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

Chapter 135: Lady Lin said, let him go

"Sir, how should we deal with the assassins in the Dushifu?"

Tang Ling put down the memorial in her hand, gently pricked the wick with a stick, and said calmly, "Kill them. Kill everyone we can find within the territory of Chen State."

"In this case... I'm afraid the Emperor will be displeased and take his anger out on the Marquis."

"Ever since Ni Jue, the government has become increasingly chaotic. The order to assassinate me couldn't possibly have come from the Emperor. Even if Shi Xingzhi were killed, he wouldn't dare actually complain to the Emperor. He wouldn't be able to explain. Furthermore, he wouldn't dare take the blame for his affair with Qin. He'd keep it to himself. But if anyone is skilled, they can just run. The important thing is to warn Shi Xingzhi not to start a fight and attract trouble from the Xuanji and Tiance Battalions."

Shi Xingzhi was the person who succeeded Ni Jue as the Grand Commander of the Capital Affairs Office after his death.

"I see." Huang Zexian thought about it and couldn't help asking, "Although this is Zhou's internal affairs, why not borrow Xuanji and Tiance Camp's knife? Isn't the Emperor of Chen also investigating? Didn't the young master say that he had Xingluo Guards hold back recently? It's just a waste of time to dirty our own hands."

"First, the people from the Capital Office cannot be captured alive by the State of Chen. Second, if we try to borrow power, there's no guarantee they won't be tricked and trap the Xingluo Guards. Third, we still need to borrow power, but not on the Capital Office. The Qin family's influence in the Chen court cannot be underestimated. To put an end to Shi Xingzhi's delusions, we must also eradicate the root of the trouble."

Huang Zexian no longer had any doubts. He would follow Tang Ling's instructions regarding the peace proposal and the affairs of the Capital Affairs Office. However, he had one thing in mind: he didn't believe Qi Xiao could influence the Qin family. Tang Ling must have been aware of this, otherwise she wouldn't have asked the Emperor to choose between the Fifth and Seventh Princes as the marriage partner. If the Qin family fell, the Seventh Prince would be the only one left.

***

When Huang Zexian left, it was already dark. All the lights in Huaxi Villa were lit. He lit the light in Tang Ling's room himself and placed an extra one in front of the desk.

Tang Ling spread out the paper and ground the ink carefully. The black jade inkstone was simple and ancient. He liked it very much, and he liked it even more because it was a gift from Qi Xiao. However, at this moment, he felt a melancholy in his heart, as if he had ground the ink himself.

Qi Xiao's gift... Tang Ling had personally fed the little white snake that afternoon before letting Ye Huai take it away. The little white snake could be used to make Noble Lady Lin's medicine, so it was a good use for it. Tang Ling didn't regret it. Without the little white snake, Qi Xiao only needed a smile to please him.

It’s just… Lady Lin…

Tang Ling dipped her brush in ink and laid down light strokes on the white paper, painting a beautiful woman. Her features were calm and composed, her features strikingly beautiful, but her eyes seemed cold and distant, lacking some of the vivid energy. Tang Ling's painting was of Concubine Lin, but not exactly as he saw her today. Concubine Lin was gravely ill, and her appearance was drastically different from before: gaunt, pale, and frail, her condition evident. Tang Ling didn't want Qi Xiao to recall the Concubine Lin of today when he saw her portrait. Fortunately, beauty is in the bones, not the skin. When Tang Ling saw Concubine Lin, she could fully imagine how beautiful she must have been ten or twenty years ago. And since Qi Xiao resembled his mother, the painting was easy.

Tang Ling looked at the beautiful woman she had drawn, unsatisfied. She tore up the painting and started painting again. Qi Xiao's mother should be gentle, smiling, and devoted to her son. She shouldn't be cold and lonely, and certainly not indifferent.

When Tang Ling started to draw, the outline, palace dress, bun and hairpins were all easy, but the expression of the eyebrows and eyes made Tang Ling worried.

Today, Concubine Lin asked Tang Ling to stay alone to talk for a while. She looked at him for a long time before she said her first sentence: "Xiao'er never told me that Young Master Tang was so handsome and extraordinary, a beauty."

When Qi Xiao first met Tang Ling, he said that she was extremely beautiful. Tang Ling thought it was a teasing and was very angry.

"Thank you for the compliment, ma'am."

"This isn't a compliment, it's just the truth." Concubine Lin sighed softly, "No wonder Xiao'er likes you."

Tang Ling didn't respond. This was also the truth. Qi Xiao liked him, but not just because he was handsome.

"I heard from Xiao'er that Young Master Tang's talent is known throughout the world. He is a truly astonishing talent. His proficiency in chess is so great that even His Majesty is amazed."

"It's just a rumor. Tang Ling doesn't take credit for it."

"Xiao'er will not say anything exaggerated or false to me, Mr. Tang, there is no need to be modest."

Tang Ling smiled. "Well, that was the truth." But she didn't know what Lady Lin was trying to say to him.

"Young Master Tang likes Xiao'er?"

Tang Ling looked at Concubine Lin and nodded: "I like it."

Noble Lady Lin's expression was calm. She showed no surprise or any other expression at Tang Ling's answer. She continued, "Xiao'er has no power or influence, is young and petty, and has a strong temper. I'm afraid he's treated Young Master Tang poorly."

Tang Ling smiled faintly. The first half of her words were true, but the second half was up to her to judge. It wasn't true. However, Tang Ling didn't rush to defend Qi Xiao. Concubine Lin was his mother, the person who would defend Qi Xiao the most in the world, and Tang Ling was afraid she couldn't win.

"It seems that Young Master Tang also really likes Xiao'er."

"Yes."

"Then may I make a request to Mr. Tang?"

"Mother, please tell me."

Lady Lin looked at Tang Ling for a long moment before she said, "Let him go."

Tang Ling was slightly stunned and asked, "I don't quite understand your request."

Noble Lady Lin leaned against the headboard, eyes half-closed wearily, and spoke slowly, "Now that Xiao'er has been crowned king, he shouldn't remain in Yuanjing City. I know my time is running out, and after I'm gone, Xiao'er should return to Fuzhou. Please, Master Tang, let him go. Since Master Tang loves Xiao'er, he won't let him risk anything. Let him go and live his life as an idle prince, away from the court, let alone getting involved in the chaos of the Three Kingdoms."

Tang Ling remained silent and did not respond.

"Mr. Tang, did you receive that black jade peace locket? Mr. Tang, please don't misunderstand me. I don't want to oppose or break you up. When Xiao'er mentioned you to me, I knew he was truly in love. Xiao'er has changed a lot over the years, but I'm afraid his stubborn nature is unchangeable. Once he makes up his mind, he won't change even if the world shakes."

Concubine Lin was seriously ill, and it was very difficult for her to speak any more. She could only pause to catch her breath before continuing, "I hope my son can be safe and happy, and I wish you all the best. However, I am useless and powerless, and I can't help Xiao'er in any way. But Master Tang can do it, so I make this request."

Concubine Lin was saying, let him go. Concubine Lin was willing to bless her son and his beloved, and she was afraid that Qi Xiao would be involved in the government and the chaos. As Tang Ling was a citizen of the Great Zhou, the son of Xun Anhou, and a hostage in Chen, it was impossible for him to get out.

Tang Ling looked at the pen in her hand. Qi Xiao wasn't an object. How could he let go? How could he let go? It was Qi Xiao who first grabbed him, hugged him, and kissed him. It was Qi Xiao who said he wanted him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Qi Xiao suddenly spoke, which scared Tang Ling. She lost her grip on the pen and dropped it on the desk, completely ruining the half-finished painting of the beauty.

"What's wrong? You didn't know I came in. I stood in front of you for a long time without you noticing." Qi Xiao walked around to Tang Ling and hugged him in his arms. "What happened?"