Seeing this, Cao Mo was so frightened that he scrambled out of the way, practically rolling and crawling.
In the moment he raised his blade, taking Xiao Rongche's identity into consideration, Qi Xiong ultimately held back from dealing a lethal blow.
He switched the blade to his left hand, grabbed Xiao Rongche's collar with his right, and then delivered a solid kick to his back.
Watching Xiao Rongche roll down the steps, the yamen runners who had rushed over gasped in shock.
This was an imperial prince! How dare the people of Shuobei do such a thing!
"To dare lay a hand on His Highness Prince Qi within our Dongzhao Kingdom, you are far too audacious!" One of the runners took the lead, drawing his curved blade and pointing it at Qi Xiong, looking as if he would charge forward at any second.
Cao Mo hurriedly scrambled up from the ground, his face covered in snot and tears.
"Stop, don't attack! This is all a misunderstanding."
With a dark expression, Qi Xiong helped Wang Nie up from the ground.
Wang Nie gasped for air. His neck had been choked purple, aching at the slightest touch.
He opened his mouth, every word tearing at his injured throat.
"I have been here for less than a day and was nearly choked to death, and you tell me this is a misunderstanding?"
"If your Emperor does not give me an explanation for what happened today, our Shuobei Kingdom will absolutely not let this go."
As they spoke, dozens of yamen runners flooded into the courtyard, packing it so tightly that there was barely room to stand.
What exactly was going on?
Why did it sound like it was His Highness Prince Qi's fault, yet the Shuobei people were the ones drawing blades to kill?
When Xiao Rongche was helped up from the ground, a sharp pain shot through his knee, as if he had injured the bone.
After calming down, he glared darkly at Wang Nie and the others. However, because he couldn't see their faces clearly, he felt both aggrieved and sorrowful.
"You treacherous liars, you will face the wrath of heaven."
As soon as his words fell, Xiao Rongche began to cough.
Along with the violent shuddering of his chest, a mouthful of fresh blood spewed from his throat.
Looking at the blood on the ground, Cao Mo suddenly felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Xiao Rongche closed his eyes and completely lost consciousness.
"His Highness Prince Qi!" the runner supporting him cried out in alarm, hastily catching his falling body.
Cao Mo's face turned deathly pale. Panic-stricken, he looked up and shouted to his subordinates, "Quick, go fetch the imperial physician!"
The previously overbearing Wang Nie immediately furrowed his brows, shooting a hesitant glance at Qi Xiong.
Did you kick him hard?
Pressing his thick lips into a straight line, Qi Xiong shook his head slightly.
Not that hard, I only used a little bit of strength.
Wang Nie didn't say a word, his gaze carrying a trace of worry as he watched Xiao Rongche being carried away.
"Send someone to follow them. If he really dies, it will be quite troublesome."
Qi Xiong couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
If he had known the other party was so weak, he wouldn't have kicked him just now.
In the Imperial Study, Xiao Chengjing had just finished discussing the matter of the political marriage with Dongfang Shaoting and the others.
After all the ministers had left, he instructed Zhao Yande in a deep voice, "Summon County Princess Linghui to the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Just as Zhao Yande was about to step out, a eunuch bumped into him from the right.
His body swayed, and even his hat was knocked off.
Lowering his voice, Zhao Yande glared and scolded, "Why are you running so fast? If you bump into the Emperor, watch your head!"
The eunuch's shoulders trembled. With a face full of panic, he said to Zhao Yande, "Master, something terrible has happened."
"His Highness Prince Qi and the people from the Shuobei Kingdom got into a fight at the Huitong Guesthouse. They say he coughed up blood, and the imperial physicians just rushed over."
Zhao Yande's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he pressed coldly, "Who coughed up blood?"
The eunuch swallowed hard in fear.
"It's His Highness Prince Qi. They say it doesn't look good; he has already passed out."
No longer caring about summoning Song Jinzhao, Zhao Yande abruptly turned and ran back into the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, news just arrived. The Huitong Guesthouse has called for the imperial physicians. They say His Highness Prince Qi was beaten by the Shuobei diplomatic mission until he coughed up blood, and he is already unconscious."
