What was I Thinking when I Ditch the Second Male Protagonist Chapter 84

Chapter 84

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It was imperative to get Xie Xiu to cooperate with the treatment as soon as possible.

Han Jiao needed to establish authority first and get rid of the impression of being unreliable.

“Your Highness, do you think Senior Minister Li is capable?” Han Jiao began to make his move.

Xie Xiu’s emotions had not yet calmed down, but it didn’t stop him from noticing the flaws in Han Jiao’s question. “You didn’t specify in which aspect.”

“In many aspects,” Han Jiao said confidently. “Senior Minister Li is a knowledgeable and versatile elder, almost a jack of all trades. Do you believe in his capability?”

Xie Xiu thought for a moment and firmly replied, “I believe in him.”

Han Jiao nodded. “Do you think your abilities are on par with the Ninth Prince, Your Highness?”

Xie Xiu frowned. “You didn’t specify in which aspect.”

Han Jiao aimed to confuse Xie Xiu with vague concepts. “In any aspect, for instance, your knowledge of plants and the Ninth Prince’s understanding of cuju, both of you are skilled masters.”

Xie Xiu felt that there was nothing wrong with this statement, so he didn’t argue.

Han Jiao smiled. “Well, Senior Minister Li is your teacher. He must be an even more skilled person who can help and instruct you.”

Xie Xiu fully agreed. “Master instructs me.”

Han Jiao forcefully deduced his final conclusion, “Do you know? I, Han Jiao, am a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, a trusted advisor to the Ninth Prince, just like your teacher, Senior Minister Li. I am also a very skilled individual. The Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Princes are my students. They all readily heed my judgments.”

Xie Xiu: “……”

Han Jiao raised his hand and pointed towards the three princes on the other side, displaying an arrogant demeanor. “Just like your trust in Senior Minister Li, they have complete faith in my judgment. As long as I see no peculiar or inappropriate behavior in you, they won’t think so either.”

Xie Xiu looked at Han Jiao with a skeptical look in his eyes.

To dispel Xie Xiu’s doubts, Han Jiao, with an air of arrogance, raised his hand boldly and gestured towards the three princes across from them, motioning for them to come closer.

The three princes were pretending to converse, but upon hearing this, they all turned their attention towards Han Jiao.

Xie An was the first to eagerly respond to Master Xiaobai’s call, bouncing up and standing in front of Han Jiao, asking with delight, “What’s the matter, Master?”

Although Xie Jing deeply respected Master Han, being an Imperial Prince, he had never encountered such a situation where he was called upon like this. After a brief hesitation, he cleared his throat, stood up, and pretended to adjust his clothing. With rather lukewarm enthusiasm, he responded to the summon.

The most challenging one to deal with was indeed the big boss.

Xie Duo wore an expression of warning mixed with anger, keeping a close eye on Han Jiao.

Han Jiao quickly raised an eyebrow and gestured to remind the big boss that this was for treatment. He then waved more arrogantly to Xie Duo. “What are you waiting for? Come over here.”

Xie Duo seemed to grasp the little child prodigy’s hint, but he still appeared reluctant. He hesitated with his eyes downcast for a moment, then reluctantly stood up and walked over to Han Jiao.

“Your Highness, do you see?” Han Jiao turned to look at Xie Xiu. “They all obey my every command.”

Xie Xiu looked in surprise at his obedient younger brothers, then at Han Jiao. After a moment of hesitation, he nervously stood up as well, watching Han Jiao anxiously.

How did it feel to sit in the circle chair in front of the four punished princes?

At this moment, Han Jiao felt like the chair was heating up, but he remained composed, looking up at the princes with determination. He said, “I am your lecturer, knowledgeable in all fields. I will teach, guide, and help you with any difficulties you face.”

“Master is the best!” Xie An enthusiastically applauded without hesitation.

Xie Jing hesitated for a moment but then joined in with the applause.

Xie Duo: “……”

Han Jiao raised his eyebrows at Xie Duo, urging him to cooperate.

Xie Duo closed his eyes and weakly clapped his hands.

To mimic his younger brothers’ “normal behavior,” Xie Xiu started clapping with a bewildered expression on his face.

Han Jiao stood up, walked over to Xie An, observed him for a moment, and said, “Your Highness, your archery skills are lacking. In the future, you must practice diligently and not be lazy.”

Xie An was surprised. “How does Master know I’m not good at archery?”

Han Jiao remained composed. “I know everything.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

Han Jiao then approached Xie Jing and carefully examined him. He said, “Your Highness, your hard work deserves praise, but remember not to be too obsessed with winning or losing. Knowledge is for your own benefit, not for showing off to others.”

Xie Jing was taken aback, his face turning red, and he respectfully replied, “Yes, Master.”

Next, Han Jiao walked up to the big boss, and due to the height difference, he had to tilt his head slightly. This made him appear noticeably shorter. He looked into Xie Duo’s narrowed phoenix-like eyes. He was filled with critical remarks, but fear left him unable to say a word.

Survival instinct told him to skip the big boss and go straight to diagnosing Xie Xiu. However, reason reminded him that everyone must have some issues for Xie Xiu to accept his diagnosis more easily.

So, Han Jiao gathered his courage and looked at the big boss. “Your Highness, your handwriting is too sloppy. You should practice calligraphy more diligently.”

A dreadful silence followed.

Xie Duo looked at him and nodded.

Han Jiao breathed a sigh of relief and finally came to Xie Xiu. He pretended to carefully assess him.

After a moment, Han Jiao pretended to express his concern, “Your Highness, your knowledge is impeccable, but you suffer from a serious illness. It’s critical and you must cooperate with immediate treatment.”

“Seventh Brother is ill?” Xie An was genuinely concerned, leaning in nervously and looking at Xie Xiu with a worried expression.

Xie Xiu shook his head. “I’m not sick.”

As a botanist, Xie Xiu had learned the skill of observation, and he knew he was in good health, let alone on the brink of peril.

“You are unwell, Your Highness,” Han Jiao said, looking directly at Xie Xiu. “I have never been mistaken.”

Xie Xiu was somewhat bewildered. If it were a moment ago, he wouldn’t have believed Han Jiao’s diagnosis, but now…

He glanced at his three “diagnosed” younger brothers, then back at Han Jiao. “But I’m not feeling unwell.”

“No?” Han Jiao gazed at Xie Xiu and spoke gently, “Your Highness, the one standing here, you might not be unwell, but within your body resides another Prince Duan, the eleven-year-old Prince Duan. He’s trapped in a dreadful place, at a perilous moment. He’s asleep right now, which is why you might not feel discomfort, but he can be easily awakened. When he awakens, you won’t even have control over your own body and thoughts. The little Prince Duan will engulf your entire being. Doesn’t that count as unwell?”

Xie Xiu’s eyes widened in an instant. His body trembled, and veins on his slender neck stood out as he stared at Han Jiao in terror.

“Take a deep breath.” Han Jiao raised his hand to stop the three princes who attempted to restrain Xie Xiu. He signaled them to step back and faced Xie Xiu alone. He spoke gently, “Don’t be anxious. I won’t wake the little Prince Duan. It’s safe and quiet here.”

Xie Xiu tightly clenched his fists, held his breath for a moment, and finally, with great difficulty, asked, “How do you… know…”

“Because I’m a teacher, a skilled one like Senior Minister Li. Senior Minister Li can protect you from outside disturbances, and I can rescue the little Prince Duan from that dreadful place, reuniting him with you. You’ll live in a safe place, and you can do anything you want, see anyone you wish, without worrying about awakening the other you.”

Xie Xiu’s shoulders rose, and he lowered his head, then suddenly shook it vigorously. “No… I’m not sick.”

“Seventh Brother!” Xie An couldn’t hold back and spoke, “Let Master Xiaobai help you! Master is incredible!”

Han Jiao used his gaze to signal Xie An to be patient, then continued softly to Xie Xiu, “Your Highness, look up at your Ninth Brother. Hasn’t he grown taller again?”

Xie Xiu nervously turned to look!

Xie Duo, taken by surprise, hastily half-crouched!

“Your Highness, please stand upright.” Han Jiao walked to Xie Duo’s side and looked at Xie Xiu. “Please carefully observe him. How much taller is he compared to seven years ago?”

Xie Xiu gradually furrowed his brows, his face showing the pain of accepting something difficult.

“I understand why you don’t want to cure this condition. It’s because only when the little Prince Duan awakens, you’ll feel all your senses awakened—memories, heartache, fear… everything comes rushing back. But when you’re awake, all your sensations become dull, nothing feels real. The grown Ninth Prince makes you feel like a stranger, doesn’t he?”

Xie Xiu looked at Han Jiao in astonishment.

“After the illness is cured, not only will the imprisoned little Prince Duan return to the present, but all your feelings will return as well.” Han Jiao smiled as he looked at Xie Xiu. “I assure you of that.”

Xie Xiu stared at Han Jiao with a glimmer of hope gradually igniting in his eyes.

Xie Duo also lowered his eyes, fixated on the little child prodigy. He couldn’t help but feel that the way the little child prodigy smiled at Seventh Brother seemed to make him shine.

Why wasn’t the little child prodigy shining for the Ninth Prince?

Han Jiao successfully gained Xie Xiu’s trust.

Xie Xiu voluntarily participated in the crucial second step of EMDR therapy.

The first step was to establish cognitive validity, which meant determining to what extent Xie Xiu believed he could change through the treatment.

After Han Jiao’s persuasive and intense influence, Xie Xiu’s cognitive validity reached at least level 5.

Next was guiding Xie Xiu to recall positive and negative events.

This was a relatively dangerous and private phase of treatment, so Han Jiao had to request the three princes to return to the palace, leaving himself alone to talk with Prince Duan.

“We can stay with Master for Seventh Brother’s treatment!” Xie An was immensely curious and had no intention of leaving. “We can endure a few spankings when we return. I’m not afraid!”

“I’m not afraid either,” Xie Jing said with determination. “Please continue, Master. We’ll stay with you.”

Xie Duo was elegantly enjoying his pastry.

Han Jiao patiently explained, “I understand your intentions, and I appreciate it on behalf of Seventh Prince. However, during this step of the treatment, no third party can interfere.”

Seeing Han Jiao’s serious attitude, Xie Jing sighed and turned to Xie An. “There’s no other way. Let’s return to the palace.”

The two brothers reluctantly got up and left the side hall.

The Ninth Prince, acting like he was alone, continued munching on pastries, trying to go unnoticed.

“Your Highness.” Han Jiao didn’t hesitate to address him.

Xie Duo was taken aback and glared at the child prodigy with a side-eye, “Do you dare disturb this Prince while I’m eating?”

“Your Highness, we must find another place for your meal,” Han Jiao remained unyielding, “During this step of treatment, not a single distraction can be allowed.”

Xie Duo picked up a cloth at the edge of the table to wipe his fingers, then stood and walked to the door. “Follow me.”

Han Jiao turned to ask Xie Xiu to wait, and then resolutely followed the big boss out the door.

They walked all the way to a corner outside the courtyard. Xie Duo turned around, his gaze lowered.

Long lashes cast deep shadows in his eyes, hiding the golden rays of the setting sun, and in his gaze reflected the depths of impenetrable darkness.

“This treatment must not be taken lightly,” Han Jiao initiated the conversation, “Your Highness, if you want to execute or punish, you can do it after I return to the palace tomorrow!”

Xie Duo spoke with a stern expression, “I won’t disturb your treatment of Seventh Brother.”

Han Jiao didn’t hesitate, “No.”

Xie Duo took a step back. “I won’t make a sound.”

Han Jiao looked up at the sky. “No.”

Xie Duo drew his bottom line. “Even if I stand outside the door.”

“No, no, no!” Han Jiao protested adamantly, “I’m not being overly critical, but Your Highness’ presence has a unique impact on Prince Duan. With you here, it could easily affect his recall experience. The treatment might have irreparable deviations. Please trust me and leave Prince Duan to my care. I will ensure satisfactory treatment results.”

Xie Duo lowered his gaze, fixing it on Han Jiao.

A long silence followed.

“I’m not worried about Seventh Brother,” Xie Duo began quietly, almost speaking to himself.

“What?” Han Jiao looked at the big boss with confusion. “Then why insist on staying nearby?”

Xie Duo turned away, his expression filled with irritation. He took a deep breath and continued in a subdued tone, “You haven’t seen Seventh Brother lose control. Don’t be deceived by his usual sluggishness…”

Han Jiao’s gaze softened, his face blushing slightly. He asked in a hushed voice, “Your Highness, are you afraid that Prince Duan might harm me by mistake?”

Suddenly, he found the big boss’ profile exceptionally good-looking.

It must be the effect of the setting sun’s light. This stinky little brother really knew how to choose angles.

“I’m afraid he might kill you by mistake,” Xie Duo turned back, his amber eyes under long lashes showing a mixture of sadness and reluctance. His voice was hoarse as he continued, “You’re the only tutor who dares not to let me rewrite essays. I will protect you.”

Han Jiao stared back with a blank expression.

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