Qi Yunxiao entered the study with the letter he had just finished reading, only to be met with the Emperor's furious face, while Consort Rong calmly ate an apple to the side.
"What do you suggest? I'll do as you say." Qi Yunxiao bowed and obeyed.
His Majesty the Emperor was somewhat soothed by Qi Yunxiao's decisive attitude, and he was not so angry anymore.
After thinking for a moment, the emperor sneered, "I and Consort Rong will go to Liuli Island for a stroll and make room for that Prince Heng who has the world in his heart."
Qi Yunxiao obeyed and immediately beckoned his personal guards to arrange the boats. At the same time, he wrote a letter to Tan Wanchun on Liuli Island, asking him to prepare accommodations for His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possible.
"Find out for me clearly that if he's here seeking a place to settle down, then so be it; but if he wants to borrow troops from you..." You understand.
"Your subject understands!"
When His Majesty the Emperor refers to himself as "朕" (zhen), he is the Son of Heaven.
At this point, Qi Yunxiao, being an illegitimate son whose identity is not particularly respectable, cannot position himself as a son, but merely as a subject.
His Majesty the Emperor led Consort Rong away, and not long after, Qi Yunxiao also met Prince Heng, whom he had never met before.
Heng Wang is almost thirty years old this year, which is several years older than Qi Yunxiao.
Therefore, upon meeting, Prince Heng grasped Qi Yunxiao's hand and exclaimed with tears in his eyes, "Brother, I am counting on you!"
Qi Yunxiao was stunned for a moment: What? You know about my affair with the emperor?
Prince Heng was naturally unaware of this; it was merely a pretense of humility and a way to make Qi Yunxiao feel that he valued him highly.
He used to ignore him, but now Qi Yunxiao is someone he can no longer reach.
Of course, Qi Yunxiao wouldn't reveal the slightest hint of it on his face.
So the room that His Majesty the Emperor had just stayed in was given to Prince Heng to stay in.
After Prince Heng finished washing up and tidying himself up, he sat neatly and elegantly in his study. Qi Yunxiao and Shen Zhongyi both paid their respects respectfully.
After the guests and host took their seats and exchanged pleasantries, Prince Heng appeared somewhat conflicted, as he seemed unable to let go of his pride while simultaneously forcing himself to be humble.
With the cooperation of Qi Yunxiao and his son-in-law Shen Zhongyi, after some investigation, they finally learned the whole story.
It turns out that Prince Heng was tricked by Prince Gong. After Prince Gong's side used up all the cards in his hand, he had no one to rely on.
Left with no other option, the court officials pondered the matter one by one, and finally came up with the idea of Qi Yunxiao.
It is common knowledge that Qi Yunxiao has the Dragon Guard under his command, as well as the not-so-old veteran Shen Zhongyi and many elite personal guards.
If he wants to turn the tide, Qi Yunxiao has the troops, he has the money, and he has the general leading the troops...
It has all the essential elements for rebellion!
So Prince Heng ran all the way here.
However, when Prince Heng spoke of rebellion, he naturally didn't say it that way.
Prince Heng looked earnestly at Qi Yunxiao and Shen Zhongyi: "My lords, I have come all this way to prevent the country from falling into the hands of traitors. If you two can lead the army to the capital to quell the rebellion, I believe that when my father returns, he will surely remember your great merit!"
Qi Yunxiao and Shen Zhongyi exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly.
To speak of rebellion in such a refined and righteous way, Prince Heng certainly has some skill.
Shen Zhongyi coughed, clutching his chest, "I dare not deceive Your Highness, Prince Heng. Since my injury in the capital, I have not fully recovered, and I especially cannot be overworked..."
So Your Highness, I cannot do it!
Qi Yunxiao was embarrassed to be so hypocritical, so he cupped his hands and asked, "I wonder if Prince Heng's actions are guided by His Majesty's decree?"
Prince Heng: "...Not yet."
“I have already sent someone to ask my father for an imperial edict. Unfortunately, when I set off, my father had not yet given me the edict. I suppose I was in such a hurry that I missed it. We will surely see it when we return to the capital.”
Qi Yunxiao bowed again: "If that's the case, without His Majesty's decree, please forgive us for being unable to go to the capital to quell the rebellion."
"How can you two be so bound by formalities? The situation is extremely critical right now..." Prince Heng was very anxious and hurriedly tried to use PUA again.
Qi Yunxiao said solemnly, "It is precisely because the situation in the capital is so turbulent that we, as officials from outside the capital, should not easily interfere, otherwise it will easily cause misunderstandings among the people. If people think that we are the real rebels, then we will be unable to explain ourselves no matter how hard we try!"
Prince Heng: "..." Could it be that I was too hasty, making them wary?!
So Prince Heng slowly calmed himself down and tried to make his gaze sincere: "If the two of you can go to the capital to quell the rebellion as soon as possible, that would be the best, but if the two of you do not go... Father can take care of everything when he returns from the medical hut."
This time, Qi Yunxiao and Shen Zhongyi both cupped their hands in greeting: "That's exactly right."
Prince Heng: "I wonder what this island looks like now?"
Since you've changed the subject, let's talk things over.
Qi Yunxiao and Shen Zhongyi then accompanied him on a tour of the entire island.
Whale Fall Island wasn't very big, and we finished exploring it in no time. After that, Prince Heng was treated to a sumptuous dinner.
The more lavish the dinner, the colder the heart of Prince Heng became.
Qi Yunxiao and his companions are living such a happy life here, no wonder they are unwilling to return to the capital with me to rebel.
There has never been only one victor on the path to heaven; every time, it has been a bloodbath.
It's fine if they're unwilling to be pawns...
After dinner, His Highness Prince Heng conceded again: "The two of you are living such a happy life now, I imagine you wouldn't be so carefree even if you returned to Daqi, and it wouldn't be appropriate to trade with foreign countries so openly..."
Shen Zhongyi nodded repeatedly: "Exactly! Exactly..."
"I suppose you two are making a lot of money from this business? I've heard that you've made quite a bit of money just from selling glass pieces."
Shen Zhongyi continued with a smile: "It's alright! It's alright..."
"We don't know when Father will return after this rebellion is quelled. I can't just stand by and watch Prince Gong so brazenly seize power. I will go even if it means facing a million enemies!"
Shen Zhongyi looked on with admiration: "I admire you! I admire you..."
"I wonder how much money you two have at your disposal? Could you... lend me two hundred thousand taels to quell the rebellion?"
Shen Zhongyi looked miserable: "Your Majesty, we used to be very wealthy, but a few days ago, we acquired a large area of farmland on another island and invested in two streets in a foreign land..."
Anyway, I'm really poor, so you can't mess with me.
Before Prince Heng could get angry, Qi Yunxiao instead advised him with a righteous expression: "Anyway, His Majesty will definitely take care of this matter. If you ask me, Your Highness, it is still dangerous for you to go back now. Why don't you wait here for another ten days or half a month before going back? I think His Majesty will have taken down the rebels by then?"
Prince Heng: "..."
If I go back in ten days or half a month, I won't even be able to get any soup!
Maybe His Majesty will be killed and Prince Gong will ascend the throne. In that case, I will really be left to live out my days on this island!
Are you willing to accept this?
Of course I'm not willing to accept this!
So Prince Heng had no choice but to think of another way...
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