"Is the truth of this matter really that important?"
Compared with the anxious Crown Prince Yuan Qi, Qi Rong's tone was quite calm.
Because he thought it wouldn't change Yuan Qi's current situation. It was just a redundant question.
However, upon hearing this, Yuan Qi showed a hint of surprise. He looked straight into Qi Rong's eyes and said seriously,
"Your Highness, the Prince of Xian, of course it's important! Now, the Emperor has sent a letter to Kokchin, ordering my father to come to the capital immediately!"
If it was true that Yuan Zhen had assassinated the Empress Dowager, Kokchin would not only have offended the powerful Empress Dowager, but the Emperor would surely also hold them accountable!
Maybe even he and the Fifth Princess would be implicated. It might even be difficult for them to leave the capital safely!
Seeing what was on Yuan Qi's mind, Qi Rong said in a cold tone,
"Hasn't the Crown Prince ever heard the saying 'If you want to frame someone, you'll surely find a pretext'?"
"If the Emperor really wants to get rid of your Yuan clan, what can you do even if you're innocent? Instead of wasting time entangled in this question, you'd better think about how to take the initiative and protect the lives of your Yuan clan and your status in Kokchin!"
Anyway, without the Yuan clan, there were still many others in Kokchin who could take their place.
Qi Hong had long had a grudge against the Yuan clan in Kokchin. Maybe he had already started planning to replace the Yuans in Kokchin with someone more "obedient"!
Qi Rong's words instantly made Yuan Qi's face turn pale.
Previously, he wasn't sure about this, but after Qi Rong said this, Yuan Qi knew that what he had always been worried about was gradually becoming a reality!
Thinking of his aging father who didn't have much time left; thinking of his wife and children who hoped to be protected and live in peace; and thinking of the lives of all the people in their Yuan clan.
The Crown Prince Yuan Qi couldn't help but fall into panic. He stared at Qi Rong sorrowfully and said urgently,
"Your Highness, did you foresee this outcome long ago? You promised to help me, so I fully cooperated with your actions. However, this result is completely not what I wanted to see!"
The usually calm Yuan Qi had lost his composure at this moment. He spoke without thinking.
However, when he met Qi Rong's deep, icy eyes, he was shocked! Only then did he realize that he had been accusing Qi Rong.
Yuan Qi panicked. Just as he was about to explain, Qi Rong narrowed his cold eyes and sneered,
"I promised to help you get rid of Yuan Zhen, and now Yuan Zhen is dead. I've fulfilled my promise. As for what happens to Kokchin, it's not my concern."
After Qi Rong finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave. But Yuan Qi panicked. He quickly ran in front of Qi Rong and knelt down with a thud!
"Please calm down, Your Highness!"
Yuan Qi knelt down urgently, completely forgetting his status as a prince of Kokchin.
He was just a helpless man begging for help from the Prince of Xian!
He knew that if he offended the Prince of Xian again, he would lose his last glimmer of hope!
If everything was already a foregone conclusion, then it would be too late for him to kneel!
Looking down arrogantly at Yuan Qi kneeling on the ground, Qi Rong said in a cold voice,
"I've never forced you to do anything. Moreover, I don't believe that you didn't consider such an outcome before you did those things!"
Qi Rong's eyes swept around casually. Finally, they landed on the graceful figure in the carriage. His eyes softened, and he said slowly,
"Since you know all this in your heart, why pretend to be innocent after the fact?!"
Qi Rong's tone was calm, and his voice was soft. However, it was like a heavy hammer in Yuan Qi's heart, making his whole body tremble.
It was indeed as the Prince of Xian had said. He had anticipated this situation early on, but he had harbored a fluke mentality, thinking that it wouldn't turn out so badly!
Now awakened by Qi Rong's words, Yuan Qi felt his face flush with shame.
After all, the Prince of Xian had once helped him. No matter how anxious he was, he shouldn't have spoken to his benefactor like that.
Realizing that he was in the wrong, Yuan Qi looked extremely ashamed. He said respectfully and sincerely,
"Your Highness, any more explanations would seem redundant. You're magnanimous. Please forgive my rudeness just now. Show the Yuan clan of Kokchin a way out!"
Yuan Qi kowtowed respectfully, pinning almost all his hopes on Qi Rong.
Because he knew that as long as this man was willing to help, they would surely be able to turn the corner this time!
Even if Qi Rong didn't take the initiative to help, with his ingenious wisdom, he could still find a way out of the fog for him!
Noticing the hidden gazes around and meeting Yuan Qi's pleading eyes, Qi Rong snorted.
He wasn't worried that this scene would be seen by others or that it would reach the Emperor's ears and be misinterpreted by him.
He only cared whether this matter was beneficial to him.
After pondering for a moment, Qi Rong said calmly,
"I can help you. But you know, I'm not a kind-hearted person. It depends on what kind of bargaining chip you can offer and whether I'll take a fancy to it."
He had always scorned doing things without rewards.
A simple word of thanks or a favor meant nothing to him.
Because only what was in his hands was real!
Hearing Qi Rong's tone soften, Yuan Qi was overjoyed. He immediately promised,
"As long as Your Highness is willing to help my Yuan clan get through this crisis, I'll surely offer the Lanca Ranch that Your Highness took a fancy to before to Your Highness!"
Yuan Qi looked at Qi Rong expectantly, thinking that the other party would readily agree.
After all, Qi Rong had promised to help him avoid Yuan Zhen's pursuit and deal with Yuan Zhen because he had taken a fancy to that ranch.
However, to Yuan Qi's surprise, Qi Rong snorted and said calmly,
"The Lanca Ranch originally belonged to me. Has the Crown Prince already forgotten what he promised in my mansion that day? Or was the Crown Prince just teasing me then?!"
Hearing this, Yuan Qi was instantly stunned.
He immediately remembered that when he went to the Prince of Xiang's mansion that day, he had indeed told Qi Rong that as long as he could help him get rid of Yuan Zhen, he would offer the only Lanca Ranch in his hands to him.
At first, he had hesitated for a long time, but for the safety of his wife and children, he had finally made the promise.
It seemed that the Prince of Xian already regarded the Lanca Ranch as his own!
Facing Qi Rong's imposing manner, Yuan Qi felt his heart sink.
A gentleman's word is final. Since he had made the promise, he couldn't take it back, especially when facing the Prince of Xian, Qi Rong!
He would never underestimate him just because he was young. On the contrary, now all his hopes were pinned on Qi Rong, and he couldn't afford to offend him!
He had to offer other rewards. But he wasn't as wealthy as Yuan Zhen. The only thing he could offer was that ranch. How could he impress the Prince of Xian?!