After all, one must always guard against others, especially someone as vicious as him.
We are a married couple; if one of us dies, all their assets automatically belong to the other. Since the vicious Xiao the Second did not want to marry me, he tried to drown me in the water once. It is highly probable he wants to kill me a second time just for the money.
He actually refused to let him stay in his bedroom! Xiao Yingxun’s gaze swept over Xiao Yanming and landed on the young man whose face seemed more beautiful the more he looked at it. “I disagree.”
Gu Lingwan held back his anger and asked, “Why, Your Highness?”
Xiao Yingxun lowered his eyelashes. “I prefer peace and quiet. Even though I have a close relationship with Rujin, I have never allowed him to stay overnight at the estate.” He then asked, “The Princess Consort allowed him to stay at the estate some time ago; did he end up staying?”
Gu Lingwan finally realized what happened. I was wondering why he would disappear every night; it turns out you were the one kicking him out. If that is the case, how could you two have ever gotten together?
Gu Lingwan stood frozen, feeling that the plot had changed quite a bit since he transmigrated.
Xiao Yanming, standing to the side, spoke up. “Sixth Brother has been a neat freak since we were children; he does not like people in his bedroom. I understand why I cannot stay at the estate.” He immediately added, “I will just visit the estate to sit for a while instead.” Once he reached the estate, he would rethink his strategy.
“The Princess Consort and I are going to the night market; we are not returning to the estate.”
When did I ever agree to go to the night market? Gu Lingwan turned his head to look at Xiao Yingxun.
Xiao Yingxun replied, “I did not eat much at the banquet, and I am feeling a bit hungry now. We are going to Xiangyue Pavilion for some roast duck.”
At the mention of food, Gu Lingwan’s hunger overwhelmed him, especially at the thought of eating his favorite roasted duck. However…
“Eleventh Prince, come with us.” Gu Lingwan had earned quite a bit of money today. “I will treat you.” Even though the money had not technically hit his account yet…
“Where would the Princess Consort get the money to treat us?” Xiao Yingxun asked indifferently.
“I will treat this meal,” Xiao Yanming said.
Gu Lingwan beamed. “Great, then I will treat the next one.”
Xiao Yingxun said nothing else and boarded the carriage. Gu Lingwan followed him, while Xiao Yanming followed suit in his own carriage. Both vehicles moved slowly toward Xiangyue Pavilion in the heart of the city.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Yingxun sat motionless like a statue, not saying a word. Gu Lingwan sat opposite him, his phoenix eyes scanning him quickly. Next month, the delegation from the Southern Yan Kingdom, which will eventually destroy Northern Qi, arrives. This is the very trip that triggers Southern Yan’s ambition to conquer Northern Qi, and they will succeed in just one year.
Xiao Yingxun thought: As he said, the Southern Yan delegation arrived because they detected Northern Qi’s empty treasury and weak military.
Gu Lingwan thought: Even someone like me, who knows nothing about statecraft, understands one truth. To make a nation prosperous, invincible, and immune to bullying or annexation, two keys are required: a strong, solid military and abundant wealth.
Do you know why Southern Yan destroyed you so quickly?
Xiao Yingxun thought: Weak military, lack of funds.
Gu Lingwan had no idea that someone on the other side was silently communicating with him. He answered himself internally: Because they have cannons.
Xiao Yingxun furrowed his brows slightly. What is a cannon?
Gu Lingwan thought: It is a weapon with immense destructive power…
Xiao Yingxun listened intently to every word of Gu Lingwan’s inner voice. When he finished explaining, Xiao Yingxun mused to himself: Where can such items be purchased?
Gu Lingwan thought: Unfortunately, only the Crown Prince of Southern Yan knows where to buy them.
Xiao Yingxun narrowed his eyes slightly. In that case, I must start with the Crown Prince of Southern Yan.
Gu Lingwan seemed to recall something and rambled on: Even if you know about this weapon, you have no money. Wait! I have money now. A batch of weapons should cost about a hundred thousand taels of gold.
A ripple appeared in Xiao Yingxun’s long, deep phoenix eyes, like a calm lake disturbed by a breeze. He stared quietly at Gu Lingwan, his gaze filled with endless contemplation. Gu Lingwan, bored, lowered his head to fiddle with his cuffs and failed to notice Xiao Yingxun’s look.
Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of Xiangyue Pavilion. Xiao Yingxun disembarked and offered a hand to Gu Lingwan.
Good heavens, this guy is starting to act again. Gu Lingwan extended his hand and let Xiao Yingxun help him down.
After the three of them entered the restaurant, they chose a quiet private room on the second floor. Xiao Yanming, being extravagant, ordered all the restaurant’s signature dishes, and soon the table was filled with delicacies. Gu Lingwan’s eyes sparkled, looking exactly like a hungry cat.
Once the food was served, they began to eat. As soon as Xiao Yanming took a bite, Xiao Yingxun said coolly, “It is rare for us brothers to dine together; we should have some wine.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yanming agreed, “Fine, let us not leave until we are drunk tonight.” I will kill you once you are drunk.
After saying this, Xiao Yanming was about to tell the waiter to bring wine, but Xiao Yingxun interjected, “I have some wine stored at the Changxuan Wine Shop. I would trouble Eleventh Brother to go retrieve a jar of Autumn Dew White. I am treating tonight.”
“Autumn Dew White” was a premium liquor known for its fragrant, crisp taste; the restaurant would not carry it. Gu Lingwan did not drink and was uninterested in their conversation. He was hungry and focused entirely on the food, so he paid no mind to the request. He did not realize that the Changxuan Wine Shop was on the complete opposite side of the city from the restaurant.
Since Xiao Yingxun had personally asked and was even offering to treat, Xiao Yanming could not refuse. “I will go at once.” He had to leave, filled with hatred for Xiao Yingxun, even though he was being deliberately sent away.
Gu Lingwan was busy stuffing his face with meat when someone poured tea into his cup. He looked up.
Xiao Yingxun set the teapot down with graceful precision. “Heir, taste some tea. It will help cleanse the grease from your palate.”
Gu Lingwan felt a sense of flattered surprise. He swallowed his meat and replied, “Oh,” then picked up the cup and took a sip.
Xiao Yingxun’s gaze was deep. He looked past the window and said calmly, “That day, it was at the restaurant opposite that you discovered the assassin attempting to harm me. Had you not intervened, I would not have escaped unscathed.”
Gu Lingwan followed his gaze. It really is that place!
Gu Lingwan pulled his gaze back and examined the man. Why is he suddenly bringing this up? He is being attentive again for no reason! Could it be that he needs a favor from me?
As soon as the thought occurred, he dismissed it. A cold, arrogant Prince—what could he possibly need from me?
Hearing Gu Lingwan’s inner voice, Xiao Yingxun withdrew his gaze and turned to look at him. “I have a favor to ask of the Heir.”