Chapter 85 is a battleground—watch Prince Yong and Xiao Xie bicker!
Prince Yong was second only to the emperor in Chang'an and was fawned over by countless people. But since he went down to Jiangnan, he has been beaten and controlled. How could he bear such humiliation?
Prince Yong slapped his knee, his phoenix eyes gleaming, and said:
"You said this morning that I couldn't ride in a car, so I didn't."
"Is it not even allowed for me to eat now?"
Ying Dang has always been able to argue his way out of trouble, even when he's in the wrong, let alone now that he feels he has some merit.
Prince Yong then proceeded to accuse:
"My brother asked you to keep an eye on me, not to sow discord between us."
“Other brothers have to go to the palace to pay their respects to their elder brothers every day, but you won’t even let me see my own brother!”
"Those who know you are acting on the emperor's orders; those who don't might think you've imprisoned my brother and are plotting something big!"
At the end of his sentence, Prince Yong raised his voice.
That magnificent voice, when uttering questions, sounded melodious like music, yet its words concealed sharp daggers.
Once such an overstatement is slapped on, the topic becomes extremely dangerous, especially since Xie Qianli is a military commander.
Hua Ling held a tray in her hands, carefully observing the camp.
Her bright eyes sparkled as her gaze fell on Ying Xi's side. The table wasn't fully set with three dishes and a soup; there was still an empty seat.
She wanted to go into the tent. But Prince Yong stood up, moved from opposite the emperor to the side, took up the seat, and shamelessly grabbed the emperor's arm.
Prince Yong: "Do you dare? Do you want to rebel? Huh?"
Xie Qianli spoke in a deep voice, facing the emperor, his gaze falling on Ying Xi's face, then moving down to the hand that Prince Yong was holding the emperor, his eyes cold.
"Your subject dares not."
“Brother, your dragon might is boundless, I knew you wouldn’t dare! So I’m definitely going to mooch this dinner!” Ying Dang said.
Ying Xi chuckled.
He certainly wouldn't be easily swayed by Prince Yong and unfoundedly suspect Xie Qianli. He just felt somewhat pleased.
The rebellious younger brother from the past life now calls him "brother" and protects him in every word. How can one not be moved?
My younger brother has gotten the hang of it.
"It doesn't matter if we add another pair of chopsticks, we can't finish it anyway," Yingxi said.
However, because Ying Xi failed to expel Prince Yong, a typical family education dilemma arose: one parent disciplines while the other acts as a supporter, and the child will inevitably rely on the parent who is more advantageous to him.
Prince Yong's arrogance surged several feet.
He knew he couldn't defeat Xie alone, so he quickly sought allies:
"And what about Miss Hua Ling? She's young and beautiful, and she's unfortunately ended up in your barracks full of stinky men. She's working hard in the dirt to pick wild fruit, and you want to send someone to kick her out? Don't you know how to cherish a beautiful woman?!"
Hua Ling said softly, "General Xie was only thinking of His Majesty's safety. I can understand."
Prince Yong retorted without hesitation: "If a little girl like you can endanger my brother, then he, as a general, might as well die."
Ying Xi: "Dang'er."
Ying Xi was in a good mood today and didn't want to get too close to or too far from anyone, so she said to the figure standing outside the door, "Sit down and eat together. This plate of wild fruit is a good addition to the meal."
Xie Qianli then entered the tent.
He moved a low stool and sat opposite Ying Xi, revealing a pair of long legs that seemed to have nowhere to go.
Hua Ling glanced at Prince Yong and General Xie without leaving a trace, then took her seat. At this moment, soldiers brought in three more pairs of chopsticks and three more bowls of rice.
Hua Ling concealed her slight surprise. She secretly observed that the four of them were eating only three dishes, which seemed rather meager even for an emperor.
I only ate a few bites of the food.
Prince Yong was the first to speak out, tapping the rim of his bowl with his chopsticks: "General Xie, you've embezzled, haven't you?"
Hua Ling was taken aback.
Xie Qianli's forehead veins bulged again, and his handsome face was displeased: "What do you mean by that?"
Ying Dang picked at a piece of houttuynia cordata and raised his chin.
"The Dragon Martial Army is the best-treated unit by the imperial court. You have not taken good care of your elder brother, only feeding him rabbit rice."
Rabbit rice refers to shepherd's purse and houttuynia cordata.
"Then Your Highness should go eat at the wounded's place; the food there is plentiful."
Ying Dang wasn't really after his food; he was there to see his elder brother and annoy him: "Don't try to change the subject. I'm guessing you've been saving money for yourself."
The Xie family had strict rules, and talking was not allowed during meals. Xie Qianli didn't want to argue with him.
But if others retreat an inch, Prince Yong can advance eight zhang against the wind.
Ying Dang immediately said, "Look, brother, he's feeling guilty!"
Prince Yong tried to win over the emperor by openly slandering him.
Xie Qianli frowned slightly. He could ignore Prince Yong, but he couldn't help but explain to the Emperor that Xiao Xi was suspicious and had a special status. The fact that she had tested and warned him at Prince Yongning's residence was still fresh in his mind.
Xie Qianli: "Your Highness, please provide evidence to impeach me. If there is irrefutable evidence, I will confess my guilt and accept my punishment."
What evidence is there? Prince Yong ladled himself a bowl of soup, raised his phoenix eyes, his eyes bright: "There is evidence, of course. I'll expose you when we get back. Go and get my brother some good wine and food. If you behave well, you'll get a three- to five-year reduction in your sentence."
Get rid of this vicious dog, and my brother will be mine alone.
Ying Dang pinched his nose and picked up the dish: "Go away, go away."
But the wild vegetable that Prince Zao Yong disliked was not something that grew anywhere.
Summer has arrived, and shepherd's purse is past its season. Those that don't look good are unacceptable; to gather just a small dish, you need to search several hillsides.
Houttuynia cordata has strong medicinal properties and a very strange taste, so the chef put a lot of effort into its preparation.
Dinner was meticulously arranged by Xie Qianli, and consisted not only of dishes but also of herbs.
He quietly did these trivial things, hoping that Xiaoxi could recover soon.
Xie Qianli pressed his long, slender fingers against Prince Yong's wrist: "Put it down."
With extraordinary strength in his fingers, Prince Yong's hand trembled, his knuckles loosened, and the plate he was holding immediately fell.
Xie Qianli held the plate firmly in his palm and placed it on the table. Not a drop of soup was spilled. He said sternly to Prince Yong, "Your Highness is mindful of resources."
Prince Yong hated lecturing more than anything else, and he could no longer tolerate the vicious dog, so he immediately raised his hand as a knife.
Knowing that the emperor was right in front of him, Xie Qianli would not dare to use his full strength, and Ying Dang was certain to gain this advantage.
Prince Yong's palm strikes grew faster and faster, his arms moving in two blurry motions.
Hua Ling couldn't help but watch secretly, then moved her low stool slightly and moved half a foot closer to Ying Xi, revealing a shy and timid appearance.
The two exchanged blows for more than ten rounds.
Ying Dang used a mix of feints and real attacks, trying to catch Xie Qianli off guard. With a move of "Parting Flowers and Willows," he first deflected Xie Qianli's left arm, then unleashed a powerful "Vajra Subduing Demon" palm strike, putting in every ounce of his strength!
The force of his palm strike carried the sound of wind!
Ying Xi suddenly stood up: "Thank you, Qing."
Having already foreseen that Xie Qianli would suffer a loss, he tightened his lips into a straight slit.
In the past, her concern for Xie Qianli was hidden in the shadows, in places even Ying Xi herself was unaware of. Now, for the first time, it has come to light.
Ying Xi was unaware that she had lost her composure, but Xie Qianli saw through Prince Yong's unexpected move. With a hook, a push, and a pull, he neutralized the force of Prince Yong's attack and dragged him up from his seat.
Xie Qianli released Yong Wang, his voice icy: "You flatter me."
But unexpectedly, at this moment, Prince Yong's phoenix eyes sharpened, and from an angle that the emperor could not see, but only Xie Qianli could see, Prince Yong's lips curled up, and with the force of this rise and fall, he staggered and crashed into the military map.
The map moved heavily in the back seat. *Buzz*.
Xie Qianli's brows were furrowed.
Ying Xi followed her gaze.
Hua Ling was so frightened by the commotion that her face turned pale.
Prince Yong lay on the ground, stretching out one hand: "Brother...it hurts so much, the wound hurts so much, brother...thank you General for hitting me, brother..."
Xie Qianli: "..."
A prince of high rank, a professional con artist—how shameless!
Prince Yong was born shameless, and he cried out in pain, almost to the point of tears. Ying Xi, as the older brother, quickly helped his younger brother up.
The moment Prince Yong grasped his brother's hand, his blood boiled, fireworks exploded on his head, and his phoenix eyes shone with excitement.
He then took the opportunity to wrap his arms around Ying Xi's neck, clinging to her like a boneless creature, pleading for comfort and adding insult to injury: "Your Majesty, please have mercy. General Xie has kept me completely under control all the way here. He won't even let me eat, he won't let me see you, and he hit me. It hurts so much!"
Xie Qianli: "..."
Prince Yong should be grateful that he is Xiao Xi's younger brother.
"Alright, it doesn't hurt anymore, get up." Ying Xi patted Prince Yong's back helplessly.
Prince Yong buried his high, straight nose in the crook of Ying Xi's neck, which was filled with a cool fragrance, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, and his nose trembled as he sniffed.
Cool!
What the hell is this bullshit about winning or losing? I dare to hug my brother, do you?
What good is your martial arts skill if you're so smug? You hypocrite, come at me!
Prince Yong had long known that Xie Qianli's predicament lay in his outward appearance of integrity and honesty. Xie had known the Emperor for ten years and harbored treacherous intentions for a long time, yet the court and the public still regarded him as a loyal minister and general.
Serves you right, keep pretending.
Ying Dang winked at Xie Qianli, his expression incredibly irritating.
Prince Yong took the opportunity to caress Ying Xi's shoulder blades. His hand shape was graceful and his movements were playful. His elder brother's bones were exquisite and his back lines were smooth.
Cool!
Xie Qianli frowned and stood up, intending to pull the unruly child away.
But before his hand could even touch Prince Yong, the brat became even more emboldened: "It hurts...don't touch me..."
Cool!
Although he was ordered to discipline Prince Yong, Prince Yong was still a prince in terms of status, and there is a principle in the world that one should not interfere with one's own relatives.
Xie Qianli's heart pounded, and he subtly observed Ying Xi.
Ying Xi had already pushed Prince Yong away, and after coaxing him for a few words, she said in a calm tone, "Sit down. What rabbit food or tiger food? It's a blessing to have food to eat while marching. Don't be picky."
Prince Yong pleaded, "It hurts, brother, punish him."
Ying Xi: "Not only can he discipline you, but he can also find time to instruct you. Why should I punish Xie Qing?"
His attempt to slander Yong failed, and Yong, who had been favored by his elder brother since childhood, was once again abandoned by his brother.
Prince Yong's heart skipped a beat!
And look at that guy surnamed Xie, you hypocrite, are you going to plead for justice?
You plead your case, I'll play the victim; let's see who can win.
However, the hypocrite offered no explanation, adopting an attitude of "the innocent are innocent, so be it," truly a hypocrite.
Xie Qianli didn't expose Prince Yong because his mind was already overloaded.
He recalled how, many years ago, he had used the strategy of alienating Emperor Yuantai and his shadow by maintaining a detached relationship.
Now that it was Yong Wang's turn to frame her, Xiao Xi didn't even ask any questions and completely ignored Yong Wang's false accusations.
Xie Qianli felt as if he had a piece of maltose in his mouth, with sweet juice oozing from his lips and teeth. His beloved's favoritism hadn't been explicitly stated, and the fireworks in Xie Qianli's heart bloomed once more into a magnificent tapestry.
The truth between him and Prince Yong is not important, so why make things difficult for Xiao Xi?
The tension between the two has subsided somewhat.
The chopsticks made a soft sound as the vegetables on the plate gradually disappeared.
After finishing her meal, Hua Ling reached into the fruit plate and selected loquats from among several kinds of fruit. She peeled the fresh fruit with her fair and delicate fingertips, and the golden loquats gradually revealed their soft and creamy flesh.
Hua Ling said, "Please have some fruit, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty cannot eat out."
"You're meddling in a lot of things. Here, little sister, let me have one first."
Prince Yong, used to being a playboy, had never peeled a loquat before. He took the loquat and bit into it himself. The loquat peeled by the pretty girl seemed to be even sweeter than the original loquat.
Prince Yong exclaimed, "Delicious! Excellent fruit! Your Majesty, please try some!"
Loquat moistens the lungs and is beneficial for throat recovery. Prince Yong has essentially tested the poison for everyone.
Xie Qianli washed his hands with a handkerchief and peeled the loquat.
Prince Yong believed he knew exactly what the vicious dog was thinking and how clumsy its attempts to please him were.
Prince Yong did not know how to peel loquats.
He can rip a loquat apart.
But the Xie fellow shouldn't even think about trying to curry favor!
Prince Yong took a big bite of loquat flesh and said sarcastically, "You have to control what the general eats, whether he eats outside or not, and even what young girls offer him fruit. Is there anything you don't control?"
"Will you interfere if my imperial brother takes a concubine, or if he goes to the emperor's bed? Will you interfere if he takes this young lady away to be my little sister-in-law?"
Xie Qianli slowly froze.
His silver armor made him look like an ice statue, the candlelight reflecting off his body and giving him a frosty appearance.
Hua Ling hurriedly knelt down: "Your Highness, please be careful with your words! This humble woman would not dare!!!"
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