In the forest—
The conversation between Yang Cheng and Xu Qingxue was clearly heard by Liu Wuji.
He immediately felt like he'd been struck in the heart.
So this was how worthless he seemed in his wife's eyes?
Even that mysterious three-year-old boy was thinking he might've been framed, yet his own wife, Xu Qingxue, wasn't even willing to give him a shred of trust.
"It's fine if he's useless. I believe that with someone as perfect as you for a wife, he'll eventually find his way back to the right path," Yang Cheng said.
Xu Qingxue's cheeks flushed at those words.
His Highness had actually called her a perfect wife?
Seeing her expression made Liu Wuji's eyes turn red again.
His own wife was acting all shy and bashful in front of another man, like a delicate flower just about to bloom. The feeling it gave him was hard to describe.
His anger blinded him to the rest of what Xu Qingxue said afterward.
Xu Qingxue continued, "He's not beyond saving. Lately, he's stopped going out drinking and whoring around. He's finally started taking cultivation seriously."
He's started taking cultivation seriously?
Yang Cheng's expression stayed calm.
Thinking back to the rumors he heard on the way here, he could basically confirm those people were all killed by Liu Wuji.
Out loud, he said, "Seems like Miss Xu has worked really hard for Young Master Liu. Honestly, I think plenty of men out there must envy him."
Xu Qingxue grew even more flustered. Her heart was also a little moved. She hadn't expected someone as noble as His Highness to actually understand her.
But Liu Wuji felt no such emotion.
From his perspective, Xu Qingxue and Yang Cheng were openly flirting, treating him—her actual husband—like nothing more than a joke.
Still, he didn't act rashly.
This so-called His Highness clearly held an extraordinary identity. Killing him on impulse would only bring disaster.
'I can't force it. I'll have to outsmart him. First, I need to find a chance to remind Qingxue.'
Liu Wuji's gaze turned cold. 'Even though this prince hides himself well, I can still sense it—he's trying to drive a wedge between me and Qingxue.'
In that moment, he already wanted to kill this prince.
Anyone who dared get involved with his woman—or even seemed to be driving them apart—deserved to die.
Of course, this wasn't something to rush. He had to plan carefully.
But he was confident it wouldn't take long. With his potential, even that so-called great-aunt of the Xu family would fall to him eventually.
In this tiny desolate realm, no one could stop him from doing anything.
Yang Cheng and Xu Qingxue wandered around for about half an hour.
Then Yang Cheng figured Hu Po had probably finished catching up with the clan, so he said it was time to head back.
Just as the two were about to return to the crowded area, Xu Qingxue suddenly called out, "Your Highness!"
"Miss Xu, is something the matter?" Yang Cheng turned to look at her.
"I... I..." Xu Qingxue actually started stammering. She looked incredibly nervous.
Even she didn't know why the thought had suddenly popped into her head.
"Miss Xu, you and I are already friends. No need to be so formal," Yang Cheng said with a smile.
Xu Qingxue took out a delicate brocade pouch, her tone uneasy. "Your Highness, I embroidered this pouch myself some time ago. I think it suits you perfectly."
"Of course, if Your Highness doesn't like it, just forget I said anything."
She wasn't playing games—she genuinely meant it.
Yang Cheng looked like a little celestial immortal. Just seeing him made people feel fond of him.
It wasn't that kind of romantic attraction between men and women—just the way any ordinary girl might feel upon seeing a handsome and refined boy.
And the pouch she'd made really was exquisite.
Originally, she'd planned to give it to Liu Wuji on their wedding night. But he'd gone off to a brothel instead. At that moment, she'd felt he didn't deserve it and had kept it ever since.
The thing was, the pouch was made for a man. Keeping it herself felt like a waste.
If His Highness was willing to accept it, then to her, giving it to him would be absolutely perfect.
"Why would I dislike it? This pouch looks quite nice to me," Yang Cheng said with a smile. He took the pouch and immediately tied it to his waist.
Xu Qingxue's face lit up with joy.
This scene hit Liu Wuji even harder.
In his eyes, Xu Qingxue giving Yang Cheng a pouch was basically handing him a token of affection.
She was his wife.
Yet he hadn't even gotten a single thread from her.
And here Yang Cheng was, receiving a hand-embroidered pouch just like that.
After Yang Cheng and Xu Qingxue parted ways, Liu Wuji could no longer hold it in. He stepped out from the shadows.
Xu Qingxue jumped in surprise. Then her brows drew tight. "What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?" Liu Wuji let out a furious laugh. "If I weren't here, how could I have seen you blushing like a schoolgirl in front of another man—and even giving him a pouch?"
Xu Qingxue's face immediately turned icy. "You were following me? Spying on me in secret?"
"Is that the real issue here?" Liu Wuji demanded. "You need to remember, you're my wife. Not that prince's wife."
Xu Qingxue's eyes widened. She finally understood what he meant by those strange remarks earlier.
Her face turned bright red from anger. "How can your mind be so filthy?"
"Haha, I'm the one who's filthy?" Liu Wuji laughed like a madman.
Xu Qingxue had had enough. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
Liu Wuji never expected she would actually hit him. The slap landed squarely.
"You actually slapped me?" he asked, stunned.
Xu Qingxue's expression was ice-cold. "Liu Wuji, don't use your disgusting thoughts to judge others. His Highness is open and upright, kind and gentle—not filthy like you. I, Xu Qingxue, am nothing like you either."
Liu Wuji was nearly exploding with rage. "You two flirt behind my back, passing gifts in secret, and now I'm the filthy, disgusting one?"
"The way you see others shows what kind of person you are," Xu Qingxue shot back. "You're a brothel-hopping scoundrel, so of course you assume everyone else is as shameless and vile as you."
"That's enough. Stay away from me. I have nothing more to say to you."
"You've been tricked by him. That so-called prince is no good, definitely not as simple as you think!" Liu Wuji shouted, both furious and panicked.
But Xu Qingxue no longer cared to respond. She turned and walked away, leaving Liu Wuji fuming in place.
For the rest of the day—
Liu Wuji stayed completely silent, keeping to the shadows.
But news of Yang Cheng's visit to the Liu clan had already drawn the attention of all major powers in Canglan City.
None of them knew Yang Cheng's true identity, but they could tell he was someone important from Fengtian City.
Whether they got to meet him or not clearly depended on his mood.
Right now, Yang Cheng was still thinking about Liu Wuji.
'Someone like Liu Wuji probably has a very self-centered view of the world,' Yang Cheng thought. 'Me getting close to Xu Qingxue might not bother others, but he definitely won't be able to accept it.'
He'd considered just having Hu Po kill Liu Wuji.
But the chances of success weren't high.
Liu Wuji wasn't like Yang Xiu—he didn't carry a destiny like Heaven's Mandate. But he did have a bunch of hidden survival tools.
So the better move was to slowly mess with his mindset, drive him insane, and rack up achievement points.
To Yang Cheng, Liu Wuji himself wasn't that important.
True, in his past life, he could only look up at Liu Wuji.
But now?
It was Liu Wuji who had to look up to him!