Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Qi Xiao lowered his head and suddenly smiled: "Then I will go to Zhou Kingdom with him."

Bai Xiqiao couldn't stand it anymore and hit Qi Xiao on the head: "Are you crazy?"

"Brother...my mother may not be able to hold on for much longer."

Bai Xiqiao was stunned: "What...?"

"After I finish dealing with things in Yuanjing City, I have no reason to stay. I can go anywhere." Qi Xiao covered his head and laughed bitterly, "Brother, I don't want to leave the one I love again. Please forgive me."

"Forgive... I won't forgive you! Master taught you martial arts and military tactics, expecting you to defend our country, yet you're willing to flee to the enemy's land... Go to Master's grave and tell us yourself!"

"Okay, I'll go and tell it myself."

Bai Xiqiao was so upset by Qi Xiao's words that he almost died of anger. He lifted the car curtain and got out to drive with Zong Sheng. He wanted to get some fresh air to calm himself down.

Zong Sheng saw Bai Xiqiao trembling with anger and pretended not to notice, but he still couldn't escape Bai Xiqiao's anger: "Why didn't you keep an eye on him yesterday? He just let him do whatever he wanted all day long."

Zong Sheng sighed. If it could be stopped, would the fire at Baixi Bridge have become so severe?

Chi Yue was walking beside him, leading the horse, when he suddenly said to Zong Sheng, "Give the reins to Bai Xiqiao."

Zong Sheng didn't understand why, but he still handed over the reins. The next moment, Chi Yue grabbed his wrist and pulled him off the carriage.

"doing what?"

Chi Yue said, "Get on the horse."

"Ok?"

Zong Sheng stood still. Chi Yue put one hand on his waist and pushed Zong Sheng onto the horse with his internal strength. Without waiting for Zong Sheng to recover, he led the horse and continued walking, which stunned Bai Xiqiao.

"Hey?!"

Chi Yue smiled at Bai Xiqiao and said, "Watch the road when you drive."

***

"Uncle Huang, the winery should no longer be used. All message delivery methods should be changed. If any message needs to be delivered to the winery, I will inform you separately."

"This? Wasn't it fine yesterday? Why did you suddenly stop using it?"

"You went out to buy wine in person yesterday, and I'm afraid someone has been following you. I was too impatient and careless." Tang Ling sighed softly. Although Qi Xiao didn't say anything, this is Yuanjing City, and it is better to be cautious in everything.

Huang Zexian didn't understand what had happened, but since it was Tang Ling's order, he simply followed it, though he couldn't help but feel distressed. "Everyone knows I, Huang Zexian, am a glutton and a heavy drinker. I've only been to the winery twice since arriving in Yuanjing City, so this shouldn't be too surprising. Sir, this winery has been in Yuanjing City for five years, and it hasn't been easy. Suddenly abandoning it will inevitably hinder our efforts to pass on information within Yuanjing City, and I'm afraid it will be inconvenient."

Tang Ling had no evidence, and the smell of alcohol on Qi Xiao was not enough to prove anything, but based on Tang Ling's understanding of Qi Xiao, the apricot blossom rain was not a coincidence. He couldn't tell Tang Ling anything, so he could only hint at him in this way.

"Uncle Huang promised me before that all matters in Yuanjing City would be handled by me. The people in the winery don't need to evacuate; just carry on business as usual. However, no important news can escape from the winery. This is the capital of the State of Chen, after all. We'd rather be cautious than make even the slightest mistake."

Leaving the distillery in place was done to avoid alerting the enemy and to leave a way out for the future. There might be a chance to use the distillery to test or confuse the Xuanji Camp and the Emperor of Chen.

Huang Zexian was stunned. Although he didn't understand why Tang Ling was so sure that the winery had been exposed, he could only obey and nodded in agreement: "...Yes, it's all up to you, Master."

"Also, what you said yesterday about the conscription of soldiers in Yuanzhou Prefecture, have you verified it?"

Yesterday, Huang Zexian had Qinglan retrieve Tang Ling from Yangxizhai, hoping to learn about the Yuanzhou Prefecture conscription. Tang Ling had previously asked Xingluo Guards to keep an eye on Yuanzhou Prefecture, but aside from the sudden death of the prefect, there had been no further news. Unexpectedly, a month later, there were signs of conscription.

The first thing the new prefect did upon taking office was to issue a military farm order. He fenced off a plot of land not far from the Dingyuan Army's garrison, felled the forest, and reclaimed it. It was already mid-autumn, and winter was just around the corner. Reclaiming the land when the snow blocked the mountains was a major issue. Who could believe this was simply to solve Yuanzhou Prefecture's chronic tax deficit?

The Chen State had adopted the military farming system at its inception, only to gradually abolish it thirty years ago. Now, the order for military farming has been issued again, especially in Yuanzhou Prefecture. The meaning is self-evident.

The State of Chen has yet to give any explanation regarding Tang Ling's assassination, but now it seems that an explanation will not be far away.

"Right now, patrols in Yuanjing City are very strict, and the Ministry of Revenue has just been purged. Our people can't get any accurate information for the time being."

The order to establish military farms wasn't something a single prefecture could decide; it had to come from a cabinet decree. The Xingluo Guard couldn't reach that far. However, orders like military farms and conscription required money, and the Ministry of Revenue was a good place to get information. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Revenue wasn't what it used to be...

"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the emperor and the people will celebrate together. Tonight, all government offices will have private banquets. After a night of feasting and drinking, people will always talk more." Tang Ling's fingers drew circles along the rim of the cup. The Xingluo Guards could not insert personnel into the cabinet and the six ministries, but it was very easy to bribe two servants to get the news at the restaurant banquet.

"Sir, the Ministry of Rites sent a letter today. Tomorrow the Imperial Astronomical Bureau will hold a moon ceremony at Linxiantai. They would like you to accompany them."

Tang Ling frowned: "What about you guys, Uncle Huang?"

"The envoys are foreign ministers and can only worship outside Linxiantai with the other officials."

"...If that's the case, why do you want me to accompany you?" The emperor summoned him to the palace to play chess, but why did he invite him to the Linxian Terrace for the Moon Festival? Because of the Tiance Camp?

Huang Zexian shook his head, he didn't know either, and handed the invitation and regulations sent by the Ministry of Rites to Tang Ling.

The monthly sacrifice at Linxiantai was not too complicated and was much simpler than the year-end sacrifice. Tang Ling, who was invited to watch the ceremony, did not need to do much. She just had to bow when she should, kneel when she should, and burn incense when she should.

***

Not only Tang Ling but also Qi Xiao received the monthly sacrifice regulations from the Ministry of Rites.

When the people from the Ministry of Rites arrived at the same guild hall, they just missed Qi Xiao. After asking where Qi Xiao was going, they rushed to the Dali Temple and arrived just when Qi Xiao was about to step into the Dali Temple.

"Your humble servant greets His Highness the Ninth Prince." The clerk from the Ministry of Rites handed the regulations and invitation to Qi Xiao with both hands. "The memorial service will be held tomorrow. Your Highness, please take the time to go to Linxiantai today to make preparations."

Qi Xiao accepted the gift and asked, "Why are you looking for me so urgently? Do you want me to go right away?"

"Your Highness, the Lunar Festival will be presided over by the Imperial Master. The final protocol will be reviewed at 9:00 PM. I hope Your Highness will be present. In the afternoon, His Majesty will attend a lecture at the Linxian Terrace. Your Highness is requested to accompany him."

Qi Xiao's entire day was clearly planned out; His Majesty had given him no choice. Qi Xiao was a little puzzled, however. When he entered the palace yesterday, His Majesty hadn't mentioned anything. So why was he suddenly asked to attend the Moon Festival and listen to the sutras?

Qi Xiao had never participated in the Linxiantai Autumn Eve Ceremony. Concubine Lin was not of high rank, and he was not favored by His Majesty. The monthly sacrifice was usually simple, with an altar set up in his own palace and offerings made and people bowing down to worship.

Your Majesty suddenly wants Qi Xiao to participate, so he really needs to be taught the rules and regulations.

Qi Xiao asked Chi Yue and Zong Sheng to stay in the Dali Temple to help Pei Hao, and he took Bai Xiqiao to the Sitianjian.

Linxiantai was built during the Qingyuan period. The jade steps, high platform, carved beams and painted pillars cost a lot of money, and Linxiantai was transformed into a fairy palace. The palace is majestic, purple gauze, Taoist incense lingering, and the palace is extremely quiet.

The clerk from the Ministry of Rites only sent Qi Xiao to the door, handed him over to a little Taoist boy who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, and then left.

"Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. I will go and fetch the Imperial Preceptor."

The national teacher is Ning Wanxiao, the director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Not long after, Ning Wanxiao came out. He was wearing a moon-white Taoist robe, and his steps were full of immortal air. However, there was a layer of white satin covering his eyes, which made Qi Xiao very strange. He hadn't heard that the national teacher Ning Wanxiao was actually blind?

Ning Wanxiao was born in Yuanxing Temple and studied under Tianwei Taoist. Qi Xiao had heard of this person when he was still young. It was said that he was an immortal reincarnated from Ziwei Star. He almost took over the position of the abbot of Yuanxing Temple when he was less than 20 years old, but was invited to Yuanjing City by His Majesty and intercepted the opportunity.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to His Highness the Ninth Prince." Ning Wanxiao raised his hand and saluted.

"Master Ning is polite."

Qi Xiao now looked at the person in front of him and could not tell that this person was nearly thirty years old. If he was not wearing a Taoist robe, he would not even look like a Taoist priest. He was too beautiful, as beautiful as a mirage, as beautiful as lifeless, so beautiful that it was hard to tell whether he was male or female.

Bai Xiqiao was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ning Wanxiao in astonishment: "...You?"