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

Chapter 132 He is Brother 9’s sweetheart

Tang Ling left the Imperial Palace and headed straight for the West Palace. Calculating the time, Concubine Lin and Qi Xiao should have arrived. Before leaving the guild hall that morning, Tang Ling had already arranged for Qing Lan to wait at the West Palace.

Qi Xiao showed Qing Lan the pulse chart for Concubine Lin. Qing Lan frowned, saying it was sloppily written and useless, and that he should take Concubine Lin's pulse himself. Qi Xiao wasn't surprised, but still furious, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Tang Ling knew nothing could comfort Qi Xiao; treating Concubine Lin was the key.

The carriage circled the imperial city walls for about an incense stick of time before the West Palace came into view in the distance. The West Palace was an expansion of the previous dynasty. Although it was connected to the imperial city and guarded by imperial guards, it was much easier to enter and exit. With a badge from the Prince of Chu, Tang Ling's carriage was allowed unimpeded passage.

Not long after Concubine Lin arrived, she was arranged to live in Cuiwei Palace. Although preparations had been made in the Westward Journey Palace, the palace servants still had many things to arrange and many things to do.

Tang Ling was led into the side hall to wait, and the palace maid went to inform Qi Xiao.

The maid brought tea, Tang Ling looked at her, the maid lowered her head and glanced at him, and was caught by Tang Ling.

Tang Ling stood up and bowed politely, "Greetings, Princess Xinshan."

The twelfth princess, Qi Fei, was given the title Princess Xinshan.

"Hey, do you recognize me?"

"I met Princess Xinshan on the day of the Moon Festival."

Although there were many people at the Moon Festival, there weren't many as pretty as Tang Ling, not to mention she had never seen one before. She recognized her when she came in just now. However, she was surprised that Tang Ling could remember her after just a quick glance.

"Well...Ninth brother didn't even notice that I followed him among the maids." The Twelfth Princess giggled.

"Isn't it inappropriate for the princess to leave the palace without permission?"

Since the Twelfth Princess had been recognized by Tang Ling, she no longer needed to pretend to be a maid. She simply sat down next to Tang Ling and drank the tea she was about to give to Tang Ling.

"The Westward Journey Palace is still considered the imperial palace, so it's fine." The Twelfth Princess pointed at Tang Ling and asked, "What are you doing here? Are you familiar with my Ninth Brother?"

Tang Ling smiled and said, "I was invited."

"Are you very familiar with my ninth brother? Did Concubine Lin invite you to come right after she moved into the West Palace? You're not a doctor."

"I do have a good doctor."

"Huh? That boy is your man? He doesn't look very reliable."

Tang Ling chuckled and said nothing more.

The Twelfth Princess wanted to continue to trick Tang Ling when Qi Xiao suddenly appeared at the door.

"Tang Ling... twelve?"

"Ninth Brother!" Princess Twelve jumped up, trotted to the door, and threw herself on Qi Xiao, "Ninth Brother, you haven't come to see me for so long since you returned to Yuanjing!"

"Twelve, why are you here?"

"If you don't come to me, I'll be the only one who can come to you!"

Qi Xiao glanced at Tang Ling and silently made the shape of "sorry" with his mouth. Tang Ling smiled and shook her head slightly, then replied to Qi Xiao with two words, "It's okay."

"You sneaked out like that, changing into a palace maid's clothes. The Empress Dowager must be looking for you anxiously."

The twelfth princess's biological mother, Concubine Yu, passed away early, so the twelfth princess was fostered in the empress dowager's palace. Although she lost her mother at a young age, she lived a free and easy life because of the empress dowager's favor and never suffered any grievances.

"I paid my respects to the Empress Dowager this morning. She wouldn't look for me without a reason."

Qi Xiao peeled Princess Twelve off his body and whispered, "Twelve, a princess must act like a princess."

"Ninth brother, don't you want to see me?" The twelfth princess curled her lips and acted coquettishly with a face full of grievance, "Fei'er misses ninth brother very much."

Qi Xiao gently touched the Twelfth Princess's head as he did when they were little, and said with a smile, "Be good."

The twelfth princess laughed and said, "Ninth brother, ever since you left Yuanjing, the palace has been so boring. No one plays with me, and no one teaches me homework. You don't know how many times I've been scolded by the Grand Tutor and how many times I've cried in secret!"

"The Grand Tutor has always liked you the most. If you are scolded, others will probably be scolded even worse."

The twelfth princess giggled and nodded: "It seems to be the case."

"Twelve, you should go back first. Brother Nine has guests here."

The twelfth princess glanced back at Tang Ling and sat back down. "I'm not leaving. I'm here to have lunch with Concubine Lin."

Qi Xiao looked at the Twelve Princesses and sighed slightly: "Thank you, Twelve, for taking care of my mother for me over the years."

The twelfth princess pursed her lips and lowered her head: "Ninth brother, I didn't do anything. I can't do anything."

Qi Xiao came over and rubbed her head.

Of all His Majesty's children, only Qi Fei grew up close to him. The Twelfth Princess lost her mother at a young age, and Concubine Lin felt deeply for her. Whenever she had time, she would make snacks and bring them to her when she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Over time, the little girl came to understand Concubine Lin's genuine kindness towards her, and naturally, she became even closer to Qi Xiao.

The twelfth princess looked up at Qi Xiao and asked a brilliant question: "Ninth brother, what is your relationship with Mr. Tang?"

Qi Xiao was stunned for a moment and looked at Tang Ling. Tang Ling was also looking at him, as if saying, "You can do whatever you want."

The Twelfth Princess's gaze moved back and forth between Qi Xiao and Tang Ling, finally fixing on Qi Xiao, waiting for his answer.

Qi Xiao said, "Twelve, can you keep this secret for me? Don't tell anyone."

The Twelfth Princess nodded readily: "Of course. When have I ever betrayed Ninth Brother since I was a child?!"

"He is Brother Nine's sweetheart."

"Ah?!" Princess Twelve suddenly turned to look at Tang Ling, "So you like my Ninth Brother too?!"

Tang Ling smiled and nodded. She looked up at Qi Xiao, surprised by his unequivocal answer. She couldn't help but feel delighted. While telling the Twelve Princesses wasn't necessarily a wise move, she really liked Qi Xiao's frankness. It seemed like no matter what, where, or whoever asked, he would always answer in this way, openly and confidently.

"Wow..." The Twelfth Princess was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, clapping her hands. "Hahahaha! That girl Qi Ming is going to be so mad! Good! Good!"

Qi Xiao and Tang Ling exchanged a look. They both knew that His Majesty had ordered the Taichang Temple to match the horoscopes of Tang Ling and the Fifteenth Princess. But if the Twelfth Princess knew about it, then the entire harem would definitely know about it, and so would the ministers in the court and the major families.

"Ninth brother, do you know that there have been rumors in the palace that Young Master Tang is incredibly talented and his appearance is even more stunning. Qi Ming has long wanted to meet him and even hid outside Chengming Palace to peek at him. After finally catching a glimpse of him from afar, she cried and made a fuss in Concubine Zhao's palace that day, insisting on marrying Young Master Tang!"

"So there's this?" Wasn't the marriage your majesty intended? No, perhaps your majesty also had this idea, but whether it was the fifteenth princess Qi Ming was not important.

"Of course not. Qi Ming has been arrogant since she was a child, and finally she can have a taste of what she wants but cannot get." This matter clearly had nothing to do with the Twelfth Princess, but when she saw that the Fifteenth Princess was unhappy, she couldn't help but feel happy.

Tang Ling chuckled.

The twelfth princess looked straight at Tang Ling and smiled, sighing inwardly. He was so handsome, and even prettier when he smiled. No wonder Qi Ming liked him. She turned to look at Qi Xiao and thought, no wonder Ninth Brother liked him. However, Qi Ming could ask Concubine Zhao and the Emperor for permission to marry him, but what about Ninth Brother?

Qi Xiao saw that the Twelfth Princess's face suddenly became gloomy, and her worries were clearly written on her face. He couldn't help but laugh softly: "Ninth Brother has his own plans, Twelve, you don't have to worry about it."

"Hmm? Is there a way? Tell me about it."

"Not yet."

"why?"

"The timing isn't right."

"I will keep it a secret for Brother Jiu."

"No."

"what?!"

"Twelve, can you go take care of my mother for me? I want to talk to Tang Ling alone for a while."

"Um... a whisper?"

Qi Xiao smiled and nodded.

"Ok."