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

Bai Xiqiao also understood what was going on and followed him out.

Qi Xiao spoke slowly, "Lu Fangjin has made numerous military achievements in recent years, and his military might has even surpassed that of the Great Zhou. But that doesn't matter. As long as Your Majesty values ​​him, he will continue to rise in the ranks. However, Lu Fangjin is a straightforward person who dislikes factional disputes, and has offended many people. Those accounts will eventually be settled. If he can't make a decision between the Fifth and Seventh Brothers, he will become someone that neither the Qin nor the Gongsun Clan can tolerate."

Qi Xiao paused, observing Tang Ling's expression, and didn't rush to continue. Tang Ling was intelligent, and even without Qi Xiao's words, he understood all this. The more powerful Lu Fangjin became, and the more intense the factional strife in the Chen State, the greater his chances of eliminating this powerful general and protecting the Taihua River for the Great Zhou.

At this moment, Qi Xiao's words to Tang Ling were like trying to persuade a tiger to become a vegetarian, which was ridiculous. But Tang Ling couldn't laugh. Qi Xiao's confession at this moment was forcing him to make a choice.

Tang Ling turned around and sat down, her face calm. She took a sip of tea and casually closed Lu Fangjin's gift box.

"Lu Fangjin is too powerful right now. If we wait for others to cause trouble for him, he will surely be driven to death. It would be better for him to stir up trouble himself and be charged with a crime of some importance. With the great favor Your Majesty has shown him, he will at most receive a scolding and will not even have to endure any physical pain."

Tang Ling put down her teacup, looked up at Qi Xiao, and said, "You want to help him leave Yuanjing."

Qi Xiao smiled: "Yes."

Lu Fangjin had won a victory, forced the Zhou Kingdom to negotiate peace, and even sent Tang Ling as a hostage. This was a great achievement, and he should have been lavishly rewarded upon his summons to Yuanjing. Lu Fangjin was already a general, and further promotions would have meant an increase in rank. If the Great Zhou peace talks were successful, Lu Fangjin would not have to return to Linjiang Prefecture to lead the army and would undoubtedly remain in Yuanjing.

Lu Fangjin, for some unknown reason, had been so "obsessed" as to shackle Tang Ling and humiliate the Zhou Kingdom, sabotaging the peace talks between the two countries. Your Majesty must reconsider any further rewards. As long as Lu Fangjin refuses the title, he will be a general, and as a general, he must be released. If he doesn't return to Linjiang Prefecture, he will be transferred to another prefecture. If he could just leave Yuanjing City and escape the chaos, he would wake up laughing in his dreams.

Tang Ling suddenly sighed, "You've already planned this for him. I admire you."

Although Tang Ling's face was expressionless, Qi Xiao knew he was angry from his words. If it were him, he would have been plotted against from the moment he set foot in the territory of Da Chen and suffered a lot. With Qi Xiao's temper, he would definitely chop that person into pieces.

"I have a personal relationship with Lu Fang, so I can't just stand by and watch him die."

"Then you come to tell me now, because you expect that I will frame him? Then how do you plan to save him?" Tang Ling has not been angry because he is waiting for the right opportunity. He is not doing this for personal revenge, but to turn the peace talks to his advantage for the benefit of the Great Zhou. It would be even better if he could get rid of Lu Fang at the same time.

Qi Xiao walked up to Tang Ling, slowly squatted down, and knelt on one knee in front of Tang Ling.

Tang Ling was shocked and stared at Qi Xiao with lowered eyes. He just knelt in front of her as if it was natural and commonplace. But he was a prince. Apart from the Emperor of Chen, even if the situation was switched and Qi Xiao was held as a hostage, no one could force him to bow his head in front of the Emperor of Zhou, let alone kneel!

Qi Xiao suddenly took his hand and said slowly, "I'm telling you this now to sincerely apologize. I saw the wound on your arm just now, and it hurt my heart... I didn't do anything wrong back then, but now I feel so guilty. I know you're angry, but it's okay. I'll slowly repay you in the future."

Tang Ling's throat tightened, and her heart felt like it was being pulled at. After a moment, she asked, "What do you want in return?"

"Anything I have will do."

"Even life?"

Qi Xiao frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment. Tang Ling was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard Qi Xiao say, "You have to owe me your life first. At least let me serve my mother..."

"Do you know what you are saying?" Tang Ling suddenly jumped up, shook off Qi Xiao's hand, and her voice was hoarse.

Qi Xiao stood up as well. Seeing Tang Ling's anxiety and anger, he didn't dare to continue. He secretly rejoiced. If Tang Ling was just using him, she would be coaxing him now instead of looking so frightened. But he also knew that if he pushed Tang Ling too hard, she might scare her away. After thinking for a moment, he dared to speak again: "I've told you everything I need to say. I'm going back now. Tell me when you've made up your mind."

Qi Xiao stayed in Tang Ling's tent for less than a cup of tea. As soon as he left, Qing Lan hurried in, fearing that Qi Xiao had said or done something to bully their young master again.

As expected, upon entering, Qing Lan noticed Tang Ling's displeased expression and hurriedly asked, "Master, has that brat provoked you again? He dared to ask for a higher price for copying your chess game! This is simply outrageous! No matter his status, why should you care about him?"

Ye Huai followed in. He had excellent hearing. Even though he was standing outside the tent and it was raining heavily, he could still hear the conversation inside the room. He couldn't understand what King Qi Xiao of Chu was saying, but he hoped that the young master could understand. Qing Lan didn't hear anything, so she dared to ask the young master directly.

Tang Ling drank her tea, frowned, and was unwilling to speak at all.

Seeing Tang Ling unhappy, Qing Lan became angry. He couldn't hold back his anger and said, "Sir, if he makes you unhappy, we won't see him anymore. Please calm down."

Tang Ling sighed, her heart agitated. Qi Xiao… could he take what he'd just said seriously? Should he take it seriously? Qi Xiao was waiting for a response. How should he answer? How should he respond?

Tang Ling always considered himself clever, but now he realized how foolish he was. He shouldn't have given Qi Xiao a chance to speak, let alone listen to his words! He even asked him how he was going to repay him.

Qi Xiao acted in his usual chess style, with fierce attacks and frequent surprising moves that made it difficult for others to cope with him. This time, he took the initiative, forcing Tang Ling into a dilemma.

Lu Fangjin, seeking self-preservation, deliberately "caused trouble" by shackled Tang Ling. Qi Xiao was the culprit behind this sinister plot. How could Tang Ling not be furious? If it were just him, it would be fine, but since this was a matter of national prestige, Tang Ling couldn't let it go.

Lu Fangjin had provoked Tang Ling, but he wasn't worth her trouble. She could just keep Lu Fangjin in Yuanjing, and he'd have a hard time. Tang Ling wanted to use this incident as a bargaining chip in peace talks between the two countries.

Qi Xiao knew the ins and outs of this, that's why he came to tell him this today. He hoped that Tang Ling would play along with them in this drama, and strike a good balance in front of the Emperor of Chen. He had to make Lu Fang take full responsibility for his crimes and not give him a higher title, but also give up the opportunity to make use of the issue to make more out of it, and let this matter go.

If we miss this opportunity and let Lu Fangjin leave Yuanjing, it would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains. If he is no longer in Yuanjing and is not involved in party disputes, it may be impossible for Tang Ling to control Lu Fangjin in the future.