Chapter 22

History and reality often have astonishing similarities. The Yuming Pearl is almost the same as the jade mentioned in the classics. Ling Ziling was kidnapped by the leader of the Yiqi Sect, Niu Lao, because she possessed the secret of refining the Yuming Pearl. If Niu Lao hadn't brought about his own downfall by causing trouble at the Guose Tower, the Yuming Pearl would already be his.

Unfortunately, Niu Lao's greed led him to provoke Xiao Sheng. Thus, he met the same fate as the king in the story, failing to gain any benefit and instead losing his life.

Ling Ziling had read many books and was well aware of this classic story. She raised her nose and coldly snorted, saying, "Who besides Niu Lao wants this jade wall? The Yuming Pearl is a fine thing; the Emperor of Dahu wants it, the King of Ying Jixiang wants it, and even the Five Dukes of Donghuang all want it. It's just that Niu Lao has the thickest skin, the lowest intelligence, and the greatest greed, so he couldn't resist and was the first to take action."

Xiao Sheng pondered and said, "The incident happened over ten years ago. If they were going to act, they should have done so long ago. Why wait until now?"

Ling Ziling rolled her eyes habitually and said irritably, "Isn't it because of your Empress? I heard her birthday is coming up. Niu Lao wanted to curry favor with her, so he kidnapped me to present me as a gift to the Empress."

Xiao Sheng was taken aback, subconsciously touching his collar and straightening it. He nodded and said, "It's the Empress's birthday. This way, all the pieces fall into place."

Ling Ziling snorted and continued to eat, burying her head. Eunuch Guan, puzzled, couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what exactly is going on? I don't understand."

Xiao Sheng explained, "The Yuming Pearl is indeed a fine thing, and everyone wants it. However, it is also of great importance. Apart from the Emperor of Dahu, no one dares to or can possess it. If someone does, they will be suspected of rebellion.

In fact, when my father was still healthy and not retired to the inner palace, no one dared to have designs on the Yuming Pearl. Although my father once ordered Ling Ziling to refine the Yuming Pearl to atone for her sins, if anyone had dared to force her to refine it and then present it to curry favor, that person would have met a terrible end.

That's why Ling Ziling has been safe until now.

However, in recent years, criticism of the policy of 'barbarians governing the wilderness' has been constant. If this policy is ultimately revoked, the current Five Dukes of Donghuang will no longer be local tyrants. Therefore, they will do everything in their power to maintain the policy.

It is well known that the policy of 'barbarians governing the wilderness' was proposed by the Empress. Now that the Empress holds great power in the court, as long as she doesn't agree, the Five Dukes' status will remain unshaken. Therefore, winning the Empress's favor has become the most important thing for the Five Dukes.

The Empress's birthday is a great opportunity to win her favor. If they can present Ling Ziling to her at the birthday banquet, the Empress will be very pleased, and the Five Dukes will gain countless benefits, and no one will be able to touch them."

The palace is the place with the most intrigue in the world, and almost every day there are all kinds of power struggles. Eunuch Guan, who had been in the palace for over twenty years, was no stranger to such schemes. Therefore, when Xiao Sheng explained, he understood.

But Eunuch Guan still had some doubts. He asked, "Since the Five Dukes all want to win the Empress's favor, why did Your Highness only encounter Niu Lao? Logically, the Five Dukes should have come to the capital together and presented Ling Ziling to the Empress."

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "The Five Dukes are not a monolithic group. For example, Sima Tianxia, the head of the Jinlin Association, and Wen Dahai, the lord of Tiger Shark Island, are mortal enemies. Niu Lao is certainly at odds with others. He might even be thinking of using the Empress's birthday to strike the other four dukes and monopolize the benefits. If the 'Five' in the Five Dukes can be removed, that would be even better."

Eunuch Guan suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's right. I understand. But... what should we do now? Your Highness, how will you arrange for Ziling?"

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "That depends on what Ziling wants." He then turned his gaze to Ling Ziling and asked gently, "Ziling, what do you think?"

Ling Ziling coldly snorted, "Does it matter what I think? I'm just a weak woman, and I'm at your mercy. You can imprison me, kidnap me, scold me, or beat me, as you please. However, I warn you, don't think you can get the secret of the Yuming Pearl from me."

Xiao Sheng was not offended by Ling Ziling's bad attitude. He smiled and said, "Why is that?"

Ling Ziling, with a hint of pride, said fiercely, "Hmph, I have the seals of the past Ling Sect Holy Maidens on my body. Although I know how to refine the Yuming Pearl, I cannot speak of it.

If you try to force me, the seals will be triggered, and they will explode with a power you can't imagine. I will die, and you won't be able to save your lives either. Everyone will suffer, and the Yuming Pearl will never be refined again."

Xiao Sheng gently stroked her hair and said, "Ziling, you can rest assured. I have no interest in the Yuming Pearl. However, there are many people outside who are interested. Actually, you came here with me to use my identity to avoid those who are interested in the Yuming Pearl, right?"

Ling Ziling abruptly pushed away Xiao Sheng's hand and said angrily, "Pah, I must have been blind. I saw that you were skilled, had the surname Xiao, and wore fine clothes, so I thought you were the Sword Prince or the Hero Prince.

If it were either of them, protecting me would be easy. I never expected you to be the Wasted Prince. Can you even protect yourself? How can you talk about protecting me... Don't take on what you can't handle."

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "Do you want to find the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince? It's not a bad idea. However, a few months ago, the Huang River flooded, causing a disaster. The Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince left the capital to provide relief and haven't returned yet. You won't be able to find them.

Why don't you stay here for now? The Empress's birthday is coming up soon. The Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince will definitely return to celebrate. I can take you to find them then."

Ling Ziling was a stranger in Luoyang and had nowhere to go if she left the palace. She also knew that the other four of the Five Dukes, after Niu Lao kidnapped her, were not willing to let the Yiqi Sect have all the benefits and had also come to Luoyang.

If she left the palace now, she might run into them. Wouldn't that be like escaping from the tiger's mouth only to fall into the wolf's den?

Ling Ziling sighed and said helplessly, "There's no other way, I guess I have to stay here." She yawned and said, "Well, no matter what, you did save me. Thanks. I'll need your help to take care of me for the next few days. I'm tired and want to rest. Do you have an extra bed?"

Xiao Sheng smiled and said, "Of course. Eunuch Guan, please take Ziling to rest."

Eunuch Guan stood up and agreed, waving to Ling Ziling to follow him to the guest room. Xiao Sheng remained at the table, sorting out the details of the entire incident and pondering his next steps.

The current Emperor of the Dahu Dynasty, Xuan Di, has fourteen sons in total, excluding his daughters. However, five of them died young. Only nine, including Xiao Sheng, are still alive.

The First Prince, Xiao Yi, is the eldest son but not the legitimate heir. He once broke his leg as a teenager and became a cripple. Therefore, he is known as the "Lame Prince."

The Second Prince, Xiao Ang, is the Empress's legitimate eldest son. Although he has not been officially designated as the crown prince, he is generally seen as the heir apparent and is called the "Crown Prince."

The Third Prince, Xiao Xing, is refined and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He can recite the classics of the Hundred Schools of Thought by heart. The title "Scholar Prince" is well-deserved.

The Fourth Prince, Xiao Yu, has extraordinary talent in swordsmanship. He has been hailed as one of the three greatest swordsmen in the world for the past ten years, with unparalleled and unfathomable skills. He is known as the "Sword Prince."

The Eighth Prince, Xiao Chang, is known for his respect for scholars and his love for people from all walks of life. He has a good reputation among the people and is called the "Wise Prince."

The Ninth Prince, Xiao Kun, is arrogant, impulsive, and tyrannical. He often bullies and oppresses others and has a bad reputation as the "Arrogant Prince."

The Tenth Prince, Xiao Chen, is stingy but also good at making money. He is known as the "Wealth Prince."

The Thirteenth Prince, Xiao Jing, is brave and righteous. He always stands up for justice and is also known for his bravery in battle. He is called the "Hero Prince."

Finally, there is Xiao Sheng, the Fourteenth Prince, the Wasted Prince. However, that is a thing of the past. Starting with his beating of the Arrogant Prince and the Marquis of Bai Li Kun Luo, no one will think of Xiao Sheng as a waste anymore.

Unfortunately, Ling Ziling doesn't know these things yet. Moreover, she hasn't seen the three grandmasters of the Yiqi Sect being defeated by Xiao Sheng, so she can only view him with old eyes.

Ling Ziling knows that her situation is very dangerous. Logically, a mere Wasted Prince can't protect her. Her existence would only drag Xiao Sheng down. However, Xiao Sheng did save her from the inn. She can't repay kindness with ingratitude.

Her previous aggressive behavior was just a self-protective act in an unfamiliar environment. In reality, she is a kind girl. Xiao Sheng, who has experienced many things in a parallel universe, can see this clearly.