At that time, the fire was so fierce and surrounded the place. With nowhere to escape, many people were buried in the flames!
The situation was extremely critical. He placed his wife and children in a well with water. However, Yuan Zhen still showed no mercy. He sent soldiers to carry out a massacre in his mansion.
If it hadn't been for Qi Rong's people helping secretly, he and his family would have surely died!
From then on, he saw Yuan Zhen's true colors clearly and decided to compete for the position of the Khan to protect his wife and children from threats!
With Qi Rong's help, Yuan Qi gradually made his way to the center of power. He was highly regarded by the Khan and was on par with the noble Third Prince, being designated as a candidate for the Khan.
Qi Rong once framed the Third Prince and deliberately forced him to rebel. And the Third Prince, indeed, couldn't hold his temper. He began to secretly hoard troops and supplies, preparing to seize the Khan's position.
Originally, Yuan Qi had the opportunity to kill Yuan Zhen. However, at the last moment, because of Yuan Zhen's plea for mercy and seeing Yuan Zhen's two children, he softened his heart. This act of kindness gave Yuan Zhen a chance to bite him back.
As soon as Yuan Zhen regained his strength, his first move was to launch a more violent attack on Yuan Qi!
If it hadn't been for Qi Rong constantly devising strategies for him and sending guards to follow him, he might have died a hundred times already!
This time when he came to the capital, in order to shake off Yuan Zhen's men, Yuan Qi had to spend a lot of effort to reach the Prince Xian's Mansion. He didn't even dare to bring a single guard.
Looking at Yuan Qi's regretful face, Qi Rong said in a soft voice:
"What's done is done. Now that you've seen the truth clearly, the next step is to find a way to strike back actively. Don't give the opponent any chance to catch their breath!"
Hearing this, Yuan Qi immediately nodded repeatedly and said eagerly:
"I came here this time just to discuss this matter with Your Highness in person and figure out how to execute Yuan Zhen once and for all!
Qi Rong could understand why Yuan Qi was so eager. The situation in Ke Ke Qin was in chaos, and the Khan of Ke Ke Qin didn't have much time left. But Yuan Qi, the eldest prince, was still weaker than Yuan Zhen.
Once the Khan passed away, Yuan Zhen would surely crush Yuan Qi with his strength. After ascending to the position of the Khan, his first thing to do would be to settle accounts with Yuan Qi.
By then, Yuan Qi would surely die, and his wife and children would once again become victims of this power struggle!
Qi Rong didn't dislike Yuan Qi's kind - heartedness. Instead, he loathed those who would do anything to achieve their goals, like Qi Hong!
Since Yuan Qi wasn't as cold - blooded as Yuan Zhen and wouldn't even spare his own siblings, it was imaginable that after Yuan Qi ascended the throne, at least he wouldn't harm Yuan Zhen's family.
So, when he learned that Yuan Qi would spare Yuan Zhen last time, he wasn't particularly surprised. Instead, he had already ordered his men to prepare for a retreat in advance.
Even if Yuan Zhen bit back, Yuan Qi wouldn't be completely defeated. However, he only gave Yuan Qi that one chance to show mercy!
In a power struggle, the kind - hearted one would not only put himself in danger but also implicate all those who fought alongside him.
Therefore, whether a person was worthy of being followed by others depended on whether he had the ability to protect them!
After that incident, Yuan Qi was no longer weak. Instead, Yuan Zhen's counter - attack had further stirred up his anger and determination, which was exactly what Qi Rong wanted to see.
It was much better than Yuan Qi ascending to the position of the Khan and then letting the opponent take advantage of his kindness.
That would truly be like drawing water with a bamboo basket, making all his efforts and time go to waste!
Facing Yuan Qi's anxiety, Qi Rong remained calm and said slowly:
"Right now, there's a great opportunity to make Yuan Zhen never return. However, you must first stay calm and not let the opponent seize any handle."
Qi Rong's voice was always cold. At this moment, it was like a bucket of ice - cold water poured on Yuan Qi's head, making him suddenly sober.
He realized that he had made a big mistake in the battle and quickly said with self - reproach:
"Your Highness is absolutely right. I was just too impatient."
Then, Yuan Qi stared intently at Qi Rong and said expectantly:
"May I ask Your Highness, have you come up with any good ideas?"
Although he considered himself intelligent, compared with the cunning Prince Xian, his intelligence was nothing.
Especially after experiencing so many things, he had a clearer understanding of Qi Rong's extraordinariness. Even though Qi Rong had never been to Ke Ke Qin, he knew the situation there like the back of his hand!
Without a strong foundation of strength, how could he have the ability to plan strategies and stir up the situation?
Yuan Qi admired Qi Rong to the core. So at this critical moment, he would almost always ask Qi Rong for advice in advance to avoid making mistakes and losing everything!
Looking at Yuan Qi's trusting face, Qi Rong slightly raised his thin lips, his eyes darkened, and slowly uttered three words:
"Princess Eight."
Yuan Qi was stunned for a moment and was a bit confused:
"What does this have to do with Princess Eight?"
But halfway through his words, looking at Qi Rong's confident eyes, an idea flashed through his mind. He was shocked and couldn't help but admire:
"Your Highness is truly one step ahead! I'm sure that even if Yuan Zhen has extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to leave the capital alive this time!"
Princess Eight was the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye. If anything happened to her, the Empress Dowager would surely not let it go!
In this way, they could reap the benefits.
Yuan Qi's eyes flickered, and he suddenly thought of something. He looked at Qi Rong worriedly and said:
"Your Highness, there's another thing I want to remind you about this time."
"What is it?"
Seeing Yuan Qi's serious face, Qi Rong asked actively. He was already thinking in his mind what could be the thing that worried Yuan Qi so much?
Yuan Qi looked at Qi Rong, hesitated for a moment, and then continued:
"Before we set off from Ke Ke Qin, we met the Khan. At that time, Yuan Zhen and the mother of the Fifth Princess were also there. She mentioned you to the Khan and seemed... to intend to let the Fifth Princess get in touch with you more."
Hearing Yuan Qi's words, Qi Rong raised his eyebrows. He rarely showed a surprised expression and finally understood what Yuan Qi was worried about.
Yuan Zhen and Yuan Zhu were siblings of the same parents. In a way, they were also related to him by marriage. Their mother's consideration of him was probably out of a sense of atonement, right?
After all, when Qi Hong planned that palace coup, Ke Ke Qin also played a part!
"My fifth younger sister is smart and beautiful, a bright pearl on the grassland. No warrior doesn't want to marry her. I'm afraid only Your Highness, such a perfect person, can catch her eye..."
Although Yuan Qi was worried that if Qi Rong married Yuan Zhu, he might turn to help Yuan Zhen, he still honestly said what was in his heart.
"I won't marry her."
Qi Rong's tone was very determined, and there was a sneer on his lips.
Since he decided to help Yuan Qi deal with Yuan Zhen, he had already made his stance clear. He wouldn't be shaken by a woman now.
Moreover, in his heart, there was no room for anyone other than Yun Xi.
Not now, and not in the future!