After hearing Qi Rong's words, the eldest prince Yuan Qi secretly let out a sigh of relief.
He knew very well that if he lost Qi Rong's help, he would not be able to compete with the third prince Yuan Zhen, let alone inherit the position of the Khan!
To avoid arousing the suspicion of the third prince Yuan Zhen by staying outside for too long, Yuan Qi got up to take his leave after discussing matters with Qi Rong.
When he was about to reach the gate of the mansion, he suddenly remembered something. He said seriously to Zhan Feng, who had personally seen him off to the gate:
"This morning, Yuan Zhen was summoned alone by the Empress Dowager and didn't return until a long time later. The first thing he did after coming back was to immediately summon ten warriors from the Kekeqin Grassland for a conversation. It seems they are plotting something. You must remind the prince to be extra careful in the competition tomorrow."
Due to their interconnected interests, the eldest prince Yuan Qi also knew about Qi Rong's relationship with the Empress Dowager and even the current emperor.
Qi Rong had saved him and his wife and children more than once, so Yuan Qi was very grateful to him.
Moreover, since the two of them were now on the same boat, Yuan Qi felt it was his obligation to remind Qi Rong and help each other.
Hearing this, Zhan Feng frowned and immediately nodded seriously. With a solemn expression, he said:
"Zhan Feng understands. Thank you, eldest prince, for the reminder. I will immediately report this to the prince. Please be careful on your way back. Don't let Yuan Zhen's men spot you."
Yuan Qi nodded, put on his hat again, looked around furtively, and then left the mansion in a hurry.
Zhan Feng then immediately ordered two guards to follow Yuan Qi from a distance in case they could cover for him in case of special circumstances!
Then, Zhan Feng rushed back to the courtyard, entered Qi Rong's study, and relayed Yuan Qi's words to Qi Rong exactly as they were.
Hearing this, Qi Rong just nodded indifferently.
Through his secret guards, he already knew that the third prince Yuan Zhen had been summoned alone by the Empress Dowager, and he could roughly guess their purpose this time.
However, they were probably going to be disappointed this time!
"You may leave. I want to be alone for a while." Qi Rong said to Zhan Feng.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhan Feng respectfully exited the study, while Qi Rong turned around and walked to a curio shelf in the study.
Then, he placed his hand on a colorful vase and gently turned it. Instantly, the curio shelf split into two, and a secret passage suddenly appeared in front of him!
Qi Rong strode in. After a short while, he quietly emerged from a fake cave in the Southern Garden.
It turned out that there had been a secret passage connecting the Southern Garden and the courtyard where Qi Rong lived for a long time.
This was also the reason why Qi Rong had arranged Yun Xi to live in the Southern Garden.
Avoiding the sight of others, Qi Rong walked straight towards Yun Xi's room.
Through the light, Yun Xi's figure was reflected on the window lattice. Looking at the slender figure on the lattice, a smile involuntarily curled up on Qi Rong's lips.
Seeing the door suddenly open, Qi Rong quickly slipped to one side and hid in the shadows.
It was already late at night. Yu Zhu didn't notice anyone outside and walked straight out towards her own room.
After Yu Zhu had walked far away, Qi Rong stepped out of the shadows, opened the door, and walked in.
Yun Xi had just gone to bed and was about to blow out the lamp when she suddenly heard a sound of footsteps outside. She was slightly surprised:
"Yu Zhu, is that you coming back again?"
Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh helplessly:
"I've already said that it's too late today. I'm not going to Qi Rong's courtyard. Don't try to persuade me anymore."
Since there would be a martial arts competition held in the palace tomorrow and Qi Rong might participate, Yu Zhu had advised Yun Xi to seize this opportunity to show her concern for Qi Rong.
She wanted Yun Xi to deliver the Qianhua Bailu Pills that she had obtained from the divine doctor Bai Shu to Qi Rong overnight before the competition tomorrow.
Yu Zhu's intention was easy to understand. She just wanted Yun Xi and Qi Rong to reconcile and return to their previous harmonious relationship.
However, Yun Xi knew that Qi Rong had guests today, and she didn't want to intrude rashly and stumble upon any secrets. So she decided to have someone pass the pills to him in the morning tomorrow.
However, she didn't know how to explain this to Yu Zhu.
Since Yu Zhu was simple-minded and the mansion was full of hidden dangers, Yun Xi didn't want Yu Zhu to get into trouble by knowing too much. So she deliberately kept some things from her to protect her.
"What are you doing in my courtyard?"
A clear and cold male voice came from the outer room, making Yun Xi freeze in shock. She stared at Qi Rong, who had suddenly appeared in her bedroom, in disbelief:
"How did you get here?"
Could it be that Yu Zhu had called him here?
Yun Xi thought of this possibility but immediately dismissed it.
Yu Zhu had just left not long ago. There wasn't enough time for her to reach Qi Rong's courtyard. So Qi Rong had come uninvited!
"What are you doing in my courtyard?" Yun Xi deliberately stared coldly at Qi Rong and asked again.
This was the first time Qi Rong had come to her bedroom since she had moved out of his courtyard, which made her feel wary.
Looking at Yun Xi's deliberately cold gaze, Qi Rong smiled playfully:
"This is my mansion. Is there anywhere I can't go?"
Qi Rong slowly walked to the edge of Yun Xi's bed and sat down. Just as he was about to reach out to brush away the hair that had fallen on Yun Xi's forehead, Yun Xi was so scared by his action that she suddenly shrank back and subconsciously avoided his touch.
Qi Rong's hand froze in mid-air. Looking at Yun Xi's guarded expression, he suddenly felt a little gloomy.
Although he had asked Yun Xi to move out of the courtyard, this wasn't the result he wanted!
He just wanted outsiders to think that he was indifferent to Yun Xi so that she could stay away from the dangers around him, not for Yun Xi to reject him.
"Why are you avoiding me?" A hint of displeasure flashed in Qi Rong's eyes. Then he stretched out his long arm, and the next moment he pulled Yun Xi into his arms. He tightened his arm, and his overbearing gesture made it impossible for Yun Xi to break free.
Being questioned by Qi Rong, Yun Xi looked surprised and retorted angrily:
"Wasn't it you who asked me to move out of the Southern Garden?"
Yun Xi sometimes really hated Qi Rong's overbearing behavior.
It was him who had pushed her away, and now he was asking her why she was avoiding him. Was this man being reasonable?
Who did he think he was? Could he just call her whenever he wanted and dismiss her whenever he felt like it?
Looking at Yun Xi's pouting little face, Qi Rong didn't want the atmosphere to become stiff, so he deliberately changed the subject and asked:
"Didn't you just say that you were going to my courtyard? Is there something you need?"
Yun Xi was originally angry, but when she heard Qi Rong's question, a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face:
"You heard wrong. I didn't say that I was going to your courtyard."
Yun Xi deliberately turned her head away and didn't look at Qi Rong. For some reason, it was very difficult for her to admit her concern for Qi Rong.
It seemed like admitting it was like indirectly telling Qi Rong how much she loved him!