A Ling's expression also turned grim upon hearing this. "For the Prince to want to leave is as difficult as ascending to heaven."
A Da nodded.
Upon hearing that Meng Jiangming had replaced everyone in the post station, Qi Yuming also sensed a slight shift. It was clear that his good brother's poisoning was not without its hidden reasons.
"Ming Guang, why do you think our third brother is doing this?" Qi Yuming asked.
Ming Guang replied, "Third Highness likely does not wish to sit idly by and wait for death."
Qi Yuming sighed, "I also do not wish to sit idly by, but without confidence, I do not wish to act rashly. Furthermore, our father the Emperor has agreed to exchange it for Mingxia Pass. At this time, is it not best to wait patiently?"
"Your Highness speaks the truth," Ming Guang replied.
"I just wonder who will be responsible for this matter?" Qi Yuming said slowly.
"People from the Nanping Prince's Estate?" Xue Xingyue's gaze grew considerably colder upon seeing the words "Nanping Prince's Estate."
Others might not know about the Nanping Prince's Estate, but for Xue Xingyue, who had been with them day in and day out, it was intimately familiar. The Nanping Prince was the one guarding Mingxia Pass, and his legitimate son, the Young Nanping Prince, was even more formidable. At least, during the three years she campaigned for her Imperial brother, she had gained no advantage from the Nanping Prince's Estate.
This Nanping Prince was not to be underestimated, and the Young Nanping Prince even less so.
"Your Majesty, you summoned me." Meng Jiangming was called into the imperial palace while drowsy and still somewhat exhausted.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "The individuals responsible for receiving the two princes will arrive in Xingjiu Kingdom soon. Does Duke Meng know who has been chosen for this task?"
"Who is it?" Meng Jiangming instinctively asked.
"The Young Prince of the Nanping Prince's Estate, Qi Yuze," Xue Xingyue stated directly.
Meng Jiangming was taken aback. Although he had never met this renowned Young Prince of the Nanping Prince's Estate, his reputation preceded him.
"Your Majesty, are you afraid that Qi Yuze will play tricks?" Meng Jiangming asked.
Xue Xingyue replied, "If he plays tricks, I am not afraid. I am afraid he will come with a hidden agenda. Jiangming, the task of welcoming the Young Nanping Prince will be entrusted to you."
Meng Jiangming bowed. "This humble subject will surely not fail."
Luochuan Marquis Estate
"Young Marquis, please slow down..."
"Young Marquis, why have you drunk so much again?" Steward Li looked at the tipsy Young Marquis and couldn't help but slap his thigh.
"I... so what if I've drunk too much? What's wrong with me drinking in my own family's wine house? Steward Li, you're meddling too much. Be careful, or I..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Yanluo had already collapsed on the floor, asleep.
Steward Li sighed and quickly instructed the servants, "What are you looking at? Why aren't you helping him inside?"
"Steward, what about the Old Madam..."
"Go and tell the Old Madam that the Young Marquis is drunk and may not be able to respond."
The servant quickly departed.
Steward Li instructed the servant to place Zhao Yanluo on the bed before leaving.
After the door closed, Zhao Yanluo, who had seemed completely intoxicated, suddenly opened his eyes. He got up, rubbed his forehead, changed his clothes, and then leaped out of the window.
He rushed all the way to the Wanjun Wine House.
As if familiar with the path, he entered the room and looked at the man sitting there, saying with a grin, "Should I call you Ji Wuran now, or the Young Nanping Prince Qi Yuze?"
The man's stern face gained a touch of coldness upon hearing this. "Zhao Yanluo."
Zhao Yanluo frowned and took a few steps back. "Are you angry already? You wouldn't get this angry before."
"You also wouldn't talk so much before," Qi Yuze said coldly.
Zhao Yanluo gasped and sized him up. "Young Prince, your temper seems to be a bit off. Who has upset you?"
Qi Yuze replied coldly, "Mingxia Pass is exchanged for two useless individuals. Do you think I can be happy?"
Zhao Yanluo smiled upon hearing this. "But you're unhappy, and I'm happy, after all, we are being sought after by our Xingjiu Kingdom."
Qi Yuze's expression darkened. Zhao Yanluo quickly said, "Don't be angry. Honestly, your two princes are much of a muchness, neither is a good sort. One wants to drug the Empress and force a consummation, the other wants to cross the river and destroy the bridge, intending to get close to the Empress. Unfortunately, the Empress is not just anyone. Without brains, how can one stand firm in court?"
"Zhao Yanluo, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
"So, Young Prince, why are you looking for this Marquis in the dead of night? I can accompany you for drinks, but anything else is probably not possible."
"What is not possible?" Qi Yuze asked.
Zhao Yanluo sat on a chair, adopting a nonchalant demeanor. He took a sip of wine and smiled, "In the past, you were the Young Marquis of the Ji'an Marquis Estate, a citizen of Xingjiu Kingdom. Now, who are you? The renowned Young Prince of the Nanping Prince's Estate of Qi Kingdom...
Young Prince, although I, Zhao Yanluo, indulge in debauchery and pleasures, I know one thing, and that is..."
He put down his wine cup, his gaze deep, and said word by word, "I am not a traitor."
Qi Yuze gave a cold laugh. "But the fact that the Young Marquis is sitting opposite me already explains everything, doesn't it?"
Zhao Yanluo grinned playfully. "I am entertaining the Young Marquis Ji as a friend."
Qi Yuze's gaze deepened upon hearing this. "Must Zhao Yanluo be like this?"
Zhao Yanluo sighed. "I know what you intend to do, but you must also consider me. I am a person of Xingjiu Kingdom. To make me betray Xingjiu Kingdom, I cannot do it. Even if I did, I fear my Zhao ancestors would curse me to death. Young Prince, please be merciful!"
"I will not make things difficult for you, Yanluo," Qi Yuze said, standing up at this point.
"Thank you, Young Prince, for your mercy!" Zhao Yanluo breathed a sigh of relief.
Qi Yuze chuckled softly. "By now, the Empress probably knows. Zhao Yanluo, you say you haven't colluded with the enemy or committed treason. Will the Empress believe you?"
Zhao Yanluo's expression turned ashen with shock. "Young Prince, you're setting a trap for me?"
"This is not called a trap. All's fair in war, Young Marquis."