"I heard Jingxuan is quite experienced in business. I have some questions, and I hope Jingxuan can answer them."
Zhou Siheng said, "Your Highness, your praise is unmerited. I have no business talent. This is all a misunderstanding."
"Oh?" Xu Jing raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze sweeping across Zhou Siheng's face. Seeing that he remained calm and composed, Xu Jing smiled and said, "But I heard that you wrote the plaque for the newly opened rouge shop in the west. Did I hear it wrong?"
"This is written by this humble official. I was forced to do this to repay a friend's kindness. This shop has nothing to do with me. I hope Your Highness will investigate this matter."
Xu Jing said with a half-smile, "Look at what Jingxuan said. When did I ever threaten or bribe you? I just like Jingxuan's talent and want to learn a few things. Don't you think Jingxuan will even give me face?"
Now Zhou Siheng realized that the King of Qin was not a fool. If he was really a fool, would he have blocked him into the alley with every word he said?
If he was really a fool, he would never make such a move step by step and try to make the dead chessboard alive.
But the King of Qin dug a pit and he had to jump into it.
Zhou Siheng said with a forced smile, "If that's the case, I'm being ungrateful."
"What are you talking about, Jingxuan? This prince and Jingxuan hit it off right away. This prince sincerely invited Jingxuan to drink. What's Jingxuan's fault?" Xu Jing grabbed his sleeve and said, "Let's go. If you go too late, you won't be able to watch the show."
Zhou Siheng silently withdrew his hand and said calmly, "Thank you, King Qin."
Under the management of Emperor Zhao, the Southern Liang Dynasty was safe and sound, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.
During the day, Beiping was a solemn and majestic imperial capital, while at night it became a bustling place of joy, singing and dancing. Its prosperity was even greater than that during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Such a prosperous area was engulfed in war a few years later, and completely turned into a battlefield for the rulers. It can be seen that prosperity is only temporary, and people should always be prepared for danger.
Zhou Siheng and Xu Jing traveled side by side, often observing this playboy. He was well-mannered, and while he saw a frivolous look on the young lady's face, he wasn't flirting. He was very different from the playboys Zhou Siheng had seen in the past.
At that time, the King of Qin had taken off his official uniform and changed into a long, green robe with a landscape pattern. His eyes were shimmering, and he was unparalleled in his handsomeness. He didn't look like a royal child with a noble bearing, but rather a dignified and elegant young man.
Zhou Siheng was so engrossed in watching that he was suddenly struck on the head by the folding fan. He covered the injured area and averted his gaze. "I am sorry for being rude."
"Jingxuan is so unreasonable. What is he looking at so intently? Could it be that he has set his eyes on some rich young lady?" Xu Jing put away his fan and said with a smile, "If there is anyone you like, tell me and I will help you."
"Your Highness, why do you tease me? I..." Zhou Siheng glared at him after being hit on the head again.
Xu Jing disagreed and explained, "It's so rare for me to come out, so don't call me that. If Jingxuan doesn't mind, you can call me Mingji."
"How dare I."
"Jingxuan, you're being polite. There's no need to be so formal when you're out and about. If you really can't bring yourself to call me Master Lin, just call me that."
Mr. Lin, do you take your mother's surname?
A look of astonishment lingered on his face for a moment, then he lowered his head. "Okay."
"We're here!" Xu Jing pointed at the plaque on the door. "Drunk Cloud Tower, the best restaurant in the capital."
Seeing the two men's extraordinary demeanor, the waiter hurried over to greet them. "Gentlemen, please come in."
"Waiter, please give me a top-notch private room."
The waiter was delighted. It seemed like a big customer had arrived today. "Okay, both of you, follow me. Watch your step."
As expected of a renowned dandy in the capital, he booked a night in a private room costing thousands of gold without blinking an eye. Zhou Siheng's eyes flickered with irony. It seemed he had overestimated the King of Qin. He was nothing more than a mediocre individual addicted to pleasure.
"Waiter, bring me your best wine. I want to drink with Jingxuan." Xu Jing took out a gold leaf from his wallet and tossed it to the waiter. The waiter smiled and said, "Okay, sir, please wait a moment."
Soon, the waiter brought the century-old wine and some snacks.
Xu Jing poured himself a drink, which was quite good. He then poured another for Zhou Siheng, who thanked him and drank from the glass.
"This wine is barely drinkable. It's far inferior to the sweet-scented osmanthus wine in my palace. Jingxuan, please come to my palace if you have the chance. I will definitely give you a warm welcome."
"Your Highness has invited me, and I dare not refuse. It is still late, and I am afraid my family will miss me, so I will take my leave now."
"Wait a minute." Xu Jing finally had a chance to be alone with Zhou Siheng, so how could he let it go so easily? Xu Jing grabbed his wrist. Zhou Siheng was furious at being caught, but his face didn't show any displeasure. "Please respect yourself, Your Highness."
Xu Jing checked his pulse and asked, "Have you been poisoned?"
"Your Majesty, you know how to treat a disease?" Zhou Siheng was surprised and replied, "How do you know I'm poisoned?"
"You look pale and thin, and you might appear malnourished, but in reality, you have a condition characterized by excess yin and insufficient yang. I believe Jingxuan has been poisoned for a long time, and the poison has already penetrated his lungs. I'm afraid he won't live many years."
"That's nonsense." Zhou Siheng, enraged, finally realized what it meant to speak ill of others. He bowed to Xu Jing and said, "It's my humble servant who doesn't know etiquette. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
"Well, since you don't believe it, I won't say anything."
Zhou Siheng asked: "When did the prince learn medicine?" He was different from the rumored King of Qin. Could it be that he was hiding his abilities?
Xu Jing laughed and retorted. "I can't do that. I can only read faces. I can tell from your face that Jingxuan needs to take good care of himself. If he gets tired, wouldn't that be a disadvantage for others?"
"Who is the other person the prince is talking about?"
"I heard that you and your brothers don't get along. If something happens to you, wouldn't it be the son of your stepmother who gets the chance?" Xu Jing said with a smile, "Don't be so suspicious. I heard everything about you from my ninth brother. For my ninth brother's sake, I won't do anything excessive to you, my love rival. But from now on, you won't meet my fiancée."
Zhou Siheng looked bewildered. "What did the prince say?"
"Come on, my ninth brother has already found out about you and Lin Wanru. Why are you still pretending to be confused with me?"
Xu Jing's folding fan fell on his head again, and Zhou Siheng laughed in anger. "This humble servant and Miss Lin are innocent, there is nothing wrong with us."
"Really? But I heard that you and Lin Wanru were alone in a room in the ruined temple. If not..."
"That's nonsense," Zhou Siheng said angrily. "I have no friendship with Miss Lin. How can Your Highness slander Miss Lin and me for no reason?"
"If it's really nothing, why are you so excited?" Xu Jing filled his glass and drank it all in one gulp. "I'm afraid someone is just too guilty to admit it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
