"No, my lord, are you serious? Do you know that if you really do this, it will really be over between you and Miss Tao. You saw it just now. You didn't say anything, and people already started. You are angry, if people know that you want to deal with the Chu family, have you ever thought about Miss Tao's reaction?"

Xie Lan said nothing.

Xiao Shuo sighed and said, "I know it's hard for you to choose now, but I still want to say that there may be other ways to do this.

Chu Wulang and I have been friends for many years. Although we haven't seen each other for several years during this period, I believe that a person's nature will not change.

There must be a reason why the Chu family suddenly resisted the imperial court. Maybe if we find this reason, the conflict with the Chu family can be resolved. "

An hour later, the Chu family army set off again. Xie Lan and his party followed them blatantly this time.

Tao Yaoyao opened the curtain several times and looked out of the carriage, with a worried look on her face. After Chu Silang saw it, he frowned and asked her, "If you don't want to see him, I can have someone get rid of him."

"No need." Tao Yaoyao put down the curtain, took the book next to her, and started reading.

Unexpectedly, she even turned over the book. In the end, Chu Silang couldn't stand it anymore and helped her correct it, "If you are upset, don't do anything. Just close your eyes and relax."

"Fourth brother has seen my affairs so thoroughly, but he has never thought about the future of the Chu family?" Tao Yaoyao looked at him, "I don't believe you don't know the consequences of doing this.

A family that can rebel against the country, even if it surrenders to other countries, there is no guarantee that they will doubt your loyalty. What will you do when the time comes? Will you take your family again and defect to other countries?

But the roots of our Chu family are in Jingguo, and our ancestors have been here for generations.

One day, if my grandfather passes away, how will he go to see his ancestors? "

"That's enough. These questions are not what you should think about. What you have to do now is to go back to the border with me. If you like it here, you can stay there forever. If you don't like it..."

"I will make the decision on my life." Tao Yaoyao interrupted him, "Fourth brother, since you have made this matter clear to me, why not tell me everything you have hidden from me.

Aren't you filled with anger? You don't want to find someone to vent to.

I am a person who has always had a clear distinction between grudges and grievances. If the court really does something that is sorry for the Chu family, I will definitely stand by my family. "

"You won't." Chu Silang said something ambiguous after staring at her for a while.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you like Xie Lan because he is good-looking? Fourth brother tells you that in our army, there are many good-looking people. When you get to the border, which one will you like? You tell Fourth Brother, and Fourth Brother will help you find him to make a clear decision."

"Fourth brother, do you think I am such a superficial person?" Tao Yaoyao couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry.

After that, the two of them didn't say anything about the tense atmosphere, and the rest of the journey became much more relaxed. The group stayed at the inn at night, and Xie Lan also stayed here.

Tao Yaoyao returned to the house early and stood by the window admiring the moon. When there was a knock on the door, she thought it was Xie Lan and had no intention of opening the door.

Who knew that the door of the room was suddenly opened, and then Chu Wulang walked in from the outside.

"Fifth brother, why are you..." After Tao Yaoyao finished speaking, he thought of something, pulled him over and quickly closed the door, "Why are you here? Aren't you in prison?"

"I didn't kill the third prince. His Majesty and the second prince were planning this on me. I am able to come out now because I have found evidence."

Chu Wulang came over covered in fatigue, showing exhaustion all over his body.

Tao Yaoyao called her some food and said, "You came here without going to see Fourth Brother?"

"I heard that you and Xie Lan had a quarrel. I came to see you." Chu Wulang saw that she was in a good mood and felt relieved. "Don't think too much about it. What happened between us has nothing to do with you. If..."

"Fifth brother, do you want to get me out of this matter?" Tao Yaoyao did not agree with the things the Chu family did, but that didn't mean that she would stay alone when something happened to the Chu family.

Besides, people outside also think that they are together. Even if the Chu family protects him, they may not be able to do anything.

But compared to these, Tao Yaoyao is more concerned about why Chu Wulang appears here.

Based on her knowledge of His Majesty and her understanding of this matter, no one in Kyoto City would be able to let him leave easily. The Chu family would still be wary of his presence.

It can be said that he is the hostage of the Chu family in Kyoto City.

But now that he is gone, it means that the Chu family has no control. Can His Majesty still sit back and relax from now on?

The reason why His Majesty let her leave Kyoto City so happily was because of Chu Wulang.

So no matter what the reason was, he shouldn't show up here now, unless... Tao Yaoyao just thought of a possibility when there was a knock on the door.

Chu Wulang stood up hurriedly, walked to the door in a few steps, took a cautious look outside, and then quickly came to Tao Yaoyao, pulling her to prepare to jump out of the window.

When I opened the window, I realized that there were heavy soldiers surrounding me downstairs.

Now he is surrounded by enemies on all sides and can hardly fly.

After seeing his situation, Tao Yaoyao said angrily, "So you really escaped?" She asked him with scarlet eyes, "You know the consequences of this trip, why are you still here?"

Tao Yaoyao had already guessed the reason, but she just wanted Chu Wulang to say it. She didn't know why. It was probably because she owed too much and she couldn't afford to pay it back.

But she still wanted to remind herself what kind of situation she was in now. She and the people outside the door were already in two different worlds. Because of this incident, their relationship will probably become more difficult.

"I'm sorry, brother just heard that you were in a bad mood and wanted to come and see you."

Sure enough.

When Chu Wulang was about to say something else, Tao Yaoyao made some decision and pulled him behind him. At this time, the door of the room was broken down by people from outside, and more than a dozen guards rushed in.

Xie Lan walked at the back. The moment their eyes met, Tao Yaoyao's eyes showed a bit of hesitation, but they soon became firm again.

"Yaoyao, he is the one your Majesty wants. I must take him back today." Xie Lan frowned and explained after seeing what she meant.

That's not what Tao Yaoyao wanted to know.

"So, you were ordered to accompany me to the border, right?" There were some words that she originally wanted him to say, but he refused, so she was the only one to untie the window paper.

Xie Lan was silent. Tao Yaoyao smiled, "You don't bother to lie, but you still refuse to tell me the truth, so you choose to respond to me with silence, right?

It doesn't matter if you don't want to say it, let me do it.

A year ago, you left the border and returned to Kyoto City, not only because of the adulteration of weapons, but also because you were aware of the Chu family's plan, right?

During your return to Kyoto City, it seemed that you were investigating the adulteration of weapons, but in fact you were investigating the involvement between the Chu family and the court. It is believed that the poison on Crown Prince's body was inflicted by the Chu family.

The death of the third prince should also be related to the Chu family.

This is why you don't want me to get involved in this matter.

And you to me. "

Speaking of this, Tao Yaoyao suddenly smiled very bitterly, "You keep saying that you protect me because of my grandfather, but in fact, you are taking advantage of me by getting close to me.

You use me to make the Chu family relax their vigilance against you, and you use my medical skills to help the people you want to help. You...have always only used me.

As for you saying you want to marry me, I'm afraid it's just to gain my trust in you and let you follow me to the border.

Xie Lan, actually you really don’t have to be like this. Although I am short-sighted and superficial, I have a sense of justice and I know that the world’s affairs are the most important. "

Xie Lan had long known that she was smart, and the concealment and protection he thought he had could not last long with her, but he still wanted to hold on for a little longer, even for one day.

In this way, she can have one more happy day.

But now, when facing her accusations and tears, he was shaken in his heart.

He even began to ask himself if he had really done something wrong.

"I'm sorry." Thousands of words finally turned into one sentence of sorry. Because at this time he had missed the best opportunity to explain, as if whatever he said now was wrong.

In this case, it's better not to say anything.

"If you sincerely apologize, then let me and my fifth brother go." Tao Yaoyao wiped her tears, took out a dagger from her sleeve, and put it against her neck.

"Yaoyao."

Neither Chu Wulang nor Xie Lan expected that she would reach this point. They were worried that she would accidentally hurt themselves, so they looked nervous.

"It doesn't matter whether you blame me or not. You have people you want to protect, and so do I." Tao Yaoyao dragged Chu Wulang with one hand and held a dagger in the other, stepping closer to the door of the room.

Xie Lan stood at the door, watching her approach and pass by him. He wanted to say something, but finally said nothing.

Just when Tao Yaoyao was about to go downstairs, a man from the guard rushed over, preparing to catch Chu Wulang while Tao Yaoyao was not paying attention.

Chu Wulang reacted and jumped away. After Tao Yaoyao recovered, she stood in front of the guard.

The guard put the knife on her neck with his backhand. What happened was too sudden, but in just a moment, the scene changed drastically.

Xie Lan rushed over when he heard the noise, and when he saw this scene, his eyes were full of evil.

"Who asked you to do it? Put the knife down quickly."

The guard was dissatisfied that Xie Lan ignored the overall situation for the sake of petty love, "My lord, have you forgotten what His Majesty said when we left Kyoto City? If you can't do this, not only will you die, but so will our subordinates. To die.

Brothers, after following you for so many years, do you really have the heart to let us lose our lives because of a woman? "

These guards are all people who have followed Xie Lan for many years. It can be said that they have been through life and death. They are masters and servants in name, but in fact they are brothers and family members.

But Xie Lan didn't expect that this person would stand up and say such things at this time.

"No one except me knows your Majesty's decree for this king. How do you know it?" Xie Lan grabbed the key point of his words and asked.

The guard later realized something was wrong, but still refused to tell the truth.

"This is a secret message that I have seen without comment."

"You lied. I will burn the secret letter after reading it. You have no chance to see it." Xie Lan stepped forward. The guard dragged Tao Yaoyao and pushed him back step by step. He was about to reach the stairs.

When Chu Wulang saw this, he looked worried, "Xie Lan, don't irritate him anymore. Otherwise, if something happens to Yaoyao, I will definitely not let you go."

"Shut up. If it weren't for you, how could Yaoyao be like this?" Xie Lan glared at Chu Wulang dissatisfied, "You stayed well in the prison, why did you run away?"

"Hmph, if I didn't run away, would I still be waiting to be beheaded by you and my son? Don't think that I don't know why you kept me in Kyoto City. We sons of the Chu family have never been afraid of life and death.

But what we hate most in this life are duplicitous people like you.

Xie Lan, speaking of which, my Chu family is also kind to you. Is this how you repay your savior? "

"I have never forgotten the kindness your Chu family has shown to me, but this is not the reason why your Chu family committed treason regardless of the lives of the people of Jingguo.

If the imperial court does something bad to you and makes you dissatisfied, I can help investigate and mediate..."

"Pull me down. You are not popular yourself. You are obviously a prince, but your life has not been as cool as mine these years. Now His Majesty is just treating you as a sharp blade and using you. You actually believe it.

You say that our Chu family is ungrateful and does not care about the life and death of the people. As for your father, our Chu family has protected many people over the years, but you only know how to enjoy it.

When my Chu family was trapped in Yingshan, we sent out many letters asking for help, but what did you do?

Just because you are afraid of my Chu family, you just watch my eldest brother die in battle? "

What, the eldest son of the Chu family is dead. What happened when and why he had never heard anyone mention it.

Tao Yaoyao had never heard any of her brothers mention this matter. To say who among these brothers was the best to the original owner, it was definitely the eldest son of the Chu family. He was a man very similar to his grandfather.

He is tall and majestic and has great martial arts skills. Even His Majesty said he is a man born for the battlefield.

He joined the army at the age of fifteen, fought on the battlefield for nearly twenty years, and protected many people in Jingguo. He was a hero praised by the people of Jingguo, but such a hero actually died in the internal fighting among his own people.

No wonder the Chu family was so angry and would rather have nothing than break up with Jing Guo and the royal family.

But, the price is not too high.

"Fifth brother, is this true?" Tao Yaoyao looked at Chu Wulang.

Chu Wulang originally didn't want to talk about this, but he couldn't bear to see Xie Lan acting like a gentleman and preaching to him. It was obvious that the royal family had failed the Chu family, so why did they act like they had failed them.

My father always said that this is how kings and ministers behave.

He used to agree with this sentence, but since his eldest brother died, he is no longer willing to agree with it.

Why did Jingguo's empire depend on the Chu family, but His Majesty made things difficult and fearful for them in every possible way, and in the end his eldest brother was killed because of his suspicion.

Since they looked down on the Chu family so much, he wanted to see how long the world in Jingguo could be peaceful without the Chu family guarding the border when they left Jingguo.

"Yaoyao, don't be afraid. Even if the eldest brother is gone, you still have four of us brothers. We will love you as much as the eldest brother."

Chu Wulang couldn't bear to let her feel sad, so he comforted her carefully.

Tao Yaoyao shook her head with tears in her eyes, "You should have told me earlier." If she had known these things earlier, she would not have had anything to do with Xie Lan, let alone save His Majesty.

She even resented herself whenever she thought of saving her brother's enemy.

"Fifth brother, please go and leave me alone. Don't worry, he won't kill me." Tao Yaoyao looked at him with despair and said without any doubt.

Chu Wulang disagreed at first, but Tao Yaoyao threatened to die. In the end, he had no choice but to leave first.

Chu Silang and the others realized something was wrong and hid downstairs waiting. When they saw him coming out alone, they stepped forward and gave him a kick, "I told you before, not to be impulsive, but you refused to listen. Now it's okay." Oh, Yaoyao has been harmed miserably by you."

"Fourth brother, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it." At this time, Chu Wulang also regretted it.

"Forget it, let's leave here first, otherwise Yaoyao's previous efforts will be in vain." After all, he is his own brother. At this point, he can't do anything even if he kills him.

When Chu Silang took him away, Xie Lan also rescued Tao Yaoyao.

The guard was arrested, Xie Lanping retired and sat face to face with Tao Yaoyao at the table. The two people who used to talk to each other now looked at each other without words.

I don't know how much time passed, but Xiao Shuo came in with food and saw that the two of them were still the same as when he went out just now. He frowned and said, "Are you planning not to talk to anyone today?"

"There is nothing left to say between us." Tao Yaoyao stood up and was about to leave. Xie Lan stood up and grabbed her, "You can't leave."

"Why, you want to tie me here and use me to threaten the Chu family?" Tao Yaoyao asked, "But this is indeed something you can do.

After all, you can even fake emotional matters. "

"I..." Xie Lan wanted to say something, but Tao Yaoyao didn't want to hear it at all, so she simply interrupted him, "Xie Lan, I didn't know you were this kind of person. You usually look like you are unattainable. , but at the critical moment, any means will be used to achieve the goal.

Didn't you say that what you hate most is the appearance of others being different from what they seem? It turns out you were talking about yourself. "

Tao Yaoyao was so angry that she spoke very harshly.

Xie Lan stood beside her, silent. When Xiao Shuo saw this, he was worried for him.

But for emotional matters, there was nothing anyone else could do to help her. She could only put down the food and leave the house.

"Yaoyao, things are not what you think. There is a reason why I did this..."

"I know your reasons. You don't care about that position, and you don't care what the emperor thinks of you. You are noble, you understand the righteousness, and you are dedicated to the common people of the world.

But Xie Lan, I am also a member of the common people, why can’t you see me?

When you did this, didn't you think about what I would do if one day I discovered what you were hiding?

You know, I am indifferent to family ties. There are not many relatives around me, and even fewer who really care about me, so I care about the Chu family very much.

It is precisely because of this that I traveled thousands of miles to the border to protect them.

I thought you wanted to work with me because you loved me, but I didn't expect that you were just using me from the beginning to the end. "