This single sentence managed to both express concern and smoothly transition to the main topic of the spring examinations—it was indeed quite skillful.

Qi Ying naturally understood the Fourth Prince’s true meaning, and also knew this was something he had to address. If he smoothly avoided it, their relationship would only become more strained.

Qi Ying was silent for a while, then looked at Xiao Ziheng and said: “Regarding the spring examination matter, I still owe Your Highness an explanation.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ziheng raised his eyebrows, his peach blossom eyes appearing rather dark. He looked at Qi Ying with a smile and said: “The Emperor never entrusted the examination matters to me—what explanation do you owe me?”

This was feigning ignorance while fully understanding.

Qi Ying was unmoved by the Fourth Prince’s performance, only lowering his eyes and answering: “The spring examination’s selection of scholars concerns the foundation of the state, yet I acted hastily in pursuit of a clear reputation. I didn’t think it excessive at the time, but after father and elder brother’s guidance, I realized it was inappropriate and understood that this action brought trouble to Your Highness.”

Though he spoke lightly, careful listening revealed at least three layers of meaning.

First, promoting the humble-born was merely an act of seeking fame and reputation, with no connection to choosing sides in the succession struggle. Second, this was his personal action, not the Qi family’s position—the Left Chancellor and Right Vice-Minister knew nothing beforehand and disapproved afterward. Third, he hadn’t intended to cause trouble for the Fourth Prince; the spring examination matter was an unintentional act, and he remained part of the Fourth Prince’s faction.

Regardless of the truth in these words, his expression and tone were very serious, as if what he said was the absolute truth.

But Xiao Ziheng wasn’t foolish—how could he be deceived by a few words? He had grown up alongside Qi Ying and knew his character well. He was never someone who cared about others’ praise or blame; he had his own principles, and once decided, they were immovable as stone.

Seeking fame and reputation? Did Young Master Qi lack for good reputation? Was he short of this bit of so-called clear name?

He would rather believe Qi Ying had acted foolishly, driven by compassion in his heart, willing to risk universal condemnation.

Xiao Ziheng smiled inwardly, then felt there was no point in such thoughts. He had come today simply to probe Qi Ying’s position. With great events approaching, the Qi family’s stance was crucial—he couldn’t allow any changes at this time.

Qi Ying’s final sentence had been spoken plainly, making Xiao Ziheng feel that continuing to fence with words was meaningless. He swept away the insincere smiles from his face, revealing a serious expression as he looked at Qi Ying: “Jingchen, I naturally trust you, but you should understand—words alone prove nothing.”

You say you haven’t turned to Prince Duan, and he should believe it? In court politics, words were the most insubstantial things. He needed something concrete to prove the Qi family would never defect at the crucial moment, to prove they were his allies, or at least that they would help neither side.

After speaking, he stared intently at Qi Ying, but saw him show no hesitation whatsoever, as if he had been prepared all along, responding: “Your Highness speaks truly.”

His answer was so straightforward and composed that it left Xiao Ziheng somewhat uncertain, unable to help wondering what kind of proof he intended to provide. He saw Qi Ying pause briefly, then lift his phoenix eyes and say: “If Princess Ziyu still has intentions of marriage, this minister is willing to marry the Princess, to set Your Highness’s mind at ease.”

With these words, the Fourth Prince was immediately stunned.

Qi Ying… was willing to marry Ziyu?

Setting aside whether there were romantic feelings between them, the interests involved couldn’t be easily ignored: Great Liang had long-standing laws that princesses’ consorts retained only their titles and could no longer hold actual office. Once he married Xiao Ziyu, the Privy Council would need someone else to take charge, and Qi Ying would become useless, no longer able to interfere in court affairs.

If he married Xiao Ziyu, it would indeed convince people of the Qi family’s position—but was he truly willing?

Xiao Ziheng naturally refused to believe it, thinking this was merely Qi Ying’s delaying tactic.

His sixth sister had been pursuing Qi Ying for so many years—which noble family in Jiankang didn’t know about their situation? Yet after all these years, there had been no progress. Qi Ying’s attitude remained ambiguous and unclear, neither agreeing to anything nor offending Ziyu, dragging things out for so long. Now that he agreed to marry her, when would it actually happen?

As Xiao Ziheng frowned with these thoughts, Qi Ying seemed to already understand his concerns, saying with complete calm: “Does Your Highness know that Gaowei has been experiencing internal strife these past months, and it’s showing signs of escalating?”

This transition was far too sudden, making Xiao Ziheng raise his eyebrows.

Not knowing why Qi Ying suddenly brought up such an unrelated matter, he could only follow along hastily: “I’ve heard something about it.”

Qi Ying looked at him, his phoenix eyes sharp as tempered steel: “Three years ago, our defeat at Stone City cost us the three commanderies of Nanqiao, Longkang, and Anfeng. Though we’ve worked hard to manage things these years, we’ve only been able to maintain the situation from then, never having the strength to recover the lost territory.”

Xiao Ziheng’s brow furrowed as he anticipated what Qi Ying was about to say.

He looked at Qi Ying with increasingly incredulous eyes: “…You want to mobilize troops for a northern expedition?”

Qi Ying smiled faintly, meeting Xiao Ziheng’s gaze and nodding: “Your Highness knows me well.”

Xiao Ziheng was so shocked he couldn’t speak.

“Our dynasty has been biding its time for many years—it’s time to seek change,” Qi Ying’s expression was steady, and though sitting in a study, his eyes seemed to see thousands of miles away. “Gaowei’s internal politics are chaotic with rebellions arising everywhere, while our dynasty’s finances are much more abundant. Our soldiers have endured for years and long harbor desires for northern expedition—now is the perfect time to mobilize troops.”

His expression was calm, giving the impression that everything in the world was within his grasp, making one unable to help but believe.

He continued: “I’ve already discussed with the various departments and will submit a memorial to His Majesty in a few days awaiting the imperial decision. If His Majesty agrees, once this campaign is completed, I will marry the Princess.”

He paused, looking directly into Xiao Ziheng’s eyes: “I will absolutely not break my word.”

Looking at Qi Ying, Xiao Ziheng found himself speechless.

When the Fourth Prince left Fenghe Courtyard, it was already near dinner time. Qi Ying invited him to stay for the meal, but he politely declined, saying with a smile that he wanted to return to accompany the Fourth Prince Consort.

Before parting, he said to Qi Ying with a smile: “You haven’t yet established a family, so you don’t understand such pleasures. After you and Ziyu marry, you’ll understand.”

After speaking, he smiled mischievously, the gloom completely clearing from his features, appearing as if he had no lingering concerns.

Qi Ying also smiled in response, very accommodating. While chatting casually with the Fourth Prince and personally escorting him out of the mansion, the atmosphere between them was harmonious, recapturing some of the feeling from when they studied together as youths.

Seeing their young master’s amiable expression and apparent close friendship with the Fourth Prince, the servants all felt pleased. But after the Fourth Prince descended the mountain and departed, their master’s expression became somewhat dark in the night, like a new moon hidden behind clouds, vaguely unsettling.

Qing Zhu behind him also noticed, only lowering his head and not daring to look further. After quite a while, he finally heard the young master give an order: “Go ask Wenwen to come find me at Huaijin Courtyard.”

Shen Xiling’s day had actually been rather unpleasant.

From early morning she had heard that many troublemakers were blocking the gates of Fenghe Courtyard, and unexpectedly in the afternoon the Fourth Prince had also come to join the commotion.

At the time, she had been nestled with Qi Ying reading leisurely when they heard the Fourth Prince had arrived. Qi Ying’s expression became very subtle—she understood him well and immediately sensed the deep gravity hidden in his eyes.

She was very worried about him, and he smoothed her hair, comforting her: “Don’t worry, I’ll go and return quickly.”

Shen Xiling looked at him and nodded, then heard him ask with some apology whether she could stay in her room that afternoon and not walk around.

Shen Xiling was startled, then understood—he didn’t want Xiao Ziheng to see her.

She immediately agreed at the time and quickly returned to Woyue Courtyard, not asking him for reasons. But she was someone who kept things in her heart—though she didn’t ask then, she would think about it afterward.

Recently their feelings had been intense, and she could sense Qi Ying’s sincerity toward her. He truly cherished her, to a degree that even she found hard to believe. And precisely because of this, she increasingly wondered about the reason for his sudden distance from her a few months ago.

Shen Xiling was sensitive, and between sensitivity and perceptiveness often lay only a thin line. When she set aside her emotional troubles, sensitivity became perceptiveness, and she began to develop insight and understanding far beyond her peers, gradually understanding his situation.

Though he never voluntarily spoke to her about it, she knew his difficulties. As a descendant of the Shen family, she naturally understood the dangers of aristocratic family paths—one careless step could mean complete destruction. Moreover, with the two princes now competing for succession, his need to maneuver between them was even more difficult. Additionally, he carried the burden of the Privy Council on his shoulders, heavy as a thousand pounds.

She had heard before that he and Xiao Ziyu had an early marriage arrangement. As a child, she had been jealous of that princess, and had secretly harbored resentment these three years. But after she and Qi Ying pledged their feelings, her jealousy faded—she knew what kind of person Qi Ying was. If he liked that princess in his heart, he wouldn’t entangle himself with her; he would make a clean break. Since he chose to be with her, he certainly had no romantic entanglements with that princess.

She trusted him.

But though she knew he had no personal feelings for that princess, she didn’t know whether he would marry her. Once they wed, Qi Ying’s real power would be stripped away—this would be the best restraint on him, and also the best proof of the Qi family’s loyalist position.

One move would affect the entire situation.

Today Xiao Ziheng had come, coincidentally right after the spring examination results were announced. As perceptive as Shen Xiling was, she naturally immediately sensed something unusual—she could feel that things had become even more difficult for him.

She naturally understood and felt sorry for him, but… she still inevitably felt anxiety and worry about their future.

He couldn’t marry her…

If so, what would happen between them in the future?

Become his concubine? Or be his secret lover… Today when the Fourth Prince came to Fenghe Courtyard, she had to hide as if she were unseemly. Though she said nothing, she felt uncomfortable about it.

She… was somewhat sad.

Shen Xiling didn’t know what would happen between her and Qi Ying in the future, and she didn’t dare think about it… She was unconsciously avoiding contemplating this matter.

And such avoidance only brought her more worry and fear.

She despised herself for being this way.

This mood continued until dark, until Qing Zhu came to Woyue Courtyard saying the Fourth Prince had left and the young master was calling her to Huaijin Courtyard, when it finally began to subside.

Shen Xiling gathered her emotions and quickly went to find Qi Ying.

When she entered, she first smelled medicinal fragrance. Looking into the inner room, she saw Qi Ying with his upper garment removed, unwrapping the old medicine that had been applied.

She truly hadn’t expected to see such a scene. Shocked and embarrassed, she immediately covered her eyes and quickly turned around, reproaching him: “Young master…”

Though it was just a glimpse, she still saw his upper body… His shoulders were broad, neither overly muscular nor appearing thin, but perfectly proportioned and lean.

This person really… Didn’t he know that seeing him like this made it hard for her to maintain her composure too…

She called out to him and waited a long time without hearing his response, naturally feeling strange. She tentatively turned back to look at him, and only then saw that his back wound had become red and swollen again. Probably in extreme pain, he was somewhat hunched over, sitting on the bed’s edge with his waist bent.

Shen Xiling was horrified!

She immediately rushed to Qi Ying’s side, crouching down to look at him, and only then saw his forehead covered in cold sweat.

Shen Xiling was both shocked and pained, urgently asking: “You… what’s wrong with you?”

Actually, there was nothing surprising about it.

The Chancellor’s whip had been so vicious that his wound was naturally still severe. Today Xiao Ziheng had suddenly called, forcing him to personally greet and see off the guest. He hadn’t changed his medicine all afternoon, the wound had reopened, and being stuffy under his clothes had made it worse, making it look terrifying now.

Shen Xiling was almost in tears. She didn’t even dare touch him for fear of causing more pain. After holding back for a long time, she said with a tearful voice: “I’ll go find a physician. Wait for me a moment—I’ll be right back…”

She stood up to run out, but Qi Ying caught her hand.

His complexion was alarmingly pale, but his tone when speaking to her remained gentle: “No need for such trouble… you can help me.”

Looking at him, Shen Xiling’s hands were still trembling. She shook her head repeatedly: “No, we must call a physician. I’ll hurt you…”

“It’s fine,” Qi Ying smiled, his expression soft and his tone even softer. “I want to be alone with you for a while, and I have things I want to tell you.”

His expression then was something Shen Xiling had never seen before—both somewhat weak and unusually frank and intimate, making her heart waver. She really couldn’t bring herself to refuse him, so she could only follow his gentle pull to sit beside the bed, searching out the medicine jars the physician had left behind, and tremblingly began applying medicine to his wounds.

His wound was frighteningly severe, making Shen Xiling’s hands shake constantly—not from fear, but from heartache for him.

Especially, especially heartache.

Why was this person’s life always so difficult?

She carefully applied the medicinal paste to his wound. Though she was as gentle as possible, she could still feel his muscles constantly contracting with her movements from the pain. But he made no sound and didn’t move at all. Knowing that dragging things out would only make him suffer more, Shen Xiling steeled herself and changed the medicine in one go. After rewrapping the wound and helping him put on his clothes, she too was covered in sweat.

Author’s Note: Next update, Young Master Qi’s plan will be revealed~

(Though by this point it’s basically clear what it is…)