Reincarnated as the Death Spider Queen, sacrificing Bibi Dong at the start

Looking into Xue Qinghe's calm, still eyes, and feeling the suffocating yet perfectly timed silence, Ning Fengzhi's lips gradually curved into a relieved smile.

He understood the weight behind that silence and finally got the answer he wanted.

"I understand."

Ning Fengzhi did not press the matter further on this crucial question, but naturally steered the conversation elsewhere. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his tone regained the gentleness and authority of an elder: "Your Highness Qinghe, the Second Prince and the Third Prince are newcomers and caused quite a bit of trouble yesterday, leaving a very bad impression on Seagod Island. As the eldest brother of the Heavenly Dou Royal Family, and since you are now quite favored by that Sea Maiden Douluo, it is time for you to step forward and 'help out' and mediate for your two younger brothers."

Xue Qinghe naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Ning Fengzhi's words—this was a test from Ning Fengzhi for him, and also an excellent stepping stone for him to solidify his image as an "elder brother like a father, steady and responsible for the overall situation."

"Qinghe understands and will do his best to live up to the sect leader's expectations." Xue Qinghe stood up respectfully without any hesitation and gave a junior's salute. "Then Qinghe will take his leave."

As the door to the cubicle was gently closed, only Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong remained in the room once again.

After holding it in for so long, Gu Rong finally couldn't hold back anymore. He scratched his head, looking completely bewildered, and asked Ning Fengzhi, "Fengzhi, what kind of riddle were you two playing just now? You asked him if he wanted to be the crown prince, and he didn't say a word for ages. How did you 'understand' it?"

Ning Fengzhi leaned back in his chair, looking at the tightly closed door, and sighed deeply: "Uncle Gu... it seems that everyone in the court, including His Majesty, has completely misjudged this eldest prince."

"Truly, a hidden dragon lies dormant in the abyss, waiting to astound the world when it finally roars forth!"

Chapter 229 Qian Renxue: Mom took yours, so I'll take yours too. This is called the inheritance of angels.

……

"What do you mean?" Gu Rong was increasingly confused. "Didn't he just analyze the situation?"

“This is not just a matter of situational analysis.” Ning Fengzhi’s gaze was deep. “Uncle Gu, think about the Crown Prince’s past situation. Although he was the eldest son, his mother died early, and he had no powerful maternal clan to help him in the palace or the court. In that deep palace surrounded by wolves, if he had shown his talent early on, he would have easily been met with the mad hostility and joint suppression of the Empress and other princes.”

"In addition, His Majesty did not pay much attention to him, and he was almost all alone in the palace. In such a harsh environment, keeping a low profile, pretending to be indifferent to the world, and not competing or fighting became his only means of self-preservation to survive and avoid being targeted."

Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup. "But today, faced with my probing, this eldest prince, who has endured for over a decade, did not choose to continue hiding his talents. Instead, he openly displayed his formidable abilities and vision, enough to govern the country and save the world. Why?"

Gu Rong suddenly realized: "Because today, the Second Prince and the Third Prince suffered a great setback because of that mind-reading ability!"

“That’s right!” Ning Fengzhi sneered. “The Second Prince and the Third Prince suffered a complete defeat because of the Sea Maiden Douluo’s mind-reading ability, and their favorability on Seagod Island has plummeted to rock bottom. But Xue Qinghe, because of his ‘pure’ heart, is highly favored and has become the biggest beneficiary!”

"His current situation is most advantageous to him! Now that he has gained an absolute upper hand, a qualified politician must press his advantage and expand his lead!"

"And I, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, am the bargaining chip he needs most right now. If I choose to side with him, my position as the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire will almost certainly be secured. That's why he chose this perfect opportunity to show me his prowess."

At this point, Ning Fengzhi recalled the question he hadn't answered earlier, and a deep sense of amazement and admiration welled up in his eyes.

"Especially the last question about the position of crown prince... he actually chose to remain silent and not answer."

Ning Fengzhi downed the tea in his cup in one gulp and exclaimed, "Unspoken understanding... This is simply the most perfect answer in the world! Saying one more word is a mistake, saying one less word is also a mistake. Only silence can preserve the previous persona of lying low and subtly accept the olive branch I extended."

Setting down his teacup, Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of barely concealed unease in his eyes.

"But, Uncle Bone... the more I think about it, the more terrified I become."

"The Crown Prince's composure, his precise control of the situation, and his impeccable rhetoric when he was being interrogated... was he secretly guided by a master, or did he become so self-taught in the inner palace?"

Ning Fengzhi's tone became extremely solemn: "If it's the former, then this eldest prince's luck is truly extraordinary, to be able to obtain the assistance of such a master; but if it's the latter..."

Ning Fengzhi didn't continue speaking, but Gu Rong's back was already covered in a layer of cold sweat.

If a teenager like this could endure and pretend for over a decade without any guidance, and then precisely seize this opportunity to turn things around...

That unfathomable scheming and terrifying patience is truly chilling to contemplate!

……

As night deepened, the sea breeze howled along the coastline of Purple Pearl Island, bringing with it gusts of icy chill.

Although it was late, Xue Qinghe still managed to find Zi Zhenzhu thanks to the "connections" she had unexpectedly accumulated during the day. Under her guidance, Xue Qinghe led her two trembling, fearful, and good-for-nothing younger brothers, stumbling along the beach villa where Nan Feng was.

Ning Fengzhi chose to remain neutral and did not intervene in the Crown Prince's late-night apology.

If he, as the chief envoy of the Heavenly Dou Empire, were to intervene, the nature of this matter would instantly escalate into a political friction between the two countries, leaving no room for maneuver.

If Xue Qinghe, an older brother of the same generation, were to handle the matter, it would be seen as a joke caused by "a child who doesn't know any better" in the eyes of the other party.

Such matters, which can be either big or small, should naturally be kept to a minimum.

Before long, the group arrived at the beach where Nan Feng was.

It was late at night, and the surroundings were pitch black, with only the dull sound of waves crashing against the rocks. A chilly, damp sea breeze kept blowing into their collars, and the fear of the unknown nearly pushed the Second and Third Princes to their breaking point. Xue Haicang's teeth were even chattering uncontrollably.

Behind a small, sheltered sand dune, a campfire crackled.

Nan Feng sat cross-legged by the campfire, completely unconcerned about his appearance. He held several skewers of grilled fish, flipping them back and forth, still bored and craving something to eat to pass the time. Anyway, he could eat whatever he wanted in his current body; the food would be instantly corroded clean by the Death Spider King's terrifying soul power as soon as it entered his mouth.

Hearing footsteps, Purple Pearl led a few people over.

Nan Feng slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at them casually, and asked in a flat tone, "What is it?"

Xue Qinghe stepped forward, maintaining the refined demeanor of the eldest prince, and bowed slightly with utmost sincerity: "Your Majesty, my two younger brothers were young and ignorant yesterday, and their words and actions were quite offensive, angering Your Majesty, the Sea Maiden Douluo, and Your Majesty the Sacred Beast. As the eldest brother, I have failed in my duty to guide them, and today I have brought them here to apologize to Your Majesty."

Nan Feng flipped the grilled fish in his hand, and golden oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, making a sizzling sound.

“Apologize…” Nan Feng said casually without even looking up, “The sea maiden and Xiao Bai went back to Seagod Island this afternoon. They said they would report the situation in the hall yesterday to the High Priest in detail.”

"So, let's put an apology aside for now. We'll talk about it when they return, or when the High Priest issues his decree."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince and the Third Prince, who were standing behind Xue Qinghe, were struck dumb. Their faces turned ashen, and their legs went weak, almost causing them to kneel on the beach.

Nan Feng completely ignored the two terrified kids, casually picked up a skewer of grilled fish and smelled it: "If you have nothing else to do, go back and rest early. You've had a long journey, and it's not easy to get ashore, so get some rest instead of wandering around outside in the middle of the night."

Hearing these seemingly caring words, which actually implied an order to leave, Xue Qinghe knew that tonight's probing could only end here. He could say nothing more, so he bowed again and prepared to leave with the two princes.

"and many more."

Nan Feng suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, please stay."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe stopped in his tracks.

Purple Pearl, who was standing nearby, was very perceptive and immediately said, "Since Teacher has something to discuss with His Highness, then I will take these two princes back to the reception area first."

With that, Purple Pearl strode forward. The two princes, terrified out of their wits, could only look helplessly at Xue Qinghe. Xue Qinghe gave them a reassuring look, gesturing for them to follow.

After Purple Pearl led the two away until their footsteps were completely drowned out by the sound of the waves, and after confirming that there were no more outsiders on the beach.

Just moments ago, the eldest prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire was all gentle, refined, dignified, and composed, but in an instant, he dropped all pretense!

With a flicker of light and shadow, Qian Renxue directly removed the disguise from her head soul bone. Abandoning all decorum, she lifted the hem of her robe and ran over like a little girl eagerly grabbing food.

With a "plop," she plopped down next to Nan Feng and deftly snatched the sizzling, oily grilled fish from his hand.

"Ugh!" Qian Renxue took a big bite and complained indistinctly, "I'm starving! I haven't eaten anything all day!"

She was truly wronged. She had just sat down at the table at noon, and before she could even touch her chopsticks, she was called away by the Sea Maiden Douluo; after returning in the afternoon, she was hungry and had to outwit and confront those two idiot brothers; she finally made it to dinner time, but before all the dishes were served, Ning Fengzhi called her to a private room for a "soul-searching interrogation".

By the end of the day, she felt completely exhausted!

Looking at the "female hooligan" in front of him, who was munching on grilled fish with her mouth full of oil, Nan Feng was speechless and felt a deep sense of exasperation.

"I'm telling you, you're almost a grown woman now..." Nan Feng couldn't help but complain, "Can't you be a little more dignified? Can't you have some manners when you eat?"

Qian Renxue swallowed the fish in her mouth, feeling no shame whatsoever, and instead glared back defiantly:

"You look down on me? I look down on you too! What kind of person are you usually? All my skills and mannerisms were taught by you. If I'm not like you, who am I like?!"

Nan Feng was even more speechless. "Stop trying to extort money from me! When did I ever teach you this kind of bandit-like table manners?! Besides, weren't these aristocratic etiquette and dignified manners taught to you by your grandfather who always talks about 'angelic glory' and those etiquette officials of the Tian Dou royal family?"

"I do not care!"

Qian Renxue gave a haughty snort, took another big bite of the grilled fish, her cheeks bulging, but a hint of cunning and dependence flashed in her eyes:

"Anyway, you've never taught me these stupid rules and regulations. Since you haven't taught me, there's no need for me to use what others have taught me to restrain myself in front of you!"

Nan Feng felt utterly exhausted. "Your shameless behavior is just like your mother's!"

Qian Renxue's expression turned somewhat unnatural. "She would steal things like that?"

"She not only snatched it, but after snatching it, she would say, 'You are all mine, who did I snatch from?'" Nan Feng was speechless.

"You are all mine?" Qian Renxue asked with a strange expression.

That sounds a bit strange.

Chapter 230 Qian Renxue: I want to see the sunrise. Nan Feng: That's to the west, what a load of rubbish!

……

For the next half hour, Nan Feng completely became the "barbecue master," rolling his eyes as he resignedly served this young lady with a huge appetite.

Only after finishing off all the fresh seafood, shrimp, and even a few deep-sea crabs that had been prepared in advance did Qian Renxue wipe her mouth with a lingering sense of satisfaction.

"You can really eat." Nan Feng casually waved his hand to extinguish the charcoal fire, stood up and dusted the sand off his clothes. "Alright, you've eaten and drunk your fill. It's time to go back to your prince's reception area. You'll be busy tomorrow."

Qian Renxue did not get up, but sat on the beach, looking up at Nan Feng, her golden eyes flashing with cunning calculation.

“I think…” Qian Renxue said slowly, “it would be more effective for me to sleep here instead of going back tonight.”

"Why?" Nan Feng raised an eyebrow.

"Because those two princes, especially the cowardly third prince, have been terrified by the Sea Maiden Douluo and your reputation, and are afraid that you will overstep your imperial authority and kill him in a fit of anger," Qian Renxue said.

“The longer I stay here, even if I don’t come home all night, the more the anxiety, fear and tension in those two people will snowball. This is a perfect opportunity to completely control them psychologically, so I naturally want to make the most of it.”

"Otherwise, if the lesson isn't taught thoroughly enough, they'll definitely start plotting against me again once this period of fear and anxiety is over."

Qian Renxue stood up, dusted the sand off her hands, and concluded confidently, "Moreover, I, the dignified Crown Prince of Tiandou, was able to spend a night alone with the unfathomable Demon God Douluo, and successfully plead for my two younger brothers who had offended Seagod Island, saving them... When this news reaches back in Tiandou City and into the ears of Ning Fengzhi and my 'father,' isn't that enough to prove my ability as the Crown Prince to control the overall situation?"

Nan Feng listened, stunned, and the more he listened, the more something seemed off: "Your series of schemes, this 'beating the mountain to scare the tiger' and 'using a big flag as a tiger's skin'... why does it sound so strangely familiar?"

Qian Renxue put her hands on her hips and proudly raised her chin: "Wasn't it all taught by you, my 'good teacher,' back then? I'm just surpassing my teacher and putting what I've learned into practice!"

Nan Feng was utterly speechless. Being outmaneuvered by his own disciple using his own tricks was a feeling that was hard to describe.

"Fine, whatever you want." Nan Feng waved his hand, turned and walked towards the villa. "Sleep if you want, just go in and find a room. Anyway, this villa is quite big, there are plenty of rooms, and... I haven't slept in any of them yet."

"Never slept in your own villa?" Qian Renxue was taken aback, then quickly caught up. "Didn't you stay on this island for a whole year? How come you haven't slept in your own villa?"

“I’m not used to sleeping alone in a room surrounded by walls on all four sides; I don’t feel safe,” Nan Feng explained casually. “I usually sleep outside. I just find a deck chair on the beach or a spot on the roof of the presidential palace, lie down, and fall asleep.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. Suddenly, she took two quick steps, grabbed Nan Feng's arm tightly, and dragged him toward the brightly lit villa gate.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?" Nan Feng looked at her, somewhat puzzled.

Qian Renxue glared at him: "Are you really so comfortable letting me sleep alone in such a big, empty house?"

Nan Feng was even more speechless: "How old are you this year? Do you think I'm afraid you'll be carried away by a ghost?"

"This is a dangerous, isolated island overseas! It's someone else's territory!" Qian Renxue raised her voice confidently. "What if Poseidon Island suddenly turns against us, or something unexpected happens, and you're not here? How am I supposed to handle this alone?"