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

Chapter 118 Just a minor injury

"Lu Fang is definitely not stupid. He wouldn't trust my words easily, but after meeting Master, he no longer has any doubts."

Tang Ling thought, Gu Shanmo had been renowned in the martial arts world for decades, so he must be no ordinary man. To be revered as the foremost swordsman of the Chen State, he truly deserved the title of "highly respected." Since Gu Shanmo was Bai Xiqiao's master, he must have had a close relationship with Bai Liu. As a military commander, Lu Fangjin had a deep respect for martial arts swordsmanship and a deep admiration for the renowned general Bai Liu. Tang Ling had clashed with Lu Fangjin before and knew his temperament. It was only natural for Lu Fangjin to help Qi Xiao at that moment.

Qi Xiao continued, "Lu Fangjin was ordered to suppress the bandits. Since Hanchen Sect and Master weren't bandits, there must be real bandits hiding in the mountains. With Bai Xiqiao and I leading the way, and Lu Fangjin's Tiger Power Army, we actually found the bandits' den in the mountains and eliminated three of their sentries in a row. By this time, Nie Guangli also realized that Lu Fangjin was not someone he could use, but would bring disaster to the country, so he wanted to kill Lu Fangjin as well."

Tang Ling sighed softly and shook her head slightly. Whether it was the State of Chen or the Great Zhou, selfish and treacherous people were everywhere. In the face of power and interests, they were evil spirits and Shuras, but not human beings.

"Lu Fangjin brought his own men to Fenglin Mountain, but he never expected to be assassinated during the march. There was actually a traitor among his own men."

Tang Ling suddenly understood why Qi Xiao hid him in a cave for a night when he rescued him in Tiger's Mouth Gorge, and did not dare to hand him over to the Tiger Power Army. It turned out that the traitor in the army was not an excuse.

“The Lu family is also a prestigious aristocratic family in Yuanjing City, but his father died early. If it weren’t for Lu Fangjin’s military achievements, he and his mother would not have a high status in the Lu family.

Lu Fangjin, a man of learning, sought to honor his deceased father and mother, diligently studied from a young age, excelling in both civil and military skills. He joined the army as a teenager, serving under General Fu. With the guidance of a renowned general and mentor, and the support of the Lu family, his career was relatively smooth. Envious of Lu Fangjin, he found himself surrounded by those within the military. However, the assassination attempt left Lu Fangjin more heartbroken than angry.

Although we didn't manage to capture any of them alive, we did realize that these bandits were no ordinary thieves; some of them were quite skilled."

Having said this, Qi Xiao suddenly stopped, slowly drank a sip of tea, and waited for a while. Uncle Liu came in to serve them noodle soup and added two hot dishes to their order.

After Uncle Liu walked away, Qi Xiao continued, "Lu Fangjin was attacked, and Nie Guangli was not idle at all. After Lu Fangjin met Master, I secretly hid Master in Yongcheng. I thought that once we left Yuanzhou, Nie Guangli's evil hands would be out of reach. However, I didn't expect that the former Fuzhou prefect Du Xianwei and Nie Guangli had somehow colluded with each other, and he even found Master's hiding place. The Fuzhou government soldiers surrounded and attacked Master with powerful crossbows. Although Master managed to escape, he was still seriously injured. When Bai Xiqiao and I rushed back to Fuzhou to find Master, that injury... that injury..."

Qi Xiao gritted his teeth and couldn't continue speaking. He clenched his fists, and the anger and hatred in his heart increased compared to a year ago.

Seeing Qi Xiao’s red eyes, Tang Ling couldn’t help but feel distressed. She stood up, walked to him and hugged him.

"...I'm really useless! I couldn't save Master! To this day, I still don't know who was plotting to murder Master! I couldn't avenge Master!"

Qi Xiao was deeply afraid of this powerlessness, like a nightmare he had since childhood. He could do nothing, he could not do anything. Without freedom, he could only accept his fate and be cautious as a child. Without strength, he could only watch his mother being bullied and his master dying in front of him... He returned to Yuanjing City, and once again had to watch his mother lingering on her sickbed, her illness getting worse and worse, and he still could not save her.

"It's not your fault, it's not." Tang Ling whispered softly in Qi Xiao's ear, "It's not your fault."

Qi Xiao hugged Tang Ling very tightly. He couldn't let go of Tang Ling. He couldn't bear the loss. He would die.

"I'm here, I'm here." Tang Ling also hugged Qi Xiao tightly. He could feel him trembling, afraid, angry, and resentful. Qi Xiao had been sensible since childhood, and he had to endure more than he should have. The stronger he was, the more fragile he became, and the lonelier he became, the more emotional he became.

Mid-Autumn Festival is supposed to be a festival for family reunions, but some people wandering among the crowds under the moonlight don’t know where to go.

Tang Ling entered Chen as a hostage, and her return home was nowhere in sight.

Qi Xiao's home should be in Yuanjing City. After all, all those who are related to him by blood are here. However, the towering city wall once separated him from his mother for thousands of miles. The gloomy square city made him want to escape.

"Thank you for spending Mid-Autumn Festival with me." Qi Xiao took Tang Ling's hand and walked slowly down the street, watching the colorful lanterns, the bustling voices, and the bright moon along the way.

Qi Xiao's mood had calmed down a lot, as if he had mixed all his sadness into the noodle soup. If it weren't for the wound on his hand that couldn't heal in a short time, one wouldn't have been able to tell that he was so angry and resentful.

"How did you celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in the past?"

Qi Xiao lowered his head and said softly, "I'll spend it with Master, Bai Xiqiao, and Zong Sheng."

Gu Shanmo had passed away during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. Qi Xiao went to Gu Shanmo's grave alone in the middle of the night with some wine and drank until he was drunk. In the end, he was carried back to the palace by Bai Xiqiao and Zong Sheng.

Tang Ling held Qi Xiao's hand, her fingertips rubbing the gauze bandaged on the wound. Waves of heartache spread from her fingertips to the depths of his heart. Tang Ling looked up at Qi Xiao. Could he share even a little bit of the pain? At least take away the new wound on his palm?

"It's just a minor injury. It doesn't hurt." Qi Xiao glanced back, raised his hand and gently scratched Tang Ling's cheek, and smiled softly, "But if you keep pinching it so hard, it will still hurt."

"From now on, I will accompany you." Tang Ling pursed her lips, as if she had made a difficult decision.

Tang Ling looked at Qi Xiao, remembering the first time she met him, that arrogant man; remembering the first time she saw him kill someone, that cold and sharp man; remembering him half-naked, that playful and seductive man; remembering the man who stood guard by the flowers late at night, that willful and stubborn man; remembering the man who was gentle and infatuated by her pillow at night... The scenes became clearer and clearer, like the lanterns on this long street surrounding Tang Ling, all the lights reflected on Qi Xiao, bright and hot, pulling Tang Ling in the dark night and rushing towards him.

"I'll spend Mid-Autumn Festival with you." Tang Ling leaned against Qi Xiao's arms and repeated it repeatedly.

Before, Qi Xiao had been forcing Tang Ling to respond and agree. Finally, when Tang Ling finally said it herself, Qi Xiao burst into laughter. He really wanted to pick him up and shout loudly for everyone to hear. He also wanted to take him back quickly and press him into the soft quilt to eat him up.

But Qi Xiao held back and just couldn't help laughing. He kept laughing, holding Tang Ling's hand all the way, laughing like a kid who was having fun.

Qi Xiao's mood at this moment was as clean and refreshed as if he had just been washed by a heavy rain. He must get to the bottom of his master's affairs, and he will never let go of the people around him at this moment.

"Where are you taking me?"

"There will be fireworks at midnight, so now is the perfect time to go and see them."