Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Chapter 154 I Will Die Ugly

"But what did you think of?"

Tang Ling smiled. "It's just a flash of inspiration, I guess. But I can't confirm it yet. I need to meet His Majesty first."

Qi Xiao was confused: "Huh? Can't you tell me now?"

Tang Ling handed the chopsticks to Qi Xiao with both hands: "Eat first."

While eating, Qi Xiao kept looking at Tang Ling. His chopsticks were moving, but he was only picking up food in the bowl and didn't remember to put it into his mouth.

Tang Ling poured a bowl of soup and handed it to Qi Xiao: "Shall I feed you?"

"……Need not."

"If you really don't want to eat, don't force yourself."

Qi Xiao looked up at Tang Ling and heard her say, "Shall we go get some noodles at Uncle Liu's? Or maybe some beggar's chicken?"

Qi Xiao was stunned. Tang Ling wouldn't suddenly want to eat beggar's chicken for no reason. Did she still remember that when they passed by Chuanyang Lake on their way back to Beijing from the north, Qi Xiao brought beggar's chicken on board but didn't share any with Tang Ling?

"You wouldn't hold a grudge against me for a beggar's chicken, would you?"

Tang Ling chuckled: "I'm not that stingy. I just thought, maybe you like it?"

Thinking about it carefully, Tang Ling didn't know what Qi Xiao liked and disliked to eat. He didn't seem to be picky about food. He enjoyed eating Liu Bo's clear soup noodles very much, but he must have some preferences.

Qi Xiao put down the soup bowl, put his arm around Tang Ling's waist, hugged her tightly, and whispered, "I'm sorry for making you worry."

Tang Ling held Qi Xiao in her arms, feeling as if only moments like these could truly dawn on her that Qi Xiao was no more than a teenager, someone who could rely on him, act like a spoiled child, and yearn for his embrace. And Tang Ling herself seemed to have involuntarily melted into a hot spring, the comfort so pleasurable that it made him lazy, nostalgic, and content.

"You have done nothing wrong to me. In fact, quite the opposite. I am grateful that you are by my side, allowing me to accompany you in your sorrow and sadness, and to share even the slightest bit of your pain."

"..." Qi Xiao was speechless when he looked at Tang Ling. He let him sit on his lap and hugged him tighter.

That night, Yangxizhai was very quiet, as if it was hidden in the dense drizzle, temporarily creating a piece of peace and tranquility from the chaotic Yuan capital.

Zong Sheng blew out the light, sat on the edge of the bed, and unconsciously held his breath to listen. He could only hear the sound of rain outside the house.

Chi Yue sat up, moved closer to Zong Sheng, and asked softly, "Why are you sitting there in a daze?"

Chi Yue suddenly came too close, and Zong Sheng couldn't help but be startled. He raised his hand to touch the burning ear: "No... nothing."

Chi Yue laughed silently and moved closer, resting his chin on Zong Sheng's shoulder and speaking into his neck: "Tang Ling is here, what are you worried about? Or is it because Tang Ling is here that you are worried?"

This was Tang Ling's first time staying at Yangxizhai. Zong Sheng didn't know whether to worry. Qi Xiao and Tang Ling seemed to be having an affair, but they didn't seem to be trying to hide it. What exactly was Qi Xiao planning? Tang Ling hadn't planned to leave in the first place, so she naturally stayed. She even stopped jumping up and down on Baixi Bridge and said nothing.

Zong Sheng glanced at Chi Yue cautiously, trying to hide but being held tightly by Chi Yue. And Chi Yue too, wasn't he His Majesty's man? How could he just "not care"?

"Zong Sheng, you don't want to eavesdrop on something, do you?" Chi Yue smiled slyly, his tone ambiguous, and his breath tickled Zong Sheng's neck, startling him so much that he subconsciously wanted to dodge and pushed him away.

"..." Chi Yue was stunned, frowned slightly, and slowly lowered his head pretending to be aggrieved and disappointed. He moved away quietly and slept on his side on the inside. His well-behaved behavior made Zong Sheng shocked and distressed.

"Uh..." Zong Sheng leaned forward and coaxed softly, "I didn't mean it."

"...It's okay, go to sleep." Chi Yue turned his back to Zong Sheng and didn't move.

Zong Sheng was a little flustered. He couldn't figure out Chi Yue's temper. When he said everything was fine, it was often not really fine, but he didn't know what to do.

Zong Sheng lay down next to Chi Yue, not daring to disturb him for fear of making him angry again. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out and pulled the corner of the quilt for Chi Yue.

Chi Yue originally wanted to scare Zong Sheng and tease him, but Zong Sheng's small action of pulling the quilt for him made him laugh and cry. What should he do with him?

Chi Yue couldn't bear it anymore, so he turned over and pressed on Zong Sheng's chest: "Don't hide."

Zong Sheng was startled and shook his head repeatedly: "...I won't hide."

Chi Yue poked his cheek and sighed: "Hey, you piece of wood!"

"I'm sorry." Zong Sheng stood stiffly, not knowing what to say except sorry.

Chi Yue sighed again, turned over, and rested his head on Zong Sheng's chest. He returned to Qi Xiao and Tang Ling and said, "Your Highness needs someone to take care of him now. Tang Ling knows her limits, so you don't have to worry."

Zong Sheng was stunned. He didn't expect Chi Yue to just let go of the little accident. If Chi Yue was just teasing him, he wouldn't have suddenly stopped mentioning it. He didn't want to talk about it, but rather because he cared.

Zong Sheng's heart clenched. He couldn't easily guess Chi Yue's thoughts, he just realized the problem. Zong Sheng gently raised his hand and stroked Chi Yue's forehead, as if testing.

"His Majesty sent you to my side. Don't you need to report these matters to His Majesty?"

Chi Yue took a deep breath and nudged Zong Sheng's hand slightly: "Your Majesty knows everything, there is no need for me to say anything more."

"Know?! How can His Majesty allow this if he knows?"

"Your Majesty's thoughts are not for me to guess."

"When did you know?" Zong Sheng found it unbelievable. If Chi Yue hadn't told him, how would His Majesty know?

"If I had to guess, it was probably during the hunting expedition at Baiyan Mountain."

"Are you also here during the hunt?"

Chi Yue nodded: "Yes."

"Disguised?"

Chi Yue didn't answer. Zong Sheng guessed that he must have changed his appearance, otherwise he would have recognized him at a glance. At that time, Chi Yue didn't know that Zong Sheng was following Qi Xiao. He probably changed his appearance not to avoid him, but perhaps to avoid Tang Ling?

Come to think of it, Zong Sheng had many questions he wanted to ask Chi Yue, but he didn't know where to start. Even if he asked, Chi Yue probably wouldn't answer.

"So, Master left Young Master Tang at Yangxizhai because there was no need to hide it?" Zong Sheng felt uneasy and asked, "You helped Young Master Tang sneak into the West Palace these past few days. Was that your own decision? Are you okay?"

Chi Yue shrugged slightly: "In the past, I would never do such a thing. It's too redundant and there is no benefit at all."

Not only Zong Sheng, Qi Xiao and Bai Xiqiao also thought so, but Chi Yue still helped, very consciously. Originally, they had never even thought of secretly bringing Tang Ling into the West Palace.

Chi Yue covered his face and chuckled: "Following His Highness, even I have become willful without realizing it." His greed for Zong Sheng and his kindness to Tang Ling and Qi Xiao were all...

Zong Sheng ruffled Chi Yue's hair and listened as Chi Yue added, "If Your Highness cannot inherit the throne, I will die a miserable death."

Zong Sheng's hands froze. He didn't have time to think that far. In the past, he didn't have to think about it at all. He just had to do whatever Qi Xiao wanted him to do. But Chi Yue's words frightened him.

Chi Yue laughed again: "Just teasing you."

Zong Sheng didn't believe it, so he quietly held Chi Yue's hand, which made Chi Yue laugh silently, and his previous melancholy disappeared.