Yuan Qi was in a dilemma for a moment. Just then, Qi Rong's voice suddenly rang out:
"I can spare the lives of the Yuan clan and even help you ascend to the throne of the Khan. But this time, what I want is the Hong Pasture of Kekeqin!"
"Hong Pasture?!"
Yuan Qi couldn't hide his shock upon hearing this.
The Hong Pasture was the largest horse - breeding ranch in Kekeqin. Nearly one - third of the horses in Kekeqin were bred there. Moreover, the sweat - blooded horses that were presented to the emperor every year could only be bred in the Hong Pasture.
The Hong Pasture not only had vast pastures but also the highest - quality horses and the most experienced horse breeders in Kekeqin!
The King of Xian actually had his eye on this place?!
"Not willing?"
Qi Rong slightly raised his tone, making Yuan Qi look solemn. He nervously said:
"Your Highness, it's not that I'm not willing. But the Hong Pasture is under my father's control. I have no right to dispose of it, so I can't make you any promises."
Yuan Qi knew Qi Rong's capabilities, so he didn't want to lie and just get Qi Rong to help him out of trouble first.
Once he angered the other party, it might bring greater disasters to him and his clan, which would be a great loss!
Qi Rong's choice to support Yuan Qi was not without reason. Apart from Yuan Qi's weak foundation and the least possibility of competing for the throne of the Khan, what Qi Rong valued most was Yuan Qi's honesty and trustworthiness.
He naturally knew that Yuan Qi wasn't lying to him, but he wasn't in a hurry either. He said slowly:
"I don't want it now. I want it after you become the Khan. Can you agree?"
Qi Rong's black eyes were as deep as a pool and as sharp as a falcon's. Under this kind of gaze, Yuan Qi felt a natural fear, but a kind of power was boiling in his chest.
Which man in the world didn't love fame and fortune? Even though he had been lying low and seemed to be indifferent to everything on the surface, never thinking of competing for the throne of the Khan.
However, that was just an appearance!
He was of humble birth. He not only longed to obtain the throne of the Khan and avenge his humiliation! He even wanted to implement reforms in Kekeqin after ascending the throne, bringing a more prosperous and stable life to the people of Kekeqin and becoming the most respected Khan in the history of Kekeqin!
Qi Rong's confident tone seemed to be sure that he would surely become the Khan, which made Yuan Qi excited and overjoyed.
"Since Your Highness dares to believe in me, I will surely not disappoint Your Highness!"
Yuan Qi clasped his fists heavily at Qi Rong, which was his agreement to the other party's request.
Finally, a pleased smile curved Qi Rong's lips. He symbolically raised his hand at Yuan Qi, signaling him to stand up.
Then, Qi Rong calmly told Yuan Qi his plan.
At first, Yuan Qi couldn't accept Qi Rong's strategy because it was too cruel, and he hesitated a lot.
But facing the hesitant Yuan Qi, Qi Rong only said one sentence:
"A man of noble character can't be so petty. If you don't want your wife, children and father to be buried with you, then someone must make sacrifices!"
Yuan Qi knew that Qi Rong was right. After a mental struggle, he finally made a choice.
After the two briefly discussed a few more points, Qi Rong strode towards his carriage. But on the way, he was blocked by Princess Yuanzhu.
Princess Yuanzhu had got no benefits from Yun Xi and had been severely mocked. She was about to complain to Qi Rong about Yun Xi, but was coldly scolded by Qi Rong:
"Get out of the way."
Although Qi Rong's tone was soft, Yuanzhu still couldn't help trembling.
Looking into the other man's extremely handsome but cold eyes, she suddenly remembered Qi Rong's cruel methods on the arena that day.
He was like a ferocious beast, which filled her with fear!
Yuanzhu subconsciously moved aside, but shouted at Qi Rong's back:
"King of Xian, you colluded with the royal family to frame my third brother. Don't think you can get away with it. I'll ask my father to avenge my third brother!"
Apart from this deep hatred, Yuanzhu actually admired Qi Rong very much, especially after learning that Qi Rong was extremely skilled in martial arts and almost unmatched. She had set her eyes on him.
Because she knew clearly that he was the best spouse she had been longing for!
If the incident of her third brother hadn't happened, she might have married him regardless of everything.
However, fate played a cruel joke on her. Her third brother had indirectly died at Qi Rong's hands, and even ten brave warriors of Kekeqin had lost their lives under this man's sword.
Just because of these two points, she couldn't let her heart flutter!
Moreover, this man had a very annoying concubine. If she couldn't teach them a lesson, she wouldn't be able to swallow this anger!
Qi Rong completely ignored Yuanzhu's outcry. He stepped onto the carriage directly, lowered the bamboo curtain, and immediately embraced Yun Xi in his arms:
"Set off!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The coachman got the order and immediately drove the carriage through the bustling crowd towards the city.
"Fifth sister, what did you say to the King of Xian just now?"
Yuan Qi came a few steps late behind Qi Rong. When he saw Yuanzhu blocking Qi Rong's way, he felt nervous, afraid that the princess would offend Qi Rong at this time.
If they wanted to return to Kekeqin safely, they would still need Qi Rong's help in the future.
He was afraid that the always - willful Yuanzhu would ruin all his efforts just now without thinking!
Seeing Yuan Qi's nervous look, Yuanzhu sneered and immediately scolded:
"Brother, he's just a prince and the indirect murderer of my third brother. You're so submissive to him. It's really a disgrace to our Kekeqin!"
She had seen from afar that her brother had knelt before the King of Xian. Although she didn't know the reason, she just felt extremely annoyed!
Yuan Qi had condescended and sacrificed his dignity for the lives of his clan and the safety of his family. But now he was being ridiculed by the fifth princess. Even the usually - good - tempered Yuan Qi couldn't help getting angry. He sternly scolded Princess Yuanzhu:
"You don't need to teach me. As long as you stop causing trouble and bringing trouble to Kekeqin!"
Kekeqin was in this critical situation. Although he was half responsible, if the fifth princess had chosen a husband at the beginning or obeyed the arrangement of the royal family, this competition wouldn't have happened.
It had even caused a huge stir and brought such a great disaster to Kekeqin!
Hearing Yuan Qi's scolding, Princess Yuanzhu was very dissatisfied and immediately retorted:
"Brother, you should make it clear. How did I cause trouble? I came from afar for the harmony between our clan and the royal family. I've made such a great sacrifice, but you still blame me?"
The princess put her hands on her hips and stared at Yuan Qi, looking very aggressive.
This made Yuan Qi even angrier. He stared coldly at the princess and said:
"Since you came for the marriage alliance, who is the husband you've chosen? Even the current crown prince can't catch your eye. How can you say you've made sacrifices for our clan?!"
In his opinion, a willful and arrogant princess like Yuanzhu would be an insult to the crown prince Qi Yu if she were betrothed to him!
Yuan Qi had never talked to the fifth princess like this in Kekeqin before. Being ridiculed like this by Yuan Qi, Yuanzhu felt humiliated. She immediately said:
"Who says I haven't decided on a husband? I want to marry the King of Xian! Tomorrow I'll tell the emperor to betroth me to Qi Rong and make me the Princess of Xian!!"
Therefore, with the princess's willful words, another storm was quietly approaching!