Chapter 59 A Soulmate Chang'an Extra: Shocking! His Highness Prince Yong and…
Prince Yong had just taken a solid punch when he realized what was happening, and he quickly gathered his robes and drew his sword!
He gripped the knife in a reverse grip, and the blade arced across Xie Qianli's chest in a crescent shape, but the latter reacted quickly and dodged.
Ying Dang drew his sword first before he could see who it was, and was somewhat surprised. He scoffed, "You've come to arrest me and take me back to the Imperial Clan Court?"
It would have been better if we hadn't said anything.
Upon hearing this, Xie Qianli knew that Prince Yong had a criminal record, which made him even angrier. He was even more determined not to let him go, so he engaged Prince Yong in battle.
He wasn't carrying any weapons. Even if Prince Yong wasn't properly dressed, he couldn't just leave his bird out in the open.
Therefore, Xie Qianli used his palm to approach Prince Yong and brushed away Prince Yong's right arm.
Prince Yong's hooking hand failed to stop him; he was struck in the chest and fell onto the bed.
The male prostitute screamed in terror, "Help! Murder!"
Prince Yong stood up, rubbing his chest, quickly fastening his underpants, a wicked smile creeping across his lips: "I know. His Majesty couldn't explain to the relatives in the Imperial Clan Court, so he sent his fiercest dogs to arrest me and bring me back. He cares about every worthless person in Chang'an. My unworthy younger brother must hate me to death in secret!"
These words were the culmination of Prince Yong's long-standing resentment.
Everyone in the court and the country knows how good Ying Xi is to Prince Yong. How can Xie Qianli allow Prince Yong to be so ungrateful?
He then attacked Yongwang's left hand.
This confirmed Prince Yong's suspicions.
It was as if everyone was more important than him, and his already narrow-mindedness was further aggravated. So Ying Dang vented his anger on the people who had captured him: "You surnamed Xie, I'm not going back, what can you do to me!?"
He spun his knife and thrust it toward Xie Qianli's throat.
The flower bed was cramped, and Prince Yong was extremely fast. Sharp weapons were almost impossible to counter at close range, so his attacks were always deadly.
Xie Qianli, having no weapon, retreated several steps.
He retreated, but Prince Yong closed in, his blade flashing like a dense net, leaving nothing but blood and gore upon contact.
Prince Yong did not expect that Xie Qianli had deliberately revealed a flaw in order to distance himself from him.
The distance had just increased, and the short sword couldn't hurt him! This vicious dog is a hundred times more troublesome than Lang Xun!
Prince Yong was furious. Relying on the unparalleled sharpness of his weapon, he had the upper hand no matter what he did, and his blade flashed wildly, cutting across Xie Qianli.
At this moment, countless footsteps surged towards the embroidery room, creating a commotion that reached inside:
"There's a fight!"
"Who started the fight? Are there any important guests on the third floor today? Have you reported it to the authorities?"
Xie Qianli glanced at the male prostitute, hiding and thinking at the same time, afraid that Prince Yong would speak rashly, or that someone would recognize that the male prostitute looked like the emperor, allowing outsiders to see the royal family's scandal, and even more so, he did not want Ying Dang's sordid thoughts to be spread.
He couldn't control his defensiveness and hostility; it felt like a male beast having its territory invaded, awakening all the madness he suppressed beneath his calm exterior.
When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one.
He would do anything for Ying Xi!
Xie Qianli burst through the door, causing a huge commotion.
Prince Yong chased after him with a knife, drawing all the onlookers to follow. Sure enough, no one paid any more attention to the male prostitute who resembled the emperor inside the house.
The two men crashed through the window and leaped to the ground below. The building was three stories high, and each of them escaped unharmed by using the momentum.
The spectators upstairs exclaimed in amazement, cheering, shouting, applause, and shouts of fighting startled countless couples in the brothels of Pingkang Lane! More windows lit up! A human wall formed more than ten layers deep.
The high-ranking officials recognized them and exclaimed:
"Duke of England! Your Highness Prince Yong!"
"What's wrong with you guys???"
"This is so unfair! I also have a heavy gun, General Xie, take this!"
Those who enjoy watching a spectacle never think things are too bad.
However, the more people gathered around, the more the two fighters realized their differing motives: one wanted to embarrass the royal family, while the other desperately tried to protect the emperor's reputation.
Ying Dang was a madman who dared to shout in front of the imperial guards about climbing onto the emperor's bed. As he charged forward, he yelled, "Why is that man surnamed Xie fighting me? It's because I just followed..."
"How dare you tarnish Miss Pei's reputation like this!!!"
Ying Dang was stunned.
He seemed utterly surprised by Xie Qianli's words. His blade faltered for a moment.
The onlookers' eyes immediately lit up. Seeing that Prince Yong was disheveled, the Duke of Ying was furious, and the courtesan Pei Jiu Niangzi of Yu Lou Chun was well-known for her beauty, they exchanged knowing smiles—it turned out to be a fight over a man!
Xie Qianli pulled out a large gun that a bystander had thrown down from the battle.
The gun was a replica of the Youlong'e, though not as heavy. However, the open space downstairs was enough for a heavy weapon to exert its power.
A silvery cascade!
The gun emitted a heavy hum, and a hit from it would surely break bones and tendons. Ying Dang couldn't possibly take it head-on, otherwise either his knife would fly off or his hand would be severed.
In the midst of the chaos, Ying Dang could only dodge hastily with his agility; what else could he possibly say?
However, someone dared to openly claim to have violated military regulations, and even went so far as to publicly disgrace the Xie family in order to protect that person. Xie Qianli's feelings for his elder brother were obvious!
Ying Dang bitterly recalled that ten years ago, it was this person who had started to steal his brother's attention, and afterwards his brother became more and more estranged from him.
Ying Dang was filled with rage, and the pain of losing everything drove him to fight Xie Qianli to the death.
If he dies, will he truly fulfill his brother's wishes, or will he induce even the slightest regret or despair in the other?
Ying Dang stopped dodging!
He gave up on himself and recklessly charged into the range of the heavy gun attack, hoping to take advantage of Xie Qianli's weakness in wielding the gun by relying on his incredible speed.
But when masters clash, life and death are decided in an instant.
Ying Dang is willing to risk his life.
Xie Qianli still had his senses; he absolutely could not kill Ying Xi's brother, nor did he want to be stabbed in the chest by him!
He rotated his ankle in an almost impossible manner, stopping the gun's momentum and avoiding Ying Dang's sharp edge, thus maintaining a stable lower body and avoiding falling.
Xie Qianli brushed past Ying Dang. Ying Dang's right arm was already extended, but he lost his target and staggered a few steps!
Before Prince Yong could turn around, he was kicked hard from behind, stumbling forward. Before him lay the brick and stone floor of Pingkang Ward, illuminated by colorful lanterns. His gaze shifted upward, revealing a dense array of blades and swords, along with countless guards' boots.
"Tie them up! Tie them up with chains!" a young man shouted confidently.
"Go upstairs and get an ice basin to sober up these two drunkards!"
It turned out that the fight had already alarmed the Jingzhao Prefecture, but the prefecture dared not intervene and instead reported it to the emperor through the proper channels.
The emperor, who was unable to sleep due to the situation between the North and the South, had just summoned his officials to the palace for a meeting when he heard about the absurd incident of his younger brother and a general fighting in the street over a woman. He immediately ordered them to be arrested and brought back.
Lang Xun pulled on one end of the chain with disgust, gritted his teeth, and dragged the two away.
***
Weiyang Palace.
Xie Qianli returned just a few hours after leaving Ying Xi.
Xie Qianli knelt, still dripping wet, while Prince Yong lay unconscious beside him.
This is a suite, and next door is the small council chamber. Normally, the palace should have been locked by now, but the apricot-yellow lamps were still lit.
Xie Qianli was still wondering when he heard voices coming from the council chamber, which was just a wall away.
Yu Jing said, "Imperial Physician Liu has just taken His Majesty's pulse. His Majesty is currently taking ginseng soup and will soon see all the officials." The officials agreed.
Xie Qianli's heart tightened suddenly.
Since leaving to participate in the suppression of bandits and the attempt to recruit them into the government, Ying Xi has been suffering all the way. What's more, she was once captured and taken to a bandit stronghold where she personally led a breakout.
He is frequently ill; when he is not sick, he is accumulating symptoms, which will erupt at the slightest opportunity.
Xie Qianli's heart trembled. Ginseng soup was meant to nourish the spirit; something important must be happening that required Ying Xi to muster her strength. What could it be?
"The Jiangnan army has sent two letters," said the court official inside. "The second letter specifies the terms of peace: no military or political officials in Yangzhou will be transferred within one year, and Li Yilong will be demoted to the position of governor of Yangzhou. I wonder how Your Majesty will respond?"
"Li Yilong still occupies several counties, has many talented people under his command, and Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice. He is known for his benevolent rule in the south and has won the hearts of the people for many years."
Li Yilong's rebellion was a legacy of the previous emperor's reign.
"It is not impossible to mobilize the entire nation to attack a single region, but I fear that both sides will suffer heavy losses and that foreign enemies will gain an advantage."
Xie Qianli vaguely agreed, but standing on the side of the peace faction, he felt that Li Yilong had built up nearly ten years of foundation, so how could he be willing to be demoted?
The noise stopped, and the room fell silent. The officials stood up and moved their chairs: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Su."
Su Xueyi and Ying Xi entered the council chamber and sat down, their discussion still revolving around whether to fight or make peace.
"Your Majesty, I have just reviewed the annual grain production data of various counties in Yangzhou ten years ago. If the figures remain unchanged, Li Zicheng will have at least one year's worth of military provisions to sustain the war effort."
This meant that if the war dragged on, the imperial court would also suffer losses, and only more. Xie Qianli thought.
"If we give Li a year to adapt to Qin, it will mean that we can both avoid depleting Qin's national strength and recover the local troops, money, and provisions."
There was a moment of silence in the council chamber.
Su Xueyi said, "But this is the ideal situation. We don't know what Li Yilong plans for this year. You may make some assumptions."
One courtier said, "Is this a delaying tactic?"
"If the rebels want to expand their power, they can only develop in one province. Our dynasty is developing in all provinces. Even if it is delayed, it will be in my favor."
"But after all, it has been a long time since I returned to Shunyi."
“But Li Yilong has been demoted. He has proclaimed himself the ruler of Jiangnan and has become an official of this dynasty. For him, this is tantamount to surrendering to the Great Qin. If he goes back on his word after the year is up, then he will be without a legitimate cause and will be ridiculed by the world!”
"If these traitors disregard the law and seize power, would they really have any sense of shame and commit such a heinous act?"
"First, agree to Li Yilong's request to pry open the gates of Yangzhou, and then send a large army to storm the rebel capital..."
"—Then your face sank to the bottom of the Huai River and never rose again!"
The council was increasingly advocating for peace.
War is no child's play; unlike bandit suppression, it inevitably has far-reaching consequences. In the event of war, the status of military officers immediately rises above that of civil officials, which is a major reason why civil officials throughout history have advocated for peace.
Su Xueyi was not the kind of short-sighted civil official. He said proudly, "It is not that I do not support war. I am even willing to personally take up a sword and go into battle. I am just worried."
What are you worried about?
"Your Majesty has just managed to restore the country to its former glory, and this war is about to destroy it all."
"Cough, cough cough cough, cough..."
In the council chamber, Xie Qianli's ears were almost standing upright.
Ying Xi coughed incessantly, and Yu Jing quickly served her tea, while the other officials showed their concern.
Xie Qianli desperately wanted to pat Ying Xi's back, his hands clenched into fists, his dark eyes fixed on the door. He stood up from the floor; what would it look like to go out now?
He remained in the kneeling position as punishment.
In the palace, the only people who could stay by Yingxi's side to take care of her were the concubines and eunuchs.
Xie Qianli completely lacks the delicacy and gentleness of a woman, and it is impossible for her to be castrated and take over the role of Yu Jing.
What exactly did he regard Ying Xi as?
Connecting this to the courtesan in Yulouchun who called herself "little slave" in front of her patrons, allowing herself to be manipulated by men and only able to submit and endure, is this how he intends to treat Yingxi? — Impossible.
He can't do it.
Besides, Ying Xi would rather die than suffer such humiliation. Xie Qianli felt terrible just thinking about it.
What does he want to do?
What do you want to do to the supreme ruler of the world?
The self-depletion left Xie Qianli repeatedly oscillating between euphoria and exhaustion, his mind in a state of confusion.
The surrounding environment evolved into a blissful and frenzied monotony, making him only able to hear Ying Xi and unable to hear anyone else.
Just moments ago, he had been so resolute that he could withstand the entire pot of aphrodisiac, but now he seemed to be bewitched. Ying Xi's coughs filled him with panic, and he even imagined a phantom of Ying Xi, which he kept patting and comforting in his mind.
Falling in love with Ying Xi, who is also a man, is a kind of illness.
He was quite ill.
Xie Qianli's eyes stung, but a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
He deliberately raised his hand to seal several sensitive spots on his body. A sharp pain shot through him, dulling his senses. Xie Qianli felt numb all over, trying to endure this lovesickness he shouldn't have suffered from. Xie Qianli closed his eyes tightly.
It's unclear how much time passed before he finally opened his eyes.
His profile was striking and resolute; his eyelashes trembled slightly, then his pupils constricted.
Ying Xi sat down in front of him, only a few steps away from him, at the head of the cubicle. Ying Xi was ill and had been staying up all night; her eyes were red, and her movements were slow as she lowered her gaze, her body unable to support her weight. Her actions were too swift.
The emperor's voice was hoarse as he asked, "Tell me this afternoon that the southern expedition will not require too much water travel. Even if the northern army is not good at naval warfare, we can still mobilize Jingzhou and Xuzhou to launch a pincer attack from both sides."
Having just had acupuncture applied to his acupoints, Xie Qianli replied with difficulty, "Yes."
Ying Xi nodded after considering it.
The movement was so slow that even with Xie Qianli's blurred vision, he could still discern every detail of the other person. He could see, in the lamplight, long eyelashes covering deep gray eyes, looking down at him from above, his reflection filling the other person's pupils.
Xie Qianli looked away, his lips tightened, feeling that he was still wet and looked very disheveled.
Xie Qianli tried to keep his body straight while kneeling.
He wanted to make himself look more imposing.
In Ying Xi's eyes, it turned into a plan to complain to the emperor. Ying Xi greeted him gently and said, "So it turns out that Ju'er doesn't have someone he likes, but he does have a confidante. He even fought for her. It's rare that you would care so much about someone."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
