"Greetings, Crown Prince." Mr. Li came hurrying over with several junior eunuchs in tow.

"What is it?" Sang Qi’s brows furrowed.

"The Emperor sent this servant to find Miss Xiang and the Eighth Prince."

Sang Qi grew even more displeased. ’Why would Father summon them?’

"Eighth Prince, Miss Xiang, please come with this servant quickly," Mr. Li said, bowing.

Sang Zhi started to walk forward with Ye Qianning.

"You’re not to go." Sang Qi blocked their path.

"Crown Prince, a summons from the Emperor cannot be delayed." Mr. Li could tell at a glance that something was wrong.

"When I say you’re not to go, you’re not to go."

"Fine, then we won’t go," Ye Qianning said, her tone airy and sarcastic. "Mr. Li, go tell the Emperor that the Crown Prince is blocking our way. If His Majesty has questions, he can come ask them himself."

"This..." Mr. Li didn’t have the nerve for that.

"It’s the Crown Prince who’s being so unreasonable. Now, even if he moves, I’m not going." Ye Qianning let go of Sang Zhi’s hand, turned, and sat down on a nearby rock. Then she even beckoned to Sang Zhi. "Brother, come sit."

This put Mr. Li in an even more difficult position.

Sang Qi had only meant to make things difficult and intimidate them, hoping to make them anxious. He never expected the damned fatty to just sit down and refuse to budge.

He was both furious and wary of angering his father, yet he was too proud to back down now.

Sang Zhi started to walk toward Ye Qianning.

Sang Qi raised a hand and shoved Sang Zhi. "Get away from me!"

Caught off guard, Sang Zhi stumbled back several steps. His brows knitted together. "Crown Prince, what are you doing?"

"Hmph. Others may fear your eyes, but I don’t. Let me tell you, don’t get any funny ideas. Father issued a decree for you to withdraw from the academy. Can’t you see your own place?" Sang Qi vented all his anger on Sang Zhi.

Sang Zhi’s expression turned cold as well.

Ye Qianning’s eyes darted. She feigned surprise. "So, the Emperor’s decree preventing Brother from attending Lou Mountain was because of you, Crown Prince?"

Still simmering with rage, Sang Qi turned his head. Seeing the astonished look on Ye Qianning’s face, he couldn’t help but feel a bit smug. "Of course it was."

"To think the Emperor dotes on the Crown Prince so much. You truly are worthy of your title."

"Hmph."

Sang Qi snorted. He looked at the chubby figure and was reminded that she was his Crown Princess Consort. A wave of irritation washed over him. ’I despise fat people.’

"Brother Crown Prince, the Emperor is summoning him... it couldn’t be to let him return to Lou Mountain Academy, could it?" Sang Rui had been secretly pleased when he first heard that Sang Zhi had also been forced to withdraw.

’If he returns to the academy, he’ll definitely outshine me in the future.’

"He can forget it." Sang Qi’s chin tilted up slightly.

Sang Zhi stepped forward. He was much taller than Sang Qi, and as he lowered his gaze, he was looking down on him slightly.

Their gazes met. They stood very close, and Sang Qi felt as if a shadow had fallen over him. With the sun at Sang Zhi’s back, his grey eyes were exceptionally piercing.

Though he often boasted he wasn’t afraid, this was the first time they had locked eyes like this. His heart began to pound violently.

The arrogance and anger on his face melted into tension and fear. ’Yes, deep down, he was terrified of those eyes. They were like a vortex, threatening to pull him under and leave him breathless.’

Sang Rui watched, his own heart trembling. He hadn’t seen Sang Zhi in just over half a month, but it felt like he was looking at a completely different person.

"Crown Prince, what are you afraid of?" Sang Zhi’s voice was frigid.

Hearing that faint, cold voice, even Ye Qianning couldn’t help but stare a little longer. ’When a person has an epiphany, their entire aura changes with them.’

Such a change was good for someone in the Imperial Family, but it also had its downsides. ’Though Sang Zhi may seem young, it’s as if a tremendous power lies hidden within him, silently awakening.’