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

Chapter 150 Scapegoat

"When we first moved in that day, everyone was in a rush. Concubine Lin took her medicine and needed to rest, and the maids all left. I didn't want to disturb them, but I heard someone in the house talking to Concubine Lin, saying that Ninth Brother shouldn't stay in Yuanjing. If he wanted to be safe, he should return to Fuzhou quickly. Concubine Lin had a plan."

Qi Xiao gritted his teeth, the hatred in his heart becoming more intense.

Seeing Qi Xiao's expression worsen, the Twelfth Princess hesitated whether to continue. But if she didn't want to say anything, why did she even start? Concubine Lin had watched her grow up, a rare person in the palace who truly loved her. She had been motherless since childhood, and secretly wished that Concubine Lin was her mother and Qi Xiao her brother. She couldn't just pretend she knew nothing.

"Ninth Brother, I felt that voice was familiar at the time, but I couldn't remember it for a moment. It wasn't until this morning when Concubine Zhao came to pay her respects to the Queen Mother that I realized it was Li'er from Concubine Zhao's palace."

Qi Xiao looked at the twelfth princess in astonishment. Was it Concubine Zhao? He had originally thought it was the Queen's doing. Could there be a hidden story?

"Ninth Brother, I felt that voice was familiar at the time, but I couldn't remember it for a moment. It wasn't until this morning when Concubine Zhao came to pay her respects to the Queen Mother that I realized it was Li'er from Concubine Zhao's palace."

Qi Xiao looked at the twelfth princess in astonishment. Was it Concubine Zhao? He had originally thought it was the Queen's doing. Could there be a hidden story?

"What did that Li'er say? Twelve, did you hear it clearly?"

"I've told Brother Nine everything she said. That last sarcastic remark is all I have to say. Lady Lin, please make your own decision. But please make a decision soon, or you'll regret it later..."

Too late to regret...

Qi Xiao stood up angrily, but he had been kneeling for too long and his knees were injured. Suddenly, he became so angry that he lost his balance and almost fell.

The twelfth princess hurriedly supported him and said, "Ninth brother, be careful!"

"Twelve...you heard it carefully."

"Nine Brother, do you think I'm such an ignorant person?"

"Twelve, thank you." Qi Xiao pushed open the window, and the cold wind mixed with drizzle blew into the house, making him feel more awake.

The twelfth princess lowered her head, clenched her fists, and choked back tears as she said, "Ninth Brother, you saying this makes me feel even more guilty. I didn't do anything, I couldn't do anything. If I had told you earlier, maybe... maybe things would have been different..."

"It's not your fault. It was just a conversation of one or two. How could you know the connection? Even if you told me immediately, mother would have been vague and perfunctory." Qi Xiao knew best in his heart that although Concubine Lin was forced to do so, she took the poison herself. If she had any intention of discussing with Qi Xiao, she would not have done this.

Qi Xiao felt deeply guilty. He hadn't noticed anything was wrong with what Concubine Lin said to Tang Ling! He came to pay his respects to Concubine Lin every day, yet he hadn't noticed a single clue! He was the one who had done nothing, and who couldn't do anything! He was the culprit who had killed his mother!

The twelfth princess finally couldn't hold back and sobbed softly, covering her face.

Qi Xiao walked over, patted the Twelfth Princess's head gently, and said softly, "Twelve, you came here secretly. Brother Nine is grateful..."

"Nineth Brother!" Princess Twelve hugged Qi Xiao and cried harder and harder. "I know that Ninth Brother must be filled with grief and anger, but you must not do anything stupid! Concubine Lin's only wish is for you to be safe!"

The twelfth princess couldn't help but tell Qi Xiao everything she knew, because Concubine Lin's death was strange and unjust, but she was afraid that Qi Xiao would want to avenge his mother. After all, that was Concubine Zhao, a member of the Gongsun clan, someone who could not be touched by the former dynasty or the harem, even the queen and Qin. Although Qi Xiao was a prince, he was far less favored than the sixth and seventh princes.

An enemy like Concubine Zhao was too powerful. The Twelve Princesses worried that Qi Xiao would be blinded by hatred and go to fight against the enemy without any regard for the consequences.

Qi Xiao swallowed all his hatred in his throat, and after a long while, he said, "I know, I won't. Twelve, you must take good care of yourself in the palace. Don't tell anyone about what happened today, no matter how close or trusted you are."

"I know, I haven't told anyone and I won't tell anyone."

"It's getting late, let's go back. I'm sorry that Brother Jiu can't take you there."

The twelfth princess wiped away her tears, packed herself up a little, and then quietly sent herself out across Baixi Bridge.

Qi Xiao sat there for a while before slowly walking back to the mourning hall. Bai Xiqiao happened to be returning and knew he would find Qi Xiao there, so he hurried to greet him, "Go back and rest. It's getting late, and I've already asked for dinner to be prepared for you. Please wait in the side hall for a while."

"Brother, I'm not hungry. You don't have to worry about me."

"Do you think I want to control you? Did I owe you something in my past life or something? When others try to coax you, you should be more self-aware and stop annoying them. Let's go and eat first."

Bai Xiqiao tried to pull Qi Xiao but couldn't move him, like a stubborn donkey.

"You still remember how terrible I was when my father got into trouble, right? You're in an even worse state now than I was then." Bai Xiqiao sighed. "Since you think something's fishy, ​​you should take better care of yourself. Only by calming down can you find out the truth and have a chance... right?"

Qi Xiao lowered his head. He didn't know what to do. Besides hatred and anger, there was also helplessness and confusion that weighed heavily on his back.

He had known since childhood what a haunted hell the life within the high walls of the imperial city was like. After returning, he had personally met the Empress and Concubine Zhao, and was aware of their hostility towards him. However, whether he was forced into it or out of arrogance, he stepped into the whirlpool of the court.

Qi Xiao was favored by His Majesty and secretly had the protection of the Tiance Camp, so he was naturally immune to all poisons. Picking on the weak, Concubine Lin naturally became the target and Qi Xiao's "scapegoat."

Qi Xiao hadn't considered getting involved in the political situation before returning to Yuanjing, but now he couldn't avoid it, much less was he willing to. To avenge Concubine Lin, Qi Xiao had only one path: a path of no return, a dead end. Regardless of victory or defeat, the outcome wouldn't be what Qi Xiao wanted or desired.

"Stop having those wild thoughts for now." Bai Xiqiao quickly pulled Qi Xiao back to the side room to rest. Qi Xiao looked like a complete mess at the moment.

It was just after dusk when Chi Yue brought Tang Ling here. Dinner had just been prepared and was still hot when it was brought to Qi Xiao, but Qi Xiao still looked half dead. Bai Xiqiao was so worried that he was about to lose his temper.

"Bai Xiqiao." Chi Yue called out Bai Xiqiao from outside the door and asked him to come out.

When Bai Xiqiao saw Chi Yue coming back, he knew Tang Ling was here. He nodded and left with Chi Yue.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was busy at the West Palace all day for the funeral of Concubine Lin. Many people came in and out, and they were all unfamiliar faces. Because of the rain, the sky was gloomy, and the guards at the West Palace relaxed a lot. The guards let Chi Yue's carriage pass without checking it, which was much easier than yesterday.

Tang Ling walked into the room, closed the door gently, and walked to Qi Xiao.

But after just one day of not seeing him, Qi Xiao had become so haggard that Tang Ling could hardly recognize him. He had never seen Qi Xiao so decadent, gloomy, and in so much pain. A sudden pang of pain shot through his heart. He slowly reached out and touched Qi Xiao's forehead, gently stroking it: "Qi Xiao."

Qi Xiao hugged Tang Ling tightly in his arms. At this moment, he had nothing but Tang Ling.

"I'm here, I'm here..." Tang Ling kissed Qi Xiao's forehead, tears falling silently without her noticing. What should he do? How could he make Qi Xiao feel less pain? How could he fulfill his promise to never leave him?