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

In Huaxi Villa, Tang Ling was drinking tea in Huang Zexian's house.

"Sir, is there something important that brings you to me so late at night?"

Tang Ling held the teacup and lowered her head to drink tea, hiding a trace of embarrassment. He couldn't tell Huang Zexian that he was shy and didn't dare to stay in his own room, right?

Tang Ling's words about letting Qi Xiao stay were sincere, though indeed a bit impulsive. With so many people at Huaxi Villa, and Qi Xiao being highly regarded by His Majesty, his status was naturally different. If he truly stayed overnight at Huaxi Villa, it would be inappropriate. She couldn't always let Qi Xiao sneak around, especially with his preoccupations. Now wasn't the time for a night of pleasure. Tang Ling left, asking Qinglan to deliver a message to Qi Xiao. He'd understand immediately and wouldn't blame her.

And Tang Ling must come to Huang Zexian's side.

"It's nothing serious. I just felt really hungry today. I thought Uncle Huang must have some delicious snacks, so I decided to come and have some tea with him."

Huang Zexian's only hobby is food. He wants to try all the delicious food in Yuanjing City, and snacks are naturally available at any time.

"..." Huang Zexian looked at Tang Ling, was silent for a moment, and said, "Young Master's actions are not something I, an old minister, should comment on, but... I'm afraid the Marquis will be worried about you."

Tang Ling still had a faint smile on her face, but her expression wasn't very good. She lowered her head and said softly, "I know."

Huang Zexian sighed and said nothing more.

The guards Huang Zexian brought with him were all good fighters of the Xingluo Guard. If Qi Xiao had come and left quietly, with Tang Ling protecting him, he might not have been discovered so easily. However, he had been with Tang Ling for a long time during these two nights, and Qing Lan had even prepared a medicinal bath for him. Tang Ling had no intention of hiding him. If no one noticed these people, it would be a waste of time to raise them. They were not worthy of the title of Xingluo Guard.

If Tang Ling doesn't come tonight, Huang Zexian's letter will be sent out tomorrow, and his father, Xun Anhou, will know everything.

"Uncle Huang, please don't tell my father about this yet. I will report it myself."

Huang Zexian was stunned. He guessed that Tang Ling was trying to keep it a secret and would come to tell him sooner or later. But by "reporting in person," did she mean she wanted the Marquis to acknowledge this "daughter-in-law"?! How could that be possible?!

Tang Ling encountered danger all the way north to Yuanjing, all thanks to Qi Xiao's intervention. From the beginning, Tang Ling had considered using him, and Huang Zexian knew it, but after so long, Tang Ling's mind had completely changed. If he wanted to subjugate or exploit her, he would have countless ways to do so, so how could he possibly trap her in one? However much Tang Ling loved him, it was impossible for her to get past Xun Anhou, the Marquis's only son.

Huang Zexian took a sip of tea and suddenly felt old. If his son said this to him, he would faint from anger. As an elder, Huang Zexian wanted to teach his son a lesson on behalf of Xun Anhou.

"Young Master...ah..." Huang Zexian sighed, not knowing what else to say. How could Tang Ling not know what he was about to say? Since she knew everything, what else could he say?

Tang Ling smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Huang. Also, have you found any results on the matter I asked Uncle Huang to investigate last time?"

Huang Zexian nodded. "There's been a lot of chaos in Yuanjing City lately, and it's not convenient to investigate many things in detail. So there are still some things that haven't been verified. However, Lu Xiulin has no background, so the information we found should be correct."

"Please let Uncle Huang know."

"Lu Xiulin was from Yuanzhou Prefecture. He came from a clean family. His father died young, his mother remarried, and he was raised by his grandfather. At the age of seventeen, he joined the Dingyuan Army. Because he could read, he served as a personal guard beside Bai Liu from the age of twenty-two. He was promoted by Bai Liu and became his confidant. Bai Liu's imperial summons to the capital was unsuccessful, but the case of impeachment for corruption was still pending, so Lu Xiulin was thrown into the Dali Temple and released a year later."

"Locked for a year? Bai Liu's case dragged on that long?"

Huang Zexian shook his head. "Bai Liu's case was closed in late spring or early summer, but Lu Xiulin seemed to have been forgotten. He wasn't released until a year later."

Tang Ling chuckled, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Forgotten? Prison food in the Dali Temple is free? There must be something else. Uncle Huang just said that there's something unverified. Is it about the year in the Dali Temple?"

"That's right." Huang Zexian looked at Tang Ling and couldn't help but frowning. Tang Ling was meticulous and never needed much to be said, she would understand immediately. But it was this kind of exquisite heart that made Huang Zexian even more worried. Didn't Tang Ling understand how difficult and dangerous it would be to be with Qi Xiao?

Tang Ling noticed Huang Zexian's expression was strange, so she asked, "Uncle Huang, what's wrong? Did the Xingluo Guards find out something?"

"Ah? No, no, I just can't understand what could have happened to Lu Xiulin being imprisoned in the Dali Temple."

"Don't worry, we'll just investigate slowly. What happens after Lu Xiulin is released? Since he has no connections and Bai Liu is already deceased, how could he stay in Yuanjing City and become a member of the Five City Guards?"

"Lu Xiulin was released from Dali Temple prison penniless and without any relatives, so he could only do menial labor to earn a living. A few months later, he happened to encounter the Five Cities Guards hunting thieves on the street. Since he was quite skilled, he offered his assistance and soon joined the Five Cities Guards. The following year, during a hunting expedition at Baiyan Mountain, his riding and archery skills were put to good use, and His Majesty personally promoted him to Guard Captain."

Tang Ling pondered for a moment. Lu Xiulin's return to Yuanjing was truly puzzling. Lu Xiulin had already been a deputy general in the Dingyuan Army. Could the Five City Guards have recruited someone without asking about their background? Someone must have arranged for Lu Xiulin to remain in Yuanjing. But who was it?

"Thank you, Uncle Huang. Please take the trouble to investigate."

Huang Zexian nodded, then frowned again. Tang Ling was so concerned about Bai Liu's affairs because she wanted to sort out the political situation in the Chen Kingdom, but in the final analysis, it was because of Qi Xiao. It was not easy to deploy the Xingluo Guards in Yuanjing City, and Tang Ling actually used them for Qi Xiao. In the future... I don't know how it will end.

"Sir, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. After the banquet, the peace talks with the State of Chen will be put on the agenda. I, an old minister, cannot accompany you for too long. You must be more careful in the future."

Tang Ling smiled and said, "Uncle Huang, don't worry about me."

"Hey……"

Huang Zexian sighed again. How could Tang Ling not understand why he was sighing? He knew better than anyone why he came to Chen State. He would not forget, and he had no intention of giving up. He knew what he was doing.

Tang Ling said she was there for tea and snacks, but she barely drank a sip of tea, let alone a snack. He said goodnight to Huang Ze, and by the time he returned to his room, Qi Xiao had already left.