That's what the emperor was thinking. He wasn't entirely stupid; in front of the imperial advisor, he protected the Daoist Bai Zhan.
He merely glanced at him with a cryptic look, then waved his hand and said, "Men, take this Taoist priest to the dungeon."
This time, Master Bai Zhan did not struggle, but before leaving, he gave Xi Xingxue a provocative look.
Xi Xingxue returned his gaze with disdain, which infuriated Daoist Bai Zhan.
However, it was this one glance that made Xi Xingxue realize that the emperor had probably taken Bai Zhan's words to heart and was preparing to keep him.
Tsk tsk, what a hassle.
That damned emperor, a fence-sitter.
He will make him understand the price of being disloyal.
The banquet came to an end, and it was late at night when everyone left. Xie Yin couldn't wait to go home with Xi Xingxue and share all the joy he had experienced.
However, a eunuch rushed up to Xi Xingxue and blocked his way: "Grand Preceptor, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."
The Crown Prince requests your presence?
Xi Xingxue narrowed his eyes. He had guessed that since he had disrupted Qi Jinzhao's plan, Qi Jinzhao would definitely come looking for him.
"Lead the way," Xi Xingxue said.
"Wait a minute, my lord." Xie Yin's beautiful eyebrows furrowed, her face full of unease and resistance: "This might be a trap."
Xi Xingxue said, "It's nothing."
Xie Yin didn't seem to relax his brow after saying that, but Xi Xingxue's voice softened a bit: "You...don't worry, I'll be back safely."
Seeing Xi Xingxue comfort him like this, Xie Yin felt a tenderness and sweetness in his heart. He looked at Xi Xingxue's beautiful eyebrows and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "As long as you kiss me, I won't worry."
Xi Xingxue was stunned.
Are you really going to push your luck like this?
Looking at the eunuchs still waiting for her not far away, Xi Xingxue thought for a moment, then raised her hand and kissed her finger, before pressing her fingertip to Xie Yin's lips.
When Xie Yin's lips were pressed by his slightly cool fingers, he shuddered, and his eyes welled up with emotion.
Xi Xingxue quickly moved her fingers away. "Okay, I'm going now."
Although he didn't actually kiss Xi Xingxue, his attitude made Xie Yin very happy.
He smiled as he watched Xi Xingxue walk away.
However, as soon as Xi Xingxue left, the smile on his lips vanished completely, and a cold light appeared in his dark eyes.
He walked over to a eunuch who was sweeping and whispered something to him.
Then, the eunuch followed him to a secluded corner where no one was around.
Xie Yin slipped him a silver ingot, and as he happily accepted it, Xie Yin suddenly reached out and knocked him unconscious with a single blow.
Soon after, a young eunuch with his head down, whose face was obscured, walked out of the corner.
Meanwhile, Xi Xingxue followed the eunuch who was leading the way to the East Palace.
"He's here," Qi Jinzhao muttered to himself calmly.
A voice said, "I know you led him into the secret room."
Qi Jinzhao: "You didn't lie to me about everything you've done, did you?"
The man calmly explained, "I won't lie to you, and I will give you the reward you were promised. It's you who has fallen for him."
Qi Jinzhao: "Ha... How could that be? You're just too worried about him, that's why you think everyone you meet will fall in love with you..."
As soon as the words were spoken, faint footsteps passed through the front hall and entered the room.
Qi Jinzhao and the voice in his mind remained silent.
Until a white figure appeared.
Xi Xingxue stepped into the hall, turned to look at the eunuch who had led the way and left, then looked at Qi Jinzhao: "What business does Your Highness have with me?"
On the surface, Xi Xingxue's attitude can hardly be described as respectful.
However, Qi Jinzhao didn't care anymore, after all, what he was about to do... was a very bold thing that would endanger Xi Xingxue.
Yes, harm.
He conspired with the 'god' deep within his body to trick Xi Xingxue into the teleportation array, causing him to leave this world. Wasn't that just endangering Xi Xingxue?
They didn't even ask for his opinion.
Seeing that Qi Jinzhao remained silent, only staring at her with his long, narrow phoenix eyes, Xi Xingxue frowned and walked over.
“Your Highness, please speak frankly. I’m not used to that kind of roundabout way. Our relationship can be completely open about.”
“You’re right.” Qi Jinzhao pondered for a moment, then realized something was amiss. “You think I brought Master Bai Zhan here? That I orchestrated this whole thing?”
Xi Xingxue's eyes flickered, somewhat surprised: "Isn't that right?"
It was as if he was asking, "Now that the truth has been revealed, what's the point of pretending?"
Qi Jinzhao chuckled faintly, "Master Bai Zhan is now the Second Prince's man. But it's also my fault. After bringing him to the capital, I didn't send someone to send him away in time, which gave the Second Prince an opportunity. Imperial Preceptor, you can blame me."
Upon hearing this, Xi Xingxue fell silent.
Through the bright yellow candlelight, he looked into Qi Jinzhao's warm-colored eyes and said, "Your Highness's temper has improved; you even have the heart to explain these things to me."
"It's fine if you don't believe me." Qi Jinzhao's voice carried a barely perceptible sigh.
Xi Xingxue was somewhat surprised by Qi Jinzhao's strange changes. She sighed? Helpless?
His character shouldn't be like this, is it... another plot hole?
That's how it happened last time; Qi Jinzhao stopped being like Qi Jinzhao.
"Imperial Preceptor." Qi Jinzhao told himself as much as he could, that he had to play the bad guy today, since he had no other choice.
There is a 'god' in his body, and the 'god' can possess his body, so he can only do this.
Xi Xingxue looked at him: "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
His pupils trembled slightly as he keenly sensed something was amiss.
Qi Jinzhao stared intently into Xi Xingxue's eyes. He admitted that, seeing Xi Xingxue with his own eyes, he simply couldn't bring himself to push him into the teleportation array and cause him to leave this world.
What puzzled him even more was that despite having so many "rebellious" thoughts, his body showed no reaction whatsoever.
Is it because we can no longer communicate with Xi Xingxue after she appears?
However, this conjecture cannot be confirmed yet, so Qi Jinzhao still chose to proceed to the next step, since escaping for the time being was certainly not a good idea.
Qi Jinzhao: "I called you here because I want to take you somewhere."
Xi Xingxue asked warily, "Where are we going?"
Qi Jinzhao: "You'll know when you get there."
Xi Xingxue didn't want to go.
However, Qi Jinzhao was already leading the way, and given her status, Xi Xingxue didn't seem to have any good reason to refuse him.
After thinking for a moment, he still followed Qi Jinzhao.
Qi Jinzhao led him out of the palace. The eunuchs and palace maids guarding the gate all bowed their heads and saluted in unison.
Qi Jinzhao remained silent and walked straight towards a side hall.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
