Qi Yu Ming felt a chill spread from the bottom of his heart. Qi Yu Heng was right; the more he thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. Could it be…
He dared not think further. If he did, he would find this Empress Xing Jiu rather frightening.
"Third brother, are we just going to remain passive like this?" Qi Yu Ming couldn't help but ask.
Qi Yu Heng heard him and said, "Second imperial brother, we are not in Qi now."
It was self-evident that they were on someone else's territory. What else could they do?
Qi Yu Ming slumped down, speechless for a long time.
Seeing this, Qi Yu Heng said, "The only plan now is to hope that Father Emperor sends someone to rescue my second imperial brother and me."
Qi Yu Ming's eyes lit up, "Father Emperor will send someone to save us?" He had thought his Father Emperor wouldn't care if they lived or died.
"He will. After all, we are the two imperial princes of Qi. Being held under house arrest here is also a disgrace to Qi."
However, how they would be exchanged and what the price would be was unknown.
Qi Yu Ming clearly hadn't considered this. He only felt relieved that he wouldn't have to be kept as a hostage. Otherwise, the throne of Qi would truly be out of his reach.
Qi Yu Heng had no intention of telling Qi Yu Ming the full details. After all, he needed to keep some trump cards for himself. Otherwise, he would truly be at the mercy of others, with no one to turn to.
Qi Kingdom
For the first time, Emperor Qi lost his temper in court. The officials present were looking at the memorials. Those with sharp eyes had already seen that the demand was for Emperor Qi to cede Mingxia Pass in exchange for the two imperial princes.
Exchanging cities for people seemed like a matter from a long, long time ago. It was no wonder His Majesty was angry.
"What should we do? I'm asking you for solutions, not for you to be angry with me like I am," Emperor Qi said, scanning the assembled officials.
The officials either remained silent or stepped back. No one was willing to offer a solution to Emperor Qi.
It wasn't that they didn't want to, but how could they? The initiative lay with Empress Xing Jiu. Unless His Majesty was willing to abandon the two imperial princes, there was no other way.
"What use do I have for you?" Emperor Qi roared.
The officials, terrified, knelt down. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
"How can I calm down?" Emperor Qi's face was flushed with anger, raising his sword.
Within the court, no one dared to respond.
Just then, a voice came from outside, "Your Majesty, this subject is willing to take on this important task." Da Feng Novel Network
Emperor Qi looked up and saw a figure slowly entering the hall. He wore black robes that accentuated his tall and slender physique.
His steps were imposing, and his demeanor was peerless.
Every movement exuded kingly bearing.
Emperor Qi narrowed his eyes. He could guess who this person was even with his eyes closed – his good nephew, Qi Yu Ze.
Never before had he so strongly wished for one of his sons to appear like Qi Yu Ze, to stand in for him and bring him honor.
However, it was not to be. His sons, apart from the two in the Xing Jiu Kingdom, were hardly worth mentioning. The rest couldn't compare to Qi Yu Ze.
He couldn't understand it. How could Prince Nan Ping be so gifted? He had produced a son who was more outstanding than all of his own imperial sons.
"Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Qi Yu Ze bowed.
"So it's the young Prince Nan Ping. Did the young prince just say he could resolve this matter for me?"
"Yes, this subject is willing to resolve this matter for Your Majesty!"
Emperor Qi pondered for a long time, then said, "Empress Xing Jiu demands Mingxia Pass. What does the young prince think, should I cede it?" "Your Majesty, do you think the two imperial princes or Mingxia Pass are more important?" Qi Yu Ze asked in return.
The officials were stunned and quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look at Emperor Qi. In the current era, only the young Prince Nan Ping dared to question His Majesty in such a manner.
"Presumptuous! One is an inanimate object, and the other are two living imperial princes. How can they be compared?" Emperor Qi was enraged.
"Your Majesty speaks wisely. The inanimate object remains where it is; no matter how much time passes, it will still be there. Whose it is, or not, is determined by time. But the two imperial princes are different; they are living beings. This subject believes we should first agree to the Empress's request to ensure the safety of the two imperial princes."
Emperor Qi's eyes turned cold upon hearing this. "So, you want me to cede the city?"
"Your Majesty, as I said earlier, it is not yet determined whose it is. Mingxia Pass is only temporarily part of Xing Jiu Kingdom. Once the two imperial princes return to our country, Mingxia Pass may not belong to Xing Jiu Kingdom."
Emperor Qi was silent for a moment, then said, "If that's the case, wouldn't I appear to be a man of his word who breaks his promises?"
"Your Majesty, all is fair in war!" Qi Yu Ze raised his head and said, word by word.
"Good. I entrust this matter to you, Qi Yu Ze. Do not disappoint me." Emperor Qi looked at Qi Yu Ze with deep eyes.
"Yes, this subject will not fail this mission!" Qi Yu Ze replied.
After the court session, Emperor Qi kept Qi Yu Ze in the imperial study. Emperor Qi paced back and forth for a while, then finally said, "Yu Ze, do you have confidence?"
"If Your Majesty trusts me, I have confidence. If Your Majesty does not trust me, I have no confidence!"
"Yu Ze, this concerns the safety of my two imperial princes. You cannot be careless."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will risk my life to protect the safety of the two imperial princes."
Emperor Qi sighed, "Yu Ze, I don't want anything to happen to you either. If you handle this matter well, I can grant you any request."
"Your Majesty, I have one request now," Qi Yu Ze said.
Emperor Qi was taken aback. "Now?" "Good, speak."
"Eunuch Zhang is innocent. I have found the real culprit." Qi Yu Ze said.
"This matter alone?" Emperor Qi asked.
Qi Yu Ze nodded, "Just this matter!"
Emperor Qi said, "I agree."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qi Yu Ze said.
Qi Yu Ze walked out of the imperial study. Emperor Qi looked at his retreating back and sighed. If only this were my own son, I could confidently hand over the Qi Kingdom to him.
"Your Majesty, did little seven die for nothing?" Concubine Yu emerged from within, her eyes tearful.
Emperor Qi patted Concubine Yu's hand and said, "Don't worry. I will not let little seven sacrifice himself in vain."