Bu Tong gave Qin Li, whose face was a mask of arrogance and pride, a long, hard look. Without another word, he immediately had his men take Wei Qiang and leave.

For one, he was genuinely a little afraid of this unrestrained fellow. The man was a complete scoundrel, without a shred of a nobleman’s grace. If they stayed a moment longer, Bu Tong was almost certain Qin Li would make a move on him. And Bu Tong had seen Qin Li’s attacks on Wei Qiang clearly. He reckoned that even he might not have been able to dodge such vicious strikes!

If they really clashed, it wouldn’t matter to Qin Li. The entire imperial court, both civil and military officials, knew he was a hotheaded oaf. But the image Bu Tong had painstakingly cultivated for years would instantly come crashing down. For another, Wei Qiang’s injuries could not be delayed. No matter what, he couldn’t just watch him die within the academy’s walls. Otherwise, it would be difficult to answer to the Crown Prince.

’Let the Emperor judge the rights and wrongs of the matter. In any case, this is all Qin Li’s fault!’ Bu Tong cursed inwardly. ’Damn it, how did a person like him ever get into the Advanced Academy?’

Meanwhile, Qin Li was all smiles, greeting a group of talented students before boarding his carriage. The carriage made its way out of the Imperial Advanced Academy. The Little Princess, Zhao Qianqian, curiously studied the young man. His eyes were closed in rest, and his face looked a little tired. ’It feels so strange,’ she thought. ’He’s clearly only two years older than me, but being near him, he doesn’t feel like a youth at all. He gives off the same impression as my father, the Emperor—composed, wise, and ruthlessly decisive!’

This was, of course, purely a matter of personal perception. The Qin Li who was impulsive, witless, and hotheaded in the eyes of others appeared as someone else entirely to the Little Princess. If Qin Li knew what Zhao Qianqian was thinking right now, he would surely reach out his hand, his eyes welling with tears, and exclaim, "It’s destiny!"

A few of Zhao Qianqian’s guards trailed Qin Li’s carriage at a discreet distance. Their duty was to protect the princess; all other matters were of no concern to them. They were not permitted to interfere with whatever she wished to do.

In truth, this also showed the depths of Emperor Zhao Yuanli’s affection for his little princess.

After the carriage had traveled for a while, Qin Li opened his eyes and gave Zhao Qianqian an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Your Highness. I was just thinking about something and got a bit lost in thought. I’ve been neglecting you."

"You don’t have to be so formal with me. You’re the teacher and I’m the student. You can just call me Qianqian." Zhao Qianqian had a cheerful personality. Though a little shy, she was still quite open and gracious.

It had to be said, Zhao Qianqian was a true national beauty. Her figure was tall and well-proportioned, her slender, well-rounded legs perfectly straight. Her delicate skin glowed like translucent jade, and her elegant collarbones peeked out from the collar of her dress. She had an oval face, with gracefully arched brows, Star Eyes that glistened like water, and dewy, full lips. It was no wonder the Emperor doted on this daughter so much. Anyone with such a daughter would dote on her endlessly, wanting to protect her from the slightest harm.

"Haha, in that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. Princess Qianqian, you must have sought me out for a reason, right?" Since he was playing the part of an unrestrained character, there was no need to be overly deferential toward the princess. In truth, Qin Li was unrestrained to the bone; it was just that the environment of his previous life had suppressed these rebellious tendencies.

’In this world where the strong reign supreme, I’m already in a position of power,’ Qin Li thought. ’I’ve earned this right. So, why can’t I act as I please?’

In truth, Zhao Qianqian hadn’t sought out Qin Li for any official business. She just wanted to help him out of a jam. She couldn’t stand the sight of the other teachers at the Academy being jealous of him. It’s said that only the mediocre escape envy, but Wei Qiang and the others had gone too far. Zhao Qianqian believed that even if Wei Qiang had been beaten to death, he would have deserved it!

’If you dare to provoke someone, you should be prepared to face the consequences!’

At least, that was what the Royal Family’s educational philosophy she’d grown up with had taught her!

"Um... it’s like this, Qin, I just wanted to ask, did you really become the Gang Leader of the Daqing Gang?"

Qin Li was taken aback. He had expected Zhao Qianqian to ask him something about Martial Arts, but he never thought she would ask about this. He couldn’t help but smile. "What? Is the princess interested in gangs and the like?"

Zhao Qianqian smiled shyly. "Of course not. I only heard my brother, the Crown Prince, mention it. Oh, right, my big brother doesn’t seem to like you very much. You should be careful of him."

"Princess Qianqian... why are you telling me this? You know, the Crown Prince is your own brother. If he found out, he’d be hurt, wouldn’t he?" Qin Li said with a smile, looking at Zhao Qianqian. He found the beautiful little princess to be quite likable.

"What’s there for him to be hurt about? The only thing in his heart is the throne! In his eyes, I, his own sister, am less important than one of his trusted cronies!" Zhao Qianqian pouted and complained offhandedly. Then her gaze fixed on Qin Li again. "Qin, you still haven’t answered my question. Is the Daqing Gang really in your hands now?"

"Do you think that’s possible, Princess Qianqian? You’ve probably heard a few things. Your brother, the Crown Prince, won’t let the matter rest!" Qin Li let out a half-truthful sigh. "I’m just an outsider. Being able to gain a foothold in Cyan Dragon City and win the Emperor’s trust is already the greatest fortune I could ask for. I’ve never dared to dream of anything more."

Zhao Qianqian comforted him from the side, "Who says you don’t? You still have friends! My second brother, for one, really admires you!"

"Haha, so you’re here to be an advocate for your second brother, little one," Qin Li teased, feigning a look of sudden understanding.

"I am not!" Zhao Qianqian pouted and shot Qin Li a look. "You’re teasing me!"

"Haha, no, how would I dare to tease the esteemed Princess?"

"Yes, you are! Is there anything you wouldn’t dare to do?"

"Really, I’m not!"

"I say you are, so you are!"

"Alright, you win..."

The exchange ended with a certain someone’s defeat. Only then did Zhao Qianqian’s pout turn into a radiant smile. "So, from now on, can I be friends with you, Qin?"

"Of course." Qin Li, now realizing the little girl’s mischievous nature, answered wearily.

A little dissatisfied with Qin Li’s listless expression, Zhao Qianqian said in frustration, "I’m serious!"

"Alright, I’m serious too. In truth, Your Highness is so beautiful and lovely... to be able to become your friend is this Marquis’s... er, my honor!"

"That’s more like it!"

Zhao Qianqian was all smiles. "Don’t you worry," she said. "I’ll be sure to tell my father what happened today when I get back. Hmph. I was a witness. I’d like to see that disgusting bunch try to twist the truth right in front of me!"

At this moment, the coachman whispered a reminder from outside, "Marquis, we’ve arrived."

Qin Li glanced at Zhao Qianqian and invited with a smile, "Would Your Highness like to come in and sit for a while?"

Zhao Qianqian suddenly looked a little bashful. "I’d better not," she said. "I should get back to the Imperial Palace and tell my father about this, before those villains have a chance to tell their side of the story first! Your carriage can just take me back."

Qin Li nodded, then said, "Then I’ll invite Princess Qianqian to my residence another day."

"Okay!" Zhao Qianqian replied softly. Seeing Qin Li dismount, she hastily lifted the carriage curtain and called out in a crisp voice, "The first day of next week, you have to be at the Academy!"

With his back to Zhao Qianqian, Qin Li gave a wave to show he understood and walked straight through the gates of his estate.

The coachman reminded her in a low voice, "We’re leaving now, Your Highness."

Zhao Qianqian pulled her hand back and lowered the carriage curtain, a wistful expression on her beautiful face. Then, as if she’d thought of something, her expression brightened. She pumped a delicate little fist, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

When Qin Li returned to his estate, Bu Yunyan and the others had not yet returned, and Hu was also out. Qin Li strolled over to where Leng Yao performed her alchemy. He pushed open the door and saw her sitting there, seriously fiddling with some medicinal herbs while muttering to herself, calculating something.

She looked up and saw Qin Li. A gentle smile appeared on Leng Yao’s usually cool face as she said softly, "You’re back?"

Qin Li nodded and walked to her side, watching her arrange the medicinal herbs.

Gradually, a blush crept onto Leng Yao’s face. She stopped what she was doing, looked up, and asked, "What are you looking at? You’re making me all flustered. How am I supposed to prepare this elixir!" Realizing she might have overreacted, her face flushed an even deeper red. "I’m sorry..." she whispered.

Qin Li looked at Leng Yao, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He didn’t say anything more. ’Some things can’t be resolved with a simple promise.’ he thought.

"I’m planning to modify your constitution first. I also wanted to ask if you’ve listed out any Elixir Formulas that can rapidly increase one’s strength. I need to have someone start gathering the ingredients."

"Oh... that. I’ve already prepared it," Leng Yao said, then looked up at Qin Li suspiciously. "But what’s this you said about modifying my constitution?"

"Come with me!" Qin Li said, then walked towards his room.

Leng Yao hesitated for a moment, then stood up and followed Qin Li.

That night, when Bu Yunyan and the others returned, they asked about Qin Li and Leng Yao, only to receive a dumbfounding answer. A maidservant told Bu Yunyan that Miss Leng had entered the Marquis’s room with him and still hadn’t come out.

Upon hearing this, Bu Yunyan felt a sudden pang of disappointment. This feeling intensified when, all the way until midnight, Qin Li finally emerged looking exhausted and ordered the maids to prepare a bath. Hearing this, Bu Yunyan’s heart was a turmoil of mixed emotions.

Just then, Qin Li came to the main hall and saw Bu Yunyan sitting there blankly, a sorrowful expression on her face. Drained from channeling his Innate Purple Qi to perform Marrow Cleansing for Leng Yao, the utterly exhausted Qin Li didn’t think much of it. He looked at Bu Yunyan and said, "Bu, I’m completely worn out today. I’ll probably need a few days to recover before I can help you."

"I don’t need it!" Bu Yunyan said coldly, biting her lip hard as tears welled in her eyes. In her heart, she felt it was such a waste for her sister, Leng Yao. ’See?’ she thought. ’This is what men are like!’