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

Chapter 163: It’s a good thing that His Highness is seasick

The road back to Fuzhou seemed much smoother than the one leading here. It was clearly the same route, yet Qi Xiao felt relaxed and happy. Tang Ling, of course, was even more so. He had been shackled, a prisoner, a hostage who had faced repeated assassination attempts. He had been injured and sick along the way, not only fearful but also humiliated. Qi Xiao had played an indispensable role in this.

When they came here, Qi Xiao and Tang Ling could never have foreseen that in just a few months they would actually return the same way, and they would return hand in hand together.

They were like geese returning south, carrying the late autumn wind, passing over the calm waters of the Qin River and drifting downstream.

Qi Xiao has been on a boat three times in his life. The first two times were worse than death, but this time he was so happy that he didn't want to leave. He wished the boat would go slower and drift for a few more days.

Qi Xiao was still seasick, very dizzy, lying on the bed, as if only by holding Tang Ling could he breathe more evenly.

Qi Xiao rested his head on Tang Ling's legs, a Qinglan-made sugar pill in his mouth, listening to Tang Ling read to him from the same book, "Records of Mountains and Rivers." He thought about how they would one day visit the places mentioned in the book: climb the ancient Tongtian Road on Hanyang Mountain and see the Heavenly Palace; sit in the birch forest of Chen Mountain, roasting charcoal and sipping fragrant tea, waiting for the snow to fall; in early spring, the snow melted and the ice cracked in the upper reaches of the Chaoyun River, and the streams were filled with shimmering golden sands; and in the Great Zhou, the Yunjing Thousand Lakes Tourmaline Cold Flower Pool and the awe-inspiring stone crystal wall in the Linghui Mountain of Qi State...

They went wherever Tang Ling read, like clouds, which had nothing to rely on and just followed the wind. Qi Xiao followed Tang Ling.

Qinglan knocked on the door and came in, bringing Qi Xiao's lunch.

Tang Ling gestured to Qinglan, asking him to be more careful, put down the food box and left.

Qing Lan glanced around the room and curled her lips, despising Qi Xiao's pretentiousness and scoundrel nature. His pills were definitely effective. They weren't a panacea, but they would definitely allow Qi Xiao to stand, walk straight, eat, and sleep properly! But this man was a scabby dog. Once he got hold of the young master, he wouldn't let go. Yet, the young master spoiled him, indulged him, and patiently coaxed him even when he whined.

The young master said that Qi Xiao was worth it. Qinglan didn't see it anyway. He would be blinded if he looked at him any longer, so he quickly retreated.

"Want to get up and eat something?"

"Lie down a little longer. Dizzy."

Tang Ling smiled and tapped Qi Xiao's forehead gently: "If you don't eat it, it will get cold soon and Qinglan will have to laugh at you."

"He's laughing at me?" Qi Xiao sat up. "What's he laughing at me about?"

Tang Ling covered her mouth and laughed secretly: "I'm laughing at you, the great King of Chu, who loves to act like a child."

Qi Xiao stood up and hugged Tang Ling from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder and laughing with him: "Isn't that just a habit spoiled by the young marquis?"

"Yes, yes, I spoiled him. It's all my fault." Who else except Tang Ling could pamper Qi Xiao, indulge him, and let him act like a spoiled child?

Qi Xiao held Tang Ling's cheek, turned him sideways and kissed him. The taste of the sugar pill spread between their lips and teeth, with the sweetness of honey mixed with the bitterness of medicine, lingering and reluctant.

Tang Ling touched Qi Xiao's cheek and sighed silently. He had really lost a lot of weight, and his features became more angular. When he had no expression on his face and didn't speak, his eyes were cold and sharp, so frightening that it was frightening. Qi Xiao didn't want him to see him like this, and he knew it, so he could only pretend not to see it.

The death of Concubine Lin was such a huge blow to Qi Xiao that he lost his appetite for a long time. After finally getting through the most painful days, he left Yuanjing City before he had time to recuperate. After getting on the boat, Qi Xiao felt seasick and couldn't eat. He had been eating porridge and white noodles for the past two days, which were bland and tasteless.

Qi Xiao knew what Tang Ling was thinking the moment he saw her distressed expression. He smiled and said, "I'm fine. Qinglan's sugar pills saved my life. I just have a poor appetite, but I won't die. But you're the one who's starving, always accompanying me to eat these bland foods. Life will be hard after we enter Fenglin Mountain. At least eat more before entering the mountain."

The food box Qinglan brought contained only two bowls of vegetable porridge and two fried eggs. Qi Xiao had taken Qinglan's sugar pills, which prevented him from vomiting and feeling dizzy like before, but he still couldn't stand the smell of anything, whether it was fishy or meaty. Even the slightest bit of oil would make him nauseous for a while. Qinglan had no choice but to serve him porridge.

Tang Ling nodded slightly: "I know, I'll eat with you first. Qinglan left me another meal."

The two sat down at the table. Qi Xiao actually didn't want to eat, but with Tang Ling by his side, he forced himself to eat.

"Want to take a nap after eating?"

Qi Xiao shook his head: "I'm much better now. I think I'm getting used to swaying on the boat like this. You don't have to accompany me. Qinglan has prepared hot dishes for you, so go and eat. Let's arrange the things that need to be arranged in the afternoon. We don't have much time."

Qi Xiao stopped trying to be a spoiled brat to Tang Ling and sipped his porridge. Tang Ling sighed but stopped trying to coax him. She nodded, "Okay."

As soon as Tang Ling walked out of Qi Xiao's room, Qi Xiao put down the bowl of porridge. After taking a few bites, his stomach began to churn and feel uncomfortable. His seasickness was really terrible.

Zong Sheng knocked on the door and entered. He glanced at the bowl of porridge in front of Qi Xiao and said nothing.

"Tang Ling asked you to come and watch me eat?"

Zong Sheng didn't answer immediately. When Tang Ling left just now, she didn't tell him to watch Qi Xiao and make him eat more. She just gave Zong Sheng a look, which really meant that.

"...By the way, where is senior brother?" Qi Xiao seemed to have not seen Bai Xiqiao all morning.

"Fishing at the stern." It was boring on the boat. Qi Xiao was now accompanied by Tang Ling, so Bai Xiqiao knew what to do and had to find something for himself. Qi Xiao couldn't eat fish, but that didn't stop Bai Xiqiao from loving to eat it.

"Don't let him into my room today." Qi Xiao felt like vomiting when he heard the word "fish". If Bai Xiqiao dared to come in with the smell of fish on him, he would vomit out his intestines.

"Yes."

Qi Xiao stirred the porridge bowl with his chopsticks, then looked up at Zong Sheng again, who was also looking at him.

"...Go find Chi Yue for me."

Zong Sheng still stood in front of Qi Xiao without moving.

"Go ahead." Qi Xiao really couldn't eat anymore and wanted to send Zong Sheng away. Zong Sheng was almost like Tang Ling's bodyguard now, and she obeyed him in everything.

Before Zong Sheng could respond, the door was gently pushed open: "Your Highness, are you looking for me?" Chi Yue walked in with a smile. He had been at the door all the time and there was no need for Zong Sheng to look for him.

"..." Qi Xiao held his forehead, his head aching. Originally, Zong Sheng was alone, but now there were two of them, Zong Sheng and Chi Yue. Four eyes were watching him. This feeling reminded him of copying scriptures in front of His Majesty in Chengming Hall. It was like a thorn in his back.

Chi Yue sat opposite Qi Xiao, holding his chin with one hand, and said casually: "It's a good thing that Your Highness is seasick."

"what?"

Chi Yue smiled and said, "Your Highness is so seasick that His Majesty cannot order His Highness to lead the troops across the Taihua River and go to war with the Zhou Kingdom. Isn't this a good thing?"

Given His Majesty's character, once the attack on Qi is successful, destroying Zhou will be the next goal. Qi Xiao can't think about such long-term issues right now. If he really has to face it in the future, then what he needs to do is not to avoid participating in the war, but to avoid starting it.

Qi Xiao looked at Chi Yue coldly and sternly, but the smile on his face remained undimmed, showing no fear at all, as if he had no idea he had said anything wrong and that he had done it on purpose. Seeing Qi Xiao's expression, Zong Sheng's palms broke out in a cold sweat, and he wanted to sew Chi Yue's mouth shut.

"Chi Yue, are you also so careless in speaking in front of His Majesty?"

Chi Yue looked at Qi Xiao, restrained his smile, and lowered his head slightly: "Chi Yue knows his mistake, Your Highness, please forgive me."