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

"Hey, Fifth Brother, why are you here too?"

"I have an appointment with General Lu, so naturally I'm here to keep it. Old Seven, are you in the wrong place?"

"That's right, I also have an appointment with General Lu."

Qi Xiao chuckled. It turned out they were enemies. The Fifth Prince, Qi Li, was the legitimate son of Empress Qin. His personal appearance in Wanqinzhai seemed to indicate his determination to conquer Lu Fang.

"Do you have an appointment with General Lu?"

"Why, do you just need to make an appointment with General Lu?"

"Hmph, alright. We two brothers haven't had a good chat for a while, so let's have a drink together today."

Both of them refused to leave and the stalemate continued, so they had to sit together. Unfortunately, there was no deep brotherly love between the two of them, and they couldn't act it out, so they could only stare at each other.

Qi Xiao could feel from next door that there was a two-meter-thick layer of ice between the two of them, and it was not a cold day.

Qi Xiao drank and listened to music, waiting for Lu Fangjin to come so that the show could begin. However, he waited and waited, but Lu Fangjin did not show up. The singing and dancing below changed one after another, and Qi Xiao almost fell asleep. The two gentlemen next door also did not say a word. They were probably suffering much more than him.

Suddenly, a person sneaked into Qi Xiao's compartment. This person was tall and seemed to fill the compartment as soon as he walked in. The person put his ear to the screen partition and listened for a while, then slowly let out a breath. When he turned around, he saw Qi Xiao looking at him with a suppressed smile.

Lu Fangjin was startled when he saw that it was Qi Xiao: "You?"

Qi Xiao nodded and shook the wine jug in his hand.

Lu Fangjin nodded, sat down cross-legged, asked Qi Xiao to pour him some wine, and drank it all in one gulp.

Qi Xiao glanced at the next door and asked Lu Fangjin with his eyes: Aren’t you going over there?

Lu Fangjin sighed silently, snatched the wine cup from Qi Xiao's hand, and drank his cup as well.

Qi Xiao suppressed his laughter and poured him more wine.

Gongs and drums sounded on the stage, and a long pavilion song was sung. The lyrics described a girl from a merchant family who entered the palace for selection. Her stunning beauty won her the love of two princes...

Listening to the lyrics, Qi Xiao looked at Lu Fangjin meaningfully and whispered, "You can escape the first day but not the fifteenth." Lu Fangjin is now the outstanding young lady, attracting many followers and attracting two princes to follow her.

"Do you think I'm willing? Can't you Qi people let me go? I'm so annoyed." Lu Fangjin frowned and spoke disrespectfully.

Qi Xiao almost couldn't hold back his laughter: "I see you look good, your skin is fair and tender now, that's great."

Lu Fangjin was either in the military camp or on the battlefield all year round. He was tanned as charcoal and used to having a serious face. He looked even more ferocious when he frowned. Even if he was well-fed in Yuanjing, he would never look "fair and tender" in appearance.

Lu Fang used his long legs to kick Qi Xiao, almost knocking him to the ground. Fortunately, Qi Xiao dodged quickly.

The opera was still going on on the stage. Two princes, one talented in literature and the other in martial arts, were both trusted by the emperor. However, they became estranged because of the Shang girl. The emperor was furious and wanted to execute the Shang girl...

Qi Xiao chuckled. The lyrics were quite appropriate for the situation. Lu Fangjin became even more annoyed: "It's so difficult, even harder than fighting a war!" He was indeed being attacked from all sides and was in a dilemma.

"It won't be difficult if you choose one."

Seeing that Qi Xiao was still making fun of him, Lu Fangjin was so angry that his teeth were itching. He threw the wine cup heavily, stood up, walked out of the compartment and went to the next room.

Zong Sheng was stunned for a moment, then heard Qi Xiao say, "Watch the show."

The lyrics say that the daughter of the Shang family had a childhood sweetheart, but she couldn't disobey the emperor's order and bring trouble to her family, so she had to go to the capital to participate in the imperial selection. She originally hoped to cheat her way through the selection and return home, but unexpectedly, a folk song from her hometown caught the attention of two princes. The two princes competed to give the daughter of the Shang family gifts. However, the daughter of the Shang family knew that she was not worthy of such kindness, and she was in constant anxiety...

"Yo, this humble servant pays homage to His Highness the Fifth and Seventh Princes."

"General Lu, please don't be polite."

"General Lu, please stand up."

"Your Highnesses, you must have an important matter to discuss. I have been reckless and I beg your forgiveness. I will take my leave now."

"Hey, General Lu, I've been waiting for you here specially."

"Has General Lu forgotten your promise to me?"

"Ah? I made an appointment? Your Highnesses are waiting for me here? How could I have made you wait so long? I deserve to die!"

"General Lu, please stand up, please stand up!"

"For this crime of yours, I will drink three cups as punishment!"

Qi Xiao watched the play on the stage and listened to Lu Fangjin playing both sides next door. It was truly a series of good shows.

"General Lu, I'm sorry for coming here today, but I didn't realize you had an appointment with Fifth Brother before."

"Um... Your Highness, Seventh Prince, you must have misunderstood. I have long heard of Miss July's beauty, but have never been able to see her. I had no choice but to flatter you and borrow your favor, Fifth Prince, hoping to catch a glimpse of Miss July's true appearance and hear her music. I am truly sorry to have caused you such a commotion, Your Highness."

"Oh? So it's Fifth Brother and Miss July who have a relationship. Then today, I, the Imperial Brother, would like to take advantage of Fifth Brother's influence."

"It's not really a friendship, it's just that the owner of Wanqinzhai is giving me some face."

Lu Fangjin laughed heartily: "Why don't we invite Miss July here right now?"

"Don't worry. Miss July will be on stage tonight. General Lu, please be patient and wait. It just so happens that I mentioned this to General Lu last time. I wonder what you think of it?"

"What are you talking about, Fifth Brother? General Lu looks troubled. I'm afraid it's something difficult. If you can't tell me, I'd like you to help me think about it."

"This matter has nothing to do with Seventh Brother."

"What Fifth Brother discussed with General Lu must be a matter of state. If it is a matter of state, how can it have nothing to do with my younger brother?"

Qi Xiao listened to the Fifth and Seventh Princes arguing with each other, and the difficulty Lu Fangjin had in maneuvering between them. He couldn't suppress a smile. Who in the court didn't know what the Fifth and Seventh Princes were thinking? Lu Fangjin was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor and commanding the military. If the two of them wanted to become Crown Princes, Lu Fangjin would be one of their most important aids. He had been stationed in Linjiang Prefecture for many years and had little friendship with the other princes. This time, he was back in the capital for a long time. If they hadn't taken this opportunity to win him over, when would they?

Suddenly, a series of loud noises interrupted the good show on and off the stage. Qi Xiao couldn't help but look around curiously. There seemed to be a fight in the compartment diagonally opposite. There were all kinds of sounds such as shouting, screaming, and broken utensils.

The fifth prince Qi Li walked out of the compartment and ordered his men, "Go and see what's going on."

Qi Xiao had very good eyesight and easily recognized a figure from the mess. He couldn't help but frown. Why did he always get into trouble wherever he went?

The commotion in the compartment over there grew louder and louder, and a crowd gradually gathered around. The fight was much more interesting than the long pavilion song. Not long after, the Fifth Prince Qi Li's attendant returned and said, "Your Highness, Young Master Zhao has drunk too much."

"Young Master Zhao? Which Young Master Zhao? That kid Zhao Yi?"

"Exactly."