Xiao Yi’s expression darkened.
“Fourth Brother, watch your tongue!”
A flicker of discomfort quickly crossed Prince Rui’s face.
“Eldest Brother, let’s dispense with the pleasantries. I know that although you’ve become like this, your influence in the military camps is still considerable.”
“I’m not asking for much. I only want to keep Fifth Brother from having everything go too smoothly.”
Xiao Yi stared coldly at Prince Rui.
“Fourth Brother, the common people along the border are subjects of the Xiao family as well!”
“On that point, Fifth Brother is better than you!”
Prince Rui’s expression turned ugly.
“Eldest Brother, the fact that Fifth Brother’s men were able to reach the border so smoothly—is that because you supported him in secret?”
“I knew it! The people he sent out were all style over substance. How else could they have reached the border without a hitch?”
Prince Rui’s gaze toward Xiao Yi grew hostile.
“Eldest Brother, don’t forget—we’re all in the same boat!”
His tone was unmistakably threatening.
Xiao Yi looked at him coldly. “Whether it’s you or our other brothers, we’re still family.”
Seeing Xiao Yi skirt the issue, Prince Rui suddenly laughed.
“Eldest Brother, I never thought you could be so heartless!”
“The Su family is your wife’s family, after all!”
Xiao Yi slowly lifted his teacup but said nothing.
Seeing that Xiao Yi seemed hesitant, Prince Rui smiled and picked up his own teacup.
“Eldest Brother, Fifth Brother has always been closest to Second Brother.”
“If he ascends the throne, none of us will fare well!”
“Even if you don’t think of yourself, you should at least think of Sister-in-law and the children, shouldn’t you?”
“I heard Sister-in-law fell ill because of what happened to her family?”
“There isn’t even anyone in the residence to manage things now. Changle is taking care of everything?”
“Eldest Brother, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Women need to be coaxed!”
Xiao Yi’s face darkened, but he remained silent.
At that moment, Duoduo’s voice came from outside.
“Yunxiao, I want to ask Father about something. Is he free?”
“Princess, His Highness is receiving a guest at the moment. Please come back a little later.” Yunxiao’s voice rang out.
“But it’s something very important. I need to ask Father about it. What should I do?” Duoduo sounded anxious.
“Princess, His Highness isn’t available right now.”
Their conversation carried clearly into the room.
Prince Rui looked at Xiao Yi as if he were watching a good show.
“Eldest Brother, how old is Changle? Four?”
“What could a little girl possibly know about managing a household?”
“Are you giving Sister-in-law the cold shoulder?”
Xiao Yi still said nothing.
Outside, it seemed Yunxiao had managed to persuade Duoduo to leave.
The corridor fell silent.
Prince Rui had said so much, yet Xiao Yi still refused to give him an answer. He began to grow anxious.
At present, the only person he could think of who might help him was his eldest brother.
As long as he could bring Fifth Brother down, he was willing to do anything!
Even if he wasn’t the one who ultimately took that position, he still couldn’t let Fifth Brother get his way.
Whenever Prince Rui thought of how he had been forcibly made to yield the throne to Fifth Brother after only a few days, while Fifth Brother had already occupied the position for several days, he felt utterly humiliated.
“Eldest Brother, as long as you’re willing to help me, I’ll agree to anything you ask!”
The words escaped Prince Rui before he could stop them.
Xiao Yi raised his eyes and studied him.
“Do you mean that?”
Prince Rui was delighted that Xiao Yi had finally spoken.
“Of course!”
“A man’s word is his bond!”
Xiao Yi lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.
Prince Rui didn’t dare make a sound, afraid that his elder brother might change his mind.
After contemplating for a long while, Xiao Yi finally spoke slowly.
“I can write to my former subordinates stationed at the border and have them delay the fighting.”
“But I can’t guarantee that they’ll listen to me.”
“There’s one more condition.”
“I want to reclaim the betrothal token the Su family gave the Wang family.”
“If you agree, I’ll write the letter at once.”
Xiao Yi’s tone was solemn.
Prince Rui froze. He hadn’t expected his elder brother to make such a demand.
“Eldest Brother, why?”
“The engagement between our two families is a good thing. There’s no need for you to insist on breaking up such a well-matched couple, is there?”
Xiao Yi gave him a cold look.
“I hate being manipulated.”
Prince Rui’s face grew hot. After thinking it over briefly, he agreed at once.
“Fine. I’ll have someone bring the token over immediately.”
“However, the letter must be delivered personally by one of my men.”
Xiao Yi nodded. “Agreed.”
Prince Rui walked to the door, opened it, called over one of his guards, and quietly gave him a few instructions.
The guard hurried away.
Prince Rui didn’t see Duoduo. He closed the door and returned to his seat.
“Come to think of it, Duoduo is about the same age as Danyang. The two of them should get along well.”
“My wife is very fond of Duoduo too. Eldest Brother, why not let Duoduo visit our residence for a few days?”
Xiao Yi lowered his head and looked at the teacup in his hands, offering no response.
Prince Rui was already accustomed to Xiao Yi’s manner. He merely smiled.
“Eldest Brother, I’ve already sent someone to retrieve the token. As for that letter…”
Xiao Yi set down his teacup and picked up the writing brush beside him.
He spread out a sheet of rice paper and looked at Prince Rui.
“Will you dictate the contents?”
Prince Rui was overjoyed. He rose and leaned over.
“Of course! Eldest Brother, just write…”
Xiao Yi remained expressionless. Whatever Prince Rui said, he wrote down exactly as instructed.
He was remarkably cooperative.
When Xiao Yi finished the final stroke, Prince Rui’s face lit up with delight.
He hurriedly reached for the letter, but Xiao Yi stopped him.
“The token.”
Prince Rui reluctantly withdrew his hand.
“Eldest Brother, you don’t trust your own brother?”
“I personally ordered my guard to retrieve it. Of course he’ll bring it back!”
The corner of Xiao Yi’s lips curled into a cold smile.
“Until I see the token, Fourth Brother, you can forget about taking this letter.”
A flicker passed through Prince Rui’s eyes.
“Fine, fine, fine! I’ll have another cup of tea at your place.”
He sat back down, appearing perfectly calm.
For a while, silence filled the study.
A full quarter of an hour passed before the guard’s voice finally sounded from outside.
“Your Highness, your subordinate has brought the items.”
Prince Rui sprang eagerly to his feet.
He opened the door himself and saw the guard standing there, drenched in sweat, with a small pouch in his palm.
“That’s all?” Prince Rui asked in surprise.
“Replying to Your Highness, Vice Minister Wang gave your subordinate only this,” the guard answered.
Prince Rui took the pouch and examined it from every angle.
How could this count as a betrothal token?
“Is there nothing else?” Prince Rui asked, worried that it wouldn’t satisfy Xiao Yi.
The guard pulled a letter from his sleeve.
“Madam Wang also gave your subordinate this.”
Prince Rui glanced at it, then carried the letter and pouch back to Xiao Yi.
“Eldest Brother, the guard says these are the only two items.”
He placed them on the desk.
Xiao Yi glanced at them and picked up the letter first.
