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

Qi Xiao's throat tightened, as if Tang He had grabbed his neck. Not only did he feel guilty, he was also a little scared.

"I dare not lie to you, my Lord. Last night, I stayed in the warm room, not in the east wing."

Tang He felt like he was about to get sick from being angry. He couldn't breathe or swallow the air stuck in his chest. He glanced away from Qi Xiao and asked again, suppressing his temper: "You just said you wanted to talk to me, tell me now."

Tang He was straightforward, and Qi Xiao was not vague either. He knelt down and kowtowed to Tang He, which scared Tang He.

"Please allow me to stay with Tang Ling forever, my Lord."

“…You! What did you say?”

Tang He had excellent hearing, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Asking for permission? For a lifetime? To stay by Tang Ling's side? What kind of wording was that?

Qi Xiao crouched low and repeated, "Please allow me to stay with Tang Ling for the rest of my life, Lord."

"...What is this? Who are you? Should I take you into the Marquis' Mansion to be Tang Ling's guard? An attendant? Or something else?"

Yesterday, Tang He was still questioning Tang Ling, asking if someone like Qi Xiao could be content to be a servant. Unexpectedly, just one night later, Qi Xiao came to him on his own, kneeling and begging him. Tang He was suddenly stunned. He didn't understand Qi Xiao, nor did he understand Tang Ling. How could his own son fall for such a spineless person?

"I want to stay with Tang Ling and be his lifelong lover." Qi Xiao's voice was a little muffled, but Tang Yan somehow suddenly heard a hint of laughter in it. "I want to marry him, or he can marry me."

Tang He was so angry that he couldn't help but kick Qi Xiao on the shoulder, knocking him over.

"You rebellious scoundrel! You want to kill him to be happy, right?! Because of you, the marriage plan between Chen and Zhou failed! Because of you, even Tang Ling was forced to bear the blame?! Who do you think he is?! He is the son of Xun An Hou! He is a minister in the cabinet of my Great Zhou! If you have even a little bit of pity for him, you shouldn't let him bear the crime of disloyalty, unrighteousness and unfilial piety! Get out of here now, as far away as you can!"

Qi Xiao refused to leave. He knelt back down while listening to Tang He's scolding. He hadn't known Tang Ling had joined the cabinet, but he wasn't surprised. What emperor would leave a talent like Tang Ling idle?

"My Lord, I had no choice about my background, but on the issue of the two countries, I share the same stance as Tang Ling. I have never intended to cause a dispute between the two countries, and I have never intended to harm him. I have come all the way to Shaoyang simply for the one I love, and I will not let him be disloyal, unrighteous, or unfilial."

"You can't?!" Tang Yan was so angry that he almost died. "That's what you're doing now! Isn't it unfilial to let him piss me off to death?! Isn't it disloyal and unrighteous to let him disregard the overall interests of the country and just let you get away for his own selfish desires?!"

"My Lord, I know I've been willful and reckless, and I'm also greedy and selfish, but I can't live without Tang Ling. He's the only thing I want in this world. Even if it's extremely difficult, as long as he responds to me, I'll do whatever it takes and have no regrets."

Tang He was so angry that he couldn't speak. These two people were determined to be a pair of desperate lovebirds and would be together at all costs. Tang Ling was really crazy and was poisoned by this kid!

Tang He raised his leg and kicked Qi Xiao again. This kick was much stronger than before and almost broke Qi Xiao's collarbone.

This little pain was nothing to Qi Xiao. He knelt down again, but his back was still straight, with no intention of retreating.

"I know that my sudden appearance in Shaoyang will inevitably bring trouble to Tang Ling and the Marquis, but since I have made this decision, I will not let Tang Ling bear the blame for me."

"What a joke! If two countries go to war, can you bear the lives of tens of thousands of Chenzhou people?!"

"There will be no war between Chen and Zhou."

Tang He gritted his teeth and said, "If you were the Emperor of Chen, I would believe you!"

"Your Majesty of Chen, my father, has never wavered in his ambition to unify the world. Even if the marriage is successful, it won't necessarily guarantee peace between the two nations. On the contrary, as long as I'm in Zhou, I can prevent Your Majesty from resorting to military action against Zhou."

"You? My Great Zhou is holding the Crown Prince of Chen as a hostage in Shaoyang? Isn't this a reason to send troops to Chen?"

"My Lord, I am no longer the Crown Prince of Chen. Your Majesty has not announced my death yet, simply to delay Princess Xihe's marriage. But it is a fact that I escaped from marriage. Even if you send me back, I cannot marry Princess Xihe as the Crown Prince. Not only am I worthless to Your Majesty, I am also a traitor who has committed treason."

"Oh, treason, that's a pretty accurate term."

"My Lord, please allow me to enter the palace to meet the Emperor of Zhou."

"Ah?" Tang He was stunned for a moment. He really had no idea what Qi Xiao was thinking.

"I will not let Tang Ling take the blame for me, nor will I embarrass the Marquis. Please hand me over to the Emperor."

Tang Ling's harboring of Qi Xiao in her mansion was a betrayal of the emperor and her country, and Tang He had no intention of covering it up. If Qi Xiao agreed to leave, Tang He would simply report the matter to the emperor and the empress dowager, but would not punish him. However, if Qi Xiao refused to leave, Tang He was determined to imprison him and leave him at the emperor and empress dowager's mercy. If Qi Xiao could be exchanged for Princess Xihe, that would be the best option. However, if the State of Chen sent troops, Qi Xiao would be useless and should be killed to prevent future trouble.

But Qi Xiao himself said that he wanted Tang He to hand him over to the emperor, which was beyond Tang He's expectation. Tang Ling's attitude was clearly to protect Qi Xiao, so how could she agree?

"It's not difficult to let you see the emperor, but what will happen if I let you see him?"

"I believe Your Majesty will soon learn of my appearance in Shaoyang, as will my meeting with the Emperor. The Crown Prince of Chen fell into the water and disappeared, only to suddenly reappear in the Zhou Palace. This is inexplicable, so Your Majesty has no choice but to announce my death. At that time, Zhou will have a reason to welcome Princess Xihe back. If Your Majesty does not want to release her, you must appoint another crown prince and complete the marriage. Isn't this the outcome Zhou wants?"

Tang He looked at Qi Xiao kneeling on the ground, was silent for a moment, and suddenly asked: "Is this the result of your all-night discussion with Tang Ling?"

Qi Xiao shook his head: "He doesn't know."

"Don't know?" Tang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. He had to admit, Qi Xiao had impressed him. This young man was more ruthless, more ruthless, more willful, more arrogant, and more fearless than he had imagined. It shocked him, and it also frightened him.

"Please allow me to stay with Tang Ling forever." Qi Xiao said this for the third time. He was calm and resolute. "I will confess my feelings for Tang Ling to the emperor."

Letting Qi Xiao meet the emperor and confessing the truth is the only way to explain the current situation. Otherwise, the emperor will not believe that the prince of Chen actually escaped from his marriage and ran to Shaoyang, and he will try his best to help avoid war between the two countries.

In order to bring Qi Xiao into the palace and make him confess everything, Tang He must first acknowledge his relationship with Tang Ling.

This kid! So cruel!

He even claimed he wouldn't harm Tang Ling, but he had her completely under his thumb! He even plotted against Tang He, the Marquis of Xun'an! If Qi Xiao could truly stabilize the two kingdoms, the Emperor would acquiesce to his relationship with Tang Ling. Not only would he acquiesce, he might even be pleased. Tang He only had one son, and if Tang Ling inherited the title without an heir, it would be even more advantageous for the Emperor.

Tang He stomped back and forth in the room for a few steps. He was so angry that he raised his foot and kicked Qi Xiao on the shoulder. He kicked the same place with great force. Finally, he heard a "click" sound and broke one of Qi Xiao's bones. Only then did he feel better.

Qi Xiao had sweat on his forehead, but he endured the pain and continued to kneel straight.

"Go, let Qinglan take a look at your injuries. I'll take you to the palace this afternoon. Tang Ling must go too."

Qi Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed to Tang He again: "Thank you, Lord Marquis, for your help."

"Get out!" Tang He roared. No, he was still angry!

***

The Zhou State sent a letter to the Chen State, requesting the return of Princess Xihe, citing the fact that the crown prince of Chen State had disappeared over a month ago. The Zhou State also sent Huang Zexian to the Chen State again to bring back the princess.

His Majesty naturally did not agree to this matter and replied with a letter saying that Princess Xihe's marriage was decided three years ago and the wedding date was approaching, so it was absolutely unnecessary to travel so far and she could be brought back at will.

As Huang Zexian was on his way to the State of Chen, ministers in the court of Chen wrote to the emperor one after another, asking him to appoint a new crown prince. Among them, the Sixth Prince had the highest support, but there were also different voices, suggesting that the Sixth Prince had a hidden illness and was not suitable to inherit the throne.

At this time of chaos, His Majesty went to Linxiantai and asked the national teacher Ning Wanxiao to cast divination and predict the national destiny for Dachen.

Ever since Ning Wanxiao was driven out of Chengming Palace by His Majesty last time, although His Majesty had not punished Ning Wanxiao, everyone in the palace knew that the Imperial Preceptor had angered His Majesty, and it would be difficult for him to gain His Majesty's trust in the future. Unexpectedly, within half a month, His Majesty actually went to Linxiantai in person.

As the imperial carriage arrived outside Linxiantai, the eunuch went in to report, and Ning Wanxiao led his men out to kneel and greet them.

"Long live my emperor."

"Flat body."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ning Wanxiao followed His Majesty into the hall. Zhang Suian and others were asked to leave and were not allowed to enter.

Ning Wanxiao personally served tea to His Majesty. His Majesty watched as Ning Wanxiao boiled water and washed the tea leaves, his movements gentle, slow, and meticulous. Ning Wanxiao's eyes were still covered with white silk, and his expression could not be seen.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea." Ning Wanxiao placed the teacup on the coffee table beside His Majesty and stepped back a few steps.

"Ah."

His Majesty glanced at the steaming tea. It was a light, fragrant Baihao Yinzhen, a perfect match for Ning Wanxiao's tea. His Majesty preferred the strong, sweet, and mellow Maoshan Qingfeng tea, a fact Ning Wanxiao knew. Linxiantai also always had Maoshan Qingfeng tea in stock, but this time Ning Wanxiao had clearly done it on purpose.

"Tell me a fortune."

"What is your Majesty asking?"

His Majesty looked up at Ning Wanxiao. Although he knew the answer but still had to ask clearly before he could tell the answer.

His Majesty pondered for a moment before saying, "National destiny."

Originally, he wanted to ask whether the Sixth Prince was suitable to be the Crown Prince. This question was very clear, and Ning Wanxiao should be able to give him a clear answer, but once this question was asked, His Majesty would have no choice.

Cao Weishan uncovered clues in the Ministry of Revenue regarding a three-year-old military pay scheme, directly linking the Fifth Prince and the Gongsun clan. His Majesty immediately dispatched the Xuanji Battalion for a secret investigation, unexpectedly uncovering a private army in Liaoshan Commandery. His Majesty was nearly enraged. Despite Concubine Zhao's death, the Fifth Prince was confined to his palace. Unveiling the private army would undoubtedly unleash a new wave of bloodshed and political unrest, and His Majesty intended to suppress it. However, he was deeply disappointed, distrustful, and even irritated by the Gongsun clan. Even killing the Fifth Prince would not alleviate his hatred, let alone establishing the Sixth Prince as Crown Prince, leaving the Gongsun clan as a toxic threat.

So he finally chose an ambiguous question. Ning Wanxiao was a smart man, and when he knew what he really cared about, he also knew how to answer it.

"Before I tell you about your majesty's fortune, could you please listen to me?"

"What if I don't want to listen?"

"I will not say anything more."

"Speak, I forgive you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ning Wanxiao bowed and said, "The last hexagram I drew showed Li as fire and Kan as water. Fire on water means not yet fulfilled. Your Majesty asked me that day, Your Highness the Crown Prince. The hexagram says, 'Prosperity.' A little fox is crossing the river, wetting its tail, but there is no benefit."

"I still remember your interpretation that day, saying that Lao Jiu would never return. But he didn't die, he escaped, as you know."

Your Majesty's question was not a question, but a confirmation that you had guessed it when Ning Wanxiao went to Chengming Palace to deliver the "Nothing to Do" sign that day, that Qi Xiao had escaped by faking his death.

"Yes, that's what the hexagram says."

"So, what do you want to say when you bring this up again today?"

"Your Majesty, the Wei Ji hexagram is auspicious, not ominous. The last part of the hexagram also has a statement, which, though out of place, reflects the harmony of strength and flexibility. It implies that Your Highness will have a new opportunity on this trip."

His Majesty narrowed his eyes slightly and asked coldly, "Ning Wanxiao, are you pleading for him?"

"I dare not. I am only speaking the truth according to the hexagrams. I dare not deceive Your Majesty in the slightest."

"That's all said, now let's tell the fortune."

Ning Wanxiao nodded: "As you wish."

Ning Wanxiao cast a fortune in front of His Majesty.

"how?"

"Li on top and Kan on the bottom, this is the hexagram of Wei Ji."

His Majesty frowned and his expression suddenly changed: "What?"

Ning Wanxiao repeated it again: "Li on top and Kan on bottom, this is the hexagram of Wei Ji."

"Have you already had your fortune told before I came?"

Ning Wanxiao nodded: "Yes, I cast a fortune last night, and it also said Wei Ji."

"Solve it. This time the question is different from the last one."

"Wei Ji is prosperous, and the soft finds the middle ground. Your Majesty asked about the fate of the country. The interpretation of the hexagram is that the time of the sky is You, the month of mid-autumn, when the old and the new do not change."

His Majesty was immediately enraged. He slammed the table and stood up, scolding, "How dare you! Ning Wanxiao, who ordered you to make such a bold move to discuss the succession?!"

Ning Wanxiao knelt on the ground and replied in a deep voice, "I dare not. I am only speaking according to the hexagram."

"Speak frankly?!" His Majesty slammed his palm on the table again, causing the teacup to jump. "I don't believe it! Tell me another divination right now."

Ning Wanxiao followed the order and cast another hexagram, and the result was exactly the same: Li on top and Kan on bottom, which was Wei Ji.

"I don't believe it!" His Majesty overturned the teacup in anger, and the hot tea poured on Ning Wanxiao's face and body. He could not avoid it and could only endure it. The white silk was soaked and his eyes were faintly revealed.

His Majesty frowned and didn't want to look at him at all. Ning Wanxiao's eyes were like a ghost, as if they could see through people's hearts and understand the secrets of heaven, making people terrified, uncontrollably awed and disgusted.

"Your Majesty," Ning Wanxiao lowered his head and prostrated himself on the ground, continuing, "It is not yet prosperous. Although all six Yaos are out of position, it shows chaos, but it also hides variables. Things are halfway through, so you must be cautious at the beginning and the end, as new signs will surely emerge."

"Hmph." His Majesty snorted coldly and was about to walk out of the hall, but he heard Ning Wanxiao add another sentence behind him.

"In the Wei Ji hexagram, Li fire is on top and Kan water is below. It is not advisable to move rashly, and it is even more unfavorable to wade through water."

His Majesty paused, his anger growing even stronger. Ning Wanxiao's words were trying to dissuade him from attacking Qi! His Majesty stormed out in anger, and Zhang Suian's heart was alarmed at the sight of him. He hurriedly escorted His Majesty back to Chengming Palace.

Wu Jing walked quickly into the hall and saw the broken teacup on the ground at a glance. Ning Wanxiao was standing up and patting the tea stains on his collar.

"Brother, what did you say to His Majesty? He looks very angry."

"be honest."

"Ah?" Wu Jing took a look at the hexagram. "Wei Ji? Wei Ji again?"

"Yeah." Ning Wanxiao responded unconsciously and pulled off the white silk covering her eyes, as it burned her eyes.

Wu Jing grabbed Ning Wanxiao's hand to stop him from rubbing his eyes: "No, I'll get you a basin of cold water to wash them. Don't rub them."

"it is good."

Wu Jing left quickly and came back even faster. He wiped Ning Wanxiao's eyes with a handkerchief soaked in cold water and asked, "Brother, are you helping that person?"

Nowadays, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Qi Xiao has become a taboo in the palace and cannot be mentioned, especially not in front of His Majesty.

"I'm just interpreting the hexagrams according to their meaning. That's not helping at all."

"Heh, you helped him when he first came to Yuanjing four years ago."

"I just……"

"I see. I'm just interpreting the hexagram according to its image." Wu Jing sighed loudly and whispered to Ning Wanxiao, "Brother, although Dachen worships the Heavenly Lord, His Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Our lives are more important, right?"

Ning Wanxiao washed his eyes, slowly opened them, looked at Wu Jing, and smiled at him: "Junior brother, I have been in Yuanjing City for almost fifteen years."

"Ah?" Why did you suddenly say this?

Ning Wanxiao smiled and said nothing more.