Chapter 621

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The boisterous and noisy sounds from the East Market drifted into the Wei Family Restaurant, and outside the glass windows, people flowed like a river.

Wang Xi looked at the prosperous scene in Qingzhou, feeling a mixed emotion. In his opinion, Qingzhou was now much more prosperous and lively than Chang’an.

Facing Zheng Hao’s somewhat agitated words, Wang Xi said in a deep voice, “At this point, this is the only way. We’ll find out what Xiao Ming is truly capable of by trying.”

Cui Zhang smiled. Wang Xi’s words meant that the three families had reached a consensus. He said, “In that case, we should quickly return and prepare for this allied army.”

Wang Xi and Zheng Hao nodded.

The three returned to pack their belongings and headed out of Qingzhou City. However, upon reaching the South Gate, they were immediately stopped by the guarding soldiers.

“Chief Grand Secretary Pang has given an order! The city is currently searching for Wei spies, and all outsiders are prohibited from leaving the city!” The South Gate commander said solemnly.

Their carriage was stopped, and Wang Xi and the other two disembarked. Seeing this, Cui Zhang angrily said, “You blind dog! I am the Crown Prince of Yan! How does your search for Wei spies concern me? Release us at once!”

A hint of hidden worry flashed in Wang Xi’s eyes. He remained silent, while Zheng Hao stood beside Cui Zhang. He echoed, “We are the envoys of Prince Zhao, Prince Yan, and Prince Liang! Do you dare to stop us? Are you courting death?!”

The city gate commander had already received Pang Yukun’s order. He repeated, “I don’t care what kind of envoys you are! No one can leave Qingzhou City until the search is over!”

“Heh, today I insist on leaving the city! What can you do to me?” Cui Zhang was accustomed to acting unbridled in Yan. Today, he was already full of pent-up anger from Xiao Ming’s words. He ordered his accompanying guards, “Out of the city!”

The Yan guards, hearing this, immediately drew their swords and charged towards the gate.

At this moment, the South Gate commander’s eyes darkened. He waved his hand, and the guards at the city gate immediately aimed their muskets at the group. A conflict was about to erupt.

Seeing that things were going badly, Wang Xi immediately stopped Cui Zhang. He said, “Crown Prince, haven’t you realized yet? This is probably at Prince Qi’s instruction. Now that our three families have decided to attack Qi, he’s probably trying to keep us in Qingzhou City for a few more days.”

Cui Zhang’s eyes darted around upon hearing this. He suddenly realized something and said with some alarm, “Will Prince Qi kill us?”

“When two countries are at war, envoys are not executed. If Prince Qi wanted to kill us, he would have acted long ago. Crown Prince, you need not worry,” Wang Xi advised. “It’s better to have your men put away their weapons, otherwise, while your life won’t be in danger, physical suffering will probably be unavoidable.”

“Ah!” Cui Zhang and Zheng Hao exchanged glances. Zheng Hao also nodded to him.

With his head slumped, Cui Zhang shouted at the Yan guards, “Who told you to be so rude? Put away your weapons!”

The soldiers immediately retreated upon hearing this.

The three men looked at each other, all feeling some regret. If they had known they would become hostages in the blink of an eye, they would never have come as envoys to Qingzhou. But since things were this way, they could only accept it.

Returning with their accompanying officials, the three then went to the government office again. This time they were turned away, with the government attendants merely telling them that Pang Yukun was out on business and not in the government office.

Prince Qi’s mansion.

Xiao Ming had been back for an hour. At this time, the princely estate’s kitchen was preparing the midday banquet. As he had told Fei Yuer yesterday, he was meeting Xiao Ziyan this afternoon to discuss the marriage alliance.

While he was waiting, the city gate guards came to the princely estate and informed Xiao Ming about blocking the three men, Cui Zhang and his companions.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming sneered twice and sent the guards back to tell the commanders of the four city gates to keep a close watch on the gates.

As soon as he had finished explaining this matter, a familiar sound suddenly came from outside the main hall. Hearing this sound, Xiao Ming smiled. It was indeed Xiao Ziyan.

Sure enough, shortly after, Xiao Ziyan, dressed in a cyan brocade robe, appeared calmly outside the main hall. Fei Yuer accompanied him into the hall.

“Seventh Brother!” Xiao Ziyan greeted Xiao Ming with a raised hand and a clear laugh.

Xiao Ming and Xiao Ziyan were both still princes, so their etiquette was simple.

“Ninth Brother!” Xiao Ming also smiled. Among the many princes, his relationship with Xiao Ziyan was the closest. Firstly, there was the connection through Fei Yuer, and secondly, Xiao Ziyan had never participated in the struggle for the throne.

Simply put, he was a very clean prince. Precisely because of this, he trusted Xiao Ziyan very much. Sometimes, the reason he paid attention to what Xiao Ziyan was doing was simply because he didn’t want him to become someone like the Third Prince.

Although emperors are said to be ruthless, who wouldn’t want a trustworthy brother? Now, he finally understood Xiao Wenxuan’s conflicted feelings at that time.

He dutifully helped Fei Yuer sit down beside Xiao Ming, then Xiao Ziyan sat in his own seat. He asked, “Seventh Brother, you specifically called me here today, so you must have something to tell me, right?” Xiao Ziyan still looked as calm as a spring breeze.

Ever since the chaos in Chang’an, he had accompanied his Imperial Mother to Qingzhou. There, he witnessed a world different from Chang’an, and after understanding it, he became completely immersed in various books.

In Chang’an, he was already an uninhibited figure. Now, coming into contact with different students and books, he was like a wild horse without a bridle.

Xiao Ming nodded and gestured to Fei Yuer. Fei Yuer then said, “Speaking of which, this is a happy occasion. His Highness has arranged a marriage for you.”

“A marriage?” Xiao Ziyan was startled. Although surprised, he understood that only Xiao Ming could arrange his marriage now.

“I passed through the Sanmyo Kingdom this time, and the King of Sanmyo expressed interest in a marriage alliance with the Great Yu Empire. After much thought, it seems only you, an imperial prince, are suitable?” Xiao Ming said.

“This foolish brother has heard of the King of Sanmyo. But wouldn’t it be better for Seventh Brother to take the King of Sanmyo’s daughter as his consort, making the King of Sanmyo feel more at ease?”

Xiao Ziyan looked puzzled.

Before Xiao Ming could speak, Fei Yuer chastised him, “Nonsense! In the current situation of the Great Yu Empire, only His Highness can look after you. As the saying goes, ‘an elder brother is like a father.’ His Highness has his reasons for having you marry the King of Sanmyo’s daughter. Moreover, if His Highness were to take a consort, it wouldn’t be the King of Sanmyo’s turn; the Princess of Huainan would be the first choice.”

“Yes, yes, I had forgotten that.” Xiao Ziyan shook his head. He said, “Thank you, Seventh Brother, for your great kindness!”

Xiao Ming’s expression was awkward. Fei Yuer’s sudden mention of the Prince of Huainan caught him off guard, as Pang Yukun had also mentioned this matter in the government office today.

However, with Xiao Ziyan present, he found it inconvenient to ask Fei Yuer about it. So he said to Xiao Ziyan, “Ninth Brother, you need not worry. This daughter of the King of Sanmyo will only be your secondary consort. In the future, your Seventh Brother will surely choose another beautiful bride for you.”

“Thank you, Seventh Brother,” Xiao Ziyan said, bowing. For him, Xiao Ming’s words were an imperial edict, not to be defied.