Chapter 59: A Confidante; Chang’an Extra: Shocking! Prince Yong and…
Prince Yong took a solid punch. Reacting quickly, he gathered his robes and flashed a blade!
Holding the knife in a reverse grip, the arc sliced a crescent moon across Xie Qianli’s chest. The latter reacted quickly and dodged.
Ying Dang only saw who it was after striking. Slightly surprised, he scoffed, “You came to arrest me and take me back to the Court of the Imperial Clan?”
It would have been better if he hadn’t spoken.
Hearing this, Xie Qianli knew Prince Yong had a criminal record on him. He became even angrier and absolutely could not let him go. He assumed a fighting stance against Prince Yong.
He hadn’t brought a weapon. Prince Yong wasn’t dressed properly; no matter how thick-skinned Prince Yong was, he couldn’t run around exposed.
Therefore, Xie Qianli struck with his palm, closing in on Prince Yong and brushing aside his right arm.
Prince Yong hooked his hand but failed to block. His chest took the hit, and he tumbled into the bed.
The gigolo screamed in terror, “Help! Murder!”
Prince Yong got up, rubbing his chest, quickly tied his trousers, and pulled a malicious smile at the corner of his mouth. “Gu knows. His Majesty can’t explain things to the relatives at the Court of the Imperial Clan, so he sent his fiercest dog to catch me. He cares about every fart of a person in Chang’an City, but for an unfilial brother like me, he must secretly hate me to death!”
These words were an explosion of Prince Yong’s accumulated resentment.
Everyone in the court and the wild knew how good Ying Xi was to Prince Yong. How could Xie Qianli tolerate Prince Yong not knowing what was good for him?
He attacked Prince Yong’s left hand again.
Yet, this confirmed Prince Yong’s guess.
It seemed everyone was more important than him. His already narrow tolerance could not bear it, so Ying Dang vented his anger on the person arresting him. “Surname Xie! Gu won’t go back! What can you do to me!?”
He spun the knife, stabbing toward Xie Qianli’s throat.
The space on the flower bed was narrow, and Prince Yong’s movement was extremely fast. Sharp weapons at close range were almost unsolvable; his moves were deadly.
Xie Qianli, without a weapon, retreated several steps.
He retreated, Prince Yong advanced. The knife light was dense as a woven net; a touch would mean mangled flesh.
But Prince Yong didn’t expect that Xie Qianli had revealed a flaw intentionally, wanting to create distance.
The distance opened up just enough so the short knife couldn’t reach! This vicious dog was a hundred times harder to deal with than Lang Xun!
Prince Yong was thoroughly enraged. Relying on the sharpness of the weapon in his hand, he had the advantage no matter how they fought. Blade light slashed wildly at Xie Qianli.
At this time, countless footsteps surged toward the embroidery room outside. The noise was thunderous, voices transmitting into the room:
“There’s a fight!”
“Who is fighting? There are noble guests on the third floor today. Has it been reported to the officials?”
Xie Qianli glanced at the gigolo. While dodging, he worried that Prince Yong would speak recklessly, or that someone would recognize the gigolo’s resemblance to the Emperor. If outsiders saw this royal scandal… he especially didn’t want Ying Dang’s dirty thoughts to spread.
He couldn’t control his defensive hostility. The feeling was like a male beast having his territory invaded, awakening all the madness suppressed beneath his calm exterior.
Between two evils, pick the lesser one.
He could do anything for Ying Xi!
Xie Qianli smashed through the door, creating a massive disturbance.
Prince Yong chased with his knife. All the onlookers were attracted and followed them out. Sure enough, no one paid attention to the Emperor-lookalike gigolo in the room anymore.
The two crashed through the window and leaped downstairs. From the three-story building, both used leverage to land unharmed.
The spectators upstairs exclaimed and applauded. Shouts, applause, and fighting sounds startled countless pairs of wild mandarin ducks in the various flower houses of Pingkang Ward! More window lattices lit up! The wall of people was ten layers deep.
The high officials and noblemen recognized the two and shouted one after another:
“Duke of Ying! Prince Yong!”
“What is going on with you two???”
“This fight is too unfair. I have a heavy spear too—General Xie, catch the spear—”
Those watching the excitement never thought it was too big.
But as the crowd grew, the two fighting had different thoughts. One wanted to shame the royal family; the other desperately wanted to protect the Emperor’s reputation.
Ying Dang was a madman who dared to shout about climbing the dragon bed in front of the Imperial Guards. At this moment, while charging, he shouted, “Why is the one surnamed Xie fighting me? Naturally, it’s because Gu just had a…”
“—Miss Pei Jiu’s reputation, how can I allow you to defile it like this!!!”
Ying Dang froze.
It seemed he never expected Xie Qianli to say this line. His blade stagnated for an instant.
The onlookers’ eyes immediately brightened. Seeing Prince Yong disheveled and the Duke of Ying furious—plus Yulouchun‘s head courtesan Pei Jiuniang’s fame—they exchanged knowing smiles. So, this was a fight out of jealousy over a woman!
Xie Qianli pulled up the heavy spear thrown into the battle circle by the spectator.
The spear was an imitation of the Swimming Dragon, not as heavy, but the open ground downstairs was enough for a heavy weapon to display its power.
Silver light cascaded like a waterfall!
The spear body carried a heavy hum; being hit would surely mean broken bones and tendons. Ying Dang couldn’t block it hard at all, otherwise, either the knife would fly, or his hand would break.
In his panic, Ying Dang could only rely on body movement to dodge hurriedly. What more could he say?
But someone actually dared to publicly claim to violate military regulations, not hesitating to ruin the Xie family’s style in public, just to protect that person. Xie Qianli’s feelings for his Royal Brother were clearly revealed!
Ying Dang hatefully recalled ten years ago. It was starting from this person that his brother’s attention was stolen, and afterward, his brother became increasingly estranged from him.
Ying Dang was furious. Accompanied by the pain of losing everything, he fought Xie Qianli to the death.
If he died, would it completely fulfill his brother’s wishes, or could it induce even a tiny bit of regret and despair in him?
Ying Dang stopped dodging!
He gave up on himself, throwing his body into the range of the heavy spear’s attack, wanting to use his strange speed to catch a flaw in Xie Qianli’s spear movement.
But when experts exchanged blows, life and death were decided in an instant.
Ying Dang could disregard his life.
Xie Qianli still had his reason; he absolutely could not kill Ying Xi’s younger brother, nor did he want to be stabbed in the chest by him!
He rotated his ankle in an almost impossible posture, stopping the spear’s momentum and dodging Ying Dang’s sharp edge. His stance was steady, so he didn’t fall.
Xie Qianli and Ying Dang brushed past each other. Ying Dang’s right arm had already extended out; losing the target, Ying Dang stumbled a few steps!
Before Prince Yong could turn around, he was kicked fiercely from behind. He lunged forward, his eyes meeting the brick ground of Pingkang Ward reflecting colorful lantern lights. Looking up, he saw that the surroundings were densely packed with blade edges and sword tips, along with countless military boots of the guards.
“Tie them up! Use iron chains!” a young man shouted with full confidence.
“Go upstairs and get ice basins to sober these two drunks up!”
It turned out this brawl had long alerted the Jingzhao Prefecture. The Jingzhao Prefecture didn’t dare to handle it and reported it up level by level to the Emperor.
The Emperor, who couldn’t sleep because of the North-South situation and had just summoned court officials to the palace for a collective discussion, immediately heard that his brother and the General were fighting in the street out of jealousy. It was an incredibly absurd matter, and he immediately ordered them to be arrested and brought back.
Lang Xun pulled one end of the iron chain with disgust, gritted his back teeth, and dragged the two away.
Weiyang Palace.
Only a few hours after leaving Ying Xi, Xie Qianli had returned again.
Xie Qianli was kneeling, water still dripping from his body. Next to him, Prince Yong had been knocked unconscious and was lying down.
This was a suite; next door was the small council chamber. Normally, the palace gates should have been locked long ago, but the apricot-yellow lights were still burning.
Xie Qianli was still wondering when, through the wall separating him from the council chamber, he heard human voices, chattering and chaotic.
Yu Jing said, “Imperial Physician Liu has just checked his pulse. His Majesty is taking ginseng soup and will see the lords in a moment.” The ministers acknowledged this.
Xie Qianli’s heart tightened suddenly.
Ever since going out to participate in the bandit suppression and recruitment, Ying Xi had been suffering all the way. Not to mention he had been captured and taken to the bandit stronghold, leading a breakout personally.
Getting sick was his normal state. When he wasn’t sick, he was saving it up; a slight trigger would cause an outbreak.
Xie Qianli’s heart trembled. Ginseng soup was for boosting energy; there must be a major event requiring Ying Xi to force his spirits up. What major event?
“The Southern Army sent two letters,” a court official inside said. “The second one states the conditions for peace negotiation. Within one year, no military or political officials in Yangzhou are to be transferred. Li Yilong will demote himself to the Prefect of Yangzhou. We don’t know how His Majesty should respond?”
“That Li Yilong still occupies several commanderies, with many talents under his command. Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice. He claims benevolent governance in the south and has won the hearts of the people for many years.”
Li Yilong’s rebellion was a legacy problem from the Late Emperor’s era.
“Attacking a region with the power of the whole nation isn’t impossible, but we fear mutual destruction, letting foreign enemies take advantage.”
Xie Qianli vaguely agreed but standing on the side of peace, he felt that Li Yilong had nearly ten years of foundation—how could he willingly accept a demotion?
At this moment, the noise stopped. The room became quiet. The officials stood up, chairs moving. “Your Majesty, Prime Minister Su.”
Su Xueyi and Ying Xi entered the council chamber and took their seats. The topic of discussion remained on war versus peace.
“This humble subject just checked the annual grain output of the various commanderies in Yangzhou from ten years ago. If the numbers haven’t changed, the thief Li has at least one year of military grain to sustain a war.”
That means if the war reaches a stalemate, the Imperial Court will also be consumed, and only more so, Xie Qianli thought.
“If we give the thief Li one year to adapt to Great Qin, it means we don’t have to consume Great Qin’s national strength, and we can also reclaim the local troops, horses, money, and grain.”
There was a moment of silence in the council chamber.
Su Xueyi said, “But this is the ideal state. What exactly Li Yilong intends to do with this year, we do not know. Gentlemen, you might as well hypothesize.”
A court official said, “A delaying tactic?”
“To expand his power, the rebel thief only has one province to develop. All provinces of our dynasty are developing. Even if he delays, it is beneficial to us.”
“But after all, the surrender is delayed by a long time.”
“But Li Yilong has downgraded. He appointed himself the Lord of Jiangnan, but now he has become an official of this dynasty. To him, it equals having already surrendered to Great Qin. If he breaks his word after a year, then he will have no just cause and will be laughed at by the world!”
“A rebel thief who disregards national law and occupies a region—if he truly had a sense of shame, could he do such treasonous things?”
“Agree to Li Yilong first, pry open the gateway to Yangzhou, and the grand army can rush in to destroy the rebel capital…”
“—Then your face will sink to the bottom of the Huai River and never float up again!”
The voices in the council chamber favoring peace were more numerous.
Fighting a war was not child’s play; distinct from bandit suppression, it would inevitably affect the whole body. Once war started, the status of military generals would immediately surpass that of civil officials. This was also an important reason why civil officials in all dynasties advocated peace.
Su Xueyi was not that kind of short-sighted civil minister. He said proudly, “This minister does not oppose starting a war. I could even personally carry a sword into battle. This minister is only worried.”
“Worried about what?”
“That His Majesty has just tidied up the chaotic mountains and rivers into some shape, only to be beaten back to the original form by this war.”
“Cough, cough cough cough, cough…”
In the adjoining room of the council chamber, Xie Qianli’s ears almost stood straight up.
Ying Xi coughed incessantly. Yu Jing hurriedly served tea, and the other court officials expressed their concern.
Xie Qianli desperately wanted to pat Ying Xi’s back. His hands clenched into fists, his pitch-black eyes staring at the door. He stood up from the ground, but what would going out now count as?
He resumed his kneeling posture of punishment.
The only ones who could stay by Ying Xi’s side to care for him in the palace were concubines and eunuchs.
Xie Qianli possessed none of a woman’s delicate gentleness, nor was it possible for him to be castrated to take over Yu Jing’s role.
What on earth did he consider Ying Xi to be?
Connecting it to the gigolo at Yulouchun who called himself “small slave” in front of his patron, allowing the man to manipulate him, only submitting and accepting—was he going to treat Ying Xi like that? Impossible.
He couldn’t do it.
Moreover, Ying Xi would rather die than suffer such insults. Xie Qianli felt uncomfortable just thinking about it.
What did he want to do?
What did he want to do to the Supreme Ruler of the World?
Self-consumption kept Xie Qianli fluctuating repeatedly between excitement and collapse. His mind was muddled.
The surrounding environment evolved into a happy and feverish monotony, where he could only hear Ying Xi and no one else.
Clearly, his will had been firm enough to withstand a whole pot of aphrodisiac just now, but now it was like he was possessed. A few coughs from Ying Xi made his heart panic, and he even hallucinated a phantom of Ying Xi, constantly patting and comforting him in his heart.
If falling in love with Ying Xi, who was also a man, was a sickness.
He was very sick.
Xie Qianli’s eyes were sore, and the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile unconsciously.
He raised his hand and deliberately sealed several acupoints on his body. Severe pain struck, senses became dull. Xie Qianli was numb all over, wanting to endure this lovesickness he shouldn’t have contracted. Xie Qianli closed his eyes tight.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before his eyes opened.
His side profile was upright and heroic. His eyelashes trembled slightly, then his pupils contracted.
Ying Xi was in front of him. Sitting in the main seat of this compartment, only three or five steps away from him. Ying Xi was sick and had stayed up late; his eyes were red. When he lowered his gaze, his movements were slow; his body could no longer support overly sharp actions.
The Emperor’s voice was hoarse as he asked, “This afternoon you told Zhen, the Southern Expedition doesn’t need to take too many water routes. Even if the Northern Army isn’t good at water warfare, we can mobilize Jingzhou and Xuzhou to attack from both sides simultaneously.”
Having just had his heavy acupoints sealed, Xie Qianli responded with difficulty, “Yes.”
Ying Xi nodded in consideration.
That movement was too slow. Even though Xie Qianli’s vision was blurry, he could still unfold every detail of the other person. He could see in the lamplight, the deep gray eyes covered by long eyelashes were currently looking down from above, his pupils filled with his own figure.
Xie Qianli shifted his gaze, his lip line tight, feeling that the water stains on his body hadn’t dried; he was very disheveled.
Xie Qianli tried his best to kneel straight.
He wanted to make himself look a bit more towering.
Falling into Ying Xi’s eyes, it turned into an intention to complain to the Emperor. Meeting his gaze, Ying Xi said slowly, “So Ju’er doesn’t have someone he likes, but rather a female confidante. Fighting for her… it’s rare for you to care so much about someone.”
Recommended Reads
![Those Years When the Son of Destiny Was Severely Scammed [Quick Transmigration]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/QUICK-TRANSMIGRATION1-214x300.jpg)
