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

Tang Ling and Qing Lan were treated like honored guests in the Prince of Chu's Mansion, but the shackles on their bodies reminded them of their situation as prisoners at all times.

"Master, there's still no news of Ye Huai. I can't sneak out even with my shackles on..." Qing Lan held Tang Ling's medicinal soup, his face full of bitterness and resentment. Even if he were to take off his shackles, he wouldn't be able to find a loophole in the layers of security at the Prince of Chu's mansion.

Tang Ling took the medicine and drank it in one gulp. It was so bitter that he frowned and was speechless for a long time.

"Sir, there are sweet dates."

Tang Ling quickly devoured a date. A hint of rich sweetness mingled with the bitterness in her mouth, quickly creating a strange bitter-sweet taste. The date itself didn't taste good anymore. She spat it out and gulped down a few gulps of water. She finally recovered. "How long do I have to keep taking this medicine? Why is it getting more bitter?"

"Young Master has a cold constitution and is afraid of cold. He's been through wind and rain and assassins along the way. If he doesn't take good care of himself, he might develop a chronic illness. I know you don't like bitter medicine, but there's nothing I can do. Tomorrow I'll go get some honey to take the bitterness off your body."

"Never mind, it's okay. I just held my nose and drank it." Tang Ling shook her head. "After all, we're living under someone else's roof. What's important is to leave Yongcheng safely. By the way, when that Governor Yue came today, did you know if he mentioned anything about us leaving for Yuanjing?"

Qinglan took the medicine bowl and shook her head, saying, "I don't know. I only asked Ah Yu, and she said she didn't know what happened before. The prince didn't send any message, so the departure date must have not been set yet. I didn't dare to ask more."

"Strange, what is he waiting for?"

"Him? Who? What are you waiting for? Sir, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"King Chu." Qi Xiao had used medicine to induce his illness, and he hadn't yet decided on a departure date. The only explanation Tang Ling could think of was that Qi Xiao was stalling for time, delaying their trip to Yuanjing. But for what? Was he trying to hold Su Qin back? To hold him back? Or was it for something else?

"What do you mean?"

Tang Ling touched Qinglan's head and took a deep breath: "Don't think about it, you can't guess it by guessing. Now we can only wait."

"But how long do we have to wait? Sir, it's been six days and there's still no news from Ye Huai. I don't know how he's doing now, and you haven't even come to check on him."

"Why are you trying to snoop? Is it okay to barge into the palace? It would be better if Ye Huai didn't come. Just wait outside the palace and follow us secretly when we set off for Yuanjing." This was the best-case scenario. Ye Huai already knew that Tang Ling was fine, recuperating in the Chu Palace, and was not in any danger. He just needed to take care of himself and wait patiently.

"But Ye Huai doesn't know the situation in the palace, nor does he know whether the young master is safe. Before leaving, the Marquis instructed that the young master must not leave Ye Huai's sight under any circumstances. He must be anxious now."

This was exactly what Tang Ling was worried about. The Chu Palace was heavily guarded, leaving no loopholes. If she couldn't get even a sliver of information, forcing her way in would be impossible. Ye Huai was smart, no doubt aware of this, but she was worried he didn't know anything. Unable to bear the anxiety, she wanted to explore the palace.

What you fear will come true. That night, the Prince Chu's Mansion was robbed, and Tang Ling was awakened by the noise outside.

"Qinglan!" Tang Ling woke up in shock. Qinglan was sleeping soundly and didn't wake up until Tang Ling called him.

"Young Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Qinglan rubbed his eyes and sat on the couch, still in a daze.

Tang Ling lit the lamp and pulled Qinglan up: "Qinglan, go out and see why there is such a noise outside. I heard someone shouting assassin, go and take a look."

"Ye Huai?"

"quick!"

"Oh oh." Qinglan ran out without even bothering to put on his coat.

Tang Ling sat in the room, suppressing his anxiety. The shackles of worldly ties seemed to grow heavier, almost choking him.

After an unknown amount of time, the noise outside gradually died down. Tang Ling's heart was in her throat, and she listened with bated breath, but she could no longer hear any sound.

Tang Ling walked out of the room and looked around. The servants in the courtyard were standing guard, not daring to neglect him. Seeing him come out, Ah Yu trotted over to him and asked, "What are your instructions, sir?"

"What happened outside?"

"I don't know."

"Where's Qinglan?"

"Brother Qinglan just ran out in a hurry. We didn't dare to stop him, and he hasn't come back yet."

Tang Ling hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Could you please ask Miss Ayu what's going on outside? Why is there so much noise? I just heard someone shouting, 'Catch the assassin!'"

"Don't worry, sir. Ah Yu will go ask right away and look for Brother Qinglan as well."

"Thank you, Miss Ayu."

Tang Ling could only wait in the house for news, but when Ah Yu and Qing Lan didn't return, his heart sank. He feared that the thing he feared might have already happened. The worst-case scenario was that Ye Huai had arrived, wounded and captured, and Qing Lan realized that by trying to save Ye Huai, he had implicated himself. The best-case scenario was that the person who came wasn't Ye Huai, and Qing Lan was fine, having simply been caught by someone or something.

About an incense stick later, there was finally movement in Tang Ling's courtyard, and it was a big movement. A large group of people entered the courtyard, led by Qi Xiao and Su Qin.

When Tang Ling came out and saw this, she couldn't help but frown, but fortunately Qinglan followed Qi Xiao back.

"Young Master..." Qinglan hurried over when he saw Tang Ling. He wanted to say something to Tang Ling anxiously, but was stopped by Tang Ling's look.

Tang Ling walked towards Qi Xiao and Su Qin: "Your Highness, General Su, what happened so late at night?"

"Someone broke into the palace tonight. We entered the palace late at night just to make sure Young Master Tang was safe." Su Qin had a stern face, with no expression on his face, as if it was just a routine matter.

Qi Xiao shrugged and smiled, "General Su was very cautious. I apologize for disturbing Zi Yi's rest. Tonight, a thief did try to sneak into the palace, but he was discovered after entering only one gate and immediately fled. General Su was worried and insisted on searching the entire palace, which caused such a big commotion that even I couldn't sleep."

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Ling's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and said, "Is it those from before? Was it directed at me?"

Qi Xiao said: "The person has not been caught yet, so it is not clear yet."

Tang Ling nodded. "I came out to check because I heard a commotion outside. There was no attack. No one should have entered this courtyard. If General Su is concerned, feel free to search it."

Su Qin said nothing. With a wave of his hand, a group of Tiger Power soldiers rushed into each room to search. The courtyard was not big, with only five rooms in total, and the search was completed quickly.

"Nothing suspicious was found, General."

Su Qin nodded, turned to Qi Xiao and bowed: "I will send more people to guard the palace, please rest assured, Your Highness."

"Thank you."