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

Chapter 153 This is not funny at all!

Tang Ling was stunned for a moment before she said, "How did I lie?" What did Qi Xiao know? He had been guarding the casket at Xixing Palace for the past few days. He had no spies in Yuanjing City, and Pei Hao, Cao Weishan, and Lu Fangjin hadn't been there either. Could it be that Chi Yue had said something?

Qi Xiao smiled, a smile that was somewhat forced, bitter, and a bit melancholic. He put his arm around Tang Ling's waist, pulled her close, and kissed her gently. He said, "You don't have to think about me in everything. Don't hide things from me... I'm afraid I'm not perceptive enough, not smart enough. I'm afraid I'll make another mistake by oversight, by not being able to make it in time, or by not being able to take care of things... Tang Ling, I need you to trust me, so that I can trust myself, and so that I can keep you."

Tang Ling watched Qi Xiao's heartache wash over him. He didn't know what he could do for him, how to comfort him. Words seemed inadequate, even meaningless. Tang Ling wrapped her arms around Qi Xiao's neck, tilted her head back, and kissed him on the lips. No matter what, he was by Qi Xiao's side at this moment. He didn't say anything. Unbeknownst to him, he had already placed Qi Xiao at the top of his heart, before everything else and everyone else. He was the one and only, the most important person.

The two of them clung to each other for a long time before separating. Qi Xiao lifted Tang Ling's chin, smiled faintly, and asked, "Are you trying to fool me and stop me from asking further questions by using this method to silence me?"

Qi Xiao suddenly teased Tang Ling, which made him stunned for a moment, as if the Qi Xiao of the past had returned and everything was back to normal.

Qi Xiao took advantage of Tang Ling's daze and pecked him again: "Let's talk about it when we get back."

After just a few days of absence, Yangxizhai seemed extremely desolate and deserted. As soon as Qi Xiao came back, the whole yard immediately became bustling with activity.

"The kitchen has cooked ginseng and deer antler chicken soup and prepared your favorite side dishes. Do you want to bring them inside or have them in the side hall?"

Qi Xiao had no appetite. He shook his head and said to Bai Xiqiao, "Thank you, Senior Brother. I don't have much of an appetite. Just give me a bowl of soup."

Bai Xiqiao glared at Qi Xiao and said, "You have no appetite, and you won't eat. Are you going to let Master Tang starve with you?"

In recent days, in order to force Qi Xiao to eat, Bai Xiqiao has been bringing up Tang Ling at every turn, and it has always worked.

Qi Xiao glanced at Tang Ling secretly. He was caught by Tang Ling and felt a little guilty for some reason. Before he could change his words, he heard Tang Ling say, "Brother Bai, please bring it into the room."

Tang Ling was not much younger than Bai Xiqiao. He was the eldest son of Marquis Xun'an of the Great Zhou Dynasty, while Bai Xiqiao was just a commoner and a wanderer in the world. He could never bear Tang Ling calling him "Brother Bai". However, it was reasonable for Qi Xiao to call Bai Xiqiao "Senior Brother", and Tang Ling believed that it was his due.

Bai Xiqiao had never thought that he could get close to Tang Ling before. He had tried to persuade Qi Xiao earnestly before, and Qi Xiao would jump ten feet high whenever Tang Ling was mentioned. Unexpectedly, in just a few days, he got used to her so quickly and really treated Tang Ling as his own.

"Okay. I've already asked for hot water for washing."

"Thank you, Brother Bai."

Bai Xiqiao sighed and left Qi Xiao to Tang Ling.

Tang Ling poured Qi Xiao a cup of hot tea and asked, "What did you eat today?"

"Ok?"

"Looks like you didn't eat it?"

"…I don't have much appetite."

Tang Ling reached out and touched Qi Xiao's cheek: "You've lost a lot of weight. You can't go on like this."

Qi Xiao pulled Tang Ling closer, snuggled into his arms, and nodded slightly: "I know. Today is the last day. I promise you, starting tomorrow, I will pack up and cheer up."

Tang Ling gently stroked Qi Xiao's shoulders and pursed her lips. In fact, she hoped that Qi Xiao would not be so sensible. He could make a fuss, worry, cry, go crazy, and vent all the grievances and hatred in his heart, instead of forcing himself to mature like now.

More than a year ago, when Gu Shanmo got into trouble, Qi Xiao was still able to kill his enemy and avenge himself. Now he can't do anything. This is the most painful, bitter and torturous thing.

Qi Xiao closed his eyes and calmed down. He knew very well that he would not and could not leave Yuanjing. He was unwilling and unwilling to tolerate all this, allowing his mother to suffer grievances for many years and then die in such an unclear way.

Before doing anything, he first needed to survive in Yuanjing City and accumulate strength, so he could find an opportunity to strike back. He could do it, just like when he first arrived in Fuzhou at the age of ten. The difference was that at the age of ten, he was alone, with only Zong Sheng by his side. Now he had Tang Ling and Baixiqiao, and he was no longer a child who could be bullied at will.

Qi Xiao hugged Tang Ling for a while, then suddenly let go of her hand and pushed Tang Ling away slightly.

"Knock knock." The next moment there was a knock on the door.

Tang Ling turned around and looked at the door, her face suddenly turned red, and she raised her hands to cover her face.

Qi Xiao was amused by Tang Ling's shy look. He stood up to open the door for Bai Xiqiao, took the food box from his hand, and did not let Bai Xiqiao in at all. He turned around and locked him outside.

Bai Xiqiao rolled his eyes and shook his head, treating this guy as if he were a daughter who had been married off and was no longer a thing.

Qi Xiao casually served Tang Ling some food and asked, "Can you tell me now what you didn't say in the carriage? What are you worried about? If it's about the peace talks and you can't talk about it, then just pretend I didn't ask."

Qi Xiao couldn't think of anything else that could bother Tang Ling right now, except for the peace talks. Qi Xiao had always been quiet about Tang Ling's affairs, but what Ning Wanxiao had said to Bai Xiqiao today had bothered him.

Why did Ning Wanxiao specifically ask Bai Xiqiao if he'd told him about His Majesty having the Taichang Temple match his horoscopes? Given the Tang family's status and circumstances, such a marriage was impossible, but did Ning Wanxiao's question indicate there might be more to the story?

Tang Ling took the ginseng soup from Qi Xiao and said, "Your Majesty wants to give the Fifteenth Princess a dowry of 100,000 black iron ore to facilitate my marriage to the Fifteenth Princess."

"One hundred thousand black iron ore?!" Qi Xiao was shocked. This was crazy! This wasn't a princess's marriage; it was almost like giving half of Yuanjing City to the Tang family! Could it be that the King of Zhou couldn't resist the temptation and agreed?!

Tang Ling sighed, "Let's put this matter off for now. I wonder how father and the emperor will react."

"I can't agree to this! Dachen only produces 50,000 tons of black iron ore annually. Where can we get 100,000 from?! This is clearly a scam! Tang Ling, you are mine!"

Qi Xiao spoke bluntly. Tang Ling was stunned when she heard it, and suddenly she covered her mouth and laughed. Which prince would dare to say that his father was "cheating"?

"This is not even funny!" Qi Xiao was anxious. One hundred thousand black iron ore clearly showed His Majesty's intentions. Even if Tang Ling tried to refuse, His Majesty wouldn't give up. If one hundred thousand black iron ore wasn't enough, then he could add other conditions. There was always something the Zhou Kingdom couldn't refuse. But Tang Ling was his! His! How could he marry the Fifteenth Princess?!

Tang Ling put down the soup bowl, stood up, hugged Qi Xiao, and leaned against his shoulder, laughing non-stop: "I'm very happy to see you worrying about me."

"This is no joke."

"I know. I've been upset for several days and couldn't think of any good solution. But after I told you just now, I suddenly feel better."