Playing Pig and Eating Tiger

With a slightly reddened face, Helian Jiao'er lowered her head, resembling a lotus flower waiting to be released, as she gazed at Baili Jia Jue with beautiful eyes. Her ink-like eyelashes added to her charm.

However, what Helian Jiao'er didn't know was that the person in front of her was none other than His Royal Highness, the Holy Son, who had never been close to a woman. Any beauty in front of him would essentially be ignored.

Nangong Lie once remarked, "If His Highness wants to see beauty, he can just look in the mirror every day. Others are truly incomparable, regardless of men or women."

Yet, surprisingly, this time Baili Jia Jue looked at Helian Jiao'er's face and remained in a daze for a long time.

Helian Weiwei furrowed her brows, not expecting that this man would be someone who noticed appearances. If he were like everyone else, there would be no point in having this meal.

The longer Baili Jia Jue stared at Helian Jiao'er, the more evident the pride on her face became. Her flushed cheeks, enhanced by the powder, made her heart race, and she was eager to speak again.

Baili Jia Jue held his chin, his brows furrowing in a serious manner, as he asked in a calm and unhurried tone, "Who are you?" His voice possessed a good quality, light and lazy, exuding an elegant charm that pleased anyone who listened.

But!

Who are you?

Who are you!

Who are you!!

When Helian Jiao'er heard these three words, all color drained from her face. She tightly clenched the fabric in her hands, her gaze shifting from shy to stunned, and finally to embarrassment as she wanted to turn around and leave.

Helian Weiwei was also taken aback as she turned her head to see Baili Jia Jue's wicked smile.

This man clearly remembered Helian Jiao'er, and it was because of this that he deliberately asked such a question!

Absolutely astounding!

If it weren't for the presence of others, Helian Weiwei truly wanted to give him a thumbs up.

Such a cunning and mischievous nature was truly rare to witness in ancient times!

Baili Jia Jue noticed Helian Weiwei's gaze and responded by curling his thin lips, offering her an enchanting and indulgent smile.

Helian Weiwei pondered for a moment whether she should keep her distance from this man.

After all, he was too intelligent and dangerous.

In the end, Helian Jiaojie met Baili Jia Jue's gaze, which seemed to say that he understood what she was thinking. He closed his smile, his eyes appearing somewhat puzzled, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Helian Weiwei thought that she had overthought things. Perhaps the strong sense of crisis she felt upon meeting him for the first time made her remain wary. Upon careful consideration, this child was still good, and she shouldn't have preconceived opinions about people. "Eat more, ignore the others who don't know any better."

"Okay," Baili Jia Jue replied faintly, but a coolness flickered in his lowered eyes. He didn't expect to be disguised to this extent, and yet this little one still doubted him.

Defeated?

Huh, impossible.

The more cunning the prey, the more satisfying it felt to tame them.

Baili Jia Jue's thin lips curled into a burning smile. He resembled a master sitting behind the counter, controlling everything and possessing enough patience to wait.

The most difficult situation was faced by Helian Jiao'er. She felt as if everyone in the dining hall was watching her, including the maids she had befriended at Youyuan. Helian Jiao'er had grown up without ever experiencing such humiliation!

Angry tremors coursed through Helian Jiao'er's hands, but she didn't know how to vent her frustrations.

"Second sister, do you have anything to say to this man who can't even afford a scholar's hat?" Helian Mei, who had spent quite some time in the Protector Mansion, understood that at this moment, she needed to speak up to support Helian Jiao'er. She glanced at Helian Weiwei disdainfully and continued, "They are merely hill people passing through."

Helian Jiao'er received Helian Mei's message and immediately changed her demeanor to appear aggrieved. "I...I was just remarking on this prince's shabby clothes. It's a matter of different backgrounds. It's my fault for being too troublesome."

Shabby clothes?

Helian Weiwei's delicate eyebrows furrowed. They thought she would let it slide, but now even the people around her joined in with the taunting. Did they truly believe she wouldn't get angry?

Helian Weiwei held her bamboo chopsticks upright, her black and white eyes revealing a trace of anger.

Even Sun Gonggong, who had just entered the dining hall accompanied by Master Jing Wu of Youyuan, was startled by the word "shabby" and nearly dropped the dust in his hand in fright!

Jing Wu looked at Sun Gonggong's bewildered expression and found it quite strange. "Sun Gonggong, what's the matter? Do you find something unsatisfactory about the dining hall? Rest assured, when His Highness descends, a special chef will be here to prepare the royal meals. Speaking of which, there's no need for Grandfather Sun to come up personally. There is an old man overseeing things here, so everything will be fine."

Sun Gonggong wanted to cry without tears...

Who said I wanted to come? Our family has been waiting all day with the royal troops at the foot of the mountain. The person has finally arrived, but they're dressed in a green shirt and white cloth, mingling with a group of courtyard students.

As soon as he entered the dining hall, his heart trembled. He even had to swallow two heart-calming pills in a row just to prevent himself from screaming uncontrollably!

How could His Highness, who should be in the palace, appear here without even saying a word?

He wasn't mentally prepared at all. He hadn't finished reading the layout of the academy, the dean wasn't present, and he hadn't even had a chance to respond to the letter from the Taishanghuang... In short, why didn't anyone inform him that His Third Highness had entered the Taibai Academy and become an "ordinary academy student"!

Could he return to the palace now to report to the Emperor Taishang that the Third Highness had been found?

After this thought crossed Sun Gonggong's mind, his entire being became excited. However, just as he was about to step forward, Baili Jia Jue's careless gaze stopped him in his tracks!

The gaze was ice-cold, filled with a warning of indifference.

Sun Gonggong was a perceptive individual. Having spent most of his life in the palace, he could guess ten points when the masters said and did something, and he could figure out seven points. Now it was clear that His Highness didn't want him to approach...

"Father-in-law? Sun Gonggong?" Jing Wuxian noticed Sun Gonggong's distracted state and couldn't help but follow his gaze. He then laughed rather triumphantly, "Is Sun Gonggong captivated by the beauty of the Helian family? The young lady is now my husband's junior disciple."

Sun Gonggong had been worrying about how to pretend not to see His Royal Highness, but the master of Youyuan had given him the perfect excuse.

He smiled and nodded, forcibly tearing his gaze away from His Highness, and replied, "Our family has long heard of the second young lady's beauty and charm. She's different from ordinary young ladies. Today is truly extraordinary, and the master is truly blessed to have such a promising disciple."

"Oh, not at all," Jing Wuxian quickly waved her hand, but her smile didn't diminish in the slightest. "This child is intelligent, and when the time comes to choose a concubine, I hope Grandfather Sun will take good care of her."

As soon as the word "concubine" was mentioned, everyone in the dining hall turned to look in their direction, including Helian Weiwei...