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

Tang Ling was beaten up by several servants, who then pulled his handcuffs and shackles and half-pushed and half-lifted him into the side room.

In reality, Tang Ling didn't resist. His current status was no different from a prisoner. Resistance would not only be fruitless but would only make his situation more difficult. He knew this. However, the more difficult it was for him now, the more likely it would be that the Emperor of Chen would be embarrassed once they arrived in Yuanjing. Besides, the Prince of Chu's mansion was better than a prison cart; at least he could still have some hot tea.

The shackles on Tang Ling were much heavier than usual, like a 200-pound fat man hanging from his body, seemingly weighing him down to death. He was now exhausted, unable to stand or walk, and could only sit on the couch and pretend to rest.

With a slight creak, the door was pushed open, and only Qi Xiao came in.

Qi Xiao was dressed in casual clothes, exuding the air of a young man with a restless mind. A hint of childishness could still be found in his face, his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes made him handsome and bright, which made it difficult to truly dislike him. However, his eyes were full of arrogance and domineering, which made Tang Ling feel annoyed even if she looked at him for a while. The only thing that made Tang Ling's gaze pause was the pair of black riding boots on his feet. The hems of Qi Xiao's boots were slightly dusty, as if he had just run in the fields today.

"The son of Marquis Xun'an, Tang Ling, Tang Ziyi, right?" Qi Xiao put his hands behind his back and smiled at Tang Ling.

"Tang Ling greets His Royal Highness the King of Chu." Tang Ling stood up, straightened her robe slightly, raised her hand with difficulty, and bowed.

Qi Xiao smiled and took two steps forward, standing in front of Tang Ling, only a foot away. Tang Ling suppressed the wariness in her eyes and quietly took a small step back.

Qi Xiao looked Tang Ling up and down, left and right, front and back several times before asking with a playful smile, "Young Master, you are born with such a peerless appearance. You are often praised for your beauty, right?"

"Tang Ling has been inexplicably imprisoned. Your Highness, I don't deserve to be called the Crown Prince." The shackles on Tang Ling's hands were heavy. Just to stand upright, he had to grit his teeth and exert all his strength, even his hair was stretched to the limit. But he had to hold on, and not only did he have to hold on, but he also had to smile. "In the Great Zhou, men are considered beautiful if they are strong and sturdy. Tang has been sickly since childhood, so I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Your Highness."

"Oh, really? What a shame. But in Dachen, the Crown Prince... handsome men like Ziyi are the most popular. Just now, the people in the street were so eager to catch a glimpse of the young marquis's pretty face that they were swarming each other, even my horse couldn't get through."

Since Tang Ling said that "Young Master" was not up to the task, Qi Xiao called Tang Ling by her courtesy name "Zi Yi" in a familiar manner. At first glance, it seemed as if they were not meeting for the first time, nor were they in a hostile position.

Tang Ling looked at Qi Xiao, hearing the playful tone in his words. She couldn't help but feel a little irritated, but she couldn't let it out. He didn't know what would happen in the future, but he was certain he would encounter more frivolous people like him and hear more such jokes. He was now a hostage in Chen. Those who couldn't kill him would find ways to insult him and the Great Zhou. He could only endure it patiently. A gentleman's revenge is never too late. Every humiliation would be repaid one day.

Tang Ling's eyes were calm, her thoughts hidden deep within her, betraying no hostility. Yet, this made Qi Xiao see danger in them, like a ferocious beast lurking in the deep mountains and forests, ready to pounce and bite at any moment. No, no, that metaphor wasn't right. Tang Ling was like an enchanting, delicate flower, delighting everyone who saw it, yet unaware that this exotic flower was poisonous, and touching it would kill anyone.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm praising you." Qi Xiao took two slow steps, gradually moving closer to Tang Ling, and said, "As far as I know, Ziyi came to Dachen to improve relations between our two countries. How did he end up in such a state of disgrace? Could it be that Ziyi didn't come here voluntarily and is trying to escape now?"

Tang Ling's face had always been grim, and now it paled even further. He was a hostage, not a prisoner. Ten days earlier, when they had just crossed the Taihua River, the Chen State had been courteous and treated him like a distinguished guest, without such harsh treatment. But just five days earlier, upon entering Fuzhou Prefecture, they were suddenly attacked by a group of bandits, clearly targeting him, and nearly kidnapped. Su Qin, assuming they were Tang Ling or someone sent by the Great Zhou to recapture him, had shackles slapped on Tang Ling without a second thought, locking him in a prison van and declaring that once Anping arrived in the Chen State's capital, Su Qin would personally apologize.

Dachen boasts black iron ore and the finest craftsmen in the world, resulting in weapons and blades that are among the most powerful in the Three Kingdoms, instilling fear in all who encounter them. The shackles on Tang Ling bear the rather elegant name "Dust Fate," with the words "Dala La" carved into them, as if they were forged by a monk rather than a blacksmith. Su Qin embarked on this journey with these shackles, as if he had anticipated their use from the outset—a truly fortuitous occurrence.

Qi Xiao naturally knew everything about Tang Ling after he kidnapped her. Now he was asking her questions again just to embarrass her.

Tang Ling sighed softly, "I knew nothing about the bandits that day. If I hadn't wanted to, I wouldn't have agreed in the first place. Besides, a war between two countries benefits neither side and only causes suffering to the people. It was my Great Zhou that proposed peace talks in the first place, and sending me out was a gesture of sincerity. How could I destroy the Great Wall?"

"Maybe Ziyi has changed his mind?"

"This is Chen territory. Even if I regretted it, I wouldn't be able to escape. If I could easily deploy troops in Chen, how could the Great Zhou be defeated so repeatedly?"

"What Ziyi said makes sense. It seems that General Su is making a big deal out of nothing. It's a pity that these shackles are made of black iron, forged through countless hammerings. Ordinary knives and axes can't cut them, and they can't be unlocked without a key. For now, Ziyi can only be wronged."

"Your Highness is understanding. I, Tang, feel deeply for you. Please return me so that General Su can rest assured."

"Return it?" Qi Xiao laughed heartily. "Zi Yi isn't Su Qin's, so why would he return it?"

Tang Ling almost blurted out, "I'm not yours either," but the words were ambiguous, and even more so, she restrained herself. What was Qi Xiao's motive in kidnapping him in the streets, in full view of everyone? This King of Chu was an unknown figure, holding little rank in the Chen court to begin with. Now, he had willfully abducted the Great Zhou hostage and kept him in his own palace. He would surely be reviled. What good would that do?

"Your Highness, I, Tang, have come to seek peace on behalf of the Great Zhou. I hope Your Highness will prioritize the greater good."

Qi Xiao laughed again: "Zi Yi, don't worry, it won't affect the overall situation. You can stay here with peace of mind."

Tang Ling remained silent, and the two seemed to be stuck in some kind of stalemate. At this moment, voices were heard outside.

"Sir," Zong Sheng called out from outside the door, "Prefect Yue Zhilin and Tiger Army Deputy General Su Qin have arrived and are waiting in the side hall."

"Got it." Qi Xiao's eyes didn't leave Tang Ling, and he curled his lips and said, "Zi Yi, you've been tired from the journey, take a rest first."

As soon as Qi Xiao left, Qing Lan came with food, but her handcuffs had been replaced with shackles, and every step she took made a clinking sound.

"Master! Master! Are you okay? Did the King of Chu humiliate you?" Qinglan was about to burst into tears as soon as she saw Tang Ling as she entered the room, fearing that her master had been wronged.

Tang Ling shook her head: "Don't be afraid, I'm fine."

Qing Lan felt Tang Ling's pulse, a bitter taste in his throat and red eyes: "Master, I'll go ask them for medicine!"

"Don't make trouble, my fever has gone away."

"Can……"

"I'm fine. No matter why the King of Chu kidnapped me, at least he can give me some time to rest."

"The King of Chu is arrogant and domineering. It must be no good that he has abducted you! My lord, Qinglan is useless and cannot protect you!" Qinglan had only just said a few words when the grievances of the past few days were about to burst out, and tears as big as beans were about to rush down as she spoke.