Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Chu Xiyao smiled warmly and slowly replied, "Since Your Majesty has asked, I will not hide it from Your Majesty. It is because I have taken a fancy to a woman in Da Zhao, but she is unwilling to return to Xi Chu with me. Therefore, I thought of staying in Da Zhao and trying to change her mind. However, it would cause controversy if a prince from another country stayed in Da Zhao without reason. Therefore, I thought of using this method to stay in Da Zhao."

Emperor Jingzhao was surprised and taken aback.

I never expected it to be for this reason.

He then pressed further, "Which family's daughter is this? Even with the Ninth Prince's looks and status, he couldn't change her mind. Why don't I issue a decree to grant you both your wish?"

Chu Xiyao quickly stopped her, saying, "I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness, but I want her to do it willingly rather than under duress. As for who she is, I cannot reveal it to avoid criticism and gossip that might cause her trouble."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingzhao laughed and said, "I didn't expect the Ninth Prince to be such a romantic, caring so much about this woman. Very well, since the Ninth Prince is so devoted, I cannot let your deep affection go to waste. So I grant your request."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiyao immediately replied with delight and excitement, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!"

After Chu Xiyao left the palace, Emperor Jingzhao quickly spread the news far and wide.

The people of the capital were the first to know about this.

They were also very surprised.

Many people were moved by Chu Xiyao's devotion and wanted to know who this woman was who made the Ninth Prince of Western Chu willing to be a hostage.

Who is it that has such great charm?

To be able to make such an outstanding man fall for her and compromise for her in this way.

Immediately, everyone in the capital was searching for information and trying to find out the woman's identity.

The envoys who had accompanied Chu Xiyao to Dazhao nearly fainted upon hearing this news.

How are they going to explain this to His Majesty?

They brought people to Dazhao but couldn't bring them back; His Majesty would surely eat them alive.

They felt that their official careers were probably over, and for a moment they all felt that the road ahead was dark and they could not see a glimmer of light.

Seeing their dejected and desperate state, Chu Xiyao comforted them, saying, "Ministers, there is no need to worry. I have already written to inform my brother the Emperor about this matter. He will not hold you accountable for your mistakes. This was done by me alone, and I will never implicate you. You can rest assured."

Upon hearing this, the ministers' faces regained their radiance.

Then they all started to flatter him, praising their Ninth Prince for his sense of responsibility in various flowery ways.

Chu Xiyao remained calm about this, wondering how she would react to his actions.

What would Ling Yan's reaction be?

Naturally, I strongly disagree.

Although she had somewhat anticipated this, she felt he probably wouldn't do it.

After all, it is hard to leave one's hometown.

In any case, she would never do it if asked to give up everything, leave the place where she had lived for more than ten years, and go to a completely unfamiliar place or even a hostile place.

She wanted him to think it over carefully, not wanting him to act impulsively and regret it later.

Therefore, she sent him a message, asking him to come to Prince Rui's residence tonight.

He also sent a message to He Jingchuan and Lu Yanqing, asking them to come to Prince Rui's residence as well.

Although the two of them were already aware of her relationship with Chu Xiyao, they still needed to explain things clearly and get to know each other.

………………

The night is a tranquil and profound picture. In the dark blue sky, the stars twinkle with faint light, like countless eyes watching over the earth.

The three entered the study of Prince Rui's mansion at the agreed time.

Lingyan and Xiao Muyao were already waiting there.

As a newcomer, Chu Xiyao was the first to greet the three of them.

His posture was extremely humble and upright.

The three of them returned each other's greetings in a friendly manner, and there was no confrontation or conflict between them.

Lingyan was very satisfied with this.

She strongly disliked their confrontations, tense standoffs, or even physical fights over her.

You could even say it's extremely annoying.

Some people might feel quite proud of this, thinking that he/she is so charming that he/she can attract so many people to fight over him/her.

But she was very disgusted.

There's no need to display one's charm in such a way.

Fortunately, none of the four of them would do that; they were all very clear-headed.

Seeing this, she smiled and looked at the four of them, saying, "Since you all know each other, I won't go into too much detail. I hope you can get along well from now on."

The four nodded in agreement.

Then Lingyan stared at Chu Xiyao, her tone serious and undeniable, and said, "I already know that you want to come to Dazhao as a hostage. The reason I called you here tonight is to let you think it over carefully and not act impulsively. Have you really thought it through? Have you considered your royal brother?"

Chu Xiyao sensed the weight of her words, and his expression became unusually serious.

He spoke slowly, each word resounding: "Lingling, I've thought it through. Don't worry, I didn't act on impulse. I've considered it carefully, and it wasn't a sudden decision. I've been thinking about it for almost a month. As for my brother, I've also thought about it."

At this point, he turned to Xiao Muyao and said, "As a hostage, I certainly cannot return to Western Chu on my own. But when it comes to His Majesty... well, that's another story. So I won't be confined to Da Zhao for the rest of my life. I can return to Western Chu, or I can go to other places. What do you think, Prince Rui?"

Xiao Muyao smiled slightly and replied, "You're right. This is only temporary. You can go wherever you want in the future."

Upon receiving Xiao Muyao's promise, Chu Xiyao's face broke into a bright smile.

He looked at Lingyan again, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "So Lingling, don't think too much. Anyway, I'm tired of staying in Xichu. I'm willing to stay in Dazhao now. Besides, I don't want to fight for the throne. I just want to enjoy life and have fun. So it doesn't matter where I am. Besides, you're here. Wherever you are, that's my home."

“Other countries’ princes always need a reason to stay in their own countries. Other reasons are fine, but His Majesty will feel most at ease and won’t overthink it if he stays here as a hostage. It’s also the safest and most secure option because the whole world knows about it, so no one will dare to lay a hand on me.”

After listening to what he said, Lingyan asked him seriously, "You need to know that I am the Princess Consort of Prince Rui, so I can't be with you every day. In addition, there are two other people besides the Prince, so I can only spend a few days with you each month. Are you willing to do that? Is it worth it just for those few days each month?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiyao replied without hesitation and firmly, "It's worth it, I'm willing!"

The voice was firm and unequivocal, leaving no room for doubt.

This demonstrates his absolute determination.

Ling Yan let out a soft breath and smiled brightly like the warm sun, saying, "Since that's the case, then I promise that as long as you don't betray me, I will never abandon you."

Chu Xiyao smiled and replied, "Alright, I can't go back on my word."

Ling Yan smiled and said, "Of course!"

Chu Xiyao's smile widened, a sweet feeling welling up inside him.

After finishing her story, Ling Yan looked at Xiao Muyao, He Jingchuan, and Lu Yanqing and said, "Tonight, A Yao and I will go to that mansion in the south of the city. But don't worry, I will treat everyone equally and will not favor one over the other."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yanqing seemed to want to say something, but hesitated and did not speak.

Lingyan noticed this and asked, "What does Qingqing want to say?"

Lu Yanqing hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "I think since you've used the phrase 'equal distribution of favors,' you're just like an emperor, so why can't you do it with several people like an emperor?"

This statement came out.

Ling Yan gasped instantly.

You're really brave, kid, to just say it like that.

I've probably wanted to say this for a long time.

She didn't want them to know so soon; she felt the time wasn't right yet.

So she quickly went to look at the other three people, wanting to know how they would react.