In the years of famine, I led a comfortable life with my husband

Sigoya's expression suddenly twisted, "...What did Lord Xie say just now? I don't think I heard it clearly." Sigoya couldn't believe his eyes.

Xie Chengjin looked at Si Geya leisurely, and repeated what he had said in a good mood, "I said, I feel that I lack a capable person by my side. It depends on what Lord Si wants to do."

Si Geya observed Xie Chengjin's appearance and when he realized that Xie Chengjin was not joking, Si Geya was completely dumbfounded. "So you want me to become your subordinate?"

Sigoya had never expected Xie Chengjin to make such a request. He forced a smile and said, "Master Xie must be joking. This..."

Xie Chengjin didn't say anything else, just staring at Si Geya quietly. Su Zhizhi, who was standing beside him, found this a bit boring and couldn't help but say, "Chengjin, seeing how Lord Si is... I'm afraid he's not very willing to agree to your request. In that case, why don't we leave first? If Lord Si ever comes to his senses one day, he can come to Daliang to find us. I wonder if he has enough time to think about it."

Although Su Zhizhi said this to Xie Chengjin, her eyes were fixed on Sigoya, without moving at all.

Xie Chengjin smiled and nodded, "Zhizhi is absolutely right. I can see that Lord Si is somewhat reluctant, but we do not lack other things. This makes it difficult for Lord Si. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is still waiting for us, so we should go there first."

After saying that, Xie Chengjin turned around and left with Su Zhizhi, no longer paying attention to Sigoya who was standing there with a sullen face.

Sigoya's face turned blue, then white, and then white and black. Seeing that Xie Chengjin and Su Zhizhi were really planning to leave, Sigoya suddenly became anxious. Although Xie Chengjin's request seemed a bit unreasonable to him now, but if he thought about it carefully, there was nothing wrong with being Xie Chengjin's subordinate. At least it could help him get rid of his current predicament.

With this in mind, Sigoya hurried forward, running in front of Xie Chengjin and Su Zhizhi, and holding them back. "Please stay, both of you. I was inconsiderate just now. Since Master Xie trusts me, I am honored. I am willing to follow you and serve you at your service."

Seeing Si Geya say this, Xie Chengjin and Su Zhizhi exchanged a glance, then nodded with satisfaction. "I was right. You are a smart person. There are many things that I don't need to explain clearly. You have to think clearly. I don't accept disloyal people. If you betray me one day, I will definitely drag you down with me. Of course, if you are loyal, I will treat you well. At least you will not lose your monthly salary. Have you really thought it through?"

Sigoya nodded without hesitation, "I have made up my mind. I will definitely follow you in the future, sir, without hesitation."

Hearing Si Geya say this, Xie Chengjin's smile deepened. "If that's the case, then I can rest assured. After all, you were a good friend of my father's. I will definitely not treat you unfairly. Please go to my place and wait for me. I will take Zhizhi to find His Royal Highness the Crown Prince first."

Si Geya felt a little relieved. He watched Xie Chengjin and Su Zhizhi leave, then shook his head with a wry smile. "I never thought I'd end up in Xie Chengjin's hands. Forget it, I'll just consider it my lifelong debt to them..."

After recruiting Sigoya, Xie Chengjin and his group did not plan to stay in Dayong and meddle in Dayong's affairs. What's more, the prince still had matters concerning the queen and the third prince to report to the emperor.

The group set out on the journey back to Daliang in a mighty procession.

Sitting in the carriage, Su Zhizhi kept looking at the scenery outside the carriage. In fact, the scenery of Dayong was quite good, but it was only suitable for viewing. If Su Zhizhi had to live here all the time, she would naturally not want to do so.

Seeing Su Zhizhi's curious expression, Xie Chengjin smiled and said, "If you like, we can stay here for a while longer."

Su Zhizhi shook her head repeatedly. "Forget it, forget it. I'm still reluctant. If Xu Wanqing hadn't forcibly abducted me here, I probably wouldn't have set foot in Dayong in my lifetime. But even if I see it now, I just think it's nothing special. Let's go back quickly. I don't know how my mother is doing. She probably doesn't know about me yet, right?"

Xie Chengjin shook his head. "We don't know yet. Don't worry. A'niang and Peizhi don't know that you've been kidnapped yet. But if we go back later, we won't know."

Su Zhizhi heaved a sigh of relief when she heard this. "That's good, as long as Mother doesn't know. Luckily, Dayong and Daliang are not far apart, otherwise I don't know what I would do."

The journey was safe and sound, and the group soon returned to the capital.

The prince did not delay along the way and went into the palace to find the emperor without taking time to rest.

"Your son pays his respects to the emperor. May your father be blessed with good health." The prince bowed respectfully to the emperor.

"Are you back? Did you have a safe journey?" The old emperor waved his hand casually and called the person to his side.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have been fine on the journey. However, when I went to Dayong, I met my escaped third brother, the eldest princess and... the Empress..." The fifth prince hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the emperor about this matter.

Hearing this, the old emperor sighed deeply and said, "I have heard of this matter, but I didn't expect that the three of them actually went to Dayong. What is their current situation?"

When the old emperor dealt with the three people, he was blinded by anger. Now that he has calmed down, he feels a little regretful, especially towards the queen. After all, no matter what, she was the woman the old emperor loved the most.

The Crown Prince observed the old emperor's expression, remained silent for a moment, closed his eyes, and then spoke in a hoarse voice, "Third brother... is dead. My third brother attempted to attack me, but was killed by those close to me. The eldest princess died at the order of Emperor Dayong. As for the Empress... she committed suicide by taking poison. However, she begged me to bring her body and that of my third brother back to Daliang. They are currently being kept outside the capital. What do you think I should do with them?"

When the emperor heard the prince say that the queen had died, he froze in place, his whole body filled with sadness.

After a long moment, the emperor heaved a long sigh and said, "Never mind. We were both criminals. For the sake of our past friendship, let her remains be buried in the imperial mausoleum. As for the third brother... well, let him be buried outside the capital."