Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't you think this is ridiculous?"

Xiao Zuoqing asked back in a self-deprecating manner.

"How could the emperor choose me, a good-for-nothing, to inherit the throne instead of you and the noble third brother? No one will believe you if you tell me this!"

"But the emperor chose you precisely because you are useless and because you are a concubine's child."

"What do you mean? Who are you trying to convince with this reason?"

"If we only mention these reasons, people will naturally think that Emperor Mingren is crazy, but if we say that Emperor Mingren was also born out of wedlock, wouldn't it be easy to understand?

Emperor Mingren was dissatisfied with those so-called noble blood and capable people because of his past life experience. But he didn't dare to go against those ministers, so he could only do something beneficial to you in secret, and then he didn't confer titles on me and the third brother in public. "

"Heh~"

Xiao Zuoqing smiled bitterly.

"So what if I don't confer titles on you and the third brother? So what if you help me secretly? In the end? I am still the same, a prince who is not loved by the people.

The throne has never fallen on my head. Do you want to get rid of me now just because my father helped me?"

"Get rid of you? You think too much. Although it is easy to get rid of you, it will not do me any good. Besides, Emperor Mingren is gone, so it is even more impossible for you to become the emperor."

"Oh, you're done? Can you let me out now?"

Xiao Zuoqing had a sullen face and looked as if he was about to break up with Xiao Zuochen.

"Not yet."

"Why!?"

Xiao Zuoqing became anxious.

"What right do you have to keep me locked up?"

"Remember I said at the time that I had already found the heir to the throne."

"What does this have to do with me? I won't fight with you. Can't I just leave Tai'an City?"

Xiao Zuoqing grabbed the prison door tightly and glared at it.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. Because I have decided to let your son inherit the throne, so he has been taken away by my people for professional training."

"'Professional training'? What is this? How come I didn't know that you had taken my son away? Do you really want my son to inherit the throne?"

Xiao Zuoqing asked three questions in a row, which gave Xiao Zuochen a headache.

"I knew I had to explain it to you again. 'Professional training' was proposed by Liuli, and it refers to targeted training for what he will need to do in the future. When you left Tai'an City last time, my people had already taken your son away by forging a letter. Baili Qing just thought that I sent someone to bring your son to see you, and didn't know that he was taken away by me."

"You, no wonder I haven't seen Liuli for a long time. I thought she left you because she was disappointed with your situation. It turns out that you sent her to do something else!"

Xiao Zuoqing was so angry that his teeth itched. He said Xiao Zuochen was cruel and ruthless, but he wanted his son to inherit the throne. He said he was a good man, but he didn't help him at all.

"What does this have to do with you letting me go?"

"Because I already know your thoughts very well. If I let you go back, knowing that I want your son to inherit the throne, I'm afraid there is a high probability that you will end up snatching the throne from your son. I can't let this happen, so I can only let you down."

After hearing this, Xiao Zuoqing's eyes widened and he even began to shake the prison door.

"What do you mean? How long are you going to keep me locked up?"

"Of course, he will be imprisoned until he can correctly distinguish between good and evil, has his own power, and is not afraid of you competing with him."

"He's only 9 years old! Are you planning on locking me up for a long time?"

Xiao Zuoqing said through gritted teeth.

"I came here today just to inform you. After all, you have the right to know the whole story since you are locked up here. And I asked you these questions just to make myself feel at ease, so that I won't feel any guilt for locking you up."

"You - Xiao Zuochen, I didn't expect you to be such a treacherous person! Let me out, I want to fight you openly!"

"Openly and aboveboard? You really think too highly of me. I've experienced more than just this since I was a child. Do you think I'm still alive today because I'm lucky?"

"Isn't it? If it weren't for the guards and Yanluo that your mother left for you, do you think you could have accomplished anything?"

"Indeed, everything I have now is inseparable from their efforts, but being able to make them truly obey me is also my ability. And you want to duel with me openly, I can only say that you are neither worthy nor capable of defeating me!"

After Xiao Zuochen finished speaking, he stood up and left.

"Where are you going? Come back and don't leave me here by myself!"

Although he knew that he was going to be imprisoned, Xiao Zuoqing still felt scared when he suddenly saw them leaving.

"Just stay here with peace of mind. No one will find you. You are safe here."

After Xiao Zuochen finished speaking, he and his group left together. Before leaving, Chu Yao turned back and stuck out his tongue at Xiao Zuoqing.

"You, you all - come back! Come back!"

However, there was no response in the cell except Xiao Zuoqing's shouting.

In addition to the cell, there is a secret passage leading upwards. After passing through the secret passage and opening the secret door, it is Xiao Zuochen's study.

Yes, this is the Prince Yun’s Palace, which has been deserted for three years.

Xiao Zuochen walked out of the study, stood outside the door, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if he felt unprecedented relaxation after coming back. Chu Yao pinched his nose and fanned the air in front of him, saying with a look of disgust.

"You need to find someone to clean it up, it's too dusty~"

Xiao Zuochen opened his eyes, and there was clarity in his eyes.

"It has been arranged. I will clean up the yard next door to you tomorrow."

"Hey~ Before, I was staying in the guest room of your place, but now you are so generous~ You directly give me a yard! Does this mean that I have already lived in your heart?"

Xiao Zuochen raised his leg and kicked him.

"Nothing right!"

The next day, the Qing Palace——

"I heard that the Emperor and Prince Yun have both returned, but what about Prince Qing?"

Baili Qing lay on the couch, eating freshly washed grapes, and didn't seem to care much about Xiao Zuoqing.

The maid standing by seemed a little afraid to speak.

"Hurry up and tell me! I just saw Xiao Zuochen's guards delivering a message. What did they say?"

"Princess, I guess His Royal Highness Prince Qing still has some unfinished business and won't be back for the time being."

After hearing this, Baili Qing snorted coldly.

"What can he do? I don't know how much Nianqing has been offended by following him! They brought Nianqing to Wangyan City, clearly to take him as a hostage!"

Baili Qing said this with dissatisfaction, and seemed to have thought of something.

"Eh? Has the female guard beside Prince Yun returned?"

"Are you talking about Yunyou, Princess? This servant doesn't know."

"Don't know? Find an excuse and go to Prince Yun's Mansion today."

"what?"

The maid was stunned. She didn't expect the princess to care so much about the female guard.

"What?! You can find an excuse to go in. I won't go~"

"...Yes~"

The maid had no choice but to accept the request despite feeling dizzy.