Having struggled for a whole night, Xu Qing couldn't fall asleep and immediately woke up when he heard the sound from the gate.

The old man walked into the bedroom and said in a low voice, "Mr. Xu, it's time to get up and have breakfast."

"OK, we will get up right now." Xu Qing sat up from the bed and said to the old man.

The old man nodded without any words and turned back to walk out.

Xu Qing lowered his eyebrows and thought the old man must be sad because the men in black overturned the jar of wine that was brewed by his wife.

After the old man walked out, Xu Qing threw back the covers and got out of the bed slowly. Then he woke up four men sleeping on the floor and walked out of the bedroom.

The breakfast was ready, and the old man was sitting on one side to wait for them.

Xu Qing walked there, "Thank you for preparing the breakfast for us."

"Never mind. Just some simple dishes. Don't mind it, Mr. Xu." The old man pointed at the porridge and some steamed buns and said.

Xu Qing hurried to say, "Thank you. Without you yesterday, I would have been caught by those people now."

"Who are they? Why do they run after you?" The old man asked in bewilderment.

Xu Qing sighed and sat next to the old man, "Jiandu was flooded. I, together with Marquis Shuo, went to Jing City in order to accuse the officials of their bribes and violation of laws. Later, His Majesty appointed me as a prefect. Although I don't know who sent these people, they must be plotting something."

"You are a good official. I wish you good luck. It still takes several days to arrive at Jiandu. Take care." The old man heard this and said to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing nodded, thought for a while and said, "I am afraid that I have to bother you today. From what the men in black said, they have suspected you. If they don't find me, they must stay nearby. I am worried that they will harm you, so we will stay here one more day and we will pay for our food."

"Never mind. Although I don't have too much money, I can offer you some simple dishes." The old man heard it and frowned.

Then he handed a steamed bun to Xu Qing, "Eat it as long as you don't dislike it."

Xu Qing nodded and took the steamed bun.

The other people in the room walked out and sat down to have breakfast.

In Liao City

An Ran, the King of Liao City, was enjoying the scenery leisurely in the yard.

Although it was autumn, the hibiscus mutabilis in the yard was in full bloom!

An Ran was drinking tea and humming happily.

Several days ago, he received the letter from Chushi Youtian, the Emperor of Dongling. It said that he suspected that Marquis Shuo betrayed him, but he failed to find the evidence. He tested Marquis Shuo several times, but in vain. Chushi Youtian wanted to let An Ran's daughter marry Marquis Shuo. Later, Chushi Youtian could ask his daughter to collect evidence for him, and he would give him a piece of land near Liao City as a reward.

The reason why Chushi Youtian was sure that An Ran would help him should be dated back to several years ago.

Liao City was a separated city that wasn't governed by the four countries!

Liao City was narrowly defeated by Nanling when it was in turmoil. The former emperor of Dongling went to mediate in this and saved Liao City.

When he was young, An Ran, the king of Liao City, promised to the former emperor of Dongling that he would do anything for Dongling if Dongling needed help!

Later, Chushi Youtian learned that the only daughter of the King of Liao City liked Shuo Ling.

Chushi Youtian thought of what his father had mentioned about Liao City.

An Ran received the letter and frowned because Chushi Youtian was calculating. He did make a promise before.

However, he felt a little bit sad to let his dear daughter marry Marquis Shuo.

He thought that Marquis Shuo was truly a calm man when he saw him before.

Plus, he knew that his daughter An Qin liked Marquis Shuo, so he asked An Qin whether she was willing to marry Marquis Shuo.

He told her about the letter from Chushi Youtian.

An Qin heard it and nodded with a flush on her face.

An Ran knew that his daughter was willing to marry him.

But later, he explained to An Qin that Chushi Youtian meant to let her investigate Shuo Ling's secrets.

An Qin heard this and frowned. She thought that Shuo Ling was the one she loved and he was loyal. Even if he was not loyal, she would not tell it to Chushi Youtian.

At that time, An Qin said to An Ran, "Dad, I can marry Marquis Shuo, but I will not be a spy!"

"But I have promised to the Emperor of Dongling that we will help them if they need some help. If you don't agree, I will be considered dishonest." An Ran frowned and said to An Qin.

An Qin snorted at An Ran and turned back, "Dad, I don't want to be the spy for the Emperor of Dongling. If Marquis Shuo is really not loyal to the Emperor of Dongling, the Emperor of Dongling will kill him. Then what should I do then? Are you willing to let me be a widow when I am still young?"

"What you think about is reasonable." An Ran frowned and pondered with his eyes lowered.

It would be fine if Shuo Ling was loyal. If not, his dear daughter would...

Thinking of this, An Ran couldn't help but sigh. If he refused the Emperor, he would be considered dishonest. He felt embarrassed.

At this time, An Ran's counselor Zhao Ji said, "You don't have to feel worried, My Lord."

"Really? Do you have any good idea, Mr. Zhao?" An Ran looked at Zhao Ji behind him and asked.

Zhao Ji walked forward, stood in front of An Ran and said with his hands cupped, "I have a good idea. Do you want to hear it?"

"Please." An Ran sat up straightly and stared at Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji looked at An Qin and smiled, "If you want to ensure both An Qin's happiness and your own honesty, I think you can deal with it as what I say."

Zhao Ji walked in front of An Ran and bent down to whisper in his ear.

An Qin on the side frowned.

After hearing what Zhao Ji said, An Ran frowned and later smiled.

An Ran clapped his hands and said, "Mr. Zhao, good idea. Fetch me the paper and I will write back to the Emperor of Dongling right now."

"Yes." Zhao Ji stepped back and smiled with her hands cupped in front of her chest.

Then she went to take a pen and paper.

After Zhao Ji left, An Qin thought for a while and walked in front of An Ran, "Dad, what did Mr. Zhao say just now? I want to know!"

"Really?" An Ran looked at An Qin with love.

An Qin nodded.

An Ran smiled and motioned to An Qin to come over.

An Qin ran forward quickly and bent down to make her ear close to him. Then An Ran told An Qin the idea offered by Zhao Ji.

An Qin heard it, nodded with a smile, and stood up, "Dad, your counselor Mr. Zhao really can help you solve lots of problems."

"Ha-ha. Sweetheart. Dad will handle the following things. Wait for the good news, Qin." An Ran laughed and said to An Qin.

An Qin nodded.

Later, An Ran wrote back to Chushi Youtian and agreed with his requirement!

Since he wrote back to Chushi Youtian, An Ran felt relaxed every day.

He woke up in the morning and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the yard.

Zhao Ji's idea was very wise. An Qin would marry Marquis Shuo first. If Marquis Shuo was loyal, it would be good that An Qin married Marquis Shuo, who was well known in Dongling.

If Marquis Shuo was not loyal, Marquis Shuo must have the ability to get out of trouble. If Marquis Shuo took action then, he could help Marquis Shuo, his future son-in-law, take the throne and his daughter would be the Empress.

Whatever happened, he would benefit from it.

Thinking of this, An Ran, the King of Liao City, couldn't help smiling.

At this time, Zhao Ji walked here with a letter and said with her hands cupped, "My Lord, here is the letter from Dongling."

"Give it to me quickly." An Ran put down his cup and sat straightly.

Zhao Ji handed the letter to An Ran.

When An Ran got it, he opened it quickly and read it.

Then An Ran frowned because it said that Marquis Shuo had married and his daughter had to be Marquis Shuo's concubine.

Seeing this, An Ran threw the letter and said with anger, "How dare the Emperor of Dongling treat us like this?"

Zhao Ji on one side saw this and frowned. Then she bent down to pick up the letter An Ran threw on the floor and read it.

"Don't be angry. I have heard of Infanta Qingcheng who married Marquis Shuo mentioned in the letter." Zhao Ji put the letter on the stone table and looked at An Ran.

An Ran frowned, "Chushi Youtian is way out of line. How dare he let Qin be a concubine?"

"Don't worry. Infanta Qingcheng is Duke of Mu's daughter. I heard that she was lost for a long time and Duke of Mu had a bad relationship with her. Infanta Qingcheng doesn't have a good background. Even if she is Marquis Shuo's wife now, nobody can guarantee that she won't be in trouble in the future." Zhao Ji said as glancing at An Ran.

An Ran heard this and still felt worried. Although what Zhao Ji said was reasonable, "If Qin marries into Dongling as a concubine, even though I don't mind losing my face, Qin can't bear it..."

"Dad, I can bear it." An Qin walked from one side and walked in front of An Ran directly.

An Qin had come when An Ran threw away the letter. She wanted to know what had happened, so she stood aside and heard the words that Zhao Ji said.