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

Chapter 146 Qi Xiao, I’m here.

The sound of horse hooves was mostly drowned out by the sound of wind and rain, rolling through the long, deserted street, sounding a bit like thunder, disturbing the night.

There was a solemn atmosphere in the Westward Journey Palace. White silk had been hung and the palace maids had changed into plain clothes. The sad white color made Tang Ling feel dizzy and shocked. He was anxious to see Qi Xiao.

Bai Xiqiao was guarding outside the wing room. Seeing Zong Sheng and Chi Yue, he shook his head and said softly, "Xiao'er doesn't want to be disturbed for the time being."

Bai Xiqiao carefully looked at the guards following behind Zong Sheng and Chi Yue. He couldn't tell what the clue was, but he always felt that something was strange.

"I'll go in and see him." Tang Ling walked to Baixi Bridge and nodded slightly at him.

Bai Xiqiao recognized Tang Ling's voice and was startled. He watched Tang Ling push open the door of the wing room.

"How did you bring him here?!"

Chi Yue shrugged, and Zong Sheng said, "I think I want to see him."

"……should?!"

Tang Ling slowed down her pace and walked into the inner room. The lights were on in the room, but it still felt dark for some reason.

Qi Xiao had been kneeling in front of Concubine Lin's bed for more than an hour.

Tang Ling's footsteps approached. She knelt beside Qi Xiao and slowly held Qi Xiao in her arms.

"Why are you here?" Qi Xiao had been keeping his head down. He knew it was Tang Ling the moment he heard footsteps outside. Now leaning against Tang Ling's chest, listening to her heartbeat, Qi Xiao suddenly couldn't help but hug her tightly, tears streaming down his face.

Tang Ling choked up. He didn't know how to comfort Qi Xiao. He held the trembling person in his arms and was speechless.

It shouldn't have been like this. Qi Xiao had just returned to Yuanjing, and Concubine Lin had only moved to the West Palace a few days earlier. They barely had time to exchange a few words before their mother and son were reunited, and Qi Xiao hadn't had time to spend more time with Concubine Lin, to make up for six years of separation and thousands of miles... How could it happen so suddenly?!

Qi Xiao held Tang Ling in his arms and cried for a long time. From the first day he saw his mother, he knew this day wouldn't be far off. Even before he returned to Yuanjing, he knew his mother was seriously ill and might not live long, which was why he had the chance to rush back. But he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. He'd thought it could last at least a year or two, or even a few months!

But why can't he do anything?! He is helpless!

Zong Sheng, Bai Xiqiao and Chi Yue stood guarding the door of the wing room, looking at each other, and no one spoke for a long time.

Zong Sheng suddenly said, "I'll go get two plain clothes." They came in a hurry, and although they were all wearing dark robes, they were particularly eye-catching in the West Palace, which was still inappropriate.

Bai Xiqiao stopped Zong Sheng and said, "No need. You can't stay in Xixing Palace for long. Wait until Xiao'er finishes explaining things and then go back."

"Master is like this now, we should stay with him."

Chi Yue pulled Zong Sheng and said, "Although the West Palace is a summer retreat, it is still the imperial palace. It is inappropriate for grown men like us to stay in the inner courtyard. Even if we want to accompany His Highness, we can only do so outside the courtyard. Bai Xiqiao accompanying His Highness is an exception, and we must not cross the line again."

Zong Sheng's brow furrowed, deeply concerned about Qi Xiao's current condition. When Gu Shanmo passed away, Qi Xiao knelt before the coffin for three days, refusing to eat or drink, remaining silent. He passed out and was carried back to his room to rest, only to return to kneeling after regaining consciousness. If the Fenglin Mountain bandits hadn't been completely wiped out by then, and Lu Fangjin had simply come and taken Qi Xiao away, Qi Xiao might have continued kneeling for months.

"I will take good care of Xiao'er."

Zong Shengxin couldn't help but worry about what Bai Xiqiao said. Gu Shanmo was also Bai Xiqiao's master. Bai Xiqiao almost drank himself to death back then, so he couldn't be relied on at all. He hoped that he could handle it calmly this time.

Chi Yue asked, "Do you know what His Highness wants to order?"

Bai Xiqiao said, "I have a vague idea. Lady Lin's death was so sudden, Xiao'er has doubts and wants to investigate."

Chi Yue nodded after hearing this: "I understand."

"Xiao'er probably doesn't want to disturb His Majesty about this matter."

Chi Yue glanced at Bai Xiqiao, fell silent and did not answer.

Bai Xiqiao felt a little irritated watching Chi Yue. Zong Sheng had said he could trust him. It was ridiculous. He was from the Tiance Camp, how could he be on the same page with them? Who knew if he would sell Qi Xiao out at some point? After all, Qi Xiao was only a prince, not even the crown prince. How could someone like Chi Yue possibly offend the future crown prince for Qi Xiao, let alone help them hide something from His Majesty?

***

"How long have you been kneeling? Stop kneeling. Lady Lin wouldn't want to see you neglecting your body like this."

Qi Xiao was like a little animal abandoned in the mountains, clinging tightly to the only person who could give him warmth in the cold and dark night. He was in pain, sorrow, and fear, as if he were suddenly drowning. The more pain he felt, the more he lost control of himself, and the harder he struggled, the more painful it would be, the more he would collapse, and the faster he would drown.

Tang Ling is his life-saving straw. As long as he holds her tightly, he will have a chance to breathe and slowly calm down.

Tang Ling knew that no words of comfort could take away Qi Xiao's pain at the moment, not even a little bit. And he was also powerless.

"Qi Xiao, I'm here, I'm here." Tang Ling hugged Qi Xiao and whispered softly. If she couldn't save him, he would be doomed to drown in the water. Tang Ling wanted to stay with him.

Tang Ling glanced at the heavy gauze curtains and said silently to Concubine Lin, I'm sorry, I can't agree to your request, but I will accompany Qi Xiao, protect him, and do everything I can to help him. Please rest assured and leave him to me.

Qi Xiao cried for a long time and finally calmed down. He buried his face low and wiped away his tears with his sleeves. He didn't want to cry and was holding back, but when Tang Ling came, he suddenly broke down. He didn't want Tang Ling to see him like this.

"...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you take the risk of coming here." Qi Xiao's voice was hoarse and dry, which made Tang Ling feel distressed again.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you want me to abandon you and not care about you?"

"Tang Ling, I'm in so much pain."

Tang Ling raised her hand to smooth down Qi Xiao's hair. "I know... seeing you like this, I think Concubine Lin's spirit in heaven would be heartbroken."

"Qinglan came this morning. Mother was still awake and had taken the medicine. She said she was getting better..."

Qi Xiao choked up as he spoke. He didn't believe that his mother died of illness. Something must have happened!

Tang Ling and Qi Xiao thought the same thing. Qinglan said that Concubine Lin was not at the end of her life, and it shouldn't have happened so suddenly. However, if the death of a concubine needed to be investigated, it would be the responsibility of the Inner Court. The Dali Temple, the Capital Protectorate, the Tiance Camp, and even Qi Xiao himself could not get involved, let alone Tang Ling. It would be impossible to find out anything.

"how do you want to do it?"

"Chi Yue is outside."

"Ah."

"Where's Qinglan?"

“I can’t bring it in.”

"Let Chi Yue find a way to bring him in tomorrow." Qi Xiao asked Qinglan to perform an autopsy. He had to do it. He couldn't let his mother die in obscurity.

"okay, I get it."

"You can't stay in the West Palace for long. I have something to tell Chi Yue. I'll have Zong Sheng accompany you to the outer courtyard for a while."

Tang Ling nodded: "Don't worry about me."

Qi Xiao hugged Tang Ling again before letting her go.

Tang Ling changed her appearance and put on someone else's face. He didn't want to kiss Qi Xiao, so he could only leave reluctantly.