Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Your Highness...

You don't need to feel so guilty!

Blame it on the wolfish ambitions of Cheng Wang's faction!

Xie Jingchen took a step closer, looking directly at him: "Xiao Yi, you listen to me."

Once I have a firm footing and have found the evidence, I, Xie Jingchen, hereby swear: I will personally petition my father, the Emperor, to exonerate the Xiao family.

"I, Xie Jingchen, guarantee with my life the innocence of Prime Minister Xiao, and the innocence of your entire Xiao family."

These words were spoken with absolute conviction, without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Yi felt as if something had slammed into his chest.

He gritted his teeth, but still felt a slight burning sensation in his eyes.

I thought to myself that my older brother would be very happy to hear these words!

Three years.

He lived in anonymity for three years, not daring to show his true face or recognize his old friends.

I haven't had a good night's sleep for so many days and nights.

Some even questioned whether it was worth it for the Xiao family to risk their lives for the Great Zhou.

These words from the Northern King now deeply gratified him.

The Xiao family's efforts were not in vain; someone recognized their contributions.

Xiao Yi took a deep breath, stepped back, and bowed deeply: "Xiao Yi thanks Your Highness for your kindness."

"Your Highness, rest assured, no matter what lies ahead, Xiao Yi will fully support you and have no other intentions."

The Great Zhou needs a good emperor who cares about the country and its people. Since the old emperor is muddle-headed and incompetent, he should promote another suitable candidate to replace him!

Xie Jingchen helped him up again. Their eyes met, and they both saw something firm in each other's eyes.

That's trust.

It was something more precious than gold during those dark and hopeless years.

"it is good."

Xie Jingchen nodded, a hint of relief in his voice, "The Xiao family members are indeed all loyal and capable."

I didn't misjudge him.

Qingfeng stood to the side, remaining silent throughout.

Seeing that the two had opened up to each other, he breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

Xie Jingchen turned around, poured two cups of tea from the table, handed one to Xiao Yi, and kept the other for himself.

"Xiao Yi, now that we've laid this out, I also have a request to make."

Xie Jingchen held his teacup, but his tone was no longer as heavy as before; instead, it carried a more solemn expectation.

Xiao Yi immediately said, "Your Highness, please speak."

"My journey north this time is long and arduous, and the road ahead is not peaceful."

Xie Jingchen put down his teacup and lightly tapped the map spread out on the table. From this place, he traveled north, passing through several prefectures, and finally arrived at the northern border.

"You know that there are people in the court who don't want me to reach the north alive."

I don't trust the guards my father assigned to me.

The only person I can rely on around me is my trusted confidant, Jiang Zhen.

He raised his head and his gaze fell on Xiao Yi's face.

"I would like to ask you to help me and escort me safely to the North."

Xiao Yi acted almost without hesitation.

"it is good."

In short, it was decisive and efficient, without any hesitation or ambiguity.

The father had this intention in mind.

He had some hesitation before, wondering if the Northern King was worth it.

But after hearing what he said just now, he didn't hesitate at all.

The Great Zhou Dynasty desperately needs a benevolent ruler who loves his people like his own children.

Xie Jingchen was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiao Yi to agree so readily.

He had thought that Xiao Yi would consider it and weigh the pros and cons, after all, Xiao Yi's current identity was sensitive, and the slightest carelessness could lead to his death.

"Aren't you going to reconsider?" Xie Jingchen asked.

"No need."

Xiao Yi shook his head, his tone calm yet firm, "Your Highness just said that you would guarantee the Xiao family's innocence with your life, and Xiao Yi has no way to repay you."

Escorting His Highness for a while was simply our duty.

not to mention……"

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips—a smile that belonged to the young general of yesteryear, tinged with a touch of arrogance and nonchalance.

"Moreover, I, Xiao Yi, am a subject of the Great Zhou and a general on the border."

"As your subject, it is only right that he obeys your commands."

Xie Jingchen was taken aback at first, then he smiled.

"Alright then."

Xie Jingchen nodded readily, "But your poison..."

"The remaining poison has not been eliminated; it will take some more time."

Xiao Yi replied truthfully, "Once the poison is completely removed, I will immediately set off with the Prince."

Xie Jingchen said without hesitation, "Then I'll wait until you've finished cleaning the poison."

A few more days won't make a difference.

The two looked at each other and both felt much better.

The heavy weight that had been pressing on my mind these past few days seemed to have been lifted considerably after this heart-to-heart talk.

Xiao Yi suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, Your Highness, Prince Cheng has been deposed."

He has become a crippled prince with one ear and one leg.

He felt he could tell the Northern King about this, since the king would find out sooner or later anyway.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jingchen smiled slightly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "I know."

Xiao Yi and Qingfeng were both taken aback.

"Your Highness...you know?"

Qingfeng couldn't help but speak, his tone full of surprise.

Xie Jingchen put down his teacup, looked at the expressions on their faces, and smiled knowingly: "I saw you sneak up on Xie Jingxing that night and punish him severely."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi and Qingfeng exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

That night...

They recalled that night.

That night, the two of them kidnapped Cheng Wang, cut off his right ear, and broke his right leg. It was all done in secret, so how did he know?

But Xie Jingchen said he saw it.

Looking at Xie Jingchen's composed smile, Xiao Yi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

It turned out that on that night, while they thought they were acting discreetly, Xie Jingchen was nearby and had seen everything.

He made no sound, made no movement, and showed no indication whatsoever that he had noticed anything.

This Xie Jingchen is no simple character either!

Xie Jingchen seemed to see through Xiao Yi's thoughts and said softly, "Don't overthink it."

I was just curious and followed along to see what was going on.

You've done a very discreet job, but I'm always vigilant; nothing escapes my notice.

Previously, when Xie Jingchen was still the crown prince, he was the most outstanding among all the princes.

He was outstanding in both literary and military arts, meticulous in his thinking, and thorough in his actions.

Even though he has been demoted to the Northern King and lost his position as Crown Prince, his prudence and insight have never diminished in the slightest.

Among all the princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Xie Jingchen may not be the strongest in terms of martial arts.

But when it comes to cunning, strategy, judgment, and mastery of the situation, if he claims to be second, then no one would dare to claim to be first.

That is why he was framed by King Cheng with great effort and was eventually deposed.

The emperor actually understood, but he pretended to be confused.

A crown prince who is too outstanding is a threat to the emperor in itself.

"Your Highness is wise."

Xiao Yi said it sincerely, and then couldn't help but laugh.

Qingfeng hadn't expected that the seemingly gentle and harmless Young Master Chen was actually quite formidable.

However, in his heart, his young master was still the most capable!

Xie Jingchen shook his head: "It's better that Xie Jingxing is crippled, so as to avoid causing trouble in the future."

I also have to thank you for getting rid of a major menace for me!

"Your Highness is too kind. I dare not take credit for this."

Xiao Yi cupped his hands in greeting.

"General Xiao, there's no need to be so modest. Let's not bring this up again; let it remain unsaid."

"Once things settle down, you will all be my greatest heroes, and I, Xie Jingchen, will never forget you."

"Your subject will do everything in his power to support Your Highness!"

Xiao Yi and Qingfeng spoke at the same time.

The three exchanged a knowing glance and then burst into laughter at the same time.

The laughter wasn't loud, but it came from the heart and sounded especially cheerful in the quiet of the night.