Chapter 685.1: Hand him over

Du Ling didn’t bother asking Pei Qianhao and Su Xi-er to clarify their exchange despite it sounding like a secret code.

Soon after, there was a knock on the door, and Hua Zirong walked in with his guard right behind him.

Du Ling turned with a questioning look towards the pair behind him, but the only response he received was a pair of knowing smiles.

Hua Zirong addressed all of them as he asked, “Prince Hao, Western Region King, may I be allowed to speak with Princess Consort Hao in private?”

Du Ling smirked at this. “Haven’t you already rejected Xi-er’s condition as Xiliu’s monarch? What else do you have to discuss?”

A cold glint flashed across Pei Qianhao’s eyes. “What is your business here?”

“Since you’ve come all this way, you have to show your sincerity. Just speak here.” Su Xi-er smiled as she spoke.

Knowing that Pei Qianhao and Du Ling were very protective of Su Xi-er, Hua Zirong decided it was pointless to insist on doing things his way.

“I would like to make a deal with Princess Consort Hao.” Hua Zirong went straight to the point.

“Oh?” Su Xi-er looked at him and said, “You should already know what I want.”

Du Ling and Pei Qianhao only watched as Su Xi-er spoke. As the monarch of Xiliu, Hua Zirong was naturally no fool, and quickly understood who would be handling this situation.

“I’ll agree to Princess Consort Hao’s condition, but I hope that Princess Consort Hao can let Prime Minister Wen go.” Hua Zirong spoke seriously, with determination.

“I guess you’ve already come to some sort of an agreement with Prime Minister Wen.” Su Xi-er gave a mocking smile.

“Princess Consort Hao, I’m not at liberty to reveal more since the matter involves the imperial family,” Hua Zirong said with a hint of resignation.

Du Ling scoffed, “Isn’t it just because of Lanshan? It’s not my intention to lecture you, but what kind of emperor has to work with this many restrictions when he’s supposed to be ruling?”

“Western Region King, there is no way for you to understand unless you were in my position. There’s no need for you to be so caustic.” Hua Zirong answered him calmly. Even if Xiliu was crumbling from the inner conflicts, there were things that he had to protect.

Pei Qianhao smirked. “It’s not so simple to cover things up, so you should know what you’re getting into.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Prince Hao. I know this very well,” Hua Zirong said.

Smiling, Su Xi-er said, “Don’t do anything you don’t wish for others to find out. However, if you still would like to proceed with this deal, then send him over to me quickly.”

Hua Zirong understood that this meant it was a done deal, but his heart sank a little. Because of certain imperial secrets, he had to protect Prime Minister Wen no matter what.

“Li Zikang will be brought before the Princess Consort tomorrow at noon.” Hua Zirong’s tone held a note of finality.

Pei Qianhao asked, “You’re sure about this? You’re not going to rebuild everything from scratch, even though it’s already rotten to the core?”