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

Zong Sheng didn't respond. He was not good at talking to begin with, and he didn't know how to respond to such words. Qi Xiao said that he wanted to buy wine for Lu Fangjin, but Zong Sheng seemed to think that the focus was on Shan Zhuier and Tang Ling. Zong Sheng didn't dare to speculate about Qi Xiao's thoughts.

Qi Xiao handed the box to Zong Sheng and picked up a long box. What was inside? Qi Xiao opened it casually. Inside lay a folding fan. Just by looking at the inexpensive and overly simple fan frame, he knew it was the one Tang Ling had given him. This box contained a folding fan, so what was in the box just now?

Qi Xiao closed the box, took the one from Zong Sheng, and opened it again. A white jade hairpin fell before his eyes. He had almost forgotten that he had borrowed such a thing from Tang Ling.

Qi Xiao took out the hairpin and played with it, then tossed the box to Zong Sheng. The jade was fine, the carving exquisite, and the simple elegance of white jade perfectly matched Tang Ling's gentle, refined temperament. Qi Xiao instantly recalled Tang Ling trapped in the prison van. The stark contrast between the noble and the prisoner merged in him, arousing pity, yet he dared not even think of insulting her...

Qi Xiao suddenly reached out and pulled out the hairpin on his head, replacing it with Tang Ling's white jade hairpin: "Zong Sheng, I'm hungry."

Zong Sheng quickly put the box back in the trunk and followed Qi Xiao out: "Master, I'll go to the kitchen to cook. What do you want to eat?"

"No need, Huaxi Villa is hosting a party."

"Hmm? Didn't Master say... not to go?"

Qi Xiao glanced back at Zong Sheng and said, "Oh, I changed my mind."

Zong Sheng followed Qi Xiao obediently and didn't dare to say anything more.

***

Walking from Yangxizhai to Huaxi Villa almost crossed the entire Tonghui Hall. Qi Xiao and Zong Sheng took long steps and walked quickly. They arrived just in time for dinner after walking for half an hour.

Huaxi Villa was much more lively than Yangxizhai. A group of envoys from the Zhou Kingdom were all there. After living there for more than two months, they had become familiar with the place and felt much more at ease.

Huang Zexian knew that Tang Ling had sent an invitation to Qi Xiao. According to Tang Ling, King Chu Qi Xiao was a scheming man. He came to Yuanjing with no one to rely on. In order to protect himself, the best strategy was to draw a clear line with the Zhou people. Huang Zexian originally thought that King Chu would not come.

Before Qi Xiao entered Huaxi Villa, the servant came to report to Tang Ling, who was playing chess with Huang Zexian at that time.

"Sir, His Royal Highness the King of Chu has arrived."

"Understood. Please ask His Majesty the Prince of Chu to go to the side hall."

"Yes."

Huang Zexian was quite surprised and gave a wry smile: "As expected, the young master is as good as a god in predicting things."

Tang Ling smiled and said, "Master Huang is willing to accept the loss."

"Ah, admit defeat, admit defeat. From now on, we will obey your orders, without hesitation." Last night, Tang Ling insisted on going to Wanqinzhai, innocently getting into trouble with Zhao Yi. After being sent back by Zong Sheng, she had to listen to the constant nagging of Huang Zexian and other old officials. This morning, Tang Ling wanted to invite Qi Xiao, but Huang Zexian stopped her. So they made a bet: if Qi Xiao came, Huang Zexian would be silent.

Tang Ling stood up, without even taking Qinglan and Ye Huai with her, and went to the side hall alone to meet Qi Xiao.

As soon as Qi Xiao sat down in the side hall, the appetizers and wine were placed on the table one by one. However, there were only two sets of bowls, chopsticks and wine cups. Qi Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly and turned to Yu Zongsheng and said, "It seems that Mr. Tang doesn't intend to thank you as well. You should go back first and don't stay hungry."

"Master..." Zong Sheng stood still. As a guard, he couldn't sit at the table. Qi Xiao's words were somewhat teasing towards Tang Ling, but he didn't say them in front of her. To Zong Sheng, it sounded like Qi Xiao was in a good mood.

"Let's go back. With his physique, can he really fight me?"

"……Yes."

Qi Xiao had just filled his glass with wine when Tang Ling arrived.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the King of Chu." Tang Ling was wearing a long robe embroidered with silver and white clouds. Qi Xiao just glanced at her, and the words "graceful as a startled swan" popped up in his mind. He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. No wonder Zhao Yi went crazy when he saw Tang Ling.

"It's so rare that Ziyi invites me to drink." Qi Xiao also poured a glass of wine for Tang Ling. "Apricot Blossom Rain, it's fragrant but not strong, and the best part is the long-lasting aftertaste. You knew to ask for this Apricot Blossom Rain when you first arrived in Yuanjing. It seems you had a good time in Wanqinzhai last night."

Tang Ling sat down next to Qi Xiao, smiled softly, raised her wine cup and toasted Qi Xiao: "Thank you so much for last night."

Qi Xiao didn't bother to be polite with Tang Ling. He drank the wine in one gulp and started eating. "Thank you isn't enough, and neither is a meal. I've saved you so many times, but you always try to fool me with some random little tricks. This time, I won't let you go so easily."

"I dare not fool His Highness the Prince of Chu. Those messy little things are all my gifts. Although they are not decent and may not be pleasing to His Highness, I really don't have anything better to offer on this journey."

Qi Xiao took another sip of wine and laughed, "I do regret it. That pendant was pretty good back then."

Tang Ling also laughed: "It's rare that you like it. I'll find it and send it to Yangxizhai soon."

Qi Xiao tilted his head to look at Tang Ling. His smile was like spring breeze melting snow, like a banished immortal. Speaking of beauty, he seemed even more captivating than that July girl, even more capable of unintentionally seducing people. Qi Xiao was silent for a moment, then suddenly shook his head. "You better hide a little, or else this nice appearance will only bring you trouble. I told you this back in Yongcheng, but you thought I was teasing you. You don't know how to appreciate kindness."

Tang Ling's smile faltered, but she wasn't angry. Last night's incident was humiliating, but she had also avenged herself. Zhao Yi hadn't suffered a good fate. If he were in Zhou, Zhao Yi would have been crippled and spent the rest of his life as a cripple. However, Tang Ling was now living under someone else's roof and had no choice but to bow her head. She could only let it go.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I'm afraid it's too late now."

"Ok?"

"Didn't you hear anything this morning?"

"Heard? Ha..." Qi Xiao guessed that the rumor had spread among the people. He was afraid that everyone in the entire Yuanjing City knew about what happened in Wanqinzhai last night, and the Zhou hostage Tang Ling in front of him, who was more beautiful than Miss July.

"Thanks for helping me out last night. I'll toast you another glass."

Qi Xiao drank his wine and asked with a smile, "Why did you go to Wanqinzhai on the first day you entered Yuanjing? What was the reason?"

"On the first day when we arrived in Yuanjing, Qi Xiao, didn't you also go to Wanqinzhai? What was the reason for that?" Tang Ling directly asked Qi Xiao the same question.

Qi Xiao smiled but didn't answer. He hadn't expected Tang Ling to suddenly let go of her hidden tactics and become so aggressive. In their previous game, Qi Xiao was good at attacking, Tang Ling was good at strategizing. She seemed to be always on the defensive, but she was planning every move, trying to disrupt and interrupt Qi Xiao's attacks, yet she never directly confronted him. Tang Ling's sudden change in style was truly interesting.

"Qi Xiao, just ask what you want."

"Hahaha..." Qi Xiao couldn't help but burst out laughing. Tang Ling had invited him here. Tang Ling had predicted that he would come to the banquet and even figured out why he would come. "Okay, Ziyi, since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. I need you to help me do something and get some information."

Qi Xiao left the capital at the age of ten and had his roots in Fuzhou Prefecture. He had no one in the court and could hardly move forward in Yuanjing. Last night, he helped Tang Ling and met the fifth and seventh brothers. Although it was not as gradual as he had planned, it was not entirely a bad thing. If it weren't for yesterday's farce, he might have been forgotten in the same guild hall, but now, his father couldn't help but hear his name.

"I'll try my best." Tang Ling smiled and agreed very readily.