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

On the other side, Qi Xiao came out of the Dali Temple and went to find Cao Weishan without stopping. Jinzhou Prefecture was thousands of miles away, so the current incident naturally started with the murder of the Dali Temple Minister.

After leaving the Jingji Protectorate in Cao Weishan, he personally went to the residence of Luo Yu, the Minister of the Dali Temple, to investigate, and did not return until late at night.

Qi Xiao was worried about Tang Ling, and as soon as he returned to the guild hall, he wanted to go to Tang Ling's Huaxi Villa, but there was one more person in his own yard, which was very troublesome.

"Chi Yue greets His Highness."

Chi Yue, dressed in black, suddenly appeared at Yangxizhai in the dead of night and was immediately attacked by Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao, mistaking him for an assassin. Chi Yue's agility and swiftness, like a snake, bore a resemblance to Zong Sheng, and Zong Sheng noticed him immediately. It didn't take long for Chi Yue to withdraw, bowing to Qi Xiao from a distance and introducing himself.

"Chi Yue is under the order of His Majesty and is at His Majesty's disposal."

Qi Xiao touched the small jade token at his waist. It turned out to be from the Tiance Camp. No wonder they were so skilled, fighting against Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao alone with ease. Chi Yue would probably show signs of weakness in a few more moments, after all, Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao were both masters. However, after just ten moves, Chi Yue had already shown Qi Xiao his true abilities.

Chi Yue walked towards Qi Xiao, passed Zong Sheng and Bai Xiqiao, glanced at Zong Sheng lightly, and whispered: "Oh, he's still alive."

Zong Sheng had a sullen face, his lips were straightened, and there was anger in his eyes.

Qi Xiao smiled and said, "Zong Sheng, if you are not happy, then beat him up. I am acting on behalf of the emperor, I don't think he dares to fight back."

Chi Yue was stunned by Qi Xiao's words. Even if he was just a guard beside His Majesty, he was still powerful enough not to be underestimated, let alone from the Tiance Camp. So why did Qi Xiao order someone to beat him up the moment he opened his mouth? And he wasn't even allowed to fight back? What was this prince's way?

Zong Sheng stared blankly at Qi Xiao. He was really going to fight? Bullying like that wasn't Qi Xiao's style. Just to vent his anger? Qi Xiao didn't even know why he was angry.

Qi Xiao walked towards Chi Yue and said, "His Majesty ordered you to help me investigate the case because he trusts the ability of the Tiance Camp. But you are provoking my subordinates in front of me. Are you trying to intimidate me?"

"Chi Yue wouldn't dare." Chi Yue knelt down, unable to bear Qi Xiao's accusations, and hurriedly explained, "Zong Sheng and I are childhood friends. It was just a joke, and I meant no harm."

"Oh... okay, then, Zongsheng, you can do whatever you want."

Qi Xiao threw Chi Yue directly to Zong Sheng's care, then walked out of Yangxizhai and went to Huaxi Villa to find Tang Ling.

Qi Xiao avoided people and quietly slipped into Huaxi Villa. As expected, he was stopped by Ye Huai at Tang Ling's door.

There was still a light in Tang Ling's room, so she must not have gone to bed yet.

"Please inform your young master."

Ye Huai looked at Qi Xiao, took two steps away from the door, made way, and let Qi Xiao in.

Qi Xiao smiled: "Thank you."

Qi Xiao knocked on the door and heard Tang Ling's voice from inside the room: "Come in."

Only two lamps were left on in Tang Ling's room, both by his side. He was reading, so engrossed that he didn't even glance up to see who was coming. Tang Ling had already washed up, her long hair tied with a ribbon and draped over her shoulders, making her look particularly gentle under the lamplight.

Qi Xiao closed the door and walked up to Tang Ling, snatching the book from his hand. "Shanchuanzhi? Is there really such a book?"

Tang Ling was startled. She looked up and saw Qi Xiao. She couldn't help but laugh: "Do you think I lied to you?"

Qi Xiao put the book back on the table and picked up Tang Ling.

"Ah?!" Tang Ling was startled. She hurriedly hooked her arms around Qi Xiao's neck and snuggled into his arms, her face suddenly flushed.

Qi Xiao strode to the bedside, gently put Tang Ling down, reached out and pulled the quilt to cover him, and said as if to coax a child, "If you are sick, you should rest early."

Qi Xiao gently lifted a strand of hair from Tang Ling's temples and twirled it around his fingertips. He looked at her with a smile, a gentle yet scorching warmth. Qi Xiao felt itchy and couldn't help but lean in to kiss her. Last night, this moment, wasn't enough, not even close.

Tang Ling missed Qi Xiao for the whole day, and finally waited for him to come back. The joy in her heart was beyond words. Qi Xiao's hugs and kisses made him like it and he was crazy about him.

"Missed me? Waited for me specially?" Qi Xiao sat on the footstool, very close to Tang Ling, and asked softly. Looking at Tang Ling's eyes glued to his face, he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear Tang Ling say it herself.

"Yeah. I missed you, and I was waiting for you." Tang Ling blushed, but she wanted Qi Xiao to hear her answer. Now that the window paper had been broken, there was no need to suppress many words anymore. Tang Ling suddenly felt a lot more relaxed.

Qi Xiao smiled, and lay on the head of Tang Ling's bed, reaching out to stroke her cheek: "Go to bed early, I'll wait until you fall asleep before leaving."

Tang Ling leaned over and touched her forehead with Qi Xiao's: "Are you very tired today?"

"Well... this matter has become too serious. I'm afraid it won't end well."

"Go back and rest early, I'm fine. I'll wait for you tomorrow."

"Why don't you ask what happened? Why did I come back so late?"

Tang Ling smiled. "Did His Majesty assign you some errand?" Qi Xiao hadn't returned yet, so Tang Ling guessed it. While she didn't know the specifics, she knew Qi Xiao was involved, so he was likely going to have a hard time.

Qi Xiao also laughed: "You are so smart, it's really scary."

Tang Ling propped herself up a little and looked at Qi Xiao: "So you're scared?"

Qi Xiao put his hand on the side of Tang Ling's neck, pulled him closer, and looked into his eyes: "I'm afraid you will suddenly leave me because of your status."

Tang Ling's smile suddenly disappeared. Qi Xiao's words hit the most painful spot in his heart. He was also afraid. The more he liked him, the more afraid he was.

Qi Xiao looked at him with tenderness in his eyes and whispered, "Tang Ling, don't leave."

"...Okay." Tang Ling kissed Qi Xiao's forehead. "Qi Xiao, you must remember that you promised me your whole life. Don't regret it."

"Okay." Qi Xiao's heart was moved, and he leaned forward to kiss Tang Ling.

***

When Qi Xiao returned to Yangxizhai, Zong Sheng and Chi Yue were still standing in the yard. If a person with poor eyesight had known them, they would have mistaken them for the rockery in the yard.

"What are you standing there for? Where's the Baixi Bridge?"

Zong Sheng relaxed his grip on his shoulders and back, no longer on guard. Qi Xiao noticed everything. Zong Sheng turned around and said to Qi Xiao, "He went to the small kitchen to find something to eat."

"Chi Yue, bring the person back."

"Yes." Chi Yue disappeared before he finished speaking.

Qi Xiao was amazed by Chi Yue's excellent Qinggong. He raised his eyebrows slightly and asked Zong Sheng, "Tell me. Chi Yue, where are you from?"

Zong Sheng lowered his head slightly and followed Qi Xiao into the house, saying, "He and I entered Wudu Mansion at the same time."

Zong Sheng only said this one sentence. He was a man of few words. If it were normal, Qi Xiao would not ask any more questions, but seeing how the two of them acted just now, it might not be possible to keep Chi Yue.

Qi Xiao entered the house, poured a glass of water, and asked again: "Are you afraid of him? Do you hate him? Why?"

Zong Sheng didn't dare to look up at Qi Xiao: "No."

"Zongsheng, you've been by my side for so many years, and this is the first time you've lied to me."