Ji Fengyao and Shang Xiye had only been back in Qingwan for a short time.

Qin Weiyang then sent Qiying to deliver a message, saying that she was feeling unwell and wanted to ask Doctor Xiao to examine her.

Hei Xiao was fiddling with the chessboard and clamoring to play against Shang Xiye when he heard Qi Ying's words and looked bewildered: "Doesn't the Imperial Hospital have eight imperial physicians accompanying them? Why are you calling me there?"

"It's your good fortune that the Empress summons you. Just come with me," Qi Ying said, extremely dissatisfied with Hei Xiao's reply.

She couldn't understand why the Empress would elevate Xiao Chen, who was just a traveling doctor.

"I can't accept this blessing. Miss, you should accept it if you can." Hei Xiao continued to fiddle with his chessboard, then sat down, brushed back the strands of hair that had fallen over his shoulder, straightened his bright red light robe with wide sleeves, and beckoned to Ji Fengyao, who was lying diagonally on the cool couch next to him: "Little Yao'er, come here and sit here with your senior brother. Watch how I slaughter the prince without leaving a single piece of armor."

"What senior brother? Don't call me that. I didn't have a master with you." Ji Fengyao lazily turned over, grabbing the plate full of amethyst agate in her arms and eating, not wanting to pay any attention to him.

Shang Xiye glanced at her sideways, pursed his lips, and also wanted to call her over to watch the game.

He tried to speak several times, but couldn't bring himself to say it.

Seeing that no one was willing to pay her any attention, Qi Ying decided to let the Ninth Prince and Princess off the hook, as she dared not argue with them due to their status. But who was this Xiao Chen? "Doctor Xiao, Her Majesty summons you. You'd better come with me, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what, huh?" Black Owl sneered, raising his eyes to glance at Qi Ying with a playful glint in his eye: "Miss, you've misunderstood. I'm not a royal physician, I don't receive a salary from the court. I'm not a subject of your Great Zhao, I don't serve your monarch. I can treat whoever I want! Let alone a mere concubine, even if your emperor and empress formally invited me with an imperial edict, it would depend on whether I'm in a good mood or not."

"You!" Qi Ying never expected this result. She was both angry and speechless.

But she said she wasn't a citizen of the Great Zhao, and she didn't even respect the Emperor and Empress's decrees. What could a lowly palace maid like her do?

To Qi Ying's surprise, Hei Xiao then coldly remarked to Shang Xi Ye, "Ninth Prince, you are a renowned war god with a great reputation, yet you have little prestige in Da Zhao. Even random cats and dogs from who-knows-where can call out to your guests at will, and you don't do anything about it. Aren't you afraid that it will damage your reputation if word gets out?"

"I've been neglecting my health lately due to illness, I'm sorry Brother Xiao had to laugh at me," Shang Xiye said earnestly, echoing Hei Xiao's words.

Having said that, he casually flicked his sleeve.

Qi Ying flew straight out the door like a kite with a broken string, almost breaking her bones in the process.

The moment the person landed, before they could even stand up, Shang Xiye's cold and ruthless voice came from inside the house: "Go back and tell your master that if I can destroy the entire Nanli Kingdom, I can naturally destroy the Nanli National Preceptor's entire family. Don't provoke me again!"

Soon, Ji Fengyao's dissatisfied voice came from inside the room again: "Your Highness, why are you being so fierce?"

Finally, Qi Ying heard Ji Fengyao shouting at the top of her lungs to the outside: "Tell your mistress not to be afraid. The prince is not to be trifled with, but I am. Let her come and play with me anytime!"

His voice was so strong and powerful, showing no trace of the weakness he had shown when he went to see the Empress Dowager that morning; he could practically kill a bull.

Qi Ying returned angrily and reported the incident, which made Qin Weiyang so angry that she smashed the teacup in her hand to pieces on the spot.

It's one thing for a good-looking and capable man to be a little arrogant, but how dare that bandit provoke her like this?!

"You want me to go find her and have some fun?" Qin Weiyang's eyes turned icy cold as she gritted her teeth. "Fine, I'll go find her and have some fun. I hope she has nine lives and can afford to keep up!"