"Do you really have to go to Qi?" Xie Yunliu looked at her, his eyes hazy with drink.
"Yunliu, everyone has to live for themselves once. This time, I want to do it this way."
Xie Yunliu lowered his eyes. You want to do this for yourself, but what about him? He also wanted to do it once, to keep her by his side firmly.
But he knew he couldn't do it. She belonged to Xingjiu Kingdom.
"Xingyue, I'm willing to do anything for you."
Xue Xingyue looked up at Xie Yunliu. She wasn't foolish; she saw the unconcealable love in his eyes very clearly. But she knew she couldn't accept him, because she didn't love him.
"I should go back and rest. I have to set off tomorrow." Xue Xingyue stood up and walked forward.
"Xue Xingyue, goodbye!" Xie Yunliu watched her departing back and took a large gulp of wine.
The next day
Xue Xingyue and Zhao Yanluo traveled by carriage, heading straight for the capital. She had originally wanted to go to the Southern Ping King's manor, but it was rumored that the Southern Ping King had already entered the capital, leaving only the Southern Ping King's consort at home. Xue Xingyue decided to go directly to the capital.
Qi Imperial Palace
After the Qi Emperor finished his morning court, a eunuch approached and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Southern Ping King is waiting for you in the study."
The Qi Emperor frowned, glanced at the Imperial Study not far away, and turned to say, "Go to the Noble Consort's chambers."
Eunuch Zhang, seeing the returning eunuch who had delivered the message, quickly asked, "What did His Majesty say?"
The eunuch replied, "Godfather, His Majesty went to the Noble Consort's chambers."
"Useless," Eunuch Zhang cursed, waving the eunuch away.
He tidied his clothes and walked in. The Southern Ping King stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from him. Without turning, he spoke, "His Majesty didn't come?"
Eunuch Zhang quickly stepped forward and said, "His Majesty went to the Noble Consort's chambers. Your Highness, your timing is a bit off."
The Southern Ping King turned, looking at Eunuch Zhang, and asked in a low voice, "Is Ze'er well?"
Eunuch Zhang's expression was somewhat grim. "Your Highness, to be perfectly honest, he is not well."
"Did His Majesty interrogate him?" The Southern Ping King asked this question, his face seemingly impassive, but the hand in his sleeve had bulging veins.
Eunuch Zhang nodded. "Yes, but Your Highness, please rest assured, I have made arrangements. They all know to show mercy."
The Southern Ping King nodded upon hearing this. "Eunuch Zhang, you have worked hard!"
Eunuch Zhang sighed and said, "But this cannot go on indefinitely. I fear the young prince cannot endure it."
"Even if he cannot endure it, he must. I have told him many times not to get involved, but he insisted on not listening," the Southern Ping King said, his tone revealing a hint of disappointment.
Eunuch Zhang said, "It is my fault for being careless and falling into a trap, which led the young prince to save me by agreeing to this. It is all my fault."
The Southern Ping King said, "This has nothing to do with you. If he cannot plan carefully, he will be trapped in danger and unable to extricate himself in the future."
"His Majesty is arriving!" The voice of a eunuch suddenly came from outside.
Eunuch Zhang quickly said, "Your Highness, I shall take my leave!"
The Qi Emperor walked in and saw the Southern Ping King kneeling on the ground, his worship pious. He had always thought of this day, but now that it had truly arrived, he did not feel the anticipated joy.
"Imperial Brother, what is the meaning of this? Quickly, rise!" The Qi Emperor stepped forward, intending to help the Southern Ping King up.
The Southern Ping King said, "This subject has committed a crime. I implore Your Majesty to punish me!"
"Nonsense, you are my Imperial Brother. How can you have committed a crime? Even if you have, I shall grant you amnesty."
The Southern Ping King heard this and replied, "A prince breaks the law, and commoners are treated the same. Your Majesty must not change the rules because of this subject. I implore Your Majesty to punish me!"
"Imperial Brother, why must you do this? Quickly, rise!" The Qi Emperor helped the Southern Ping King to his feet.
This time, the Southern Ping King did not refuse and stood up, saying, "Zai'er has caused Your Majesty trouble."
The Qi Emperor sighed upon hearing this. "Imperial Brother, you know that I am truly helpless regarding this outcome."
"Your Majesty, you need not be troubled. Punish him as he deserves, and fine him as he deserves. Children must accept punishment when they make mistakes. I am not one to dote on my children excessively, Your Majesty can rest assured."
The Qi Emperor frowned. The Southern Ping King saying this actually implied he was taking liberties.
"Imperial Brother speaks the truth, but for Ming'er to be treated this way tomorrow, I feel deeply for him."
The Southern Ping King inwardly sneered. As expected, he was an old fox. "The cause of the Second Prince's death is suspicious. Your Majesty must not let the Second Prince suffer injustice."
The Qi Emperor twitched his lips. "Imperial Brother speaks the truth."
"Your Majesty, I have not seen Zai'er for a long time. I wish to visit Zai'er."
"Zai'er has been imprisoned by me in the heavenly prison. Imperial Brother will not blame me, will he?" the Qi Emperor suddenly asked.
The Southern Ping King quickly bowed his head. "Your Majesty, what are you saying? How dare I blame Your Majesty?"
Ministry of Justice Prison
The Southern Ping King looked at Qi Yuze, who was already clad in bloodstained clothes, and could hardly believe it. The spirited young man he had seen before was gone.
"Ze'er." He felt his voice trembling.
Qi Yuze looked up and saw the Southern Ping King, managing a smile. "Father, why... why are you here?"
"If I didn't come, how would I know you are in such a sorry state? What did you promise me?" The Southern Ping King couldn't help but raise his voice.
He had never laid a finger on his Ze'er, yet Qi Shengkai dared to strike his Ze'er like this. He couldn't tolerate it.
"Father, it is my fault. I fell into someone's trap."
"Who?" the Southern Ping King asked, word by word.
"It should be the Third Prince," Qi Yuze said.
The Southern Ping King nodded upon hearing this. "It is currently most beneficial for the Third Prince. It must have been him. Now he dares to turn the tables and accuse us. I will absolutely not let him off lightly."
"Father, don't be anxious. The Third Prince will not enjoy his freedom for long," Qi Yuze said. He would definitely get his revenge.
"You, take good care of yourself and preserve your life. I will handle the rest," the Southern Ping King said coldly.