Qin Xiao limped in.
His leg had been destroyed in the battle of Phoenix Mountain, his bones shattered.
He had seen countless doctors, and all the imperial physicians had examined him, but none could help.
This leg was completely ruined.
Feng Yexuan sat up with the help of Leng Ji, leaning against the head of the bed.
Looking at Qin Xiao’s gait, his eyes darkened, "Still no improvement?"
"I've given up."
Qin Xiao acted as if nothing was wrong, as if he didn't care at all.
Leng Ji and Liu Jin couldn't quite describe the feeling in their hearts.
The once spirited and handsome young man was now a cripple.
No matter how optimistically he appeared to be, everyone knew that his life had already turned bleak.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm still alive and well! On the other hand, your prince, looking perfectly fine, is coughing up blood and fainting. It's unbearable to watch."
Qin Xiao chuckled, limping to the bedside, pulling a chair over to sit down.
"Come, let me take a look at this frail, delicate, beautiful invalid. Let's see if he's really that weak, unable to let go of a woman."
"General Qin!" Leng Ji glared at him.
Although his crippled leg was pitiable, saying such things was suicidal.
"Don't worry, your prince is not as fragile as you think."
Qin Xiao leaned back in his chair. With one leg crippled, walking was truly tiring.
He waved his hand.
Leng Ji glanced at Feng Yexuan. Seeing the prince nod, he and Liu Jin left, closing the door.
"No hope?" Feng Yexuan glanced at Qin Xiao's leg.
"Mm," Qin Xiao nodded.
The most skilled imperial physicians in the palace had all examined it.
Since there was no hope, he wouldn't dwell on it anymore.
"Chou Qinghai was captured, but the Emperor remains unfazed. There's been no news from Prince He's estate."
Qin Xiao met his gaze and lowered his voice, "Although the Emperor wants to find the mastermind behind the medicine-man army, he also fears you. It's still unknown whose hands the empire will ultimately fall into."
"And you, at this time, are indulging in romantic affairs. Do you not want the empire anymore?"
Feng Yexuan remained silent.
Qin Xiao felt a sense of unease, "Old friend, you wouldn't happen to be like your imperial uncle, who only loves beauties and not the empire, would you? Don't scare me!"
Feng Yexuan still didn't speak, but his face was ashen, looking extremely displeased.
Qin Xiao sighed, feeling somewhat powerless, "Even if you want to emulate your imperial uncle, the beauty has to be willing to be with you."
"Qin Xiao!" Feng Yexuan's eyes darkened, his voice instantly turning icy.
"I know, I know. I won't mention your abandonment by Chu Qianli."
"Do not mention that woman's name again!" Feng Yexuan's cold gaze swept over him.
The powerful internal energy forced Qin Xiao's breathing to become erratic.
He said urgently, "I'm a cripple! You bastard, don't bully me!"
Feng Yexuan withdrew his gaze. The internal energy that had nearly suffocated Qin Xiao finally disappeared.
But Feng Yexuan also coughed lightly, spitting out a trace of blood.
Qin Xiao was truly exasperated, "See? You hurt yourself again when you get agitated. Why bother? That wo—"
Forget it, he wouldn't dare utter the name Chu Qianli again, lest he be killed by this fellow.
"Anyway, beauties from all countries are rushing to be chosen by you. Why do you have to hang yourself on one tree?"
"This time, the Emperor has broadened the scope. You can set your own rules for selection. The Emperor also wants to mend your relationship."
"You are truly showered with favor now, only missing the empire itself."
Qin Xiao subconsciously lowered his voice as he said this.
After all, these were somewhat "treasonous" words.
"But you must also know that while the Emperor wants to be on good terms with you, he also wants to be on good terms with Prince He. He doesn't want to offend either side and wants to keep them in check."
"If you don't make an effort, this empire might not necessarily fall into Prince He's hands."
"Do you think this king covets it?" Feng Yexuan snorted coldly.
His life was on the battlefield.
If the Emperor could remain on the throne for several more decades, allowing him to return to the border to protect the country, he would be willing.
The court disputes were endless.
When one holds a position, one will forever be entangled in these worldly affairs.
He actually didn't want to be emperor.
"But what if the medicine-man army was indeed trained by Prince He? Do you really want to see such a cruel and ruthless Prince He become the ruler of a nation?"
Having interacted for so many years, Qin Xiao knew very well that Feng Yexuan's ambitions were not in the court.
However, his concern for the common people was undeniable.
"If the Northern Underworld Kingdom falls into the hands of a tyrant, in the future, to consolidate his power, he will inevitably persecute loyal officials who disagree with him. Is this something you are willing to see?"
"Your people will also live in dire straits, with no peace!"
Qin Xiao finally raised the point that mattered most to Feng Yexuan, "Prince He is warlike. If he becomes the Emperor of the Northern Underworld, he will definitely make the soldiers of the Northern Underworld march east and west, killing without end."
Seeing Feng Yexuan clench his fists, Qin Xiao knew he had truly taken it to heart.
"Yexuan, as long as there is war, it is the common people who suffer. Rise and fall, it is the common people who suffer. You understand, don't you?"
Feng Yexuan certainly understood.
In recent years, his father, the Emperor, had followed his elder brother's advice and frequently waged war against neighboring small countries.
To expand the territory, the border residents lived in extreme hardship.
His political views differed from those of the Emperor and Prince He.
He advocated for peace.
If enemies invaded, of course, they must be killed.
But if another country was originally living in peace with yours, why should you invade them?
Without war, the common people could live and work in peace.
"Therefore, Yexuan, now that the Emperor is critically ill..."
Of course, many people knew this, but they dared not speak it aloud.
Qin Xiao lowered his voice further, "The current court appears calm on the surface, but with the Emperor's illness, a bloody storm will soon erupt."
"The Emperor values your talent, but he also values Prince He's ambition. I fear that even now, the Emperor himself is very conflicted. You can tell he hasn't even asked Prince He about the medicine people, which shows the Emperor is also biased."
"At this time, you must consolidate your military power and influence. Otherwise, once Prince He ascends the throne, you and your soldiers will never have peace."
Feng Yexuan remained silent, and Qin Xiao did not continue.
But he knew that Feng Yexuan had heard him.
He could disregard his own life, but Prince Xuan absolutely cherished his soldiers.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Yexuan finally looked at him and said expressionlessly, "State your purpose clearly."
Qin Xiao's heart jolted. Their Prince Xuan had finally returned!
"My grandfather... you know, he's a bit stubborn and unwilling to take sides, but he has many disciples and extensive connections."
Qin Xiao said earnestly, "If you can win him over and make him willing to stand with you, it will be the most powerful boost to your great cause!"
"Of course, also, at the concubine selection assembly, can you choose a capable wife? I mean, one with a strong backing power."