indulging his senses, Xia Wuyang reached out and pulled Jin Xiuya into his arms as well.

Song Yuyan simply watched in silence. She felt no jealousy, only an indescribable sadness.

’The Crown Prince isn’t like this at all. He’s only forced by circumstance to put on this act, to make people believe this is who he has become.’

’Befuddled and lecherous, mediocre and incompetent, drowning in wine and women, carousing day and night...’

After some time, Song Yuyan sighed and quietly departed from the Imperial Palace.

She had already made a secret resolve: from now on, she would remain near the Imperial Palace to protect Xia Wuyang from the shadows. ’Even if he doesn’t need my help,’ she thought, ’as long as I can do something for him, it will be enough.’

Xia Wuyang never would have guessed that the faint aura he had let slip in his emotional turmoil that day would be enough for Song Yuyan to confirm his identity, leading her to stay in White Jade City to guard him from the shadows.

Having just witnessed his performance, Song Yuyan was, in a way, the first person to glimpse a part of his true nature.

But what Song Yuyan couldn’t possibly know was just how much strength Xia Wuyang was truly hiding, or the true level of his Cultivation.

"Faster! I like you to be quick!"

Xia Wuyang deliberately shouted, his voice carrying both inside and outside Wenhua Hall. Many who heard it couldn’t help but shake their heads.

’He’s already in such a state, yet he’s still lost in debauchery. The elder Crown Prince must feel he’s lived too long.’

Jin Xiuya received the command and led the Shou Liji into an even more unrestrained dance. Twelve beautiful figures spun rapidly around the hall, their skirts flaring like blooming blue roses.

It was a breathtaking, nation-toppling display of beauty.

’Although I have to spend some time on them, it does help me relax my mind and body. In a way, these Shou Liji deserve some credit for the rapid progress I’ve made recently.’

’This is also a perfect opportunity to further deceive the outside world, making them think I’m so addled and inept that I’m no longer a threat.’

Little did they know this was all an act. The real Xia Wuyang was already a powerhouse far beyond their reach.

Before long, having "favored" too many Shou Liji in a short time due to his "insatiable appetite," Xia Wuyang was coaxed by everyone into his Practice Room. They urged him to get some rest and not to indulge any further.

Seeing Xia Wuyang finally coaxed into the Practice Room, the group of Shou Liji breathed a collective sigh of relief. Nearby, Su Ling’Er, Hanik’s Heart, and the others also wiped sweat from their brows.

"We finally got His Highness inside. If we’d let him ’have fun’ a few more times, he might have passed out again. And if they couldn’t revive him this time, we would have all been finished."

"All of you Shou Liji need to be more careful. You absolutely cannot let His Highness overindulge. Given his physical condition, the slightest misstep could be disastrous. If he were to die in one of your arms, not a single one of you would survive."

"Just the other day, His Highness nearly died on us because he indulged too much. You all had better be careful. Don’t let him get *too* ’happy’."

"From now on, don’t make yourselves look so beautiful. The Crown Prince has terrible self-control these days; he wants to pounce on any beauty he sees. The prettier you are, the more the Crown Prince likes it, and the more he’ll want to ’favor’ you. If he dies on one of you... well, the consequences go without saying."

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