If he hadn't revealed his identity, then Chu Li would still be the prince of Chu, and he could still mobilize Chu's spies and followers buried in Qi.
But after Chu Li's identity was exposed and he was arrested in the prison of Qi State, he was no longer the prince of Chu State.
In a sense, Chu Li is actually a pawn. Before the pawn is exposed, everything is easy to talk about, but once it is exposed, he becomes an abandoned pawn.
It is absolutely impossible for Chu State to admit that Chu Li is the prince of Chu State. They will try their best to deny Chu Li’s identity and push everything to other people—everything is done by others. Innocent good country.
From the moment he was caught, Chu Li's fate had already been decided.
Qi Heng was afraid that Qi Wang would not understand, so he analyzed the stakes for him in detail, and finally said: "Although Chu State will not recognize Chu Li's identity, but Chu Li is in our hands, this is our Regardless of whether they admit it or not, Chu Li is always the prince of Chu State, representing the face of Chu State. Moreover, this matter has been wronged. As long as we hold Chu Li's handle, Chu State will always be inferior to us. Go up."
Qi Huan nodded, expressing that he understood, seeing his younger brother's well-behaved appearance, Qi Heng's mood improved a bit, and the tiredness accumulated during this period seemed to have dissipated a lot.
After capturing Shang Bingjun, he pulled out the radish and brought out the mud. Qi Heng took the opportunity to alienate all the forces in Qinglan City. During this period, he also pulled out several spies from Chu State.
Among the spies of Chu State, only Shang Bingjun has the highest position, and Chu State can only cultivate one Shang Bingjun. Except for the captain, the rest are small officials of the sixth and seventh ranks.
Hu Ce, the seventh-rank editor of the Imperial Academy, is also a spy of the Chu State. As a member of the Imperial Academy, Hu Ce is qualified to enter the palace. The officials who entered it were also the easiest to become the emperor's cronies.
Shang Bingjun went out from the Hanlin Academy back then.
Hu Ce has not been in the Imperial Academy for a long time, and he has not yet had the chance to face the saint, but his performance is very good. If he is given enough time, he is qualified to enter the palace to face the saint.
Hu Ce will be found, thanks to Shang Bingjun's diary. Some time ago, Qi Wang had a relationship with Shang Wanqing, which made Shang Bingjun mistakenly think that Qi Wang had a crush on Shang Wanqing, and he was afraid that Chu Li would settle accounts with him , and hurriedly wanted to marry off her daughter.
In a hurry, it was hard for him to choose someone, so after much deliberation, he chose Hu Ce, who was also a spy.
After he chose Hu Ce, maybe it was because he felt uneasy, or maybe it was because of some other reasons, anyway, he finally wrote it down in detail in his diary.
If it weren't for this day, it would be very difficult for them to dig out Hu Ce, a spy.
After all, Hu Ce was the number one scholar handpicked by the emperor last year. He was born in a poor family, but he has a brilliant literary talent. Although some of the opinions he put forward are immature, they are not fake remarks. As long as he is given some time, he will definitely achieve something .
In fact, King Qi thinks that Hu Ce is a good person and a useful talent. King Qi plans to hone him for a period of time, and when he matures, he will be officially used.
If it wasn't for Shang Bingjun's diary, they would never have thought that Hu Ce was also a spy of Chu State.
In fact, not only King Qi, Qi Heng also admired Hu Ce very much. He felt that many of the views of this man coincided with his own, and the articles he wrote were not that flashy. Although there were no fancy rhetoric, they spoke everywhere on point.
Such a person is a spy of Chu State. Qi Heng was quite shocked. When he went to arrest Hu Ce, Qi Heng personally took people there. Looking at the man who was tied up by five flowers, Qi Heng asked what he had been wanting to ask since he knew his identity. .
"Why are you doing this?"
After being arrested, Hu Ce knew that his identity had been exposed. His face was gray and defeated, but he was not as crazy as other arrested people. It seemed that he had resigned to his fate.
After hearing Qi Heng's words, Hu Ce raised his head and looked at His Royal Highness, the young crown prince of Qi. He never showed the pain and regret in the eyes of the crown prince of Qi. After seeing this scene, Hu Ce understood Qi Heng almost instantly The meaning of the prince of the country.
"It's just that everyone is their own master. Your Royal Highness doesn't need to worry too much. I am from the state of Chu. Everything I do is for my country, that's all."
Hu Ce was taken into the dungeon, but before he could be interrogated, he chose to bite his tongue and commit suicide.
Thinking of that talented man, Qi Heng sighed, his expression was depressed for a moment, but he soon returned to normal.
"It's a pity for Hu Ce. If he is from Qi instead of Chu, we will have another virtuous minister in Qi."
"Brother, do you mean that Hu Ce is also a spy of Chu State?"
Qi Heng nodded: "Yes, you also know Hu Ce?"
Qi Wang nodded: "I know, he was last year's champion."
Qi Wang was still thinking about one thing before. In the original plot, the death of King Qi and Queen, including the death of Qi Heng later, the original owner actually didn't know how they died until Chu Li's true face was revealed later. Only then did he realize that the death of his family was inseparable from Chu Li.
The original owner had questioned Chu Li, and Chu Li had sworn to the sky that he did not kill the original owner's relatives himself, and he was not that cruel.
"Those are your relatives. How could I kill them myself? Am I such a cruel and ruthless person in your heart?"
It was Chu Li's attitude that made the original owner dispel his doubts about Chu Li.
However, Chu Li didn't do it himself, which doesn't mean he didn't let others do it. The old man swore, since Chu Li dared to swear, then the person who did it must not be him.
But who among his subordinates can quietly attack the members of the royal family of the Qi Kingdom without being discovered by others
Before, Qi falsely thought that the person was Chang An, but after his analysis later, the possibility of it being Chang An was not great.
Chu Li has some feelings for the original owner. Although the true feelings are not much, he is still willing to follow the original owner on the premise of not hurting his own interests.
He once made a promise to the original owner that he would definitely find out the murderer who killed his family and avenge them. If the murderer was really Chang An, he would never live to return to Chu State.
But now Qi Wang thinks that that person is 80% likely to be Hu Ce.
In the memory of the original owner, Hu Ce has never been exposed from the beginning to the end. He behaved like a loyal minister. own life.
The original owner always thought that the other party was a loyal minister who died for the country, but now that he knew that he was actually a hidden spy, Qi Wang guessed that the person who killed the Queen Qi and the prince in the original plot should be this Hu Ce .
Seeing that the prince seemed to be regretting the death of Hu Ce, and when the name Hu Ce was mentioned, Qi Heng's expression and tone were a little different, Qi Wang felt that this Hu Ce might have some special feelings in Qi Heng's heart. significance.
But people die like a lamp goes out, and Hu Ce is already dead, so it is meaningless to say anything else.
"Brother, what are you going to do next?"
Qi Wang's voice pulled Qi Heng out of that sad mood, he thought for a while, and said: "What to do next is not something I should think about, my father has already known about this matter, what will happen next, It's all up to the father to decide."
King Qi is now in his prime. If there is no accident, he can still be emperor for at least another 20 years. Such a big matter should really be decided by King Qi.
This time Qi Wang stayed with Qi Heng much longer than last time, Xu taught his younger brother to give him a sense of accomplishment, and Qi Heng taught Qi Wang a lot of things.
That's what Qi Heng never taught the original owner in the original plot.
Ever since Qi Wang entered this body, there were actually not many emotions left in his body, but when Qi Heng taught him the way of life, controlling methods and other things, he could clearly feel the turmoil in his heart. Pleasure comes.
After going through so many tribulations, the original owner probably understood that excessive innocence and kindness would bring disaster to his family. In fact, he also wanted to have the power to protect his family. No matter how bad it is, don’t let yourself become a short board and become someone else. Weapons that hurt his family.
The two brothers chatted for a long time, probably because Qi Heng was so engrossed in teaching his younger brother, that Qi Heng didn't notice the time change. When he realized it, it was already dark outside.
"It's already so late, An'an, you can stay in the East Palace for dinner tonight, and try my chef's skills."
Qi Heng kindly asked to stay, Qi Wang naturally would not refuse, he nodded and agreed to stay.
The cooking skills of the Donggong cook are good, and more than half of the dishes on the big table are Qi Wang's favorites. He has a good appetite, and he ate a lot by himself.
Although there are many royal rules and etiquettes, but they only have two brothers together, so naturally they don't pay attention to eating and sleeping. The two brothers chat while eating, and the atmosphere is good.
"Brother, your birthday is coming soon. After your birthday, you will be twenty-six years old. You should consider getting married."
Qi Heng was established as the crown prince since he was born. After he became an adult, many princes and nobles actually wanted to marry him, but Qi Heng never got married, and the position of the princess of the East Palace has always been vacant.
King Qi and Queen are considered very enlightened parents. Qi Heng didn't want to get married, so they didn't force him. His marriage was delayed until he was twenty-five years old, but he would be twenty-six soon. Qi Wang felt that King Qi And the queen should not let him not marry anymore.
After hearing Qi Wang's words, Qi Heng was stunned for a moment, for some reason, Hu Ce's cold face suddenly appeared in his mind.
Just thinking of Hu Ce's death, Qi Heng felt a little empty in his heart, but soon Qi Heng's rationality suppressed these untimely emotions, he thought for a while, and said: "You are right, I It's time to get married, and I will bring this up with my father, queen and queen in two days."
Qi Wang nodded, and didn't get too entangled in this matter.
After having dinner in the East Palace, Qi Heng sent someone to send Qi Wang back. Before leaving, Qi Wang stopped, as if he had been entangled for a long time, he walked quickly to Qi Heng. before.
"Brother, can I go to the prison?"
Qi Wang asked cautiously.
Qi Heng was taken aback for a moment, then lowered his head and looked at his younger brother.
"You want to go to the prison?"
Qi Huang nodded: "Is it possible?"
Although Qi Wang didn't say it clearly, the two brothers actually understood why Qi Wang went to the prison.
Chu Li was locked in the sky prison, and he wanted to see Chu Li.
Qi Heng didn't speak, he stared at Qi Wang for a long time, as if he wanted to see what was going on in his heart through his expression.
After a long time, Qi Heng asked slowly, "An'an, do you know what you're talking about? Do you understand what you're doing?"
Qi Wang nodded, and said softly: "I know, I just want to see him."
Qi Wang didn't give Qi Wang an answer on the spot, but just told him to go back: "I'll let you know when I think it through."
Qi Wang knew that his request would not be agreed so easily. Qi Heng had his own considerations, but he believed that Qi Heng, who wanted him to grow up, would agree to it sooner or later.
He just had to wait patiently.
When sitting on the sedan chair back to the palace, Qi Wang was jolted a bit sleepy.
It has been a long time to make salted fish, but I am not used to this kind of busy life.
Qi Wang who came back from the East Palace was doing as usual, and those palace people who cared too much about him were not as worried this time as they were last time.
After about three days like this, Qi Heng sent his confidants to look for Qi Wang, saying that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince agreed to let him go to the prison.
When he learned of this result, Qi Wang was not surprised. With Qi Heng's temperament, he would definitely agree to this matter.
Qi Wang acted quite calmly, after tidying up, he was ready to follow the people to the prison, but his three personal servants immediately exploded when they knew that their little highness was going to the prison.
Cuiwei and Honghong stood in front of Qi Wang, persuading him earnestly, "Your Highness, is it possible for you to go to a place like the Heavenly Prison? You can't be so impulsive."
After Cuiwei persuaded her, Scarlet went on to say: "Yes, Your Highness, the prison is full of serious criminals, and it's dirty and smelly. The environment is too bad. Your body is weak. If you are bumped into after entering What should I do?"
"Your Highness, Your Majesty asked us to take care of you. If you take care of your illness, then we will all die."
"Your Highness..."
Cuiwei and Honghong seemed to be about to cry as they talked, and Changle, like the two of them, stopped Qi Huang from letting him go to the prison.
Of course, Changle is not worried about anything else, but because he knows that Chu Li is in the sky prison. What if His Highness sees the scarred Chu Li, and the old love rekindles again
That's impossible, the little Highness had managed to live a normal life, and he would never allow the Little Highness to be seduced back by such a person again.
Qi Wang looked at Changle Cuiwei and Hong Hong, they didn't have any malicious intentions to stop Qi Wang, they were all for his own good and didn't want him to be hurt.
In fact, there are all such people around the original owner, whether it is the original owner's parents and elder brothers, or the palace people who serve him, they are all doing the original owner's good, and all those dangers are blocked by them. When encountering danger, he will not let the original owner be in a dangerous situation. All the original owner can see and feel is truth, goodness and beauty, so he has developed an innocent and kind character, and in the end he doesn't even hate it. meeting.
This situation is actually very normal, just like every time in the past, they are doing it for his own good, and they don't want the original owner to be exposed to danger.
But Qi Wang is not the original owner, they have good intentions, but Qi Wang does not want to accept this good intention.
People will not grow without going through hardships. When a well-protected person loses protection, they may need to make a hundred times and a thousand times of effort and suffer a thousand times and a thousand times of harm before they can gain the ability to live independently.
"I am the master of Changle Palace. When will I need your consent to make a decision? Am I your master, or are you my master?"
Qi Wang's voice was not loud, but it fell into Changle Cuiwei's and Hong Hong's ears like thunder, and the three froze there, their faces instantly pale.
"Your Highness, this slave servant realizes his mistake, please forgive me, Your Highness."
The three of them knelt down in unison, begging Qi Wang's forgiveness, because they were too scared, their bodies were trembling.
What Qi Wang said just now was too serious, almost accusing them of committing crimes above and below, trying to control the thoughts of their masters as slaves.
Only now did they realize that no matter how good His Royal Highness is, he is still the owner of the Longevity Palace and the Second Prince of Qi, and he is not someone they can manipulate at will—even if they pretend to be good for him , nor can it.
"You all go back to my room and reflect on yourself. Without my permission, you are not allowed to come out of the room."
After leaving these words behind, Qi Wang followed Qi Heng's men and left the Longevity Palace, and took a carriage to the place where the prison was located.
After Qi Wang left, Changle and the others stood up from the ground with limp legs. Thinking of the momentum that Qi Wang showed just now, the three of them still had lingering fears.
They had always thought that His Royal Highness who was still a child had grown up, and now he was no longer that innocent and ignorant Young Highness, but His Highness the Second Prince of Qi.
"Your Highness has grown up."
"That's right, we shouldn't dictate His Highness's choice."
"We did it wrong."
The protection they thought they thought was their confinement to His Royal Highness, they never felt that there was anything wrong with what they did in the past, but after being scolded for a while, they realized that their past selves had overstepped .
Your Highness is the master, and they are slaves. As slaves, can they just use the three words "for your own good" to influence the master's thoughts
It's also because the little Highness has a good temper, otherwise, how could the three of them have their lives standing here
The three returned to their room dejectedly to reflect, while Qi Wang sat on the carriage and bumped towards the prison.
Qi Heng obviously greeted him in advance, Qi Wang was not stopped when he passed by, and was directly taken into the sky prison.
Just like what Cuiwei and the others said, the smell in the sky prison is really not good, and the prisoners locked here are also a little nervous. After seeing the luxuriously dressed Qi Wang appearing in the sky prison, the honest prisoners People suddenly seemed to be stimulated, and crazily yelled at Qi Huang.
The jailers reprimanded the prisoners, and beat some of the most violent ones with thick sticks, and the other prisoners finally calmed down.
Qi Heng's subordinates led Qi Wang all the way forward, and soon came to the innermost cell.
In other prisons, several people live together. The innermost ones should be regarded as VIPs in the prison. They are all prisons for one person, and the environment is only slightly better than the previous ones.
Chu Li is the prince of Chu, and his treatment is better. Of course, the better treatment is just an extra bed, a set of quilts, and a set of tables and chairs in the prison.
This environment is not as good as that mountain hut, let alone Chu Palace.
Chu Li probably suffered a lot here.